Trail-Running Shoes Buying Guide
Valyermo, California
Merrell Bare Access 4 Trail-Running Shoes - Men's
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These zero-drop running shoes let you feel the freedom of full-foot connection, with bonus cushioning for comfort on hard surfaces and long distances.
Shop similar productsKey Details
Trail-Running Shoe Type
Light-Trail
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm)
0
Running Shoe Cushioning
Minimal Cushion
Rock Plate
No
- Hyper-responsive insoles for immediate ground feedback to give you optimal control, stability and lightning-fast reaction time
- Breathable M Select Fresh technology helps keep your feet funk-free
- Reflective details for increased visibility in low light
- Wash as needed in cold water, gentle cycle and air dry
Imported.
View all Merrell Men's Trail-Running Shoes| Best Use | Trail Running |
|---|---|
| Trail-Running Shoe Type | Light-Trail |
| Running Shoe Cushioning | Minimal Cushion |
| Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm) | 0 |
| Footwear Height | Ankle |
| Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
| Upper | Mesh/thermoplastic urethane |
| Lining | Mesh |
| Midsole | EVA |
| Support | EVA |
| Outsole | Vibram rubber |
| Rock Plate | No |
| Vegan | Yes |
| Weight (Pair) | 13.8 ounces |
| Gender | Men's |
Merrell Footwear - Men's
| 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 14 | 15 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Men's | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
| UK | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 14 |
| EU | 40 | 41 | 41.5 | 42 | 43 | 43.5 | 44 | 44.5 | 45 | 46 | 46.5 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 |
Buying Advice
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Most Helpful Favorable Review
Initial Observations
Jeff5810 years ago
Just purchased these at my local REI store in Charlotte and have walked a couple of miles in them. Very light and comfortable as expected. My running shoes are all size 14 and street shoes are 13s. I thought since this was a minimalist shoe that I would need a size 13 but it was a little tight...the 14 was a hair big but it worked for me. This is the first minimalist shoe that I've ever had so I will break them in as the salesperson recommended by starting out at only 10% of total mileage with them. I've never had any type of running issues (been running for 30 years) so I'm trying to add a little bit of 'spice' to my running with these type of shoes. I will use them as my go to shoe since they are so light and comfortable. Also, if you go to the store in Pineville, ask for Al as he is the extremely knowledgeable about these type of shoes.
Jeff58
Charlotte, NC, United States
13 people found this review helpful
Most Helpful Critical Review
Bring the old Bare Access back!
Minimalist Man8 years ago
I was looking for a minimalist, comfortable, breathable, zero-drop (or as close to it as possible) shoe and bought this a couple of years ago. They were the most comfortable shoes I had worn in my life! I could feel the ground. I could let my own feet take care of balancing. It fit well. Snug, but enough room for my toes. I could wear them all day.
After heavy mileage and wearing through the sole, I wanted to replace it with the same model. Alas! The new Bare Access 4s have what I consider too pronounced an arch support. That disqualifies it for me. I am going through the seven stages of grief while looking for an alternative.
Minimalist Man
Ann Arbor, MI, United States
61 people found this review helpful
Customer Images
Minimalist Man
Ann Arbor, MI, United States
Bring the old Bare Access back!
8 years ago
I was looking for a minimalist, comfortable, breathable, zero-drop (or as close to it as possible) shoe and bought this a couple of years ago. They were the most comfortable shoes I had worn in my life! I could feel the ground. I could let my own feet take care of balancing. It fit well. Snug, but enough room for my toes. I could wear them all day. After heavy mileage and wearing through the sole, I wanted to replace it with the same model. Alas! The new Bare Access 4s have what I consider too pronounced an arch support. That disqualifies it for me. I am going through the seven stages of grief while looking for an alternative.
No, I do not recommend this product
Outdoorsy-ish
Portland, OR, United States
Poor construction
9 years ago
I purchased these during a sale to replace an older pair of Merrell Men's Trail Glove 2 shoes that I have been using at the gym and for some light hiking. On my second time wearing these shoes at the gym, I noticed an odd sensation through the sole of my foot and saw that 1+ inches of tread on the shoe had torn and begun to lift off. Maybe I got a bad pair with poor cementing of the tread, but it also seems like a design flaw to have so many separate strips of tread on the sole. To me, more strips of tread = more seams = more potential points of failure. Until the tread failure, they seemed comfortable and both the uppers and welt appear well-constructed like the other Merrell shoes I have owned. I love the Merrell Trail Glove series and will transition back to them. These shoes will unfortunately be returned to REI.
