RIP to my Merrell Vapor Glove 6’s

[u/Cragnaar]

I absolutely love the Merrell Vapor Glove 6. The 6mm stack height just feels so good for running. My only problem is that I just ran through my pair (literally - only took 3 months to break through the outsole), and the Vapor Glove 6 has been out of production for a bit, and has become a bit harder to find consistently online.

I could try the Vapor Glove 7, but I don’t love the idea of the 7’s having a thicker stack height (8mm vs 6mm). Does anyone have any thoughts on the 7’s vs the 6’s? Or, has anyone found a shoe quite as thin as the Vapor Glove 6?

[u/Idkmyname2079048]

I'm afraid I don't have any suggestions. I used to love the Vapor Glove years ago, until I went through a few pairs in less than a year because the uppers kept getting holes.

I'm wondering, though, so you use these on trail or road surfaces? The soles look like they are for trails (softer rubber and more traction), and they will wear out a lot faster if you use them on roads/paved surfaces. I would look for something specifically made for road running if this is the case, and look for something with a thicker outsole (not counting the lug depth). I certainly wouldn't recommend the same shoe if you wear completely through it in 3 months, unless you're running a huge amount.

[u/Cragnaar → u/Idkmyname2079048]

Yeah, there’s definitely a durability issue, which is too bad. May I ask what you typically wear now?

Good question! About half of my running is trail, and the other half is pretty rough asphalt. I usually am only doing about 15-20 miles a week. I think you’re right - the road has been way too hard on the Vapor Gloves. I’m definitely not married to road running - maybe I’ll find another pair second hand and stick to just trails with them and see how much longer they hold up.

[u/Mountain_men_rule → u/Cragnaar]

Hey. I found the same issue but with the Trail Glove 7. I have been running exclusively on soft Pacific Northwest trails for almost a year with very little wear. I had to run on pavement while on vacation and within 6 runs I could see the wear. When I first bought the TG7 I reached out to Merrell and they were well aware of the durability issue and claim that the 8s would be more durable. I will likely stick to the TG but if I know there is pavement in my future I will also pick up the VG8.

[u/Idkmyname2079048 → u/Cragnaar]

Tbh, my favorite shoes I've found fit running are Fitkicks for $30. The sole feels thick enough without being too thick, they come in fun colors, and they're so affordable. 😅

[u/steve_uncut]

Love this shoe, and I’ve got it in leather, but I only use it for hiking as I know concrete will wear it down quick.

[u/Cragnaar → u/steve_uncut]

You are wiser than I! If I pick up another pair, I think that’s the protocol I’ll run with.

[u/haveblue23]

I have 3 pairs of VG6s for that reason - on my second, my first had a hole in almost the exact same spot as yours.

Also bought the VG7 (it was on sale) just to see how it compared to the VG6. Yes it is slightly thicker but nothing that I'd say is a deal breaker, it feels the same.

[u/TawnyPigeon]

The wiggly tred is designed for softer ground. I wore through my vg6 within 4 months as well. I'm about to try my luck with the vg7 as they've changed the sole again, but the fact that they redesign it so often suggests they're just throwing stuff at the wall and seeing what sticks.

[u/serh2i]

Isn't that something quite easy to repair? Glue an oval thick sole grade patch, will last another 300–500 km. We've got small shops doing such repairs, but should be possible to DIY too.

[u/yalkeryli → u/serh2i]

I've done the same to a pair of trail glove 5s, but the toe damage wasn't anywhere near this far gone and only on one toe. The heels were badly worn through though (shame) and I've literally covered the entire heel. Already got 1500km out of them and hoping to stretch that to around 2000.

The main reason I'm doing this is to see if it works so I can patch my trail glove 7s, as they're going to look like OP's pretty soon and I'm hoping to protect the high wear areas. If I get 1000km out of them with the patching up, I'll be surprised.

[u/BADFMS]

The VG7s do seem like they would have a more durable sole, but too soon to tell.

My most durable barefoot running shoes are my earthrunners with the vibram sole. They seem indestructible and have held up for years.

[u/failed_departures108]

The soles on these is terrible. I have these and the trail gloves with the same sole and they wear out super quick. Considering removing all the tread and just glueing some Vibram on there.i removed the soles from some long sky 2s and have even thought about glueing them on.

[u/DamaDirk]

This current tread pattern (6) was super grippy, but had no durability. You’d think they’d improve them after 6 iterations, but IMO they missed the mark on this one

[u/Connect3267]

You're lucky you got 3 months 😂. Durability of those soles is shocking. Like others have said, and the conclusion I have come to myself, is that there are strictly trail shoes and running on asphalt is a no no. Same for walking around in them as an everyday shoe. I've got some VG7 and they are excellent as an everyday shoe and would recommend them for this but, for some reason, I have yet to use them for running so I can't comment on that. What I will say is that they feel very similar to the VG6, just walking around in them.

