Merrell Trail Glove 4

Trail · Stability · 7.8 oz

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The Merrell Trail Glove 3 replaced it

How it ranks

The Merrell Trail Glove 4 rates in the 84th percentile overall among trail shoes. It rates highest on comfort.

Based on 3 runner reviews.

Merrell Trail Glove 4

/ 3

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 (89/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 84% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

89/100
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 (89/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 84% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

89
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

Exceptional (97/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 95% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

97
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

Exceptional (96/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 93% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

96
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

Exceptional (96/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 93% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

96
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 (86/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 76% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

86
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

Below average (58/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 7% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

58

What runners say

“Takes forever to wear down the tough vibram bottoms so I regularly push 700+ miles in these shoes.”
5/5 Full review
“The sole is thick enough that you don't have to worry about foot pain but thin enough to actually feel the trail.”
5/5 Full review
“Terminal loop is a bit too far forward and takes quite a bit of trial and error to keep the heel from slipping without overtightening.”
5/5 Full review
“Traction is good in dry conditions, not so much in any kind of snow or ice.”
5/5 Full review
“This is by far the most delicate and finicky lacing job I've dealt with.”
5/5 Full review
“Excellent sensitive groundfeel with slight amount of rock protection.”
Peter Gold 4/5 Full review
“Awesome do-it-all lightweight trainer or racer.”
5/5 Full review
“The upper also has vastly improved durability.”
5/5 Full review

Prefer this shoe over another

100% 3/3

Reader Ratings

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

Runner reviews

Write a review

Showing 1–3 of 3 written reviews

Great barefoot minimalist trail shoe

Peter Gold · Jul 12, 2023

4/5

Overall

One of the best minimalist shoes I've ever used. Love the asymmetric closure. Excellent sensitive groundfeel with slight amount rock protection. Love these shoes.

Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
3/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Merrell Trail Glove 4

Anonymous runner · Jul 19, 2019

5/5

Overall

Great minimal trail shoe. The sole is thick enough that you don't have to worry about foot pain but thin enough to actually feel the trail. Traction is good in dry conditions, not so much in any kind of snow or ice. I don't know about rain as I live in the Southwest and have never had the chance to test that. Overall a really great shoe.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

TG4

Anonymous runner · Feb 6, 2018

5/5

Overall

Good shoe with a much-needed update. Like the eccentric lacing system and the tongue. Takes forever to wear down the tough vibram bottoms so I regularly push 700 plus miles in these shoes. The upper also has vastly improved durability. The flat stretchy laces seem to work well. These shoes are equally at home on trail or road. Awesome do it all lightweight trainer or racer. Two gripes: one about the shoe and the other about the company's marketing. The lacing system forgoes the traditional eyelets in favor of fabric lacing loops. For the most part this is an improvement. The terminal loop is a bit too far forward and it takes quite a bit of trial and error to get enough tension in the upper laces to keep the heel from slipping without overtightening the laces. Been running competitively for 10 years and this is by far the most delicate and finnicky lacing job I've dealt with. With regards to marketing it seems Merrell has moved this shoe from the trail running to "fitness" category on their website. Perhaps this is a move to sell more of the shoe and appeal to the masses but I worry the company may be phasing out the shoe or fixing to shed their minimalist trail bona fides. The latest knit and mesh TG4's are just plan strange and needlessly expensive, further stoking this fear for me.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

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Alternatives

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HOKA Speedgoat 6

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98/100 rating

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Brooks Ghost Trail

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94/100 rating

$149.95
Nike Pegasus Trail 5

Pegasus Trail 5

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89/100 rating

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Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Merrell Trail Glove 4
Shoe image placeholder
HOKA Speedgoat 6
Trail Glove 4
Trail Glove 1
Speedgoat 6
Current shoe
Choose a model
Lightest / Best appearance / Best value
Newest / Best comfort
Best overall / Best cushioning / Best durability
Shoe properties
Type
Trail
Trail
Trail
Pronation
Stability
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
7.8 oz M Lightest
—
8.6 oz M
Stack
—
—
37/32mm
Drop
—
—
5mm
Release
2017 Q3
2025 Newest
2024 Q2
MSRP
$100 Lower MSRP
—
$155
Best price
—
—
$79.88
Ratings
Overall
Very good (84%)
Very good (88%)
Excellent (97%) Best overall
Comfort
Excellent (95%)
Excellent (96%) Best comfort
Very good (86%)
Cushioning
Bottom tier (7%)
Bottom tier (11%)
Excellent (97%) Best cushioning
Durability
Good (76%)
Average (60%)
Very good (86%) Best durability
Appearance
Excellent (93%) Best appearance
Above average (70%)
Good (77%)
Value
Excellent (93%) Best value
Good (77%)
Very good (87%)
Specific shoe

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Where the Merrell Trail Glove 4 sits

The Trail Glove line

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