Altra Vanish Pulse vs Merrell Vapor Glove 7

Vanish Pulse or Vapor Glove 7? Here’s how they compare on feel, fit, brand specs and price, from the fitting team at The Run House.

The short answer

Want a low, responsive zero-drop shoe for daily and tempo runs? Get the Vanish Pulse.

Want a barefoot, zero-drop feel? Get the Vapor Glove 7.

Get the Vanish Pulse if

• You want more bounce and energy back
• You’ll use it for tempo runs and workouts

Get the Vapor Glove 7 if

• You’re on your feet all day or walk a lot
• You want the lighter shoe, by about 1.8 oz
• You’d rather spend $40 less

On the run

Vanish Pulse: Low, lively, zero drop. Truly low with a responsive midsole, versatile for daily and tempo runs. Not fast enough for serious racing, and traction could be better.

Vapor Glove 7: The barefoot road shoe. Barefoot: zero drop, a very thin sole and almost no cushion, for feeling the ground on roads and in the gym.

The Vapor Glove 7 hasn’t been lab tested by RunRepeat yet, so its feel ratings are estimated from the Vapor Glove 6 lab test (RunRepeat).

Specs side by side

Stack, drop and weight come from each brand’s own website. Numbers marked * aren’t published by the brand and come from other published specs. Weights are for the size each brand quotes. Expected life is our estimate.

Fit

Vanish Pulse. True to size with a roomy forefoot and a comfortable knit upper. Wide available.

Vapor Glove 7. True to size with a roomy toebox.

Try them on

Come try on both at The Run House in Walpole, Needham or Falmouth. Gait analysis is always free.

Shop the Vanish Pulse · Shop the Vapor Glove 7 · Compare other running shoes