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Merrell

Vapor Glove 4

Vapor Glove 4
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road
Excellent (93/100)

Shoe details

Weight
5.6 oz
Release
2019 Q1
MSRP
$80
Stack Height
7mm heel - 7mm toe

Ratings & Reviews

Excellent (93/100)

Better than about 91% of shoes

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and runner reviews.
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This score rates better than 91% of shoes.

Our ratings use detailed reviews from knowledgeable runners, ratings for shoes in the same product line, and reliable product information from trusted retailers.

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

Excellent (93/100)

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

Excellent (93/100)

Rank

Ranks above 91% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Comfort

Exceptional (98/100)

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

Exceptional (98/100)

Rank

Ranks above 98% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Appearance

Excellent (91/100)

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

Excellent (91/100)

Rank

Ranks above 84% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Value

Above average (85/100)

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 (85/100)

Rank

Ranks above 72% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Durability

Above average (85/100)

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 (85/100)

Rank

Ranks above 71% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Cushioning

Bottom-tier (49/100)

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

Bottom-tier (49/100)

Rank

Ranks above <1% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

67%

4/6

Prefer this shoe over another.

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

All Running Shoes

Better than 91% of 2,538 running shoes ranked.

Excellent (93/100)

Daily Trainers

Better than 91% of 1,840 daily trainers ranked.

91%

Merrell

Better than 96% of 23 Merrell shoes ranked.

96%

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Rated among the top 5% of shoes overall.
  • Rated among the top 5% of shoes on comfort.
  • Rated among the top 10% of shoes on durability.

Cons

  • Some of reviewers think this shoe runs too big.
  • Rated among the bottom 10% of shoes on cushioning.

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Merrell Vapor Glove 4
Merrell Vapor Glove 3
ASICS SUPERBLAST 2
Vapor Glove 4
Vapor Glove 3
SUPERBLAST 2
Current shoe
Lightest
Newest / Best overall / Best comfort
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Trail
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Stability
Neutral
Weight
5.6 oz M Lightest
5.9 oz M
—
Stack
7/7mm
—
—
Drop
—
—
7mm
Release
2019 Q1
2017 Q3
2024 Q2 Newest
MSRP
$80
$80
$200
Best price
—
—
$149.99
Ratings
Overall
Excellent (91%)
Very good (89%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Exceptional (98%)
Excellent (97%)
Exceptional (99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Bottom tier (<1%)
Bottom tier (2%)
Exceptional (99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Good (71%)
Bottom tier (7%)
Exceptional (99%) Best durability
Appearance
Very good (84%)
Good (77%)
Excellent (96%) Best appearance
Value
Good (72%)
Below average (22%)
Very good (85%) Best value
Specific shoe

Search for the exact model to add to this comparison.

Where to buy

No offers available

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99th percentile

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97th percentile

+6 percentile points vs this shoe
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95th percentile

+4 percentile points vs this shoe
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93rd percentile

+2 percentile points vs this shoe
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91st percentile

Reader Ratings

5 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–5 of 5 written reviews

great!

Anonymous runner · Dec 29, 2020

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

Virtually barefoot

Anonymous runner · Jul 26, 2019

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

great entry shoe into minimalist running

Anonymous runner · Jul 25, 2019

5/5

Overall

really enjoying the feel of being in touch with the running surface.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
1/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

I love my minimalist Merrells

Anonymous runner · Jul 20, 2019

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

Big Fan

RunHillsinHighWaters · Jul 2, 2019

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