For a pinch of stability, the XTR uses a basic TPU film counter that arcs over the heel, and does just enough to keep neutral feet planted. Between the overlays and heel counter, the upper may look pretty substantial at a glance, but it’s actually extremely lightweight. Both the men’s (8 oz) and women’s (6 oz) versions weigh less than Nike’s speedy road racer, the Pegasus Turbo (8.1 oz for men’s, 6.4 oz for women’s). For the committed minimalist runner, these barely there sandals can be taken on any (lowland) trail Concerning the lacing system, it’s quite simple and works pretty well. You can tighten it up accurately.

If you’ve ever opined that some of the bigger shoe companies spend too much on product styling, you'll appreciate the XeroShoes Mesa Trail. They are aesthetically functional. It’s not really until they’re on your feet that the excitement levels rise. They’ve chosen a subtly foot-shaped last to build these on that will please most runners. The upper is soft and comfortable and the eyelet chain, a mixture of punched holes and webbing, does a great job of securing the mid-foot. A combination of bonded overlays and a stitched toe bumper toughen up the upper where required. Many trail running shoes feature zero (neutral) or minimal drop between the heel and the toe, which encourages a natural running style instead of high-impact heel striking stride, but still have a little bit of a midsole. What you gain here is a little bit of cushioning, and what you loose is some trail or ground ‘feel’. A word of warning Compared to most trail running shoes, this one has a very different, and highly noticeable feel. Whether you choose to describe it as comfortable, or not, is a subjective affair. While our head tester didn't feel that this shoe was uncomfortable necessarily, it is also very presently noticeable on the foot at all times. The main culprit in imparting this sensation to the foot is the very high arch combined with a narrow fit through the midfoot. The arch is so pronounced that it feels as if it is designed to control inward pronation, although we find it a bit odd to assume that all runners will want this level of arch support. This narrowness persists toward the front of the shoe, up to the ball of the foot, which feels very snuggly held in place. The RW Takeaway: Lace up the Bare Access XTR for going fast with excellent ground feel on well-groomed to moderate trails.However, it does not perform well on harder surfaces. This could be a big issue for athletes who have to run on the road before hitting the closest trail nearby. A durable affordable and eco-friendly shoe Uphill, the traction of the outsole and the lightweight construction of the Merrell Bare Access XTR allows the runner to keep a good pace even on the steepest trails. The roomy toe box allows your foot to move freely as you run. It gives a very pleasant feeling, especially at tempo pace.

The mix between comfort, sensitivity, and grip highlights the Bare Access as one of the best trail running shoes for interval workouts and faster sessions. Best used for After 220 km (136 miles) on a wide variety of terrains, the shoe does not show any sign of premature wear, neither on the mesh nor the outsole. Then, the light build of the upper lets your foot breathe perfectly even after a hard interval workout or on a very hot day. This makes the Bare Access a pretty good shoe for summer racing. It allows the zero drop and minimalist runner to enjoy fast running on the trails without too much pounding.

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The midsole is to the most interesting part of the Bare Access. It uses the flex connect technology, which makes the shoe quite flexible and allows the runner to feel the ground perfectly at each stride. The best barefoot running shoes – or best natural running shoes / best minimal running shoes, according to your preferred terminology – share certain very specific characteristics, yet, as evidenced here, they can also look very different to one another. The shoe is really fast on the flatter and faster section, and the bounce of the outsole is real. It allows the runner to have an airy stride. With the Bare Access XTR, Merrell retains the characteristic that makes their brand a success: Comfort. This is the initial thing you notice when you lace up the shoe for the first time.