Great hiking shoe
First off the shoes are very comfortable. I’m used to wearing tennies that have a lot of arch support so I wasn’t sure I was going to like these. I just wore them today for the first time hiking trails around the Rocky Mountains. They were very “grippy”, I did not slide on the the loose gravel at all. I had no problems climbing around the rocks and felt more stable than in any other shoe I own. The only thing I’m not really loving is the colors…not a lot I own matches them. Would like a nice white pair. Good value for the money, I can adjust the fit so they are snug to my feet. I’m used to a shoe that is a little more trendy looking so to speak but I can’t beat the comfort and the security of the shoe knowing I’m not going to roll an ankle in these shoes. Very good product so far!
✔ Verified Purchase
A
Alyona Barker
September 15, 2025
Very comfortable
They are very comfortable, I'm glad I finally found shoes like this.
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As close to barefoot as I can get
These shoes are nice, they took a little to get used to. My pair is fraying on top sides on both shoes and wearing out on the one sole.They are not perhaps the most stylish especially in black my husband calls them my old man shoes. LOL.
✔ Verified Purchase
A MUST TRY!
I bought the first pair of these and I wasn't impressed at all BUT this "generation" is GREAT! Very comfortable, great toe box area, and the sole is much better and very well designed.A must try! You will love them!
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almost perfect
I really like this shoe, great grip. I climbed a high peak in the Adirondacks with little issue. The only thing I don't like that I noticed too late was that the right shoe was made slightly more narrow or not as wide a toe box as is the left shoe; someone was not paying attention.
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Most versatile shoe!!!
This is my second pair and they are my favorite shoe due to their versatility! They are great on ice, sand, rocks, dirt, leaves…NOT wet LINOLEUM.I wish they still had these colors but I’m glad Xero has this style!
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Serious traction and quality issues
As a "scrambling" shoe, they are an utter failure. If there is one water molecule or a single dust particle, suddenly friction ceases to exist. Forget talus and scree. If they were marketed as a street shoe, I would give them more stars. The basic design and concept are good, and they are comfortable and fit well (as long as you size up a half size). However, Xero continues to cut corners with material quality. I have returned other models because of similar quality issues. They can't get away with low-performing materials with customers who plan on taking their products off trail--or even on trail, in the case of these shoes. I'm writing a review in the hopes that Xero will hear the complaints of a market whose business they are largely missing out on. So here it is: please, please stop trying to reinvent the wheel with materials (or on this case sticking it on a shoe when it doesn't belong there). Use vibram or graphene for the soles. Also the mesh and toe plastic started splitting first day out, but I am personally less concerned about that, since it was mostly cosmetic. If I had bought these at REI, I would be returning them.For people who want a more specific idea of performance to have an idea if they'll meet your terrain and mileage needs...They had about 60-70% of the traction of my Scarpa approach shoes with vibram soles for the first two mountains (about 20 mi and 10k ft of vertical gain in the North Cascades). I used them for two more trips after that. Third use, they were down to 40-50% and I was doubting whether to keep wearing them. Fourth use I felt like I was descending ice rather than somewhat damp granite rocks. (I would have felt 100% secure with any of my other go-to shoes.) If you plan on only using in a very dry very stable, mostly flat area, they should be good. I will still use for trail running on the flat dirt trail near my house.Still searching for the good minimalist shoes for mountain fun... hope this helps others in their search.
✔ Verified Purchase
