Shop Merrell Women's Bare Access XTR Sneakers online at Macys.com. Privacy | Cookies | Terms, The world's most in-depth and scientific reviews of gear, An economical choice for zero drop aficionados. You help support OutdoorGearLab's product testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners. All trademarks property of their respective owners With these restrictions in mind, we chose to rate it lower than most of its competitors when considering comfort. Contact Us; Email Alerts; Newsroom; Product Information; Trail Run and Train; 2H19; Bare Access XTR Sweeper; Bare Access XTR Sweeper. Got feedback? If a barefoot trail shoe sounds like a gutsy move to you at first—no one wants to feel those sharp rocks underfoot—don’t worry, we get it. The shoe takes roots in the brand’s “All I Need” approach, which aims to provide just enough protection underfoot for the most connected experience possible on the trail. In fact, the only other pair of shoes that we have found to be lighter was not nearly as protective underfoot, so one could say that you are getting a great value in terms of protection for weight with this shoe. Here playing games with the puppy Rishi on the trail. We frequently rely on heart rate monitors and pace calculators to inform our running (not necessarily a bad thing), but we often forget that some of the best feedback we can get as runners comes from what’s on—and under—our feet. They are a great choice for runners who rarely tackle highly technical … The top story on Merrell’s Bare Access XTR Sweeper is an environmental one: every component has some percentage of recycled material, from the 100% recycled-material laces and heel … How we test gear. This narrowness persists toward the front of the shoe, up to the ball of the foot, which feels very snuggly held in place. Whether you choose to describe it as comfortable, or not, is a subjective affair. Some people love pushing the experiential envelope. In design and purpose, it is not terribly dissimilar from the Merrell Trail Glove 5, although it is still obviously a trail runner more than a barefoot shoe. Material on GearLab is copyrighted. Shown here in side profile, you can see the small amount of cushioning under the foot, but also the mesh upper with overlays that don't always cover the highest wear areas, especially the crease point over the ball of the foot. BTC Runners Rewrite 10,000-Meter All-Time Lists, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. GearLab is reader-supported. Celebrate the unsung heroes of every race, marathon, and 5K with the Merrell® Bare Access XTR Sweeper running shoe. Rating Summmary: 33 total reviews. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Named for the oft-forgotten “Sweepers” — the volunteers who help clean up the trails after an outdoor race — these are Merrell… Because Merrell just introduced its new Bare Access XTR Sweeper ($110) shoe … Comparing the traction of our two favorite zero drop shoes -- the Inov-8 Terraultra G 260 on the left, and the Merrell Bare Access XTR on the right. Perhaps the best way to describe the Merrell Bare Access XTR is as a barefoot shoe that has been beefed up with a bit of extra cushioning underfoot to allow for slightly more aggressive running styles. The RW Takeaway: Lace up the Bare Access XTR for going fast with excellent ground feel on well-groomed to moderate trails. Designed for performance and made with recycled materials, the women's Merrell Bare Access XTR Sweeper trail-running shoes honor race sweepers who help return trails to their pristine, pre-race state. On the other hand, it does not grip as well on slippery surfaces such as mud and snow, or wet grass and loose dirt, due to the relatively short and non-aggressive design of the lug pattern. Rating Summmary: 1. The numerous 3mm deep lugs are flattened off on the top in a ratio that seems close to 50/50 when considering lug space versus negative space. If foot protection is of primary importance, then we would recommend another shoe to you. This trait is the distinctive factor that separates it from its counterpart, the original … Both the men’s (8 oz) and women’s (6 oz) versions weigh less than Nike’s speedy road racer, the Pegasus Turbo (8.1 oz for men’s, 6.4 oz for women’s). Even with the firm foam, though, these shoes are light on underfoot protection. Bare Access XTR Sweeper… The Merrell Bare Access XTR are a zero drop shoe that is among the most affordable in this review. The upper on the Bare Access XTR is nothing extraordinary, and that’s the best thing about it. Our experiences running and hiking in these shoes out on the trail backs up these findings, they are noticeably lighter than other shoes we usually run