Trying Out The Xero Shoes TerraFlex - First Impressions

[@DanBanan69]

Been wearing nothing but minimalist footwear for about 9 months. The benefits are bulletproof feet, ankles and calves, a surprisingly large increase in agility, no need to buy dedicated running shoes, nor cushioned shoes, and allegedly, it will prevent injuries in the knees, hips and spine (which I can't attest to, but sounds awesome). However, to attain this, one has to go through a period of strengthening (which for me took about 4 months and is ongoing), which may not be for everyone. It's somewhat of a hassle and if you're not careful you could get laid out for a week or so. One has to have faith in the process, it takes a while and can feel pretty intense on the feet sometimes. I found it an exciting experiment, but opinions certainly differ on that. I can recommend it, it's a wonderful feeling to have legs of steel. But peoples needs are different, and there are some things minimalist shoes don't do so well, for example protect your feet. Whatever you choose to do, I wish you luck in your travels!

[@harlowpinson5678]

Love this shoe. So comfortable and durable. They feel like moccasins after awhile. The sole lasts 4 times longer than any Altra. The stitched toe box does not disintegrate nor does the sole separate from the upper in front. The fabric holds up. When wet they dry out very quickly. The insoles last the life of the shoe. The design is essentially the same since inception and unlike altra they are not costantly 'improving' and discarding a good design (Lone Peak 2's for example). Throw them in the washing machine and they clean up nicely. The sole is little thin for very rocky trails, but they still worked fine on the coast of Scotland. Good grip on wet rocks. Laces last a long time. I use them on the dance floor too. Price is GREAT. Nice people at Xero too. Only critique is I wish it had some velcro in back for gaiters - but you can glue that on yourself.

[@tanstaafl1960]

🤨 Why would I want to glue Velcro on myself? 😉 😄 😆

[@harlowpinson5678]

@@tanstaafl1960 You are a more solid anchor than the shoe... 😂

[@tanstaafl1960]

@Eastern fence Lizard ‘Super Dave’ Letterman did just that wearing a Velcro jumpsuit. I’m sure there’s video of it here on KZbin. Found it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3_Jc5mqgryBitE

[@Applebottompenis]

The only reason my altas would outlast this shoe is because I always find myself taking them off a mile into my hike in favor of being barefoot... How do you think this shoe compares to being barefoot?

[@harlowpinson5678]

@@Applebottompenis I don't think it would be much like being barefoot. It's still a shoe; because it is laced it provides side support, it's not going to be so well ventilated (though still excellent), and the sole is going to provide some rock protection (though not a lot). I'd say it is more like wearing a laced moccasin.

[@kristenspanza6303]

Been wearing these since June, many north Rocky Mtn backpacking trips this summer. They are great. Zero drop, light, dry fast / airy. I can't see ANY wear on them despite all the mountain hikes. Cons? I find them a bit sloppy side to side, can't quite get those straps tightened down... but, then I put in in-soles (for high arches), and they are perfect, used on multiple days of 30km no issues. zip. zero.. I used to get foot (big toe) pain with my cushioned non-zero drop fancy hikers after only 5 hours. Those extra cushioned ones also put me up too high that I roll my ankle . These Xeros are fantastic and EXCELLENT customer service at parent company. I can feel the ground and don't trip, slip or roll my ankles anymore. Bonus? They are comfy when untied and I don't need camp shoes

[@jeremyrobbins9064]

I have been in Xero shoes Prio at work for just over 3 months. Has done wonders for my back pain!

[@backpacker3421]

For those who like minimalist shoes, and haven't tried XERO yet, I'd recommend them. I have 4 different pairs, including the Terraflex, plus a pair of sandals and the snow boots. They are hands down the best minimalist experience I've had. Too many minimalist shoes try to split the difference and are "near minimalist", and those shoes are usually pretty bad for your feet. XERO shoes are the most flexible shoes I've owned, and walking in them genuinely gives a barefoot type of foot action and ground feel. I'm sure there are some other brands out there that have something close, but I seriously doubt anybody's doing minimalist shoes better than they are.

[@tamie341]

Yes! Lems as well is top notch, these two companies are way better thank anything nike makes

[@talesfromtheleashexpatdogl1426]

I love my XERO sandals!!! IMO, they are great if you have balance issues

[@avalancheknit7058]

First, thanks for being an inspiration to get me back into hiking after 45 years hiatus. I just got these a few weeks ago. I love them! I also have plantar issues. In fact, I had to have surgery to release one of my plantar tendons several years ago. I still have to stretch it constantly to keep it from cramping. An earlier post mentioned about adjusting the landing or strike of your foot as you walk. It is a must. It’ll be so much easier on the plantar, too. It’s easier on the foot, knees, hips and back, I’ve found (age 63 here). Depending on temp outside (already) I’ve worn both with and without socks comfortably. 😀

[@captfeijoa]

I've been wearing my pair of Xero shoes as my everyday footwear for 1.5 year now. Prio shoes and Z-trail sandals. They are comfortable, surprisingly durable (the sole looks as good as new after wearing the same pair of Prios literally every day) and I really enjoy feeling the ground texture with my feet. I believe Xeros could be great for hiking after getting used to them but it wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea - I know that even now when I unexpectedly step on a sharp stone or something similar I go Ouchie! So for me personally as much as I love them for everyday and dont mind my Z-trails for short hikes, I don't see myself wearing them for multiday hikes at the moment.

