Xero Shoes Mesa Trail II

Product Information

For the committed minimalist runner, these barely there sandals can be taken on any (lowland) trail The lugs on this shoe are unobtrusive and provide a great balance of grip and ground feel, unlike the more cushioned trail shoes.

The Xero Mesa Trails WPs have such a low-slung collar, you don’t want to be running in anything other than the shallowest puddles, because water will find a way in (Image credit: Pat Kinsella) They seem well made, and their vegan status and recycled materials will please many environment-conscious runners. A tough eyelet chain and solid welded construction should promote longevity, while smartly placed upper overlays should limit damage caused by big toes. Those with deep mid-foots should note Vivo’s shoes volume is more from width that height. Tested: Size up one-half size if your feet run slightly long for your normal size. Use standard sizing-up procedures to account for foot swellings on long hikes. Donning these huarache-style sandals– inspired by the footwear used by the long-distance runners among the Rarámuri people of the Mexico’s Copper Canyons, as described in Christopher McDougall's book Born to Run – is about as close as you can get to really running barefoot, while minimising the risk of gashing your foot on flint or glass, which would be a really annoying way to put yourself out of action. There is nothing between the soles of your feet and the dirt except 5mm of ‘FeelTrue’ rubber, and the sandal is held on with nylon straps (with silicone grip), which go between your toes and around the Achilles strap. People who are confident wearing these sandals run all sorts of distances (including ultras) in them, across challenging terrain in various conditions.With all the marketing and technology going around the shoe industry, the value of a sturdy and dependable trail shoe can be hard to define. And, then came the Trail Mesa from Xero Shoes. If you have any questions about the Xero Shoes Mesa Trail in regard to its construction on trails and hikes, drop your questions below. Xero Shoes Mesa Trail FAQs The TerraFlex is twenty dollars cheaper. The Mesa Trail is a new product, while the TerraFlex was updated in the last two years.

If you want a barefoot shoe but you don’t it to feel like a barefoot shoe, the Xero Mesa Trail WP offers an optional insole (Image credit: Pat Kinsella) Adding gaiters using the provided loop could help prevent the ingress of water but it’s all starting to get well away from what we’d call the barefoot experience (Image credit: Pat Kinsella) If your feet are low in volume or not too wide, you should look at other brands. While Xero shoes aren’t the widest on the market, they are pretty voluminous and broader than other brands, such as Vivobarefoot.The Mesa Trail II, on the other hand, uses a 3.5mm TrailFoam™ layer to even out the bumps on the trail and provide additional comfort without sacrificing that barefoot feel. And in case it’s not clear, you should look elsewhere if you know you prefer a shoe with a substantial, more traditional midsole that absorbs impacts and makes the trail feel smoother than it is. If you’ve ever opined that some of the bigger shoe companies spend too much on product styling, you'll appreciate the XeroShoes Mesa Trail. They are aesthetically functional. It’s not really until they’re on your feet that the excitement levels rise. They’ve chosen a subtly foot-shaped last to build these on that will please most runners. The upper is soft and comfortable and the eyelet chain, a mixture of punched holes and webbing, does a great job of securing the mid-foot. A combination of bonded overlays and a stitched toe bumper toughen up the upper where required. To discuss the performance of the Xero Shoes Mesa Trail, we’re going to discuss how this performs in a few different contexts. This helps paint the full picture of this model’s performance and who it’s best for. Versatility on the Trail While it's minimalist tendencies may not suit every runner, the design and execution of this shoe offers hard-wearing traction, sleek cushioning and a dependable upper, Great traction

First of all, there’s no toe-cap glued to the front of the shoe. In my experience, this is the first failure point on any trail runner. The Mesa Trail has a broad rubber toe-box covering welded to the sole and stitched to the upper. After 500 miles (805 km), this aspect of the shoe shows no signs of failure. A stitched toe bumper shows no signs of failing after 500 miles (805 km). The best barefoot running shoes – or best natural running shoes / best minimal running shoes, according to your preferred terminology – share certain very specific characteristics, yet, as evidenced here, they can also look very different to one another. When it comes to the perfect blend of cushion, fit, and ground feel, both the Prio and the Mesa Trail II from Xero Shoes don't disappoint. So what about the sizing, fit, and comfort features of these two models. The lugged, dual chevron tread has great spacing and sheds mud easily for the 3.5mm lug height, though it's not going to handle a muddy uphill as swift as an Altra, Topo or Inov-8. These shoes are super lightweight at only 8.5oz (240g) in a Mens 9.5 US. Less weight on the feet means a smoother airy running feeling, helping add to the true barefoot style.You can see that I’m obviously a forefoot runner, but that’s just natural when you move to barefoot shoes. And then rolling to the outside of the foot to provide cushioning from the impact.

When it comes to the return policy, we've already mentioned that both the Prio and the Mesa Trail II offer a solid warranty from Xero Shoes. Both models come with a 5,000-mile sole warranty, which gives customers peace of mind about the durability of the shoes. Xero Shoes has continued to grow and innovate barefoot shoes which allow feet and legs to do the work. After years of using Vibram Five Fingers to train barefoot style on trails, I was excited to see Xero released a barefoot running trail shoe which seems to grasp what runners like myself are curious to try. They were kind enough to send me a pair to test. Enter the Xero Shoes Mesa Trail Shoe… We have welded overlays all around the base of the shoe! As I said, I busted out the side of my original Mesa Trails because the upper material joined directly onto the sole at the crease point of the shoe. This time, the Mesa Trail II has gone for overlay all around the shoe, so those weak points are reinforced. What’s more impressive is that this hasn’t affected the weight! A streamlined insole is a welcome option on a zero drop and low profile trail shoe. The Mesa Trail shoes work well with or without the provided insoles. When the insoles are out, ground feel increases and the seams have obviously been designed with the barefoot runner in mind. Personally, I’ve been enjoying the insoles because I don’t have to be quite as careful about my foot placement on debris. Protection Toe protection is more than sufficient for most trails. My Vibram V-Alphas leave me wanting when the trail surface is nothing but half dollar sized, arch stabbing limestone debris or a steep descent. Plus, running everyday in VFFs isn’t my preference — I use them as a training tool. The construction of the Xero Shoes Mesa Trail running shoes provide many VFF-like benefits while adding features a technical trail runner needs. Aggressive but Not Overbuilt Lugs The Mesa Trail has aggressive lugs which still work well on smooth surfaces without creating drag.

Purpose and Versatility 🦶

The flexible feel of the shoe means it disappears around the foot and you actually feel like you are running barefoot. Over the course of my testing with the Xero Shoes Mesa Trail, I’ve found three key pros that I really like. No bonded toe-cap over the front of the toe-box means there’s nothing to peel away immediately as in most trail runners. The Xero Mesa Trail could be described as a shoe without cushioning. It’s simply an upper with a sole, as simple as that.