in. If you have fragile ankles and want to avoid running on a high-heeled, tipsy platform shoe, the Bare Access XTR is a fantastic choice. Let us know! out of 5 stars with 3 reviews for Merrell Bare Access XTR Eco Sweeper Trail Running Shoes - Women's Show Reviews Ask and answer ( Number of questions: 2) Traditional lacing offers a familiar fit, while a breathable mesh fleshes out the body of the shoe, with a few zigzagging overlays for protection. The volunteers "sweep up" after the last person crosses the finish line and now Merrell … Others just want to get some fresh air and exercise. This is very nearly the lightest trail runner in this review, but also comes with some of the least underfoot protection. Celebrate the unsung heroes of every race, marathon, and 5K with the Merrell® Bare Access XTR Sweeper running shoe. The toe bumper is a light and thin TPU overlay with little in the way of impact absorbing ability. 30 % 4 Rated 4 … How can we improve GearLab? Its 17mm stack height is right up there with the very lowest to the ground trail runners available. Compared to the squishy and springy foams common in Altra zero drop shoes, the foam here feels dense and firm, and yet still does a decent of protecting the bottom of the foot, and also doesn't suffer from packing out too quickly. Merrell Bare Access XTR Sweeper; Review Summary; Customer Reviews Merrell Bare Access XTR SweeperWrite a Review. Merrell's sleek low-profile sneakers are a smart addition to any wardrobe, whether you take them to the track or … There is no doubt that you will feel intimately connected to the trail while running in this shoe. The main culprit in imparting this sensation to the foot is the very high arch combined with a narrow fit through the midfoot. While we didn't have the chance to wear them until they fell apart, and so can't comment definitively on their long term durability, it is worth noting that they are thin, light, and not overly protective on the upper, so sticking to mellower terrain will surely extend their lifespan, and thus increase the perception of value. Multimedia: Image. For a pinch of stability, the XTR uses a basic TPU film counter that arcs over the heel, and does just enough to keep neutral feet planted. While our head tester didn't feel that this shoe was uncomfortable necessarily, it is also very presently noticeable on the foot at all times. It was also among the lower half of competitors in our water test, meaning that it has a greater propensity to absorb water and retain it if it gets soaked. Merrell has launched their most … Close to the ground and void of heel raise, the Bare Access XTR connects trail athletes to the ground beneath their feet. We recommend making a basic self-assessment to help you... the world's most carefully tested and objective gear reviews, Unbeatable fit, very comfortable, fantastic underfoot protection, doesn’t absorb much water, ankle collar keeps out debris, very stable, Excellent traction, protective and sensitive, light, comfortable, durable, Precise fit, very grippy on rock, comfortable upper effectively keeps out debris, Comfortable, low to the ground stability, lightweight, drains water well, Expensive, hard to get on foot, must wear above the ankle height socks, hard to stuff laces into garage, Narrower than average, a bit pricey, not the lightest, Traction not the best on slick surfaces, light on underfoot protection, A barefoot-minded shoe with added cushioning and a low price tag, A perfectly fitting, comfortable, and very protective shoe that just begs to be worn on long run days, The best zero-drop trail runner demands no compromises, and has all the features for any type of terrain or distance, A precise fitting shoe that translates well into high performance, as long as your feet aren’t too wide, Our favorite lightweight trail runner is capable of tackling any terrain, Energy Save PU foam with Profeel Film rock protection. If you are one of the latter you might want to consider the Merrell Bare Access XTR Sweeper. Transition to your longer and faster runs gradually in the Bare Access XTR. This is a very stable shoe, one of the main advantages of having a zero-drop platform that rides so low to the ground. On numerous trail runs, we found that this shoe has virtually no propensity for rolling over or twisting an ankle. For being so low to the ground, this shoe manages to dampen the impacts of hard rocks pretty well. This shoe emphasizes sensitivity and proximity to the ground, although it does have a stack height of 17 mm that is made up primarily of dense foam. Our product experts have helped us select these available … Unfortunately, it feels as if the shape of the shoe will fit a very particular