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The RW Takeaway: Lace up the Bare Access XTR for going fast with excellent ground feel on well-groomed to moderate trails.
- Sticky Vibram lugs provide adequate grip
- Extremely lightweight
- Shoeless-feel with protection
Price: $100
Weight: 8 oz (M), 6 oz (W)
Type: Trail
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The Bare Access XTR is the product of a carefully refined design philosophy, and hours of sweat on Merrell’s drawing board. 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. 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. 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. 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. Put it all together, and you have Merrell’s final blueprint: a nimble trailblazer that tunes you in to your body as you move, which is key to becoming a better runner.
Pros
- Breathable mesh upper
- Connected ground feel
Cons
- Not for runners who want plush cushioning
Better than Barefoot
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. The XTR packs more cushioning and shock absorption than similar barefoot models like the Trail Glove 5, but still prioritizes a close-to-ground feel above all else. 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. (But for sloppier trails, the Momentous will likely be a better option.)
Transition to your longer and faster runs gradually in the Bare Access XTR. As with any minimalist shoe, a zero-drop platform combined with less cushioning will engage the Achilles tendon more than plush daily trainers. You may experience some new soreness and niggles as you ease the shoe into your running shoe rotation.
“For someone who would prefer less cushioning to ‘feel the trail,’ this would probably be a good minimalist shoe to consider,” one tester said.
Refreshingly Simple
The upper on the Bare Access XTR is nothing extraordinary, and that’s the best thing about it. 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 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.
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. Between the overlays and heel counter, the upper may look pretty substantial at a glance, but it’s actually extremely lightweight. 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).
“The fabric breathed and provided great circulation; my feet were never sweaty,” one tester said. “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.”
Wear Tester Feedback
Doris G., tester since 2017
Arch: 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. Support throughout the foot reinforced [my] confidence in its stability and traction. [The Bare Access XTR] would be perfect for the person who does primarily trail runs and prefers a more minimalist shoe.”
