New Merrells

dodgy

Barefooters
Jul 26, 2010
32
1
8
Hi all



I managed to get hold of a sample pair of these new minimalist shoes from Merrell - I think they are due out next Spring.



http://www.flickr.com/photos/38175163@N05/5001740154/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/38175163@N05/5001737330/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/38175163@N05/5001734630/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/38175163@N05/5001729600/



I don't run in shoes but had a quick scamper in them & they felt very comfy. May wear them in winter.



Nice enough for work?



I reckon the sole is about 6mm. Weight is 166g/5.8oz each.
 
Very nice "one finger"

Very nice "one finger" alternative.
 
Looking good!  Sidenote:

Looking good!



Sidenote: Why the heck does it take so doggone long for these shoes to go from concept to prototype to market? I mean, I first heard about/saw advertisements/early-release pics of these shoes early this year! That seems like just such a looooong time.
 
I think they want to generate

I think they want to generate a buzz. Like new car fever, once you get it, you're hooked, and you will buy it.
 
 they also go through a lot

they also go through a lot of trial and error on the design aspects and what will actually work as an actual product versus good ideas. then they make prototypes, send them out to testers, wait for results and info, make changes based on feedback, send out to testers, etc etc.
 
Those are really cool! How is

Those are really cool! How is the width of the toe box?
 
C. Beth Run. wrote:Those are

C. Beth Run. said:
Those are really cool! How is the width of the toe box?



Perfect. I can just wiggle my toes a tad. Very soft leather too, so if they were a bit tight they'd probably stretch.



The lady I spoke to at the Merrell office said that they come in a couple of other colours too - black being one (I forget what the other one was), so really cool for work.



Apparently the next sample sale is in 6 months - roll on next March!
 
Jimmy Hart wrote: they also

Jimmy Hart said:
they also go through a lot of trial and error on the design aspects and what will actually work as an actual product versus good ideas. then they make prototypes, send them out to testers, wait for results and info, make changes based on feedback, send out to testers, etc etc.

This and TJ's comment about buzz both make complete sense, but I just wonder if shoe companies know the alienation they are creating with people actually waiting on the shoe sometimes just for a little bit of "buzz." Why not just produce a shoe inexpensively (save on the "testing phase"), sell it for less, and let the public-at-large opinion steer your revisions for the next version of the shoe. Then again, I'm neither a business man nor a shoe designer, so what the heck do I know, right?

I have been pining for a non-ridiculous and non-eye-catching Vibram alternative to wear when I don't feel like having a conversation about my shoes every 10 steps in a public place. Everything that comes out winds up being a big disappointment (see: darn near every "barefoot" shoe) or ridiculously expensive (see: Terraplana). Can I get a true minimalist shoe that I don't have to wait a year for, PLEASE?! (see: Altra, Merrel, NB Minimus, etc....)
 
Would like to get a review of

Would like to get a review of them please, dodgy. Email me at [email protected] please, if you are interested. Thanks.
 
Man, vibram has its hands all

Man, vibram has its hands all over this market. Oh well, I guess they do make really good soles.
 
Danjo: Vibram has their hands

Danjo: Vibram has their hands all over just about every "performance" sole market. Look at hiking boots for instance, you'll probably find 10 pairs of Vibram-soled boots for every pair that isn't.