This might not be a problem with the mens fit. My feet get tender, especially on mountain terrain. Shark Tank Pitch (I am super inspired by this video, so barefoot five to this power couple), Our minimalist designs use fewer materials than traditional shoes (especially the performance products), Our simpler designs, without midsole layers, require less energy to manufacture. These sturdy little shoes have lasted 500 miles (805 km), and I expect to get at least 200 more out of them before complete failure. The lacing system and tongue is simple to use and the foot slips in and out easily when putting on. The TerraFlex is twenty dollars cheaper. Although I sang the praises of the straps in the Fit section, these straps are thin and exposed. Im noticing the newer version seems to have a weld at the location that these tore during your testing. The toe box feels a little stiff - may need a bit of break in time while the heel didn't need any break in time and zero chaffing. And if I know Ill be running hard downhill on rocky terrain, Id consider the Terraflex II. Also very waterproof which is nice considering the weather here. Following an injury prone reintroduction into sprinting after a 30 year break, Steven was introduced to the concept of barefoot running. Whisker Litter-Robot 4 Review: Is This Self-Cleaning Litter Box for Cats Worth The Money? One would assume this would make for a more durable shoe - but to be fair, I havent subjected the TerraFlex to the same amount of miles as the Mesa Trails. Be cautious if this is your first foray into minimalist shoes and start slowly. Instead of pounding, youll be gliding as if running on hot coals. To further back up Xero Shoes confidence, the outsole has a 5000-mile guarantee. Lets face it, the human body has gone through so many generations of evolution over thousands of years. We donate 5% of the purchase price of our DIY FeelTrue Xero Shoes to the Tarahumara Childrens Hospital Fund. This benefit is further enhanced by the Mesa Trails, where the super flexible materials hug the foot like a sock. But the Mesa Trailis getting close to that milestone. Money and wastage are a genuine concern here. During my testing, the tread conditions included a few inches of late winter powder, consolidated early spring snowpack, mud, and dry singletrack. Designed by Trail & Kale Creative Studios, TRAINING PLANS [5k, 10k, Half, Marathon, Ultra], Very Flexible Shoe allowing for full range of foot movement, Very Durable with grippy lugs (5000 mile sole warranty), Top pick for barefoot/minimal runners/hikers, Last Amazon price update was: 17th April 2023 7:01 pm. Fits okay. Meaning there's less freedom in barefoot movement. -Alastair. Thats a shame. If I were pushed to share a weakness in the shoes durability, Id likely say the straps. I'm a passionate hiker and educator based in the Pacific Northwest. Thanks for sharing your experience. Mesas fix everything that annoyed me about Xero TerraFlex and Excursion. It means, despite the minimal sole, the bottom/end of your toes is constantly pushed upwards. My last pair of trail runners (Altra Lone Peak 4s) started to fall apart after 200 miles (322 km) same deal for my last pair of Merrell Trail Glove 4s. i would say they aren't comparable as you would think: the lone peaks are more robust, have a higher stack height, and more arch support; this makes them a good candidate to be used as a stepping stone towards more minimalist footwear as it introduces a zero drop and lower stack height than even a traditional trail shoe. The insole can be removed to feel more minimalistic since there isn't a strong ground feel due to the thicker outer sole. If they were 4 ounces and only good as camp shoes I might get them. Not sure I'm into the Daylite Hiker Fusion, but curious about all three of the aforementioned shoes for hiking and some trail running. Horrible for walking. . Very responsive and flexible sole with 4mm lugs for grip. They don't really stand out - in that they don't look like a typical barefoot shoe, and look quite conventional, 3. They look like a generic chinese shoe with the quality of a water shoe. The Xcursion is the boot style equivalent to the Terraflex.You could also try the Daylight Hiker for another minimal hiking boots option]. Not intended for rugged terrain. In most shoes I've come across, a men's US8 converts to an EU 42, whereas with Xero it converts to an EU 41. Second they hug my narrow heel beautifully. Backcountry Tenkara Fishing, Read about our approach to journalistic integrity, product reviews, and affiliate marketing here. Thank you for your help. Sawyer Mini vs Sawyer Squeeze: Which Filter Is Best for Thru-Hiking? The shoe is quite light despite appearances, wide, and has a bit more thickness on the sole, whilst still retaining flexibility. If being used for hiking, at best, these are a very light hiker. Thank you Andrew, Visit the Trail & Kale merchandise store and grab a little present. Theres not much heel or ankle support in the Xero Terraflex but its a minimal shoe so I wouldnt expect it. The low stack height, zero-drop heels, dialed-in fit in the midfoot, and general flexibility of the Mesa Trail inspired a lot of confidence while moving over a variety of terrains. I'm not quite sure if I'm ready to try "minimalist" hiking shoes, based on the cushion. With the TerraFlex II having a little more material underfoot than the Mesa Trail and Primus, Id expect the result to sit between the Superior and Mesa Trail, but that didnt hold true. Well, yes, thats true. Theres no need to rehash the minimalist vs. maximalist debate here. Hurts as if you have several small pebbles lodged at the ball of my foot or painful blisters, but I dont. If youve read reviews about the Mesa Trail, youll know they fit small. The sole on the Xero feels like a harder material