Xero Shoes no more!

[@Overdrawn_]

Its very important to have negative reviews like that. No sugarcoating. You had bad experience, you tell that. Thank you.

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

Thanks for your feedback, and for watching!

[@garnetnard4284]

I have been wearing xero shoes exclusively since 2016. I have purchased more than 10 pairs during that time because I love them so much. My wife says I have a xero shoe addiction. I have only had a problem with one pair and I emailed xero and had a replacement pair on my front porch within a week. I’m in construction and I wear them on the job site exclusively. I had excruciating back pain for the better part of a decade and since making the switch it has melted away. I’m not your typical flat-soled guy either. I’m not a runner and I’m 50 pounds overweight. I’m fatter now than when I wore regular shoes and my back is better than ever. Xero shoes changed my life.

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

I love most everything about them except durability. I'm on my 3rd pair which are their (supposedly updated ) Terraflex II. After 3 weeks they were already splitting at the sole/uppers. As far as flat soled shoes and your back, I couldn't agree more! Soft, comfy shoes have made us soft and weak to the point that we have back and knee problems and have cone to actually think of arch supports as sometimes good for us. In fact, generally speaking, the perceived need for arch supports is proof positive that someone's foot has either never fully developed a foundation of strength or their foot has weakened to the point their arches have collapsed!

[@AdamManley7]

@@lifeinthemiddle55 yeah they’re kind of cheaper ended but it makes it easier to buy because even if they were higher strength they’d be super expensive and the soles would wear out just so to being flat

[@glovepro1256]

Which ones do you wear at work?

[@garnetnard4284]

@@glovepro1256 360. They have a thicker sole.

[@canthinkofausername6969]

@@lifeinthemiddle55 360s might be the option

[@andrewbastien5763]

This is the most respectful review. Didn’t step on Xero shoes toes much. But got straight to the point. As someone who is looking to buy new hiking shoes , this was beneficial ! Thank you

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

Then my mission was accomplished!

[@rvieira8057]

@@lifeinthemiddle55 Thanks for the honest review. I had a pair of Xero Prio shoes and used them for light hiking. After only two months of intermitent use, the sole fell apart. With the benefit of hindsight, I think the hard, arid terrain where my hikes took place was a little too much for the admittedly thin sole of my Xeros. Since then, I've been carefully using another model from the same manufacturer (the Ridgeway Mesh Low), with better results. So far, the shoes have held up.

[@sazji]

I got a pair of Prio All-Days and loved them but within a couple of weeks the sole on one separated at the toe and heel. I notified Xero and they replaced them immediately. My second pair held out longer but one of the heels separated a bit after a few months. Rather than return them again I fixed it with a little dab of Shoe Goo and they’ve held up fine since then. Fingers crossed.

[@hammill444]

At the price, that seems pretty unacceptable

[@puddinpop98]

@@hammill444 shoe goo is actually recommended by most shoe repair professionals as an excellent solution to most problems experienced with constructed shoes. There are lots of factors that go into shoe making and repair, but delamination is a hard-to-prevent, easy-to-fix situation. Xero shoes tries to limit the glue used in construction because it isn't as flexible as the sole is, and sometimes mistakes are made, glue is applied too thin, ect. But maintenance is required for all types of shoes, regardless of construction, and using shoe goo is perfectly normal and acceptable.

[@truthhurts2149]

@@hammill444 their construction methods and materials are trash. For the prices they are charging it’s ridiculous. Walmart shoes last Longer.

[@ginobeast2951]

I have two pairs...never had a problem. Wear them everyday gym, work, running!

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

It would appear that our experiences have been vastly different!

[@zbat11220]

I have two pairs as well. High tops and running shoe, both are phenomenal. Love the extra toe room, too.

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

And neither experience invalidates the other! It seems, based on my experience as well as others, that it is hit or miss with Xero shoes durability. Please don't be offended that my experience was different than yours!

[@zbat11220]

@@lifeinthemiddle55 Oh, no worries. I'm not offended in the slightest, just offering my experience as a counterpoint.

[@kaliprc]

I got a pair and it became the best shoes I ever wore. I could never go back. I wouldn’t ever complain if the company sent me a replacement pair.

[@JebusPrimeDLC]

For most shoes I have owned so far, it's usually the soles that wear out first and but for Xeroshoes, it's the opposite. They nailed the sole durability, but their uppers and glues are just really underwhelming. They actually do a lot of warranty replacement for their shoes, and with all that lost money for replacement, makes me ponder why they don't just design the shoes to be more durable so they won't have to replace their shoes all the time.

[@Shane7492]

It's not cheap or easy to make a durable barefoot shoe, and I guarantee that Xero prices in the warranty costs. Vivobarefoot shoes are a little more durable, but they're also double the price.

[@movingdragons]

My xero shoes are holding up just fine.... for years.

[@SnipetsofTime]

I just got the Terra flex but have not hiked in them. Hopefully they can hold. I have 2 other pairs of xero shoes and have been very happy with them that I use for everyday use. So far so good. Sorry about your experience

[@andrewchristopher7138]

Whitin are great shoes I'm on my 7th pair. I'm a truck driver and these are my everyday shoes. Machine washable I just love them

[@andrewf9322]

Had a couple pairs of Xeros never had any problems. Only pair that died on me were a pair of their Hanas, but that was after 3+ years of fairly heavy wearing. Did a 7 week holiday around Europe with a pair of their HFS, walked 30-50km per day, no issues. I don’t hike so am not sure if that puts them under different stresses… haven’t tried any of the hiking / trail variants…

[@tigerjazz61]

Hi Ryan. Great review! I have to say that I have used the Xero running shoes (HFS model) for workout and running and am completely satisfied. However I do realize that each shoe is supposed to be designed for a particular purpose so I respect and thank you for your comments on these shoes. Although I don't typically do much hiking or backpacking I'll definitely keep your experience in mind for future reference.

