Merrell Barefoot Run Dash Glove

With its thin sole, and design that (at least for me) prohibits any form of heel strikes, this isn't the best shoe for the inexperienced "barefoot" runner. The wide toe box gives enough space for splayed toes, and the elastic in the heel does a great job of keeping out gravel. The breathable mesh has kept them from reeking horribly (since I run without socks), which is just awesome.

While great for road running, these shoes aren't comfortable for walking around in, due to the way they angle your feet. Make sure you don't burn out halfway through your run!

I love these shoes. I've been using them for road running for about 2 months now, and am still wicked pleased. Nothing is fraying or coming apart yet, which is always a plus.

I had no breaking-in period. I just put them on and ran, without blisters or hot spots. The heel is nice and low, so it doesn't rub my ankle bones. My feet are pretty narrow, and as a rock climber, I'm used to tightly fitted footwear. The heel and mid-shoe are nice and narrow, and the laces only extend down to the top of your toes, so you can tighten them all you want without crushing the toe box.

There is some arch support, but these shoes are really uncomfortable when used as anything but a running shoe. As they've been designed for a fore-foot strike, I'm not too surprised.

The traction is great for pavement (which is my only use for these shoes), and I haven't had any problems when it's been wet. The mesh is very breathable, so prepare to get soaked if you run through a puddle! I will have to switch to something else for winter — there's no way I could handle a New York winter in these, even with socks.