Merrell Trail Glove 8 Sneaker - Men's

I just received the black, size US 12 Trail Glove 8's yesterday and tried them on this morning before my workout. These 'shoes' are a very poor design, especially when compared to the past model Trail Glove 7's (TG-7) that I have three pairs of because they were absolutely perfect. The new TG-8's have a thicker, less flexible sole, more cushion, but don't let your feet conform to the ground like the TG-7's do. The TG-8's are also heavier than the TG-7's -- not good in my opinion. I loved the TG-7's light weight, flexibility, and comfort. For reference, I wear a size US 12, I'm 215 lbs, 6.0' tall, 62 yrs young, run, sprint 100m in under 12.5 seconds, speed-skate, and power-lift/workout five days a week, every week. The designers of the TG-8's made the tongue and the medial side of the shoe all one piece, probably for ease of manufacture, but this makes the top of the shoe bite into the top of my foot and anterior ankle. The shoe's last is completely different compared to the TG-7's as well... being much longer in a size US-12, and make my ankles turn inward (over-pronation). I've purchased many different models of shoes from Merrell over the years because their shoes always had the best fit, comfort, and didn't over-pronate my ankles like many other brands do. But these TG-8's are a complete 180 degree turn from the quality, fit, and purpose that I've known Merrell to provide in the past 20 years or so. Very disappointing. Why attempt to update a perfectly good shoe and replace it with something obviously inferior?!? Merrell is also producing far, far more shoe models than previously, likely ignoring quality over quantity. Merrell must have entered that race to the bottom with all the other loser shoe manufacturers.

Most of my shoes over the last 10 years have been Merrells. This is the most uncomfortable shoe I've every worn.

I loved the Trail Glove 7 but the tread wore out too quickly. The Trail Glove 8 has great tread this time but too much hard plastic around the shoe. The real problem I have is the underlying plastic by the first lace hole on the inside rubs against my ankle . I hope it becomes less stiff over time, then I would love these shoes.

I had just received my trail glove 8s and absolutely love them! I have owned every generation since Trail Glove 4, which were my favorites. After Gen 5, it seemed Merrell scrapped the wider toe box of the Trail Glove which severely reduced comfort; the Gen 6 and 7s were tighter on the sides, not to mention ugly. These return to the wider toe box, improved arch support, and it seems they reinforced the sides to prevent tearing (which was a problem with the gen 4s and 5s). Not to mention they look nicer than the previous two Gens. I'm giving these five stars, however time will tell if they are durable. But for now, I'm satisfied and highly recommend.