Gear Review: Merrell Lithe Glove

Reviewed By: Sylvie Desroches

Your iRun statement: iRun because… Running gives me the biggest sense of achievement I have ever felt in my entire life.

Product: Merrell Lithe Glove

Product category : Running Shoes

Canadian MSRP: $140.00

Product Website: http://bit.ly/Muj05O

Description: The Merrell Lithe Glove is the fall/winter version the Pace Glove, a minimalist shoe (zero heel drop) specifically designed for women. It’s a well constructed shoe with the Vibram grippy sole that will last a long time and the shoes I was testing were in a gorgeous shade of purple, very stylish! I wasn’t sure how they would feel on my feet as they looked small but it wasn’t an issue for me. They are different than their cousin the Pace Glove in that they feel more solid but still bend very easily. They weigh nothing.

Pros: Top of the shoe has a thicker water repellent material so it will be a good thing in colder weather. Light and stylish, they look good with anything, running clothes or jeans, definitely an all purpose shoe if your feet can handle the narrow shoe. I found them comfortable to walk and run with, very light so you don’t get tired, unless you have bad form and push with your calves. The thicker sole prevents the owie that one gets when stepping on rocks or roots. Overall the shoes are very comfortable once you got over the adaptation period.

Cons: I had a blister on my left Achilles first time I ran with them. Thin socks helped. The narrow fit of the shoe didn’t bother my narrow feet. There is an upward angled sole at the arch that I felt at the beginning but went away quickly. Bottom of the shoe has a good grip so form is important on a boardwalk for example. And there is little ground feel. These shoes won’t be as comfortable in the middle of summer as temps here are high due to the humidity. Sweating and shoes wearing is never a good combination.

Ideal for: Trail or road runners with narrow feet and who already wear minimalist would enjoy the shoes. A less experienced minimalist runner would also enjoy them although there is a greater risk of doing too much too soon due to the minimal ground feel and the possibility of reverting to heel striking. They’re also good for hiking. I went on long walks with them and my feet/knees felt great.

Overall: Because of spring marathon training with regular shoes, I didn’t run with them as much as I wanted. Overall mileage, mixture of road and trail surface, is approximately 30-35k(ish) over 6-7 times and longest run was 11k (although feet were tired at the end of the 11k, there was no residual effect on my 17k long run the next day). My feet/calves/knees felt fine during and after the run. I didn’t get to run in the rain so can’t comment on that aspect. I wore the shoes at the gym and did a few long (2+ hour) walks. Blister issue aside, I really like the shoes and plan on continuing to run in them. But I feel they might perform better on a trail surface so planning a 25k fall race in them. Overall, I loved them and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to my running friends.

About the reviewer:  I’m a latecomer in the world of running, started at the tender age of 49 yrs by taking a Learn to Run clinic in May 2008 with my friends and neighbours. Did my first 5k race in July that year and got hooked. I have now run 3 marathons, most recently the Paris Marathon, countless half marathons and everything in between. Last year I dabbed in minimalist running with VFF, Merrell Pace Glove and Vivo Barefoot but have eventually returned to a more traditional shoe although a step above true minimalist. I now wear Saucony Mirage, Cortana and Fastswitch.