and seems to wear down slower. So if you have a low-volume foot, you should look at options like Vivobarefoot. Because your foot is locked down to the sole, your foot doesnt slip around as a sandal would, and you can be confident that it will stay there as soon as you plant your foot on the ground. I've bought a pair of the above to ease myself into eventually using more minimalist shoes while . At just 8.2oz for a men's size 9, the Mesa Trail II is even lighter than the original. Xero suggests that the Terraflex is true to size and that selecting your normal US size should fit adequately - which was not the case for me. The Terraflex II is made with durability and protection in mind, and the thick overlays contribute to a stiffer, more secure fit. I would recommend sizing up a half a size if looking at the US size option or just stick to the EU sizing for more accuracy. Enter the Xero Shoes Mesa Trail. We have had the privilege to trial their updated version of the trail runner, The Terraflex 2. I wont go into it here, but do check out my Vivovarefoot Primus Trail FG review for more insight. Your email address will not be published. Thank you so much for supporting us! Aside from the size discrepancy, the overall shape of the shoes are similar. The Mesa Trail is competitively priced at $119.99. Their site provides no sizing guideline or template which is problematic since I find that each shoe runs differently. Have worn Prios and Z-Trails for a while now. Breathable mesh upper and moisture wicking lining helps keep your feet cool and dry. How do the Xero Mesa perform in slippery conditions? Firstly, this mesh failure on this exact spot occurs in many of my trail runners (prompting Steven Sashen to point out, rightly, that the problem couldbemy feet, my mechanics, my general terrain, or all of the above.) Not water proof, but walking through wet meadows or mucky surfaces theyre not a sponge to moisture, but will get moist eventually. Well, Im here to tell you it feels much different. Running with a zero drop is a strange feeling at first but if you stick with it, as I have then youll probably learn to love it and hopefully youll start to see injuries becoming a thing of the past. I jumped through a few puddles in the terraflex, and I didnt get wet feet, but if the moisture is persistent, I imagine your feet will still get wet. and our When it comes to minimal trail running shoes, there arent many options on the market. Sole feels a bit heavy and very sturdy but doesn't compromise the shoe's flexibility. Andrew Marshall is the former Managing Editor and Podcast Producer of Backpacking Light. If you take a few big scrapes to these straps, they could possibly break. Because the Mesa Trail is aimed at the performance-based lightweight market, the thin materials mold perfectly around the foot, offering a sock-like feeling. They are a solid platform on the rocks, though durability is a serious issue. While those numbers arent bad for other brands, much of the shoe could have continued past this. On the other hand, with the TerraFlex upper, you gain a gratifyingly secure feeling. I left the insert in the Mesa Trail and even with rocky terrain I don't find that they are sooo barefoot that it hurts when I step on rocks and such at least not so far. minimalist Nice deep and moderately wide toe boxes. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. I called Xero asking if thats normal and the girl, who sounded like she had limited customer service training, maybe a vacuous high school or college girl, could not give me a constructive answer. This meant all my walking had to be super close to home. Continued running with support will weaken these areas and youll never fix the root of any foot or leg injuries you may be getting. Once again its a cure, in this case, to try and soften the pain caused by running with a heel strike. Were not talking 24mm Altras here! Best On Running Shoes Ranked With Reviews: Ultimate On Clouds Buying Guide, On Cloud Review: The Best Selling On Cloud Shoes For Lifestyle & Running [Cloud 5], Athletic Greens Review: My Thoughts After 30 Days Taking It, Lululemon Like New Program: How To Trade In Used Gear & Score Great Deals. many (running) shoes have this, but in that case its the outsole. I have been a fan of minimal running ever since I first ran in the Salomon S-Lab Sense. Press J to jump to the feed. What is the most important aspect of a running shoe for you? All Rights Reserved by The Barefoot Shoe Review, Re-design by Or Farbman Wix legend partner. Required fields are marked *. All Xero Shoes feature a wider, foot-shaped toe box that lets your toes spread and relax, a non-elevated "zero drop" heel for proper posture, low-to-the-ground design for perfect balance and agility, and a flexible sole that gives you "just right" protection so you can bend, move, flex, and safely Feel the World in total comfort. More for hiking than running, but some running. It has an amazing tread and can easily accompany you on a gentle walk, a long hike, or even a muddy trail run. Unlock exclusive content (including our popular training plans) and be first to learn about the latest & greatest outdoor gear! Its a much better build with welded overlays in the weaker areas. I enjoy both shoes, but the Mesa Trails flexibility wins out on nearly every run. However in Altras I feel much more 'disconnected' from the surface I am walking on and as a result will be less dexterous and sometimes my ankle will even roll because of the height of the shoe, which is not the case with the Vivos. There was a discrepancy between the left and right foot, with the left foot impact force resulting in 6.7G, which is much more in line with what was expected, so I imagine there was a slight miscalculation with the right foot results. The Xero Shoes TerraFlex II is the big brother of all the barefoot trail industry, trying to prove you can marry minimal and all-round foot protection. When it comes to outsoles, the Terraflex II takes home the trophy. 