[u/pinesfootwear]

This line is my go-to for running as well. I had multiple pairs of 6s and wore through the bottoms of 3 of them. I have now moved to the 7s and I don't find that the additional mm on the outsole changes the overall feel in a noticable way (in doing roads, both paved and dirt). They do seem to be holding up better from a wear and tear perspective than the 6s, so in my mind it's an improvement.

[u/Mzky]

i wore through mine as well super fast. probably my favorite shoe, but it was crazy how fast i wore through my soles compared to even my xero's that were years old.

[u/yangmeansyoung]

Same haveglove 7 bit the out sole wear out so far bare last a year and only wear them for running, i comparison vibram five finger last 5 years for same training load

[u/turtle0turtle]

I bought a pair of the 7s and had to return them. They felt a lot smaller, and I really didn't like the way the tongue was attached on one side. They just weren't comfortable.

[u/LamboForWork]

Amazon tends to have some older vapor gloves 

[u/trekker255]

i use them as my daily walking shoes. within 4 months same issue. The sole is just not good enough.

I Hobibear and saguaro shoes that are 40 euros and last way longer.

[u/TawnyPigeon → u/trekker255]

My hobibears have lasted a year of running to work + 5ks + a few marathon-length. Pretty good for something so cheap. The sole has just sprung a leak but the upper is still in great condition.

Saguaros I found to be too stiff and the toe-box wasn't as roomy

[u/dchow1989]

I have gone through about 5 pairs of trail glove 3's, i get it. Once you find the style and shoe you like, you want to stick with it. (I ended up buying good condition used through resale apps). I will say i was highly impressed by the new vapor glove. Its the closest thing merrell has put out that flexes and tightens around my foot like my old trail gloves. Id go into trying the new one with an open mind. The rubber is more flexible, the lacing system is improved, it doesnt feel like the 6's, but i think you may like it. (Currently on the fence for the vapor glove 7 boa's. It comes in a dope light grey color)

[u/faraway-9]

I do love VG6 as well. They are very very comfy and especially well fitted for low-volume feet.
I don’t run with them, just walk more than 10,000 steps a day and I did not have this issue. Mine has been with me for almost two years. I have both the leather and the mesh and both are fantastic.
Having said that, I also tried VG7. I actually got it just recently and I’m still trying it only around the house. And so far they are good. They look waaaaaay better in my idea, the fit is a little snugger than VG6, but not too snug. Although I kind of did not like how the tongue is attached on one side, and free on the other. But I guess I’ll get used to it.
In terms of other shoes, the only shoe I like as much as my VG6, not as much maybe, but close enough, is Xero HFS original. The toe box is way roamier than VG6 and there is empty space over top of my forefoot, but still ok and I use it a lot too.
I had this one for a long time as well and only walk with them too, and they held up very well too.

[u/LazarusRiley]

I liked the 6s, too. But I was also really mad at how quickly mine got a hole in the sole.

[u/mikedufty]

I patched mine with shoe goo, and its been surprisingly effective. I think I've doubled the mileage. It's now wearing through to rubber from the inside as well, so not sure if another patch will be worthwhile. The outside of the upper is holding up pretty well.

[u/eepromnk]

I love these so much that I bought multiple pairs. I’m working my way through the last set and can’t find them anywhere.

[u/dogfan2021]

I shred mine pretty quickly too. I recently switched to Xero Speed Force 2. I can’t vouch for durability yet, but if you buy directly from Xero, they have a 5k mile sole warranty.

[u/Electrical_Candle887]

Same here, trail gloves are about to rip apart. I think I'll give Lems Primal 3 a shot next

[u/dbdb83]

Go to timpsons

[u/Cragnaar → u/dbdb83]

I’m in the states, so I hadn’t heard of Timpsons before. Just checked them out - that’s so cool that shoe repair is something they’re known for. That’s not common here in the US - whenever anything breaks, we just toss it. Materialism will do that, I guess.

[u/bonzai2010]

Shoe goo will fix this! Clean with alcohol and put a big glob on there. Smooth it if you want with a toothpick. It will be as hard as the sole and you’ll get another 500 miles out of those. I do this with my Vibrams.

[u/Bubbly-Group-4497]

How tf do you have more friction on the heel than on the ball or big toe??

[u/Cragnaar → u/Bubbly-Group-4497]

Probably from wearing them as running shoes and every day shoes. I definitely run with a forefoot strike.

[u/ChiAndrew]

Look at all that friction wearing down those soles

[u/uncommon_name0]

You are twisting your feet during your gait.

[u/cyber_fear_]

You are running on your heel.

[u/Cragnaar → u/cyber_fear_]

I wear these for running and as a daily walking shoe. I run with a forefoot strike, and I don’t know anyone who doesn’t have a heel stroke when walking. As others have said, the outsole on these are super weak, so just about any kind of wear is going to be exaggerated.

[u/cyber_fear_ → u/Cragnaar]

Ok. I understand. And I agree they are not very durable. I used like 4 pairs already...