[@rosey4exclaim]

Okay, a couple of tips from someone who's been wearing minimalist footwear full-time for about 2.5 years (which I guess isn't THAT long, but hey): You may already know some or all of this, but since you didn't mention it in your video, I had to bring it up. I hope I don't sound too discouraging; I'd just hate to see you injure yourself and think minimalist shoes aren't for you! Usually, there's a transition period with minimalist footwear, and if you haven't been transitioning, you may be more prone to injury. If you're not planning on transitioning slowly, at least be aware of the following. Be careful at first with your plantar fasciitis. In the long term, minimalist shoes should help with it, but you may feel it flaring up at first, due to the sudden lack of support. I'd suggest bringing the inserts you've used in the past, just in case. You'll also want to avoid heel-striking, as doing so in minimalist shoes can be hard on your joints. Using a fore- or mid-foot strike is best (walk around barefoot on hard floors for a bit to see how your strike naturally changes; that's the form you want in minimalist shoes). I did try the Terraflex and found there's a seam on the inside under the ball of my foot that gives me a hot spot no matter what size I get. I used to use them for shorter hikes until my feet grew too wide from wearing sandals all this summer. I LOVE Xero Shoes, but I'm sad they aren't wider. They worked well for my first 2 years of minimalist shoe-wearing, but now they're just too narrow for me (to be fair to them, my whole family has wide feet). I currently use their Z-Trail sandals in warmer weather but have switched to SoftStar shoes for cooler weather (currently hiking in their Megagrip Primal RunAmoc and waiting patiently for their new Switchback Boot in a wide, which I hope will work with my snowshoes). Good luck, Dixie! I love hiking in minimalist footwear, and I hope you will, too!

[@amaliacirilo2983]

I ditto R V Butler. I have these shoes but only after transitioning and they are only comfortable for trail running. I where the tennis shoe version from xero shoes for road running. Also I have found that my posture contributed to the knee pain. With yoga I have been able to keep running after a specialist told me to stop running or I would need surgery. An awesome book that used research based methods to help me get aligned and keep running was Kelly Starret’s “Ready to Run”.

[@ScottKent]

Be very careful...in the ads for the shoes they talk about never running distance and some other stuff (he claims to be very good at 100 meters though). I once made the mistake of running a marathon in similar shoes and although I had been wearing them for more than a year the stress of the long distance resulted in my arch collapsing and my PF starting to tear (which is of course what a PF injury is). Simple fact is that if a shoe fits like a sock, and feels like a sock, it also supports like a sock. I would advise anyone looking to do either distance runs or hikes to look elsewhere as from personal experience I wouldn't recommend minimalist shoes past 10k and certainly not past a half marathon distance. Your mileage may vary.

[@realworldmom]

I agree. Even with a year under my belt, a 13 mile hike landed me with plantar fascitis. I still wear my minimal shoes but now wear the dr scholls insert in them.

[@brimstone33]

Good advice about the fasciitis.

[@DanielOutdoors]

I dont think Dixie need much transition, she been wearing Zero drop Altra's before, apart from the Topo. Altra serve prsctically same as Xero, but with more cushion. I litterally throw away all my shoes, and where either Xero, winter shoe or Xero sandals and 3 pairs of Altra Lone Peak or Olympus. I did transition, and took me about 7 weeks. My feets ancle, knees and back never been this strong! I basically believe now, specially looking at my grandparents with balance problem and weak feet that ordinary non zero drop footwear might be a biiiiiiiig issue. I actually have a video on this, where I also went to a therapeut and before switching to Zerodrop

[@krakatoasundra]

Don’t forget, you absolutely need to acclimate your feet to minimal shoes. Also, if you run in these shoes, you need to land on your forefoot and slowly let the heel down. That way, you’re heels won’t hurt. You need to slowly develop all the muscles in the bottom of your foot and your calves for shock absorption because they do not have a mid-sole to absorb shock. Don’t land hard on your heel ever. for big impact, land on your forefoot first and then lightly allow the heel to touch the ground so you don’t slam your heel to the ground. Once you develop leg of steel for shock absorption, you can do long hikes in them. Start small. Slowly build up. Don’t do too much!!!!!

[@FreezingToad]

Having worn zero-drop and minimalist shoes for the last 10-11yrs, I absolutely love these! The pro's for me are they're more comfortable than toe-shoes when hiking, the breathe way better than my minimalist military boots, they dry really quickly if you get them wet (remove the insert for quickest drying time), and they look "normal" so I don't get looks when I'm out in public. The con's, I don't really have any apart from being able to feel the chevrons all the time, but those are easy to ignore. There was no "break-in" period for me and they fit like a glove when I got them. Just a word of warning on minimalist/zero-drop shoes: if you've never worn them before, wean yourself into it. If you throw a pair of these on and go for a 5-10 mile hike you're going to hate your life. Not just your feet, but your legs and butt are going to hurt. You don't realize how many muscles you don't use when you wear super padded shoes. As for road-walks, if you're already comfortable in minimalist shoes and wear them all the time, that's not a real problem.

[@miyahosaka8361]

I thru hiked the PCT with Xero runner Mesa Trail and sandals Z Trail. I noticed the shoes lasted much longer than other hikers shoes and I only started to really suffer from the rocks after about 800 miles. Everyone says there is a transition period to normalizing your foot to barefoot, but I got lucky and didn't have that issue. I definitely noticed that when I got to rocky trail or road walking, I was much slower and a lot of people would pass me. It was worth it to me though. They breathe great and dry quickly! I didn't try the Terra Flex, but the people I ran into that had them had some issues with the straps breaking. I am definitely a fan and will be using barefoot minimalist footwear for all my hiking going forward! 😀

[@1enediyne]

Just did my first hike in my new xero prios with toe socks. Loved them. The most comfortable hike for my feet ever.

