Updated on February 22, 2026
Our Top Overall Pick
Merrell’s Nova 4 Sneaker
(Buy here)
Best Vegan Merrell Shoes
Merrell makes trail shoes, and a lot of their popular ones happen to skip leather entirely – mesh uppers, foam midsoles, rubber outsoles. That’s not a deliberate vegan strategy on their part, but it works out well for vegans who are conscious about their choices.
The lineup is pretty wide. There are minimalist barefoot options, cushioned trail runners, and clogs if you want something you can kick on without thinking about it. Some hold up on rough terrain. Some are just comfortable for long days walking around.
Below are a few worth looking at, with notes on materials and what they’re actually good for. Affiliate links are included. Ratings reflect the authors’ opinions.
1. Merrell’s Vapor Glove 6 Sneaker
(Buy here)
The Vapor Glove 6 is about as minimal as Merrell gets. Zero drop, 6mm of stack between your foot and the ground, Vibram rubber on the bottom. If you’ve been curious about barefoot running but wanted something with a bit of protection, this is probably where you’d start.
The upper is recycled mesh – it breathes well and keeps the weight down (around 160g per shoe), but it’s not going to keep water out. The Vibram EcoStep outsole grips dirt and packed trail fine. There’s a thin EVA insole and an odor treatment built in, which is nice given how close your foot sits to everything.
One thing to be honest about: this is a real barefoot shoe. The transition from cushioned runners takes longer than most people expect. It works well on soft terrain. On gravel or pavement for any distance, your feet will notice.
2. Merrell’s Nova 4 Wp Sneaker
(Buy here)
The Merrell Nova 4 is a versatile lightweight trail runner built for mixed terrain including trails, hiking, and daily use. Weighing about 9.7 oz, it features a breathable mesh upper, FloatPro midsole with medium-firm cushioning, and FlexConnect technology for responsive flexibility. The Quantum Grip outsole delivers reliable traction across various conditions. With a roomy toe box and 8mm drop, it suits wider feet and offers balanced comfort rather than maximum performance. The waterproof version includes a membrane that keeps water out while allowing moisture to escape, making it an affordable and beginner-friendly option at $130.
3. Merrell’s Antora 4 Trail Running Shoes
(Buy here)
The Merrell Women’s Antora 4 is a lightweight trail running shoe weighing 7.7 ounces, featuring FloatPro™ foam midsole cushioning and Merrell Quantum Grip™ rubber outsole for traction. The vegan-friendly design incorporates 100% recycled materials in the mesh lining, footbed, laces, and webbing. With a breathable mesh and TPU upper, protective toe cap, and FLEXconnect® flex-grooves for stability, this APMA-approved shoe is built on a women-specific last. Suited for moderate, dry trails and distances from 5K to half marathons, it offers balanced cushioning and good ground feel, though it may lack traction on highly technical or wet terrain.
4. Merrell’s Encore Breeze 5 Clogs
(Buy here)
The Merrell Women’s Encore Breeze 5 is a vegan-friendly slip-on clog designed for everyday casual wear and walking. It features a breathable mesh upper with knit collar, fully recycled mesh lining and footbed cover, and Cleansport NXT odor control. The shoe includes a removable PU footbed, molded nylon arch shank, FloatPro Foam midsole for lightweight comfort, and a Merrell sticky rubber outsole for reliable traction. Weighing around 6.7-7.3 oz per shoe, it combines easy-on convenience with sustainable materials for all-day comfort during daily activities.
5. Merrell’s Nova 4 Sneaker
(Buy here)
The Merrell Nova 4 is a lightweight trail running shoe designed for road-to-trail transitions, moderate trails, and everyday activities. It features a breathable engineered mesh upper, FloatPro foam cushioning, FLEXconnect grooves for flexibility, and a Merrell Quantum Grip outsole with 4mm lugs. With an 8mm drop, 29-21mm stack height, and weighing approximately 9.7 oz per shoe, it offers a roomy toe box and quick-drying properties with odor control. The shoe performs well on varied terrain but provides limited stability on steep descents, making it ideal for versatile outdoor comfort.
6. Merrell’s Vapor Glove 4
(Buy here)
The Merrell Vapor Glove 4 is a minimalist barefoot trainer designed for trail running and road use, featuring a zero-drop design with a 6.5mm stack height for maximum ground feel. Its construction includes a lightweight Cordura mesh and TPU upper, breathable mesh lining, and a Vibram TC5+ outsole with 2mm lugs for reliable traction. Weighing approximately 4-7 ounces per shoe, it incorporates a Hyperlock TPU heel counter for added security. This model is known for superior responsiveness, excellent foot feedback, and enhanced durability, making it ideal for minimalist runners seeking barefoot-style performance across varied terrain.
7. Merrell’s Vapor Glove 4 Sneaker
(Buy here)
The Merrell Women’s Vapor Glove 4 is a minimalist barefoot trail running shoe offering a glove-like fit and superior ground feel on smoother trails. It features a lightweight Cordura mesh and TPU upper, breathable lining, integrated insole, and Hyperlock TPU heel counter for added security. The zero-drop Vibram TC5+ outsole with 2mm lugs and 6.5mm stack height delivers excellent traction and proprioception. With its wide toe box for natural toe splay and sock-like construction, this shoe suits trail runners seeking a natural barefoot experience on moderate terrain, especially those with strong, conditioned feet.
8. Merrell’s Trail Glove 5
(Buy here)
The Merrell Men’s Trail Glove 5 is a lightweight, zero-drop trail running shoe built for natural foot movement and technical terrain over shorter distances. It features a breathable mesh and TPU upper, Hyperlock TPU heel counter, TrailProtect forefoot rock plate, and a Vibram TC5+ outsole with 3-4.5mm lugs for traction on mild to moderate trails. The shoe offers nimble handling, flexibility, a wide toebox, and snug fit with lateral stability zones and responsive foam. While excellent for agility and ground feel on rocks and roots in warm weather, it provides limited cushioning and protection for longer runs and performs less effectively in wet or muddy conditions.
9. Merrell’s Moab 3 Hiking Shoes
(Buy here)
The Merrell Moab 3 is a versatile mid-height hiking shoe designed for all-terrain trail use. It features a waterproof membrane, shock-absorbing Air Cushion midsole, and Vibram TC5+ outsole with 5mm lugs for reliable traction. Vegan alternatives are available in the construction, which includes a molded nylon shank for arch support and a contoured footbed. The shoe offers exceptional out-of-the-box comfort with minimal break-in, a roomy toe box for wider feet, and a stable fit. As the bestselling hiking boot globally, the Moab 3 is recommended for rugged trails and mixed weather conditions, delivering dependable performance and durability.