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Ian Hartgrove
July 18, 2025
Barefoot Comfort!
These are some of the best sandals I have ever owned, if not THE best sandals I've ever owned! I find them to be a great barefoot style sandal with just enough cushioning to be comfortable for while walking without taking away from its flexibility. I like the toe as it's wide but not so wide to look or feel uncomfortable. I found them to be extremely slip resistant when I wore them in the bathhouse of the beach side campground I recently visited and they were also easy to clean. I definitely would consider these a great value for the money!
✔ Verified Purchase
Initial review. Will update if durability doesn't prove itself to match the price.
I purchased these after seeing them pop up on multiple outdoors sites, recommending them for use as ultralight camp shoes for backpacking.We had a chance to test them out on a 30 mile hike last October and I am satisfied with my purchase. They are extremely light which helps to keep my load weight down, but gives me something to wear around camp and let my feet air out after being crammed in boots all day. The straps setup keeps them snugly attached to your feet which also lend to them being used as steam crossing shoes if the water is too deep for your boots.As far as the 0 Drop hype goes - I don't know whether it is a good thing or not, but you can definitely feel it. Its about as close to barefoot as I have ever felt while still wearing shoes. A little weird at first, but I found them quite comfortable trudging around camp at night.My only complaint would be that the strap setup makes them a little fidgety to put on. Putting them on when nature called in the middle of the night was a little challenging - Especially being that everything on my body was super-sore on that trip. I feel like this could be improved by adding an additional buckle or maybe changing the strap design a little, but I'm nitpicking here.They are however expensive, so if they fall apart before I feel like I've gotten my monies worth out of them and Xero doesn't live up to their warranty, the rating will be adjusted accordingly.
✔ Verified Purchase
A
andrew dodge
June 27, 2021
Fantastic Sandal - but will take some adjustment.
Had my Z Trails for almost exactly a month and I can say they are the best sandals I think I have ever had. Going zero drop, barefoot has done my body a lot of good, I think. When I walk with them on, my feet still feel tired, but the way my legs are sore is new, and I can tell I am using muscles that haven't been used in a long time.I've been solely using my Z Trails as my "popping out to the store" and "walking the dog" shoes to help me ease into them and I think that has been a beneficial approach, and now I am taking 2plus mile walks and hiking in them. Walking takes some getting used to if thick soles are what you are used to, you gotta me mindful not to hammer your heel down over and over - although the 10mm is more than enough cushion at the end of the day, when walking on cement, crazy foot striking will result in sore bits.Hiking was a magnificent experience in these sandals! Even clambering down steep sandy unstable slopes I felt sure footed because I could feel everything. Small sharp rocks are really no problem at all, and I actually find that I prefer feeling them (but the 10mm sole keeps them from hurting my foot) because it makes me naturally more careful and I haven't slipped yet. And something I never thought about when first getting these sandals is that when tiny pebbles do inevitably get stuck between my foot and the sandal it's so simple and easy to get them out because of the minimalist style of the thing! My feet are out in the open and working hard, and it feels great.A few quibbles, now. Adjusting the sandal takes a bit of work. If you go onto the Xero website you will see a video of the owner very easily demonstrating/explaining NOT to use the velcro hell to get in and out of the sandal, but rather the strap tightener...that is easier said than done. You can't put them on standing up at all, you have to be sitting down, with your legs crossed over, and the strap fastener is on the OUTSTIDE of the foot, resulting in an awkward angle - especially for a big person...and the strap is a bit stubborn in allowing the strap to slide easily to and fro for a good fit - it takes some work. Furthermore, you pretty much have to be touching the bottom of your sandal to put on and adjust. Maybe it's just me, but that is something I really wish I didn't have to do, because then I have to immediately wash my hands afterward - which often has me walking through my "no shoes indoors" house wearing my sandals, which defeats the purpose of the no shoes allowed part. As well as when I am out, say at the beach, putting them on requires again all that bottom shoe contact with no real place to then wash my hands. I admit, this issue my be mainly my own personal picadillo, but long story short, it could be...it SHOULD be easier to adjust these straps.And finally - when these babies get wet, such as stepping through a stream or stomping around beach water - the top of the soles get SLIIIIIICK. You have to have these pups strapped on right and tight or else your foot will slip in ways you really don't want to be slipping. They do dry in minutes, however.But even with those issues and my cleanliness neurosis going on in my head...I still love these sandals. I'm hoping that more mileage will result with resolution, and I can't see myself going back to thick soled sandals at all.
✔ Verified Purchase
Hard to Believe your Not Barefoot
I've been a full time barefooter for 10 years. I read some articles about zero drop barefoot sandals and decided to give them a go. After 2 weeks research I decided to try the Xero Z trail, especially since they backed their product enough to offer a 7 day trial period. I got them in, easily adjusted them to my feet and hit the trail. I immediately feel in love with them. I kept looking at my feet to ensure I actually had sandals on. They are that light and comfortable! The open toe design enhances the barefoot feel with no strap between your toes. I thought the front toe area might catch on rocks or roots on the trail but with a proper snug strap adjustment, there's No issue. During the trail period I took the Zs to water. They did great with the only exception was if water is between the skin of the feet and sandal bed. It Can be Sleppery! Did not like that part. However, they dry quickly. Overall I was so impressed that I ordered a pair for my wife. She loves them as well. A suggestion I found to imprint your foot into the foot bed is to shower in them a time or two. After doing this you could clearly see and feel the glove like comfort. My only concern is durability. I read reviews with strap issues including the backstrap velcro. During the trial period I called Xero customer service. They eased my mind when they assured me if that should happen, the sandals were covered with a 24 month warranty on the straps and a lifetime warranty on the soles. Therefore, if you enjoy being barefoot and grounding but with a little protection, I HIGHLY recommend these Xero sandals!
✔ Verified Purchase
Great shoes
I really like Xero shoes it is my third pair and ma second pair of sandals but to bad they don't offer half size on the sandals the size 11 is too big and the 10 too small.Beside that they are the best barefoot shoes.
✔ Verified Purchase