[@eric_festinger]

I have two pairs of Xero shoes: one HFS that I use all day in urban area, and one TerraFlex, same color as yours, for trails. I have them since not so long (300 km); I wear them each weekend for day hikes between 25 and 40km, mostly in the woods. They are very lightweight and comfortable in my opinion, and I love feeling the earth and the relief of the ground. The only drawback I found so far is that black part just behind the "front bumper" is very fragile and is already worn out on my left shoe... after only 300km! But anyway, I love them and can't wait for this weekend to go hiking wearing them again 😁

[@4316rodney]

Your reviews are really quite good, very thorough but still concise. I’ve appreciated them since the AT ones so, thanks!

[@musingwithreba9667]

I LOVE my TerraFlex shoes! I just did a 2 week hike in some pretty rocky and rooty trails and never had an issue with them either hurting my feet through the bottom, or stubbing my toes at the toe. I love feeling the ground beneath my feet, and the soles of the shoes feel really grippy. Except on especially wet slippery mossy rocks. And I've got the bruises to prove that! ;) I wear Xero Prios for my everyday shoes, so the TerraFlex just made sense to me. I was wearing Solomon hiking shoes, but they constrict my feet, they're too heavy (though a lot less heavy than the boots I had before!) and I just prefer the minimalist feel of the Xeros. And my Prios have lasted nearly 3 years now of almost daily wear (I live in Toronto, so winter time is not minimalist running shoe weather!). I think the TerraFlex will last me quite a while as well. I got the "forest" colour to match my X-Mid and my DD40L. But it's really sage. ;)

[@davidgross7972]

I have a pair of Terralex shoes that I bought 2 years ago because I had read about the benefits of minimalist shoes in Eric Orton's book, "The Cool Impossible". I like the fit and the look and tried to transition to them slowly, just short walks and then short runs at first and even some short runs with no shoes. I started to get some soreness in my left Achilles but thought it would pass as I adjusted to the new shoes. Then I made the big mistake of running a 12k trail race in them. During the race, my heel felt fine but by about 6k, the balls of my feet were really feeling beat up and by the end of the race there were actually some large blood blisters on them. Then within a few days after, my Achilles became severely inflamed and painful. It has taken two years to recover from, including some aggressive physio this past spring, for my heel to feel almost normal again. I still use the Terraflex for cycling shoes but will not try running in them again. I'm not knocking the shoes, just a reminder to be cautious and pay attention to any changes in you body from using them. I'm sure many people have great success with them, and even for me, my right foot was totally fine. It was most likely just a personal flaw in my body or running technique that gave me this result.

[@hagendf]

I tried the Xero Mesa Trails for the first time on a Pictured Rocks thru-hike last month, 40 miles. They're like the TerraFlex but with more breathable mesh and less padding on the top. There were zero hotspots or blister problems whatsoever since there's nothing about them to initially rub against my feet. On my third day, I started developing soreness around the heels. I didn't hike long enough to know for sure, but it was evident that my out of shape feet needed to adapt to barefoot hiking with a pack. The verdict is that I am sticking with my Altras for backpacking for now. I used my Lone Peaks on the Camino and the extra padding was great on the hard surface roads. Xero probably could work with some conditioning, but for now the Mesa Trail is my shoe for day hikes and river trips. Also, the sandals are great for evenings in the campsite or Albergues. Looking forward to your report, I've been a Xero fan for two years.

[@randyletourneau3430]

I had a pair of Terra Flex and really liked them. I used them for running and for hiking. I did backpacking with them and also climbed 2 14ers in CO with them. While there were times I stepped on rocks in CO that were sharp and it hurt, the flexibility and the “feel” I got with the Xero shoes were great. I will buy another pair soon.

[@goldibee]

I bought Xero (Aqua X Sports which are very similar) shoes at the beginning of the year and did the slow transition into them. I tested them over 70 miles in many different terrains - wet and dry. I did a few 7-14 mile hikes and my feet felt great… like the best shoes I’ve ever owned. I don’t like wearing shoes or socks so they really were the perfect shoe… or so I thought. I was so confident in these shoes that I started my SHT thru-hike and almost immediately there was friction on the top of one foot and eventually the other. It was getting worse and tape wasn’t staying on my feet. Sadly, I only made it 2.5 days and 30 miles and had to end. I still don’t know why it happened - lack of socks combined with mud maybe. I bought a pair of Altra Lone Peak 5s and they are comfy but I trip a lot and just don’t feel as confident in them. For that reason, I’m not giving up on the Xeros. I still think they’re the most comfortable shoe, have good grip and I just feel way more stable. I’m going to test a different pair with socks and see how I do. And just bring lots of tape when I start on the SHT next spring again. The only thing that isn’t great is that if you’re walking on gravel roads or step on a rock wrong you will feel it and it hurts. But you have to expect these things with a minimal shoe I guess. Good luck, Dixie! I think you might like them in the long run with plantar fasciitis but really take it slow with the transition. I recommend that for anyone new to them. 🙂

[@normarinker3245]

Yayy. These are the hikking shoes I have used since Feb 19 and I LOVE them. I never get blisters or turn my ankles and they dry very fast. I go back and forth between this model and their Z trails and they are awesome. 1000 mile sole warranty. Thanks Dixie! I'll be using these forever and on my thru hike as well. Good breakdown.

[@normarinker3245]

P.S. I wear Xero shoes daily as well, not just for hiking. Thanks again for bringing attention to this amazing brand!

