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I grew up running around barefoot in the fields, woods, and dirt roads of Vermont. I then found my way to Myrtle Beach, where flip flops are considered both formal and acceptable church wear. While I fully support the use and wear of traditional running shoes, I also completely agree with a woman running in sandals I once overheard saying that “shoes are coffins for your feet”. Needless to say, I went into this experience with not only an open mind, but a mind that REALLY wanted this to work out. Is a small, barefoot inspired company that believes feet were meant to bend, move, flex, and feel the world. While they make everything from Huarache style running sandals to full casual, running, and hiking shoes, the Z-Trail Sandal was the product that caught my eye. That said, please do not buy a pair of these barely-there shoes and start walking or running the way you always have.
The Ashland has a hemp upper, and is meant to cross between a cozy boot and a house slipper. This is another one that was delayed a little bit, but I just received my pair. The color options confused me a bit, I thought I ordered taupe but it’s very purple.
But xero shoes continue to perform well even after years of consistent use. I prefer to keep the insole in the shoe, as I like a little more cushioning. However, some people want as much ground feel as possible. For those people, it’s just a matter of taking out the insole.
000 Mile Sole Warranty
Personally, I’ve found the lacing lockdown to be okay and I would say I have a fairly average foot depth. You might want to be careful about the sizing and be sure to check out their exchange policy since you can return a pair if they are in the wrong size. The sole is secured onto your feet with a single ultra-comfortable tubular webbing, adjusted through rust-proof hardware.
If you think you’re “between sizes,” go up a 1/2 size. So you’ll probably be okay selecting your “usual” shoe size.
I like the traction you get on this model and the high level of breathability is also a nice perk of this shoe. The midfoot cage also helps feels this shoe feel secure so when jumping and sprinting I didn’t have issues with this model sliding and moving. No shoe lasts forever, and none last long on kids’ feet.
Size Charts And Templates
Because of the lack of laces, I scaled down to make sure I had a room to flex and feel, but without having my foot move around too much. Modeled on the running sandal of the famous Tarahumara runners, the Genesis sandal was my first exposure to Xero Shoes. You buy either a DIY kit to make your own sandals or opt for the premade Genesis. These are fast becoming my favorite shoes, but beginners shouldn’t start here.
- Xero Shoes are great because they are comfortable, stylish and affordable.
- The traction won’t be as reliable as shoes that were designed for the specific purpose.
- They mostly have the same fit and shape, but vary from low, mid to high top.
- I feel good in them for walking, but I have to wear them pretty tight to be secure .
All of Xero Shoe’s children’s shoes are wider than conventional children’s shoes. All of our children’s shoes are wider than conventional children’s shoes. As I said above, I would choose this shoe for running in the desert, which, for me, is often a springtime activity. And in my mind, the natural running style that requires a reactive running gait contributes to increased strength in the feet and ankles (so long as you don’t overdo it and get injured). For that reason, I might use the Mesa Trail to build strength early in the season. But once the high country opens up, I might go for something with more cushion, such as the Altra Timp 3.
Mens Shoes
One of the subtle features of this model that I didn’t notice until I was in a busy hot commercial gym was how cool these shoes kept my feet when training. I’ve spoken on breathability already in this review, but I wanted to reiterate that you do notice it in this model when lifting especially in warmer gyms. I also like the sole on this shoe and the tire-like tread pattern they have. This shoe’s sole grips well when tackling runs on the road and at the track. If you’re a hybrid-focused athlete and you train in warm climates, then I really think you’ll enjoy the Zelen and how they support your training. Barefoot running shoe, I was super excited to test out the Xero Shoes Zelen. The upper shows wear at the front and it wouldn’t surprise me if an adult did NOT show this level of wear.
Learn how we create the world’s most carefully tested and objective gear reviews on our About page. GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison. And Speed Force which both feature lower price points and work well for running and hybrid training.
The Kelso is a retro “court style” shoe that’s meant to be a cross between an active and lifestyle shoe. It comes in the pink you see here in women’s sizes, as well as white and black in both men’s and women’s sizes. This shoe feels plush inside with padding around the ankle and a more cushioned sole than most barefoot shoes. They felt immediately comfortable with no break in time, and I can see them being a really nice first barefoot shoe for beginners. Since I usually prefer an extra thin shoe, I removed the insole. But then I found that the inside didn’t feel very nice without it, so I replaced it with a thinner one . I’ve always found traditional running shoes to be extremely narrow, even in “wide” sizes.
