Merrell Bare Access Arc 4

Trail · Neutral · 5.9 oz · 15/15mm stack

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock.

Very good

Overall rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Very good (86/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 75% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

86/100
Overall

Overall rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Very good (86/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 75% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

86
Comfort

Comfort rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Very good (88/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 79% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

88
Durability

Durability rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Very good (85/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 71% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

85
Appearance

Appearance rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Very good (86/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 71% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

86
Value

Value rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Very good (82/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 66% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

82
Cushioning

Cushioning rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Good (75/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 46% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

75

Prefer this shoe over another

100% 1/1

Reader Ratings

2 reader ratings
5/5
2
4/5
0
3/5
0
2/5
0
1/5
0

Runner reviews

Write a review

Showing 1–2 of 2 written reviews

Merrell Bare Access

mjr · Feb 6, 2018

5/5

Overall

Wide toe box and low/narrow heel provide a perfect fit for my hobbit-like feet. Zero drop and a Vibram outer sole keep me going for miles in perfect comfort as I fulfill my quest to return the One Ring, My Precious, to the fires of Mordor.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Adaptable, light and reliable

Fronde · Jan 2, 2018

5/5

Overall

I love these shoes. I experiment with buying other shoes, but always have at least one of these pairs on the shelf as a safe go-to for training. They are one of the few zero drop shoes that are built like normal running shoes. They work great on trails and road, and they are light but still protect my feet from stones and bumps. They are not glamorous but they are incredibly reliable.
Comfort
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
3/5
Value
4/5

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Alternatives

Other shoes worth considering.

HOKA Speedgoat 6

Speedgoat 6

Trail

98/100 rating

$79.88
Nike Pegasus Trail 5

Pegasus Trail 5

Trail

89/100 rating

$99.97

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Shoe image placeholder
Merrell Bare Access Arc 3
HOKA Speedgoat 6
Bare Access Arc 4
Bare Access Arc 3
Speedgoat 6
Current shoe
Choose a model
Reference shoe
Lightest
Newest / Best overall / Best comfort
Shoe properties
Type
Trail
Trail
Trail
Pronation
Neutral (Minimal)
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
5.9 oz W
5.5 oz W Lightest
8.6 oz M
Stack
15/15mm
—
37/32mm
Drop
—
—
5mm
Release
2017 Q3
2016
2024 Q2 Newest
MSRP
$95
$70 Lower MSRP
$155
Best price
—
—
$79.88
Ratings
Overall
Good (75%)
—
Excellent (97%) Best overall
Comfort
Good (79%)
—
Very good (86%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Average (46%)
—
Excellent (97%) Best cushioning
Durability
Good (71%)
—
Very good (86%) Best durability
Appearance
Good (71%)
—
Good (77%) Best appearance
Value
Above average (66%)
—
Very good (87%) Best value
Specific shoe

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Where the Merrell Bare Access Arc 4 sits

The Bare Access Arc line

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