[@calvinosq]

I love Xero Shoes. I have used 3 pairs for the past 3 years. Prio for hiking/running, Alston for work shoes and Z-trail sandals for weekends. Durability is great and the wide toe box makes wearing them comfortable even after a long day

[@nbryant8991]

I don't hike but I started wearing Xero a few months ago. I spent about a week just wearing them a few hours a day to get used to them. They've really helped with my plantar fasciitis and knee problems. I have the Prio and HFS and I wear them to the office everyday. Love them.

[@jonathanrogers9961]

I have a pair of the xero shoe Prios, their origional road type shoe. Wore them every day, everywhere for about 2 years. They are GREAT shoes and they do no wear out every 500 like most hiking or running shoes. Generally now I wear my altra running shoes most of the time. But I still wear the prios, just not as much as I used to, and they are still going strong about 4 years in.

[@allencrider]

I've done some minimalist shoes, Merrell Trail Gloves and Lems Boulder Boots. I loved the fit of the trail gloves, except I have Morton's Foot. My second, or index, toe is quite a bit longer than my 'big toe' and it got crushed on downhills. Since my stride is neutral or slightly underpronated, non-supportive shoes are what I need, so I ended up with ASICS Gel-Venture trail runners with a 4E width. They do have cushioning, which I love for twenty-mile days. And they happen to have room for my index toe. No black nails anymore! And the best thing about them is they're very cheap. I got a pair two weeks ago for just $54.

[@Ashley-qc2sc]

I just got a pair of Xero sandals to take as camp foot-wear and as a back-up-alternative to trail shoes. They are great and I can imagine using them for super-light summer hikes.

[@IrishRage42]

I have a pair of their sandals and they have held up for years and are very nice to walk around in for a day out. My friend has the terraflex and hes worn them for years at work and hiking and they are still holding up just fine. Just the insole had worn out.

[@EatCarbs]

I have a serious fondness for my Asolo boots. They weigh a lot, but I love them. Thanks for the video

[@sunflowerstudios9466]

I bought a pair of these early this summer…. I took a bike packing trip and needed a sturdy, light weight, shoe. These worked well for walking about after a long day in the saddle. I did walk in the water with them and they eventually dried out after a days ride…. I have a narrow foot and I got a Women’s size 9. I wish I had had a size 9 1/2! The toe box worked well but after a long walk in the woods or trekking in the creek, my toes rubbed on the walls of the shoe. It worked well to pack in panniers. That was my priority. If I ordered this shoe, again, I would order a larger size. ( I do look like a guy wearing these shoes…they are NOT FEMININE AT ALL) They did the job at a reasonable price and served a purpose on a long bike packing trip!

[@ScottValler]

I use the Xero Shoes Mesa Trail and I really like them. I went from Merrill's to Altra's to the Xero Shoes. Yes, you definitely feel the rocks and ground, and that also has given me much better footing and I tend to trip and fall over way less.

[@David-xo5qq]

I also have gone from the Merrell Trail Glove to the Xero Mesa Trail (haven't tried Altras, though). Having run/hiked in Merrell Trail Gloves since their first version, I made the switch to the Xero Mesa Trail because I heard that the Merrell Trail Glove versions 5 and 6 were a significant and negative change from the previous versions. So far I am happy with my Xero Mesa Trails.

[@ScottValler]

@@David-xo5qq I have about 2000 miles on my current pair of Mesa Trails with about 1/3 of that backpacking and the rest doing daily 3-5 mile trail walks and they are now starting to show wear and tear to the point that I may need to get a new pair for the spring hiking season.

[@David-xo5qq]

@@ScottValler One of the downsides of the Merrell Trail Gloves was that they would wear down relatively quickly. In particular, the tread on the soles would be worn down to nothing within just 1,000 miles or less, I think, although I don't keep careful track of the mileage that I put on my shoes. The sole on the Xero Mesa Trail seems to be made of a somewhat sturdier/stiffer/tougher material than the Merrell Trail Glove soles, so I'm hoping I'll get more value out of the Mesa Trails via a longer shoe lifespan. Based on hearing that you've made it to 2,000 miles in yours gives me increased confidence in my hope. I also like the somewhat sturdier/stiffer/tougher sole material of the Mesa Trail because it makes rough rocks etc on the trail a little less painful/uncomfortable, while still leaving enough "trail feel" through the soles that I don't feel disconnected from the trail.

[@briantownsend9414]

Have the Terraflex and HFS and agree - great shoes for soft ground. So far, not so great for long walks in the concrete jungle

[@captaincoyote1792]

I have the Xero Z-trail sandals that I carry as camp shoes….bought for a failed AT thru-hike. I really liked them for that purpose. (In fact, I ran into a young thru-hiker in Maryland that was using his Z-Trails to do the trail!….which kind of amazed me!). Anyway, Dix, I’m wondering how you found the Terra-flex in wet (potentially slippery) conditions over ground, or wet rocky terrain. Reason I ask, I’m getting ready to pull the trigger on a pair for section hiking-day hiking….and much of that is in the Northeast. Some of the criticism of the Terraflex has been an overly hardened sole, making them unsafe on wet slippery terrain. As an aside, I’ve always admired your tenacity at long distance trail hiking….and your genuine willingness to share your experience! Bravo-Zulu! I know for a fact that you are an inspiration especially, to my daughters!

