Merge Shoes -- What do you think?

Barefoot TJ

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I received this email from the maker of Merge Shoes. He writes:

I just launched a Kickstarter campaign for a very different kind of shoe. It's hard to explain what it is so here's a link:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1788891344/merge-shoestm?ref=nav_search
I just want to see if anyone's interested in this concept before I invest more effort in it. Is there anyway I can ask your members? I made the transition from motion control shoes to barefoot/minimalist shoes about three years ago and wish I had come across this concept when I made that transition.

Please leave your feedback here or there, and if you want to fund the project, feel free.
 
I think the concept is interesting. But personally I would not use it for the following reason: you need socks to which attach these velcroed soles. And the velcro will eventually damage the socks, depending on the fiber(s) the sock is made from. My socks are usually hand knit wool and no way I'm going to attach velcro directly on them!!!
 
I'm the developer of this concept. Thanks for the feedback.

When I completed the first prototype, it was winter time and cold. So I started out by wearing a sock within the sock. When I did this the outer most sock became exactly like the outer of a regular running shoe. I just left the sock attached to the shoe all the time and slipped it on over my warm wool socks. If you think of it this way, its exactly like a regular shoe except it has a removable outer. So you can wear your hand knit wool socks without worrying about damaging them. I'll post some photos with an update on my Kickstarter. Please take a look.
 
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I forgot to mention that I've been using the same compression socks attached to velcro again and again and again.....and so far the compression socks are holding up pretty well. I've been running in this design everyday for the past year.
 
A couple of questions if you don't mind answering them here. I skimmed through the text on the kickstarter page and did not see these answers, but they might already be there somewhere!

First, you say you tested them during winter. To me, this is very vague as winter temperatures vary by region. I would like to know you used them down to what temperature?

What is the "outer sole" material? How does it handle all the friction from running on asphalt and rough terrain?

How does it hold up in wet conditions?

Did you try running in them with no midsole at all?

There are many different foot shapes. Did you have to adapt the shoes or did it cause any issues to the people around you that have tried it?

That covers up my questions for the moment. Basically, as a barefoot runner, I don't really need any type of footwear, however winters get pretty cold over here and that's where it may be useful for me. You may find some minimalist shoe users who would have a much better idea of what they are looking for in a minimalist footwear.
 
Hello Joe, sorry for the bad English, I have a few questions:

What keeps the sole from slipping to the back of the foot when running uphill? is it Velcro at the bottom too? if so, what keeps the sock from slipping to the back?
what's the longest distance you've made with those?
have you run more than 10 miles with the socks completely wet?

And if it helps I have a few suggestions:

Don't put the laces right above the big toe, it looks like is going to limit the toe movement, and maybe will develop more bunions.
Don’t base the shoe stability in the socks, we normally run barefoot and we want the least thing on our feet.

Honestly I wouldn’t wear this design, It has too much, but the idea might work if you keep it simple and with lasting materials.

Good luck
 
Awesome feedback! Okay, I'll try and cover all these questions.

First, you say you tested them during winter. To me, this is very vague as winter temperatures vary by region. I would like to know you used them down to what temperature?

I live in Tacoma, WA and usually run very early in the morning, about 3am. In the winter I've run when it's well below freezing. At first I simply ran with a sock in the sock (see my update on kickstarter), so I could use any warm sock i wanted, but then it started to rain a lot and I decided to use neoprene scuba diving sock. I had to modify these by gluing velcro patches on them for the straps to stick too.

What is the "outer sole" material? How does it handle all the friction from running on asphalt and rough terrain? I use vibram 1mm soling material. I have yet to wear through these and thats after thousands of miles. Vibram is incredible stuff.

How does it hold up in wet conditions? Yes, like I said I live in Tacoma/Seattle WA and it rains a lot. I also do a lot of trail running and so I've got a lot of experience with mud. In fact "mudsuck" is actually the reason I came up with the outer wrap concept.

Did you try running in them with no midsole at all? I sure have and it works really well but sharp gravel after a few miles is no fun for me with just a 1mm vibram sole protecting me, so I started using the rock plate (just a thin piece of plastic, see kickstarter for a picture).

There are many different foot shapes. Did you have to adapt the shoes or did it cause any issues to the people around you that have tried it? I've tried it with my wife and my seven year old kid and it works well. Anatomically it should work with everyone with a big toe and a heel bone (calcaneus).

That covers up my questions for the moment. Basically, as a barefoot runner, I don't really need any type of footwear, however winters get pretty cold over here and that's where it may be useful for me. You may find some minimalist shoe users who would have a much better idea of what they are looking for in a minimalist footwear.

Running barefoot in below temperatures is not a lot of fun.


Okay, I gotta take my six year old to practice right now. When I get back, I'll answer the other questions from El Yuca Descalzo)
 
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Okay, daughters playing soccer and I have wifi, so back to the questions

El Yuca Descalzo writes:

Hello Joe, sorry for the bad English, I have a few questions:

What keeps the sole from slipping to the back of the foot when running uphill? is it Velcro at the bottom too? if so, what keeps the sock from slipping to the back?

The main part of the shoe that stops the foot from slipping back when running uphill are the criss crossing straps at the back of the shoe in combination with the sock. It's hard to describe the actual sensation but the stress from the straps is actually distributed into the sock so there are distinct pressure points. The elasticity of the sock seems to distribute the pressure throughout the sock. It's not like running in sandals at all. There is velcro on the bottom too. Again, somehow with this particular configuration the shoe fits onto your foot like a second skin and it's a sensation thats hard to describe. But after running in these and then trying to run in conventional running shoes, I can't go back. It makes conventional running shoes feel like running in boots.

I used the term "fun" a lot in my kickstarter, but thats the best I can do to describe the sensation of running in these things.


what's the longest distance you've made with those? a 20 mile run (actually 19 and some change)

have you run more than 10 miles with the socks completely wet? yes, I live in Tacoma/Seattle where it rains a lot

And if it helps I have a few suggestions:

Don't put the laces right above the big toe, it looks like is going to limit the toe movement, and maybe will develop more bunions.

Surprisingly, the laces/straps don't create pressure points because the stress is distributed by the elasticity of the sock. It's not at all like running sandals. Prior to these shoes, I was running in Huaraches.

Don’t base the shoe stability in the socks, we normally run barefoot and we want the least thing on our feet.

Below freezing and running at night with lots of stray sharp bits of gravel on a 15 mile run and I decided I could relax into the run more with something covering the sole of my foot. Also, would have helped if I had a way to transition slowly from regular running shoes to barefoot. I think my foot muscles needed time to adjust.

Honestly I wouldn’t wear this design, It has too much, but the idea might work if you keep it simple and with lasting materials.

I'm guessing that's what the guy who first invented shoes was told.

Good luck

Thanks I'll need it.
 
I quite like the idea of them. Shame the kickstarter campaign States only deliver in the US (I'm UK based).

Might have a try at making something similar, but without the inner sole.
 
Nerobot,

If you're interested in making it yourself. It's really not that hard. I'll add an update to my Kickstarter for anyone interested in trying to make it yourself. I think the best part of this design is how it feels to run in them and I can't really convey this in the Kickstarter. So maybe people can just make them for themselves to try.
 
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That's very kind of you, Joe!