Type a shoe name, like Pegasus, Clifton or Kayano.

Merrell Vapor Glove 4

Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 5.6 oz (men's) · 7/7mm stack · zero-drop

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The Merrell Vapor Glove 4 3D replaced it

How it ranks

The Merrell Vapor Glove 4’s rating is an early estimate. We’ve collected 5 runner reviews so far, with product line history also informing the score.

Merrell Vapor Glove 4

of 5

Good

86
Overall
86
Comfort
94
Value
86
Appearance
86
Durability
78
Cushioning
50
Confidence

Confidence

How settled the rating is against every other rated shoe. A shoe can rate high on confidence with relatively few reviews of its own when its product line has a long record and external ratings from retailer sites agree. Confidence is low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.

See the product line's history

Confidence

65 Moderate

65

Based on

The bars show roughly how much each source contributes to this shoe’s rating. Their influence depends on how many reviews we’ve collected, how many earlier versions are in the product line, and the external ratings available.

  1. Product line track record
  2. Our ratings
  3. External ratings

What runners say

“Barefoot feeling in the middle of a winter run.”
4/5 Full review 25 mpw training for ultramarathons came from the ASICS Tiger GELBND
“Some of the lightest and most flexible running shoes out there.”
5/5 Full review 30 mpw training for a marathon
“Really enjoying the feel of being in touch with the running surface.”
5/5 Full review 20 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Mizuno Wave Rider 21
“Running became a joy.”
5/5 Full review 30 mpw training for a marathon
“Better than VG3 in comfort, performance, upper durability.”
5/5 Full review came from the Merrell Vapor Glove 3
“Durability is a little less than earlier models.”
5/5 Full review 50 mpw training for a half marathon came from the New Balance 880v8
“The most comfortable shoes I've ever had.”
5/5 Full review came from the Merrell Vapor Glove 3

Prefer this shoe over another

67% 4/6

Where to buy

No offers available

Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.

Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 22.


Pros

  • Reviewers value the barefoot ground feel and the flexibility.
  • Light at 5.6 oz with a low 7mm heel stack.
  • All five reviewers so far rate comfort 5 out of 5.

Cons

  • Cushioning averages 1.8 out of 5, and one reviewer rotates it with more cushioned shoes.
  • Two of five reviewers with a fit answer say it runs big.
  • One long-time wearer finds it less durable than earlier Vapor Gloves.

Rating & Confidence vs. other shoes for sale

Each dot is one rated shoe for sale, placed by its rating and by how much evidence sits behind it. Shoes toward the top right are both well rated and well established.

Confidence
50 60 70 80 90 100 25 50 75 100

Better Shoes Rating

Vapor Glove 4 rates 86. This shoe has moderate confidence. See how we rate shoes.

Better Shoes Rating of prior versions of the Merrell Vapor Glove

Each dot is one version of the Vapor Glove, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.

Rating

Release year

We use the reviews of past versions to inform this shoe’s rating. See why.
  • Vapor Glove 4 This shoe

    2019 · 5 reviews

    86 Good

    65 Confidence

  • Vapor Glove 3

    2017 · 4 reviews

    79 Decent

    64 Confidence

  • Vapor Glove 2

    2017 · 1 review

    81 Good

    11 Confidence

Runner Ratings

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

Specs & fit

Sizing and ride details at a glance.

Weight
5.6 oz (men's)
Release
2019 Q1
MSRP
$80
Stack
7/7mm
Drop
0mm

Runner reviews

Write a review

Showing 1–5 of 5 written reviews

great!

5/5

Overall

The most comforatable shoes I've ever had! Not the fastest shoes, but I really feel that I run and how I run. Better than VG3 in comfort, performance, upper durability (except Luna, it's the same). Used for running in rotation with more cushioned shoes. Outsole, upper durable (100 km by now).

Anonymous runner · Dec 29, 2020

came from the Merrell Vapor Glove 3

Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
5/5

Virtually barefoot

4/5

Overall

Barefoot feeling in the middle of a winter run is seldom heard of, but with Merrell Vapor Gloves, every day is barefoot day. Being 50 years old and NEVER having an injury when wearing them is worth more than winning the Powerball lottery.

Anonymous runner · Jul 26, 2019

25 mpw training for ultramarathons came from the ASICS Tiger GELBND

Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
2/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
2/5
Value
4/5

great entry shoe into minimalist running

5/5

Overall

really enjoying the feel of being in touch with the running surface.

Anonymous runner · Jul 25, 2019

20 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Mizuno Wave Rider 21

Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
1/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

I love my minimalist Merrells

5/5

Overall

Years ago, I ran in the more traditional cushioned running shoes, slogging through every run. After changing up my gait from heel strike to forefoot strike, I needed a more flexible, lightweight, minimalist shoe. I tried several on my way to the Merrell gloves, but after lacing up with my first pair of these, I've never looked back. Running became a joy. These shoes are some of the lightest and most flexible running shoes out there before you start separating your toes (I just can't hack that odd sensation). I've been running in Merrell gloves for several years now (30+ miles/week) and I just can't imagine trying any other running shoe.

Anonymous runner · Jul 20, 2019

30 mpw training for a marathon

Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
1/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
4/5

Big Fan

5/5

Overall

Disclaimer: I've run in the Vapor Gloves for years; so, my foot is very well-adjusted to the minimalist feel. This is a great shoe, and one of the few remaining of its kind. The durability seems to be a little less than that of the earlier models, but the newer vapor glove still lasts me a season or two. Some of the newer colors are very appealing. I often get compliments on these shoes from strangers. I have post-tib tendonosis, and nothing helps me recover from a bought of bad swelling like moving to these shoes for a while.

RunHillsinHighWaters · Jul 2, 2019

50 mpw training for a half marathon came from the New Balance 880v8

Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
1/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Alternatives

Other shoes worth considering.

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Current shoe
Choose a model
Lightest / Best appearance / Best value rating
Newest / Best overall / Best comfort
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
5.6 oz (men's) Lightest
—
9.9 oz
Stack
7/7mm
—
40/35mm
Drop
0mm
—
4mm
Release
2019 Q1
2019 Q1
2022 Q3 Newest
MSRP
$80 Lower MSRP
$130
$165
Best price
—
—
$95
Ratings
Overall
86 Good
—
99 Exceptional Best overall
Comfort
94 Excellent
—
99 Exceptional Best comfort
Cushioning
50 Bottom-tier
—
99 Exceptional Best cushioning
Durability
78 Decent
—
97 Exceptional Best durability
Appearance
86 Good Best appearance
—
75 Decent
Value
86 Good Best value rating
—
77 Decent
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