[@M_Hess]

Great video. I have a pair of the Xero ZTrail sandals to use as my camp and water shoes

[@deanmoriarty]

I own a pair of the Xero Hanas and love them. They're not for hiking though. Just wear them around town. I did get a pair of Xero Xcursion boots and absolutely hated them. There was almost no cushion in them and I felt every pointy jagged rock on my backpacking trip in central Pennsylvania. Switched over to Altras after that and I'm much happier.

[@TylerCampbellOutdoors]

I have the terraflex and really enjoy them for day hikes on varied terrain. Have not used them much with my full backpacking setup. I do wear minimalist shoes almost daily and prefer them

[@DanielOutdoors]

Zero drop shoes for the win! Love my Huaraches , Z-trail and of course my winter shoes from Xero with my Altras. My feet never been better! The Zero drop has actually strengh my feet , ancles and knees.

[@user-nm1rv2bh7k]

Have had these shoes for 18 months. Comfort wise they have been great, never had a blister yet. My only complaint has been durability. Mine lasted less than 300 miles before the soles started to separate. They were not used in really rough conditions either, mostly just dirt trails - very few rocks or wet areas.

[@ToeJom]

I’ve been wearing them for years. I hiked the Pinhoti with them and ran the Cheaha 50K. Definitely not as cushiony as some other shoes but I love the stability and connection to the ground I have with them. After wearing them for so long other trail runners feel like I’m running in high heels. Also I’ve never gotten a blister in them. Not even a hotspot. And the heaviness of them is mostly I think the sole. The rubber they use is extremely tough. You will never wear out the sole. My uppers will be totally destroyed but the sole will look brand new.

[@jimzwynenburg4504]

purchased in 2020 on sale for $89, achieved 1200 miles mostly running on the road to work. Best day hiking in the adirondacks was 28 miles. They are heave for a barefoot runner, but the tread does last. At 1200 miles the right big toe is trying to push through with a tear on the surface. When wet from rain or stream crossings they do hold on to the water. We used zwynenbalm to protect the feet and waterproof the shoes and never had any blisters. I bring these shoes along as my second pair. I switch shoes in the early afternoon everyday. The Xero shoe owner claims these will last 5000 miles. ?. !. ? I'm thinking 2500 to 3000 miles and the tread will be gone. Comfort and having your toes spread out while hiking is a great change compared to many trail runners or boots. Even wearing these around the house as slippers feels great. Lets us know when you reach 1000 miles. thank you jim z

[@foghornleghorn4173]

Thanks for reviewing this shoe, I have been looking to buy

[@rageoid]

Took me a good while to acclimate to Xero's. Foot pain, achilles pain. Went to wearing for 15 minutes a day, increased every week. It worked after 2 months. Xero sizing is not standardized. I own 5 pair. I use the sandals as well.

[@gypsygirlhikes]

I love minimalist shoes.. I am barefoot 99.5 percent of the time even in snow. Lol. I purchased the exact same shoe in your video. I loved it at first but found the "traction nubs, raised areas" on the sole to be very uncomfortable after the shoe was "broke in" especially on hard pavement, regular concrete, etc. If I used an added cusion it was much better. I have retired these shoes as the weight and uncomfortable factor was not worth it to me. I now use Merrell trail gloves and love them. Comfortable with a wide toe box yet supported in the heel and center of your foot! You should try them!!!

[@pnyholm]

Hi Jessica, love your videos. I have worn barefoot shoes for around half a year,. Not hiked but worn them every day. Got the xero HFS, which are even lighter than Terraflex, they are also kind of injected and not sewn. The last few months I have even worn them without insoles for an even more natural feel. It takes a bit of getting used to the flexibility and zero drop, but it is amazing how little cushion you need, when you get stronger feet. The reason I started "barefooting" was kneepain, which is gone now. Go figure what "protective" shoes does for you. But that is a totally other debate.

[@russellinthebush2897]

I have a pair of those. I tried them out when I was preparing to hike the PCT. My take is that they don't wear well, at least on the dusty and rocky trails I haunt in Arizona. I put 300 miles on mine and they were about done for. The 1000 mile warranty on the sole doesn't matter when the rest of the shoe doesn't last. My hope was to save money on shoes on the PCT. Three or four pairs of $85 (yes the price has increased dramatically since they were introduced) shoes instead of five pairs of $120 Altras. With the TerraFlex, my feet were more tired after longer hikes. After a bit, I was fine with 10 mile hikes, but 15 plus wore my feet out. I don't think day after day of 20+ miles would have worked out. Maybe a few more months of transition would have cured that, I don't know. I highly recommend putting in a couple longish day hikes with those before you decide to take them on your upcoming hike.

[@digitalblues01]

Love Xero shoes. Been wearing them for over 2 years now and have bought a pair of boots also since I liked my runners so much and I don't wear socks most of the time in both and do not use the insoles at all. Have some neuropathy and these are the best! They have a big sale around New years and a clearance sale in the spring I think and you can get them cheap, that's when I would buy them if you can wait a couple months. Sign up for their email if you want notification for the sales as they don't happen very often.

[@muphart]

The xero mesa trail has become my main trail shoe. It's lighter, dries faster and has better tread pattern than the terraflex (lugs are too far apart from each other, giving a lumpy feel that gave me blisters after the minimal midsole wore out). It's more durable too. Not enough cushioning for me for thru hiking though, still use altras for long hauls.

[@hagendf]

You pretty much described my exact experience. I ended up whittling off the lugs at the inner ball of my foot just to relieve the pressure. Eventually they broke in anyway and it didn't matter.

[@UnboundCrow]

My biggest complaint with the Terraflex was how heavy they were and that they absorb water like a sponge. Glad to see the Mesa addressed these issues.

