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Merrell

Bare Access Arc 4

Shoe image placeholder
Trail · Neutral

Shoe details

Weight
5.9 oz
Release
2017 Q3
MSRP
$95
Stack Height
15mm heel - 15mm toe

Ratings & Reviews

Above average (86/100)

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and 2 runner ratings.

Review a shoe.

Rating breakdown

Better Shoes score out of 100. Shading shows the expected rating range.
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Rankings combine runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, direct comparisons to other shoes, related product-line performance, and trusted external ratings.

The darker band shows the central score range. The lighter band shows a wider range of reasonable outcomes. More reviews for this shoe usually narrow both bands.

Overall

Above average (86/100)

Overall ranking

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.

Estimate

Above average (86/100)

Rank

Ranks above 76% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Comfort

Above average (88/100)

Comfort ranking

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.

Estimate

Above average (88/100)

Rank

Ranks above 79% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Appearance

Above average (86/100)

Appearance ranking

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.

Estimate

Above average (86/100)

Rank

Ranks above 71% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Durability

Above average (84/100)

Durability ranking

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.

Estimate

Above average (84/100)

Rank

Ranks above 70% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Value

Above average (80/100)

Value ranking

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.

Estimate

Above average (80/100)

Rank

Ranks above 60% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Cushioning

Good (74/100)

Cushioning ranking

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.

Estimate

Good (74/100)

Rank

Ranks above 39% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

100%

1/1

Prefer this shoe over another.

Reviewers said this shoe was better than another shoe they ran in.

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
Best appearance
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
—
—
$108.97
Ratings
Overall
Good (76%)
—
Excellent (97%) Best overall
Comfort
Good (79%)
—
Excellent (92%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Below average (40%)
—
Exceptional (98%) Best cushioning
Durability
Above average (70%)
—
Very good (89%) Best durability
Appearance
Good (71%) Best appearance
—
Good (71%)
Value
Average (60%)
—
Very good (85%) Best value
Specific shoe

Search for the exact model to add to this comparison.

Where to buy

No offers available

Better alternatives

Higher-rated shoes similar to this one

HOKA Speedgoat 6

Speedgoat 6

Trail

$108.97

97th percentile

+21 percentile points vs this shoe
Nike Pegasus Trail 5

Pegasus Trail 5

Trail

$106.17

85th percentile

+9 percentile points vs this shoe
Nike Wildhorse 10

Wildhorse 10

Trail

$99.88

84th percentile

+8 percentile points vs this shoe

Reader Ratings

2 reader ratings

Review a shoe

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