Merrell Run Dash Glove Shoe Review
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With barefoot running being the latest trend, many people have mixed feelings about the new running fad. Whether you love it, hate it, or just think it looks funny, barefoot running is here to stay. Merrell has been at the forefront of stepping up their game in the barefoot market. No weird 5 fingered looking glove shoes by Merrell! Instead Merrell has designed a sleek, low profile barefoot glove that will stimulate all your senses and help you achieve cheetah like speed!
Right off the bat I knew I was impressed by the Run Dash Glove when I took them out of the box. Like I said before, the sleek look Merrell has designed makes this barefoot shoe stand out above the rest. The Run Dash Glove looks like a shoe, but when you get down to it, the Run Dash Glove is providing your feet with protection & comfort on your barefoot journey. It is not altering your stride in any way like shoes do. The Run Dash Glove is allowing your feet to be free and be in tune with the ground beneath you.
The Run Dash Glove by Merrell is designed specifically for the road. I tested the Run Dash Glove on both asphalt and concrete
pavement. I even took them off road a handful of times. The road is where the Run Dash Glove performs best, however, I also enjoyed them on easy trail runs. Feeling the small rocks and gravel beneath my feet felt like I was receiving a little foot massage while I ran.
The Vibram outsole is a staple in barefoot running. Merrell strategically placed traction on the sole exactly where your toes are. This traction allows you to grip the ground easily. The Vibram outsole is extremely flexible and can fold in half with ease, allowing your feet to take the lead. The outsole wraps up and forms protection to your toe box to ward off unwanted stubbed toes.
The footbed is where you know the Run Dash Glove is truly barefoot. There is a 0 mm heel to toe drop. The 0 mm drop aids in strengthening your feet and stimulates muscles that you probably never knew you had, let alone used before. It helps you keep your natural posture and stride. The mesh footbed is treated with Aegis odor protection to help keep your unwanted shoe smell under control.
The Run Dash Glove upper is made up of a lightweight, breathable, water-resistant mesh & synthetic leather combo. The synthetic leather is strategically placed to wrap around your foot making the Run Dash Glove literally have a glove like fit. The mesh allows your feet to breath just like they would if you were actually running barefoot. Their is reflective striping on the toe box & along the sides of the upper for enhanced visibility while you’re running in low-light conditions.
The Run Dash Glove not only looks the part, its performance is like no other. The Run Dash Glove is the lightest shoe I have ever used. It literally feels like I’m wearing nothing on my feet. Hence a truly barefoot experience:) Running in the Run Dash Glove has been a great adventure for me. I’ve been researching and wanted to get into barefoot running for some time but was a little nervous to take the plunge. I have been running in minimalist shoes for a few years, so I have been preparing myself a little. As any barefoot runner knows, you have to start slow and let your body be your guide to how you feel. I started by just walking in my Run Dash Glove for a few days then slowly worked up to running and slowly increased my mileage. I am not sure if it is just my body or the Run Dash Glove, but somewhere between 4.5-5.5 miles, I get Achilles Tendinitis like pain. I can run 4 miles, but pretty much every time I run over 4.5 miles I end up having Achilles pain. So I use the Run Dash Glove for speed work and on shorter mileage days. I did run a 5 mile race in my Run Dash Glove and I knocked off almost 20 seconds per mile, making me run my fastest 5 mile race! It was an accomplishment for me and I know the Run Dash Glove aided in my time. Running in the lightweight Run Dash Glove is truly a rejuvenating experience.
Overall, the Run Dash Glove performance deserves a A+. The Run Dash Glove truly does not have any downfalls. It is a quality barefoot shoe that is well developed by Merrell to give you the best barefoot running experience without actually going barefoot.
The Run Dash Glove comes in a variety of colors and sizes.
For more info on the Run Dash Glove and other Merrell footwear, visit www.merrell.com or www.amazon.com/merrell.