[@drewpfeif5028]

Do you notice any difference in ground feel between the Tera and the Mesa? I love my Mesa trails but running on some rough trails or sparse gravel can be a little uncomfortable. Looking for something with a hair more protection

[@thewooflingdiva]

I love these shoes! I'm so glad to see you gave them a try and to hear what you think about them.

[@johnkeck1025]

Yes! Someone's opinion I trust! Thanks Dixie! These are really cool shoes that I've been hesitant to buy. I look forward to I the update on how they hold up.

[@bradbartels4702]

I love hiking in xeros! Stoked to see the review Daisy, you’re SO right about the road walking but I think you’ll really enjoy the barefoot feeling and rock sense. Personal favorite about hiking in minimalist xeros is how little water they absorb, check it out!

[@realworldmom]

I tried those this year as well. Although they are more cushioned, I really like the Mesa trails way better. It’s a lot more flexible. It also doesn’t hold water as bad. I just add an insole when hiking with my Mesa trail.

[@muphart]

Exactly my thoughts, terraflex is too beefy. I swap the mesa insoles with my Altra's and both are improved.

[@realworldmom]

@@muphart thats a great idea. I tried altras and didnt care for them.

[@hagendf]

Altra does have some great insoles. I would buy them on their own if they sold them.

[@1eyedjacksRwild]

Hey I really like my TerraFlex shoes. I prefer to only wear Xero shoes. I had Plantar Fasciitis and I would find that my feet felt better when I took my shoes off even though my shoes had the support for high arches. So I looked into zero drop minimalist shoes and found the Xero shoes. I have been quite pleased. The only down side that I have found is that you feel gravel when you walk over it as you don't have all the padding in the shoe.

[@obeystayin]

I’m running with Xero Prios for my all around sport shoe and they’ve become a must have shoe for me

[@kate481]

I have a different pair of Xero shoes and it took a couple weeks to adjust to a barefoot shoe for me even coming from my other shoes being zero drop. The adjustment is from my feet strengthening a bunch of muscles I don't usually use as much walking in a much more cushiony shoe. I'm a teacher and I'm constantly moving through the day. These are super comfortable, but I have noticed as I adjust that my feet definitely feel like they've gotten a workout. It also makes me think about my stride and how my foot strikes the ground.

[@DaysWeSpend]

I love my TerraFlex! I wore them for the Camino Norte. The soles still looked great after 750 Km. My issue happened with the upper eventually ripping. I definitely had sore feet some days since the Camino Del Norte has a lot of concrete. I've been wearing minimalist barefoot shoes for the last 3 years. After transitioning into using them, I'm never going back to "normal" shoes. -Lainey

[@jonhatchcirclejfarms1628]

Can't wait to hear what you think about the shoes. I'm planning on hiking the AT when I finally retire. So any info on gear is a huge help. I can't thank you enough for relighting my dream of through hiking the AT. You look about 15 years old with your braces. Good video. Thanks

[@RC-qf3mp]

I love these. But not at first. I have wide feet and the shoes were a little tight. Here’s what I did. I removed the sole. Much better. Then I re-laced the shoes skipping the first holes. After a few days, these became my favorite shoes for daily wear let alone hiking. Their z trek sandal is my go-to shoe at home and if I’m just walking in a park or short hikes. The best thing about the sandal is it helps you strengthen your feet. You can wear max cushion shoes all day but those don’t help strengthen your feet. With stronger feet, I can walk much longer and happier.

[@saintjackula6178]

I have been wearing minimalist and barefoot shoes for 10 years full time, with 5 years prior to that going actually barefoot, wearing moccasins or water shoes. It takes months to get used to them, but (for me) they have numerous advantages. Favorite brands include Astral for water, and Vivibarefoot for hiking. Zero and Merrill are great as far as function goes, but Merrill has the annoying habit of changing their model, aka "improving" it every year or so. So some years I buy 3 pairs, other years, none. One hiking shoe I want to try is Black Diamond Tag LT approach. Not a very wide toe box, and not zero drop, but they may work for some situations. For me I've never tried Altra but friends tell me they wear too quick. Soles look too thick to me, like strapping brick sponges to my feet.

[@crystalhooper3191]

The Foothills Trail is beautiful! I’m local and hike there often. I’ll be interested to know how those shoes hold up. I wore the Altra Lonepeak all weather boot for my through hike. Make sure to do the spur trails to King Creek Falls, Whitewater Falls, and Hilliard Falls. They’re definitely worth the extra mileage. Happy Trails!

[@christaylor4758]

I'm in the UK and have used Terraflex for over 3 years. This summer I hiked the last 70 miles of the Pennine Way, carrying a full pack, tent etc. I wouldn't wear anything else for hiking now.

[@kevincoulter2239]

Are use a pair of the trail sandals as camp shoes. Lightweight and flexible. Love em.

[@TheTrashologist]

I like the first look but definitely would love to see a follow up after using them for a while

[@timrobinson6573]

I'll have to pick up one or two of those Xeros

[@gefginn3699]

Thanks for this review 🤩

[@halabujioutdoors]

I use Xero Mesa Trail, along with Luna Oso sandal, for train purposes. Then Altra Lone Peak is my go-to shoes on backpacking trail.