No, I do not recommend this product
miketheman
Los Angeles, CA, United States
Great performing, minimalist trail shoes
7 years ago
I am 6'3", 193 lbs. I have traditionally worn my running shoes (New Balance 1260v4) on the trail. The New Balance have lots of cushioning in the sole, especially at the heel. The Merrell Bare Access 4 are a completely different feel for me. They forced me to hike/walk/run differently. They forced me to walk more on the balls of my feet as opposed to my heels. That was a huge difference for me. My first couple of days in these were a little harder. I needed to use different muscles in my feet and they were a little sore. At about the 3rd day, I felt a lot stronger. I think that this is the way we are supposed to walk. After 40 miles of hiking in these, there is some wear. I did put these to the test, hiking on and off the trail. On the trail, these never lost their grip on large steps. I felt comfort in taking each step down large switchback stones. Off the trail was the real test. I hiked in these to a peak that required lots of scrambling up large SUV sized boulders. Naturally I needed to use the toes of these shoes to help grip the granite. As you can expect in any shoes put to this test, there is some sign of wear in the toes from this test. Overall I'm very pleased in how they performed. My New Balance have lost the front toe rubber, not coming close to the performance of these Merrell. The only drawback is not due to the construction itself, but more due to the inherent flaws of a low rise. There were a few times I had to stop to take small pebbles that made their way into the shoe out. Obviously not something that can be controlled well in this design, but something to consider if you're looking at other shoes.
Yes , I recommend this product
Marcs Wife
Houston, TX, United States
No blisters
7 years ago
I always get blisters with shoes that are too constructed. The first time I wore these I did a 4.5 hike with a "strenuous" level that took around 5 hour round trip without a single blister, so needless to say I picked up a second pair. Ironically, I am a woman and the woman's version of this shoe was horrible when I tried it on.
Yes , I recommend this product
Vince321
Houston, TX
Issue with the tread
8 years ago
As other reviewers have noted, the tread has the potential to peel off the bottom of the shoe. I have logged maybe 25-30 miles of sidewalk / street running in these in the month since I bought them, and the tread is peeling away from the inside left sole. I love Merrell's, and will go buy them in the future, but the Bare Access 4 has an issue... Buyer beware with this model.
No, I do not recommend this product
Jeff58
Charlotte, NC, United States
Initial Observations
10 years ago
Just purchased these at my local REI store in Charlotte and have walked a couple of miles in them. Very light and comfortable as expected. My running shoes are all size 14 and street shoes are 13s. I thought since this was a minimalist shoe that I would need a size 13 but it was a little tight...the 14 was a hair big but it worked for me. This is the first minimalist shoe that I've ever had so I will break them in as the salesperson recommended by starting out at only 10% of total mileage with them. I've never had any type of running issues (been running for 30 years) so I'm trying to add a little bit of 'spice' to my running with these type of shoes. I will use them as my go to shoe since they are so light and comfortable. Also, if you go to the store in Pineville, ask for Al as he is the extremely knowledgeable about these type of shoes.
Yes , I recommend this product
Misterimpatient
Framingham, MA, United States
Great lounge and driving shoes
8 years ago
I bought these shoes hoping they Would-be excellent power walking shoes. They are not. They are however outstanding every day lounging around going to work driving shoes. I discovered I really need shoes with more cushioning and more support than these shoes have for any sort of exercise activities. That May not be the case for you. I do love how light these shoes are. I'm also grateful that the shoe runs a bit wide because I have a wide foot.
Yes , I recommend this product
14er Darren
Kansas City
These shoes have changed my life
9 years ago
What can I say - these are wonderful shoes! As others have mentioned, they're not really trail shoes, and they're not really minimalist shoes, but they are super light, have pretty decent arch support, and are zero drop. Suitable for running on the road/mixed terrain - great traction. They have the padding necessary to pound the pavement for miles on end. The arch support is what does it for me. I've been battling plantar fasciitis issues for the better part of 10 years. I used to be limited to heavy shoes with bulky inserts to log the mileage, but this shoe has changed all of that. The drop allows for natural stretching of the calf muscle as I run, and the arch support takes a lot of stress off the underside of my foot. The result: miles of pain free, light weight running! I'd definitely recommend this shoe to anyone looking for a little P.F. relief. The only downside (if you can call it that), is that wearing these shoes makes me about an inch shorter compared to my old ones. Time to buy new jeans, I guess...
SeaDawg
Austin, TX, United States
Not what I expected
8 years ago
These shoes look like they are designed and built well but I was unable to fit into them. The merrel water proof boots and the low top hiking shoes I bought supported a wide foot. These running shoes are very narrow and probably fit for an arched foot. I was disappointed in the inconsistency of the fit among different merrell model shoes. Always a good idea to try them on in an REI store and have a knowledgeable member direct you towards the proper shoe.. that's how I purchased my first pair last summer.
nikstevens
Sacramento, CA, United States
Couldn't be happier
8 years ago
Was a little unsure of getting trail runners, but man are these awesome. I broke them in over the week and just did a 7.1 mile hike today in them. Stupid light, and incredibly comfortable, I was flying ahead on the trail. The blue color is surprisingly attractive. My plan was to try them and another few pairs through mail order (couldn't find them in person). Was so happy I didn't even try other shoes. I usually rock a 12.5, if the shoe fits perfectly, but I got a 13 here. The toe box is huge, but very comfortable. The laces give you massive amounts of control of the fit, so as my feet swell through the day or as I hike I just loosen them a touch and its right back to comfort-town.
Yes , I recommend this product
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