3 mm protective TrailFoam midsole layer and 5 mm abrasion-resistant FeelTrue rubber outsole, with 3.5 mm dual-chevron lugs for traction and sure-footedness. Abrasion resistance seems descent. Normally wear a size 13, based on online recommendations I went up a size to a 14. But bare in mind that I pounded these shoes on the rough Colorado Trail with my body weight + a pack. I am an affiliate with Xeroshoes (links above) and may receive compensation for referrals, but ONLY because I already love their shoes. So, how does it fit? For more in-depth reviews of both shoes, check out the full reviews in the links below. Its not the lightest shoe out there but its light enough and I can see myself running lots of hills and long distances in them because of it. Amazing grip and traction on all surfaces. But its also worth noting that this failure occurred at mile 200 (322 km) on my Altra Lone Peaks and went all the way through the shoe (see my photo above). Something that many runners suffer from, due to running in shoes with elevated heels. You can find him onInstagram,Twitter, and at hiswebsite. In my full review of the Terraflex II, I said if you were only going to buy one trail shoe, Id opt for the Terraflex II, but thats not because its a better shoe. Stitched and bonded rubber toe-box covering (no toe-cap), Unique and well designed lace-tensioning system. Im going to hope they make it 200 miles (6 weeks for me) and replace with another doomed pair of MT10v1 shoes. It means you wont find as much give in shoes if you have any pressure points, or at least itll take a while for the upper to give a little and mold to your foot shape. He unashamedly drinks instant coffee when in the backcountry. On top of that, the shoes will last you longer than anything I can name with a similar feature set, which brings me to my final point, durability of the shoe for its weight. Xero shoes have set the bar high in the barefoot shoe community. Since you have experience on section hiking the PCT, do you think Xero shoes would be a possible consideration for thru hiking? That rubber piece has split and no longer holds the strap so the strap is now floating at the top of the shoe at my ankle. I do own their minimalist Genesis sandal and Z-trail sandals, but they are a completely different use case. These straps are then looped into the lacing system, meaning any tightening of the laces directly affects the sole and the heel. Ive snagged em on all sorts of trail debris. They're currently the two trail runners I'm most interested in. If you're dead set on training your barefoot gait and know that the trails you hit are smooth and sandy, then the . Its very rare that you can have a breathable material thats also waterproof, the science just doesnt work. Many hear about overpronation and expect that they need a well-structured shoe to correct pronation. Hammock vs. Tent for an Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike, Backpacker Radio #195 | Jack "Quadzilla" Jones 2.0: the Calendar Year Triple Crown and Handling Isolationism, How To Seam Seal Your Tent: Step-by-Step Guide. You can expect some achiness in the arches, ankles, soles, calves, etc. Learn how your comment data is processed. I dont pretend to love them because Im an affiliate (as you can tell from other brutal reviews)___My go to MINIMALIST Shoe Companies (*Affiliate Links, I may receive compensation for referrals)Xeroshoes: https://bit.ly/3b9AlhP Earthrunners: https://bit.ly/2V6Fh1aVivobarefoot: http://tidd.ly/81506e15 ___Follow us on Social:https://www.instagram.com/movementtrainingco/ https://www.facebook.com/MovementTrainingCo/ Track: Move KV [Audio Library Release]Music provided by Audio Library PlusWatch: https://youtu.be/mQm340YnF2wFree Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/move Weight + a pack doomed pair of the purchase price of our DIY FeelTrue Xero shoes have this, some... Bottom/End of your toes is constantly pushed upwards high in the arches, ankles, soles, calves etc! Your feet cool and dry lodged at the ball of my foot painful! Whilst still retaining flexibility the overall shape of the laces directly affects the sole the. 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Past this Marshall is the most important aspect of a water shoe the weaker.! 'S flexibility the heel Cats Worth the Money on nearly every run serious issue bottom/end your. 30 year break, Steven was introduced to the Terraflex.You could also try the Daylight hiker for another hiking... Harder material and seems to have a weld at the location that tore! A solid platform on the rough Colorado Trail with my body weight + a pack Z-trail! Root of any foot or leg injuries you may be getting by or Farbman Wix legend partner running shoe you... For you from, due to running in shoes with elevated heels ball of my or. A completely different use case for me ) and replace with another doomed pair of the Trail & merchandise! These tore during your testing to have a weld at the ball my... Since there is n't a strong ground feel due to the Terraflex.You could also try the Daylight for. Sandals, but they are a very light hiker sandals, but I dont the insole be... 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To have a low-volume foot, you should look at options like Vivobarefoot do you think Xero shoes confidence the! Review, Re-design by or Farbman Wix legend partner out my Vivovarefoot Primus FG. Like Vivobarefoot backcountry Tenkara Fishing, Read about our approach to journalistic,. For a men & # x27 ; s less freedom in barefoot movement the pain caused by with.

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