[@cheerleader0304]

I really enjoy the shoe because my feet purely have never gotten tired and they dry out really fast too! I agree the pavement walking would not be comfortable but I suppose if one brings camp shoes wear those on if it's appropriate weather and temp! I hope to see you on the Foothills trail if we are going out at the same time! 😀

[@MonkeySeeProductionsLLC]

Thanks for the impression. Since I started hiking, I've become a sucker for buying new shoes to just to try them. It does look like a water shoe, the insoles look like it has those holes in them that is common in other water shoes for fast drying. It will be interesting to see your review after putting some miles on them.

[@schylerbrown7364]

Great honest review. I bought a pair of their sandels back when they were about $50-60 with the hopes of avoiding $120 chacos. They were great while they lasted but after about 6 months, while tightening the strap, the rubber broke... thats my experience. Can't say they're really good or bad yet since I've only had one pair

[@drewpfeif5028]

Same thing happened to me! Got the Luna Leadville pacer and never looked back.

[@mikemcguire2373]

I think she said they were a bit narrower in the front than the Altra and the Topo. The company in Australia that sells the LEMS, Freets and Joe Nimbles sells the Topo and from memory it is the ST-4 as the main shoe. They told me the width of the insole on a 10 US size ST-4 was a 101 mm. That is the same as my Primal 2 and my Brooks Ghotst 14 width 4E are a 100 mm.

[@DrewBoswell]

Thanks for your thoughts on the Xeroshoes. Earlier this year I put about 300 miles on a pair of Xeroshoes Prios. While I liked the fit and feel of the shoes, I found they lacked durability and were coming apart after 210 miles. By 275 miles the soles were flapping loose (despite being glued back with Shoe Goo twice) and I tossed them at 300 miles. If they can improve the materials and manufacturing process, they might be worth another look so I remain hopeful and will perhaps try a pair of the Terraflex in the meantime.

[@marc-andreravioli1379]

PCT in the terraflex, then AT in the mesa trail. Mesa trail wins out on quality and durability, but they are both great shoes (I add an extra insole when thru-hiking though)

[@brimstone33]

Fine if it works for you. I do the same. But if you add a serious insole to a barefoot shoe - you don't really have a barefoot shoe anymore. Kind of pointless.

[@marc-andreravioli1379]

@@brimstone33 yeah somewhat agree. Love to go for that barefoot feel on short hikes, but need extra for long distances. Even with an insole my foot strike is still based on zero drop and ergonomic but prevents foot butchering lol

[@elliemay3147]

How many pairs did you use on the PCT. If you did the PCT again would you use the Mesa?

[@marc-andreravioli1379]

@@elliemay3147 yeah would use the Mesa for sure. Went thru 4.5 pairs of the terraflex

[@elliemay3147]

@@marc-andreravioli1379 Thank you so much for the reply!

[@DoseofDirt]

Definitely looking forward to your thoughts on these! I'm all about the zero drop and am starting to love less stack height and more minimal footwear. Been thinking about these, but may hold off until spring. I'm intrigued by the 'sockless' option as well--would be cool to not have to worry about socks! But maybe you end up with a bunch of rocks in your shoes. Looking forward to your experiences with these!

[@maryleary7713]

I have a different shoe by Xero and love them. You can take out the insert and cut a yoga mat or get wool onserts depending on your needs. Very customizable!

[@arnege5469]

Maybe I´m the first here, who is not convinced of the XERO TerraFlex: I used them 2021 on the 180km (115mls) long GR20 track on Corsica. I must say that the surface of the track is mostly rocky and not very friendly to the shoes. After approx. 100k (65mls) the shoes began to dissolve themselves. The ribbons as well as the soles where in pieces, the shoes where ruined after the 180k trail! Would be nice if other hiker fellows can share with us how many miles they made with their XEROs.

[@BlueMoonShelly]

Yay! Dixie I’m so happy that you’re hiking the Foothills Trail and looking forward to you sharing this journey! You are always informative and inspiring 💜☮️🙏🏼✨

[@trentthornton4828]

I wear the Prio everyday. They work on my feet better than any shoe I've ever had. Can't say enough good about them. I can't handle shoes with arches.

[@Raevenswood]

I really like these shoes but I like the Xero Mesa Trails better. I have three pairs of Xero Shoes, terra flex, mesa trail, and, a pair of road their running shoes that I wear around town. They used to recommend going 1/2 size up for their shoes but with their newest iterations of each shoe they have done away with that and have a more true to size fit. About weight of the shoes I never weighed them but the Mesa Trails are really light and even more flexible than the Terra Flex... these things only have 3-5mm stack and you are literally just standing on the outsole except for a very minimal insert. Surprisingly they still feel very protective.

[@jonhighsmith803]

I contacted zero shoes about a year ago trying to get help with sizing and not much help was available. Could have something to do with covid, idont know. But thanks for the video that did help!

[@asuperstar]

I have been using them, PRIO, as weight lifting shoes. So far so good.

[@elementalworld]

Durable ….my daylight hikers both sets fell apart in weeks when wet. My terra flex fell apart after ten …ten runs after getting wet. I just hope they fixed the issue. Each time was “oh that’s never happened before send us pictures”. I really hope the new ones are past that I really do. I enjoyed them as running shoe so i will watch with interest and see how you get on!

[@joeyharvey2436]

I am considering walking the AT! My Dad talked about doing it for years, but sadly he pasted away in July. He left behind some pretty good gear that he collected through the years. He loved your videos, as do I. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I would love any advise on when is the best time to start the hike and what would be a good camera to use.

[@RiverbendlongbowsOutdoors]

My wife loves her Terra flex shoes but I guess they do not dry as fast as you would think after water crossing. Looking forward to seeing the foothills trail 👍

[@ihikefar]

The Foothills trail should be renamed the “ Stair Climber” Trail. Not much on views but excellent training trail for potential AT thru-hikers. Good luck.

