As a follower of the barefoot shoe philosophy, I’ve been rocking barefoot footwear for quite some time now. With a few exceptions, I don’t imagine I will be wearing traditional footwear for everyday use again. While a barefoot shoe may sound counterintuitive, the concept features a wide toe box and zero heel-to-toe drop. So you’re still wearing a shoe, but your feet are positioned as if you were barefoot. When Merrell reached out and asked if I’d like to try their Wrapt Barefoot shoe, I was all in.
The claimed goal with barefoot shoes is to build natural joint function and the primordial muscle strength in our feet, something we supposedly lose when wearing traditional footwear.
I was introduced to the “barefoot” footwear philosophy back in 2017 with Bedrock Sandals and LEMS Shoes. For me, after exclusively wearing LEMS Shoes and Bedrock Sandals for the last eight years, I’ve noticed a significant difference in my foot health. Not to mention how good my lower back feels on long walks.
Look, I know I’m no podiatrist, so don’t take my word for it… go ahead and research it yourself. I think you’ll be surprised.
Zero Drop?
Zero drop simply refers to the angle at which your heel sits compared to your toes. Traditional footwear elevates the heel above the toes between a half and a full inch (14-24 mm). Some say that this misaligns the spine and causes an “unnatural heel strike.”
Zero-drop footwear keeps your piggies (toes) and heel level, mimicking the natural state the foot is in while barefooted and standing on a flat surface. Plus, the wide toe box in most, if not all, barefoot shoes also mimics the natural spread of the toes when standing or walking barefoot. It’s simple.
The Merrell Wrapt
I was excited to receive the Merrell Wrapts, and I put them on immediately after they arrived. Compared to the Lems that I’ve been wearing, these are a bit more aggressive-looking. They sport the Merrell Quantum Grip, which seems extreme and ready to grab hold of anything.
Constructed with a pig suede leather upper, they are built to take a beating. I received the Wrapt in size 11US, in the Olive colorway. I think they are a very handsome pair of shoes, although I think the side tread might be polarizing for some consumers.
First Impressions
After wearing the Wrapt for the first few days, my first impression was that the toe box didn’t feel as roomy as my Lems. Don’t get me wrong, my toes had plenty of room to do their thing, but when compared to Lems, the Wrapt just felt more snug.
I really like the aesthetics of the Merrell Wrapt, and I don’t mind the tread along the side of the shoe. It is mostly unusable, and I think it’s there just for a more aggressive look. That’s fine with me; it doesn’t make me like the shoe less because of it.
They are not very easy to slip on and go, but that’s not a deal breaker for me. I don’t mind taking time out of my morning to sit and put on a pair of shoes. The benefit of the way the bellows tongue is constructed, to keep debris out of your shoes, far outweighs the time it takes to put the shoes on.
Not all “barefoot” shoes are created equal. There are some shoes that will have wider toe boxes than others. And, some will feel narrower throughout the waist and upper. Additionally, some are meant to be a minimalist approach to the category, like Vivo and Xero shoes.
Comparisons
Below are some photos for reference of the barefoot shoes that I’ve been wearing for a few years. I even included my favorite Chaco Paonia Desert Chukka Boot for side-by-side comparison of zero drop and Chaco’s “Luvseat Footbed”.
You’ll see below the difference in the drop between the Lems and my Chukka Boot. Although I find the Chaco’s Luvseat Footbed very comfortable, I also find that if I wear them for more than two days straight, I start to get a little lower back pain.
Everyday Use
I have been wearing the Merrell Wrapt every single day for the last 5 months and there hasn’t been a single issue with how they feel. They have needed zero “break-in” period, unlike some other shoes out there. The Merrell Quantum Grip is burly. I had no issues scrambling up some dirt hills on a handful of hikes. While not marketed as a bike shoe, they are great for riding in as well. I’ve used them countless times on my Clem Smith Jr for trips and errands around town.
They’ve worn well, and still look great. Even the laces are hardy and have stood up to some abuse. The laces have experienced zero fraying or coming apart at the ends.
Delamination Nation
This is actually my second pair of these shoes. The first pair, on the left shoe, suffered from delamination in the first two weeks of wearing the shoes. I reached out to Merrell, and they apologised and sent out another pair
The second pair lasted a bit longer than two weeks. But, unfortunately, after only 5 months of constant use, the same problem is occurring. It just took a bit longer. I have started to see a very small amount of delamination on the right front toe cap, where it wraps up to the upper (above photo). While this feature on other shoes seems to be a weak spot, I feel that for a shoe that is $120 a pair, this is unacceptable. I know that it’s an especially vulnerable area, maybe due to how the tread wraps up and around the bottom of the shoes.
I have to say, I would consider Merrill to be a legacy outdoor brand that I’ve always equated with high quality, so this is a bit disappointing. Well, hopefully, it won’t get worse… But I think we know it will only get worse. I really like the shoes, though, so maybe a bit of Shoe Goo will do the trick.
Wrapt Retail & Detail
Retail: $120 ($90 on sale as of this review)
- Metal hook with traditional lace closure
- Bellows tongue keeps out debris
- Breathable mesh lining
- Stack Height: 13-13mm
- Weight: 10.5oz
- Merrell Barefoot 2 construction keeps the foot in a natural position
- Merrell Quantum Grip durable rubber outsole
Conclusion
So far, other than the delamination issue, the Merrell Wrapt has been a comfortable piece of footwear. I’ve put it through the paces (pun intended), long days of walking, two full days of amusement parks with the granddaughter, and a bunch of gardening and working around my property. They are comfortable and easy on the eyes. As the first shoes that I’ve worn other than my Lems, the Wrapt has some work to do in the quality department.
The Lems are the same price, and I’ve never once had a single issue with quality. The suede leather pair in the photos above is over 4 years old, and has been worn daily before I got the Merrells. There is not one sign of them coming apart.
I can’t say that I would actually buy a pair when these wear out. Although I feel that the $120 price is reasonable for a pair of leather shoes, the delamination issue would stop me from buying or recommending them. Merrell does offer a 1 year warranty on their shoes, so mine would have been covered, but it seems like you may just get another pair with the same issue. Maybe, if you can catch them on sale, that might make it easier to swallow that you may or may not get a full life out of them before they start falling apart.