Our Footwear Is Foot Shaped Not Shoe Shaped
At the same time, the strap design allows your ankle to get used to moving around in a way that modern running shoes do not allow, easing the transition xero shoes fit to sandals. That’s not to say that veteran barefoot runners won’t enjoy them as well. I love them for hard surfaces, like concrete and asphalt.
- I wore them to a friend’s wedding not long ago and I had no problems dancing in them till the early morning.
- Join our community of amazing people passionate about minimalist & barefoot shoes.
- I wanted to love these sandals and bought them for camp/creek shoes for my 2018 AT thru-hike.
- Even with the leather upgrade, the Hana retains its original slipper-like feel and true to Xero Shoes design it retains the functional, huarache-inspired heel strap for a more secure fit.
- There is some separation of the upper and the sole, which some Shoe Goo should fix right up if/when my middle picks up these shoes in a few years.
- One pair for running and one pair for gym/casual use.
These minimalist shoes are designed for walking and running, and they are lightweight, flexible and durable at an affordable price range as well. Xero suggest that the Prio is true to size, and selecting your normal US size should fit adequately – which was the case for me. However, e-mailing Xero for advice could be an option if you’re somewhat hesitant. If you review any other minimalist running shoes, you’ll see that the Xero Shoes Prio aren’t ridiculously expensive. There are shoes on the market that have higher price tags and may not be as good quality. When it comes to minimalist training, the Xero Shoes Prio is a shoe that offers solid protection while staying true to its barefoot-running roots. From the adjustable huarache-style straps to the optional insole, no other shoe we tested provides the same flexibility of design features.
I’ve played around a bit with different outfits and they worked well whether I was pairing them with a suit jacket or a short-sleeved button up. Xero Shoes Leather HanaFour years ago when I first discovered Xero Shoes, the Hana was one of my first purchases and I still have that original shoe.
Fashion, But Make It Barefoot
If your splay is wide on a narrow foot, you have a lot more width to work with. If you are a woman and think of your foot as particularly wide, you can consider ordering a men’s style. Many female customers find a great fit in our men’s styles. Just be sure to adjust the size by 1.5 (for example a men’s 7 is roughly the same as a women’s 8.5). If your child does experience any foot pain or discomfort, it’s best to see a physician.
You help support OutdoorGearLab’s product testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners. The v-shaped lugs work well on pavement, but are too shallow to grip very well on trail. On damp, flat surfaces in particular, the low-profile lugs don’t do a great job of shedding water, leading to a few awkward slips.
There has been a lot of controversy over whether women should wear shoes that provide minimal support that imitate barefoot walking versus supportive shoes. The Huarache-inspired heel cinch strap is attached to the laces and loops through the sole and back around the upper rear of the heel. It works exceptionally well and helps pull your heel and foot down into the shoe, which provides a secure, connected, and stable fit without any heel lift. The separately adjustable instep straps allow you to lock down your instep for stability while still letting your toes move around comfortably. The laces are a bit thick and, on occasion, will loosen up and untie and require a retightening. The first thing I noticed after wearing the TerraFlex II was the uber wide toe box that allowed my toes to splay out, offering up oodles of comfort and relaxation. The particular shoes I kept seeing were the Xero Shoes Prio.
Best Barefoot Shoe Brands For Wider Feet
If you’re getting excessively sore after your barefoot running sessions, then it might be a good idea to scale back or spread training sessions far apart. We make footwear which gets as close to barefoot as we can, so we can balance, feel and move. We believe in footwear which regenerates feet and planet. The ideal fit for you will depend on how wide your feet are and/or if you prefer your footwear to fit snug or spacious.
They have a wide selection of incredibly light shoes and sandals built with this “foot-first” https://xero-accounting.net/ mission. It’s also worth saying that barefoot shoes are not a zero-sum game.
For my CrossFit buddies, nothing beats minimalist shoes for barbell work where feeling balance and rooting through the feet is imperative to a good lift. The Tough Tek front toe bumper provides lots of protection to your foot and dramatically improves the shoe’s durability. The supple outsole section along the bottom edge has been decently rugged. Even with the extra protection and light cushioning, they are still minimalist shoes with a great grounded barefoot feeling and feedback design. Barefoot shoes aren’t for everyone, and these FiveFingers especially are not for everyone. I do not like them, but one of the people who introduced me to barefoot shoes has been wearing nothing but these for well over a decade and swears by them. I find the separation of toes annoying, and I don’t feel like I gain anything in the way of balance by having my toes separated.