[@jamessorenson2272]

Thanks for your information on the shoe, are you going to use them on your next hike?

[@jellybean7253]

I'm guessing that you will miss the support of a stiffer sole. Carrying weight will be interesting. I think I would like these for trail running and will probably get some based on the reviews I have seen so far, but, I like the Alltras for light carry and La Sportiva boots for heavier and I have Asolo and Lowa boots. I look forward to you adventure and your thoughts on these shoes. Amazon must have know you were releasing today. Price is now $114

[@kimberleeeverson1443]

Barefoot shoes arent about how they feel right away. There is a slow process of strengthening your feet gradually using them. They arent intended to be comfortable in the short run but to make your feet stronger in the long run. I've been using them for a couple years but I still have to put on cushy altras for really long hikes. And dont underestimate the importance on changing your foot strike appropriately while wearing them or you will have pain.

[@lorens7837]

WAIT!!! I'm still trying to get used to my new Altra Lone Peaks. Can't decide if I love 'em or hate 'em. 😀 Thanks for the review, Dixie! I always look forward to each post.

[@atxchaser]

Love your work. Seems wild at times seeing all the plastic individual wrapped meals and non cotton use. Can you do a vid about "green" hiking and good companies and products to support. I loved how you covered in one vid how deet not only destroys clothing but awareness about petting animals and getting into water and spreading it...

[@spnemec]

I love my Terraflex shoes. I have big, fat feet and the shoes fit me great. They allow me to splay my toes and everything! I don't recommend wearing them without socks, because the first time you get them wet and wear them for a day you'll never get the stink out. The rubber piece on the to does a surprisingly good job at protecting my toes. Out of the box, you may bust a move on wet rocks, but they become a lot more grippy after they get broken in.

[@somedavehikes]

thanks, per usual... good info!

[@dianesoini]

I sometimes hike in my Xero Z-trails. I have wondered about their shoes but I worry they aren't wide enough for my Fred Flinstone feet. So I stick to the sandals. The sandals are pretty minimal but not as minimal as their original ones.

[@54abeja]

I really like Xero shoes. One thing to be aware of, in my experience, they take a very long time to dry if they get wet.

[@bonnevillebagger9147]

I’ve never had that issue. With the prios or the Denver.

[@papadawg3172]

What did you think of the traction on wet surfaces. The sole is supposed to last 5000 miles, but I find it a bit slick on wet rocks. Also, you are right, it does not provide much protection for those of us prone to stub our toes on roots and rocks. Good review

[@stubt7890]

Was coming to say the same. I love my xero shoes but the soles are the absolute worst in slick conditions, for me. It's the reason I wear them for everything BUT hiking.

[@roadbiker9606]

Topo Terraventure 2 or 3 to me are the most comfortable and versatile trail runner.

[@HomemadeWanderlust]

I love them, as well! It will be hard to pry me away from mine haha

[@roadbiker9606]

@@HomemadeWanderlust It was your review that inspired me to try them and then I bought 2 pairs, thank you 😀

[@willburr5929]

I'm not a hiker, but as someone who has gone barefoot most of my life, I have wide, splayed, relatively flat feet. I have such a hard time finding shoes that fit. Until I bought a pair of these. Wow! They are perfect for me and - miracle of miracles - my size; men's 11 - fit me exactly! No more 12 or 13 clown shoes just to get the width I need! Thank you so much for recommending these Dixie!

[@janefreeman995]

I'll be curious how the lack of cushion does with long distance hiking. I tried a barefoot sole on the TA after being a barefoot runner for a few years and found I required more cushion with the added weight of a backpack and more miles.

[@kylemcwagner8080]

I found that just like when I started wearing bear foot shoes when I started backpacking in them I had to be patient, start slow, let my foot get stronger before I could just go out and do it with out thinking about it.

[@janefreeman995]

@@kylemcwagner8080 Thanks! At very least I'm wearing zero drop and wide toe splay. Yes that may have worked. Unfortunately I did get a really sore foot within the first few days that took a long time to heal so I haven't been willing to try after putting so much investment into a long distance trip.

[@spacehoppity3127]

Hey! New to your channel and thoroughly enjoying your content, especially on shoes that are getting REALLY high miles. It's hard to find people who do much more than 100 mile reviews! Have you tried the Salomon XA Pro 3D V8? They're supposed to be amazing for plantar fasciitis. Just a thought! :)

[@OldPackMule]

I've used the xero sandals, not the shoe. Definitely make you step for-foot first. Heel strike on a rock or just thumping pavement for a while is not pleasant. If you tip toe down the trail they work ok.

[@bonnevillebagger9147]

I love xero shoes and have several pair. But as a really big guy, I hate hiking distance in them.

[@UnboundCrow]

I used these for over a year and ditched them. They are way too heavy for a barefoot/minimalist shoe and they also absorb water like a sponge. It's horrible. I made these comments to Steve from Xero Shoes and he had mentioned they had something in the works. Not too long later they came out with the Mesa runners which supposedly fixed both those issues. I haven't bothered to try them out though.

[@fedegoeswoods3142]

Loving barefoot shoes. Had a pair of xeroes (prio) and while they were very comfortable, i wasn't happy with them. Takes too long for them to dry and they're not durable enough. I'd suggest you trying vibram five fingers! Btw: be very careful and start very gently with walking barefoot.. it takes a while to get adjusted!

[@oh-brothers]

I always wondered.... what's your regular shoes size for dress or every day?