text: Although It says black/castle rock, the shoes are actually blue and green stripped with black trim, so that's really disappointing. I had contacted Merrell earlier this year inquiring about a black shoe in this model. I was informed it'd be available this summer, but it's not black. The product showed up two days late and I was delivered a women's size 8.5, although I ordered a men's size 8.5. It was clearly mis-packaged because even the box said men's.<br /><br />Other than the color, the size, and late delivery, I can speak highly of these shoes, when compared to others. I purchased my first pair of this same shoe in November 2013 and really liked them. These, that I just purchased, must be an updated model since my first pair weren't labeled &#34;2.&#34; They are the only minimalist shoe that is actually a shoe, but only a few millimeters under your feet. Most other minimalist shoes have much more sole, &#34;support,&#34; or a drop--I did a lot of searching before I found these. The only other shoes that come close are Vibram 5-fingers, which are not practical for me and aren't very aesthetically pleasing or xero shoes, which are great sometimes, but they are only made in roped sandals.<br /><br />There are a few downfalls. My last pair only lasted 1.5years before they had large holes where the mesh met the sole....under a year if you count from when the holes started. This is not ideal since the shoes are quite expensive. I paid $85 for a pair of shoes that started getting holes in under a year, and they weren't the only shoes I wore. I have a beef with the price of minimalist shoes in general since they are just a vibram sole, which I can purchase for about $20 retail and then some mesh with laces. Other than the price/durability ratio, I'd really like it if these shoes had elastic mesh like the 5-finger so that it would mold even better with the shape of my foot. I've contacted Vibram 5-fingers, and a 1-toe shoe isn't likely.