Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Amazon keeps refusing to post my TRUTHFUL and HONEST review. I ordered two pairs of these. When they arrived, I immediately noticed that the size label was on the instep and NOT on the tongue of the shoe, unlike my previous 10 pairs of Merrell Bare Access Flex that I have owned in the past 1.5 years (Yes, I go through ALOT of running shoes). The prior pairs I purchased from reputable sources, including directly from Merrell. I also found that the scan code on the label does not work. Additionally, the soles were not nearly as flexible as my prior pairs. I called Merrell customer service and asked them if they produce this shoe with the size label on in the instep. I was told they do not. And for good reason- putting the label on the instep can (and does!) cause rubbing on the foot, leading to discomfort. The customer service rep said that I should report these shoes as a defective product to Merrell so they can investigate. I will be doing so. I did wear one of the two pairs I purchased, thinking maybe they just were a little different. They are NOT the real deal. I have worn every pair of Merrell Bare Access Flex on long (8+ miles) walks straight out of the box and never, not once, experienced food pain, blisters or rubbing. That is why I keep buying them! These shoes rubbed me on the instep where the label is placed and caused me foot pain. Halfway through my 10 mile walk my feet were aching. Again, this has never happened from my real Merrells. The real Bare Access have very lightweight, thin padding on the soles that somehow manages to be very comfortable and absorbs shock. These are just thin and hard. There is none of the cushioning that I have become accustomed to from the real Merrells. Additionally, the toe box, which is admittedly a bit too wide in the real Merrells, is noticeably narrower in these shoes. While that could be a good thing, it isn't with these because it causes more rubbing on the tops/ends of my pinky and adjacent toe. And finally, one of the pairs has some obvious shoddy craftmanship I've never experienced with the real Merrells, including adhesive on the toe box that will undoubtedly end up damaging the fabric. Not sure why Amazon doesn't want my HONEST and TRUTHFUL review, but I guess I'll leave just report these fake shoes to Merrell and let them deal with these counterfeit products.