Merrell Bare Access 2

Merrell is one of the running brands specialized in barefoot shoes. But at the same time they are aware that the leap to 100% minimalism requires a progressive adaptation to avoid injuries or experiences that do not satisfy the runner's experience. To avoid this, they have created models such as the Merrell Bare Access 2. As its name suggests, this model gives us access to the world of barefoot.

A quiet change

This is a minimalist running shoe for asphalt with zero drop but with 8 mm of sole, i.e. cushioning. It is still an abrupt change from running with a 12 mm to o mm drop, so it cannot be considered a first transition shoe either, but rather the definitive step to pure minimalism without cushioning.

The construction of the shoe otherwise follows the barefoot slogan. It therefore stands out for its flexibility, with 3 marked flexion lines in the midfoot that allow a very natural movement of the foot.

We will find that the plantar arch rests on the midsole, which makes it more comfortable for those with a high plantar arch.

Upper

Its upper is made of synthetic materials and has a fully breathable mesh.

The last in the midfoot area is wide so that the toes will not be tight to the shoe but you can have greater freedom of movement. But in order not to lose stability it has a low cane which lowers the center of gravity and makes the shoe quite stable as far as it goes.

Details

On both sides of the shoe and on the heel it incorporates reflective details for low visibility outings.

It has also incorporated a more durable and protective material in the part of the toes as well as eyelets that differ in distance for a better fit.

Midsole

The midsole is made entirely from heel to toe in EVA not too hard so those 8 mm provide enough comfort and cushioning for the type of shoe it is. Increased cushioning layer in the midfoot, i.e. in the landing area.

Antimicrobial microfiber insole that prevents odors in the shoe.

Outsole

One of the strong points of this Bare Access 2 is its Vibramsole specifically designed for this model, which provides excellent traction and durability, improving one of the weak points of the Bare Access 1, which only had a small part of the Vibram sole, which reduced the shoe's durability.