type of foot shape ideally but may exclude others who have a wider foot or flat arches. The Merrell Bare Access XTR Sweeper is a trail running companion that is designed with the use of recycled materials. About Merrell Bare Access XTR Sweeper Trail Running Shoes (For Women) Closeout.Merrell's Bare Access XTR Sweeper trail running shoes provide a barefoot-like experience with ample stability and a … Compared to most trail running shoes, this one has a very different, and highly noticeable feel. Review Breakdown: 100 % 5 Rated 5 … Between the overlays and heel counter, the upper may look pretty substantial at a glance, but it’s actually extremely lightweight. The arch is so pronounced that it feels as if it is designed to control inward pronation, although we find it a bit odd to assume that all runners will want this level of arch support. Review Breakdown: 36 % 5 Rated 5 stars out of 5. It has a tough outsole made for both trails and road with a flexible barefoot-style zero drop … The. “Even after both shoes got soaked while hiking, they remained comfortable and sturdy and dried quickly, which prevented my feet from sliding inside the shoes.”, Doris G., tester since 2017Arch: Medium | Gait: Neutral | Footstrike: Heel“I would definitely recommend this shoe for those who enjoy hiking—it was great for navigating trails, rocks, and hills. Due to its lack of protection, we were happiest running in this shoe on trails that didn't really require protecting from. The zero-drop platform still places 17.2mm of material between you and the dirt (the majority of which comes from shock-dampening EVA foam and heavy-duty Vibram rubber) and TPU overlays shield the lateral sides of the upper’s lightweight mesh. Merrell Bare Access XTR Sweeper Can I get a “heck yes” for all this good news from the sustainability camp? For this reason, we find it to be better for shorter distances, training runs where form is more important than a fast cadence, and trails that are not overly rugged or buried in jagged rocks. We think this shoe strikes the ideal balance and will be appreciated by those who like sensitivity in their shoes. We're here to... How to Choose the Right Trail Running Shoes. Get it Merrell Bare Access XTR Sweeper Courtesy Image Merrell Turns Its Focus to Footwear With Bare Access XTR Sweeper. Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. The Merrell Bare Access Flex is a unique crossover that will be incredible for some runners and less so for others. Merrell Bare Access XTR; Review Summary; Customer Reviews Merrell Bare Access XTRWrite a Review. https://www.runnersworld.com/gear/a28721813/merrell-bare-access-xtr-review As one of the least expensive trail running shoes you can buy these days, we think these shoes present good value. When compared to the level of underfoot protection, this shoe rests firmly on the most sensitive side of the scale. The foam cushioning is among the firmest of any that we have tested, with virtually no spring or give. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Inside Merrell; Latest News; Films; Product Information; Contact Us . They are far more supportive underfoot than the only option lighter than them, giving a great minimalist feel that also still feels like wearing a shoe. They are a great choice for runners who rarely tackle highly technical terrain, and instead want a low-riding, stable and sensitive experience on fast trails. Product Discontinued by Manufacturer. Deep flex grooves span both the outsole and midsole to keep it agile and quickly adaptive across changing terrain and elevations, and sticky 3mm Vibram lugs offer adequate traction for tempo runs on wet leaves and tight cornering over loose dirt and gravel. The Bare Access XTR Sweeper is made with a more sustainable choice wherever possible, giving you the trail features you need, with less impact on the planet. The volunteers "sweep up" after the last person crosses the finish line and now Merrell … The mesh holds the midfoot snug and relaxes into a wider toe box, a deliberate style that more closely aligns with the natural anatomy of the foot. That’s why the XTR builds in a few failsafes to keep your feet protected, while still maximizing the amount of ground feedback you get with each step. Enjoying the buttery single track next to a river in the high desert of Central Oregon while wearing the zero drop Merrell Bare Access XTR. Lacking protection, these shoes are best for moderate trails and even for bike paths and pavement. #FinishTheRun, Here’s How to Make Your Mask More Effective. In contrast, we feel the heel is a bit wide and spacious, to the point where it is almost loose. ... 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