I own the bare access 2. They are without doubt the best running shoe I have ever purchased. Bare access 4, not so much. I might as well have bought a pair of Jordan's. There is absolutely no barefoot feel. Massive arch support in combination with a thick soul cause an uncomfortable pronation in while digging in my arch. This is some kind of crappy stability shoe. Sorry Merrell, you've been retired. Returning for refund.