[@zwloki0]

I think it's because the cheaper ones has "Cup" type sole fused with the upper. While in xero shoes all sharp rocks, branches and other stuff would rub against the fabric and treads.

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

Could very well be.

[@HariOmRadhaKrishna]

Hilariously the ad before the video was for Xero shoes.

[@kylesendgikoski4231]

I am convinced this will happen to every Zero shoe. I have had 4 versions and multiple copies of Xero shoes and the same issues shown here constantly occur. Granted, Xero has really good customer service and a 2 year manufacture warranty. So you can almost always have your shoes replaced.

[@justthinking2241]

I think they are still a growing company. I loved my mesa tails by xero I invested in their hiking boots they didn’t fall apart in my Grand Canyon trip but I did get about 3 blisters 🥺

[@InCoNsiSTANtGAMER]

I have two pair of xero shoes the Prio I have had a year no issues I did have to buy a new insole for $7 and they feel like new. I just received the Zelen and wore them 2 days now. I work in furniture and walk 10 to 12 miles a day at work on concrete.

[@ogpigeon4431]

I think xero are as minimalisty as the barefoot shoes get as far as ground feel and everything else we look for in barefoot shoes. As such, while I'm no mechanical engineer, I'm not surprised they don't hold up as well under aggressive hiking use cases.

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

The other shoe in the vid is actually slightly more minimalistic. Thinner sole and insole. They have more miles on them while wearing a backpack and shoe zero signs of wear thus far. It seems to me that regardless of whether a high stack comfy shoe or a minimalist shoe, they could be manufactured to the same level.

[@robertmorano2372]

I've been wearing their "casual" style shoe for work (I work in kitchens and am on my feet all day long). I have been wearing them everyday for about 6 months now, and they have been absolutely fantastic. Aside from having some food and minor stains from work, they still look straight out of the box. I'm now wondering if I can wash them or how to do so. I love them and will be buying more. I've also been eyeing splay athletic shoes for this summer. Good review and info. I'm really liking my whitins.

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

Thank you, I'm glad you found the video useful! You can wash your shoes in a regular wash cycle. You do want to refrain from drying them as the heat will degrade the glue. Just machine wash, spin cycle, amd lay them over one of your hvac vents to dry.

[@robertmorano2372]

@@lifeinthemiddle55 nice. Thank you.

[@nickgarcia6572]

Splay shoes are awesome, I highly recommend them!

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

@Nick Garcia thank you, I'll look into them!

[@nabranestwistypuzzler7019]

You should go barefoot for the spring, summer, and early fall, and then try going into the fall some more if you want to push it, but don’t if you don’t want to. But then again, Idk what the climate is where you live. You’ll just have to progress your skin toughness at first.

[@elliottmcfadden6261]

I’ve had similar experiences with both brands. I only walk and run in them, no trail running. The Xeros started delaminating after a couple months of daily wear. I gorilla glued them to try to make do but then other parts of the shoe would delaminate. I then bought a Wittin in a similar style and have had zero problems for almost a year of wear. I bought a different style from them a few months later with similarly great results. The only bummer with Wittin is that there aren’t many styles or colors, but I’m not planning to go back to Xero.

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

That sucks man, sorry your experience wasn't better than mine. And unfortunately, not different than many other viewers who commented.

[@DreamLvrNY]

Thank you for the honest review on different perspectives.

[@Earthpet711]

I really respect how kind you were considering the circumstances.

[@Scolopente]

Super Interesting! I wear Terra Flex for golf, and I play A LOT, and they're fine. BUT I do have the PRIO all-day waterproof ones too, that I wear for wet golf, quite a lot less, and the soles on one are coming away. Didn't think about it before...

[@ko_tech]

I've had a bad experience with Xero Shoes in the past as well, unfortunatelly. The sole on one pair (not sure about the exact model, but it's similar to yours) started to separate from the shoe in the front after few weeks of just casual use. The second pair (sandals) snapped at the spot where the strap was attached to the sole. It happened when a small branch got stuck in between my foot and the strap, but only a light force was enough to snap it. But to be fair, those sandals had served me well for many months prior.

[@adamgibson9357]

I started on the zero drop train about 2 years ago. I've only had Lems and the Whitten brand you mentioned. I just want to attest to the durability of the Whitten brand. Granted there are about 4 or 5 brands on Amazon that use that same sole but I wore them about a year everyday and used them to summit Humphreys peak in Arizona still in great shape. The lems "9-5" shoe is a durable comfortable shoe if you work in an office.

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

Lems are good too. I've been rocking a pair of them since last November and they're holding up without issue. They are zero drop but anything but a minimalist shoe. They're fairly thinly padded and for me I've found them a perfect balance between feeling the ground and not wearing your feet out on trail.

[@threearrows2248]

I'm obsessed with my Whitins. I bought them on a whim and walked probably 30 miles in a few days on a trip and my feet have never felt better. The price point is amazing too.

[@Shane7492]

I think part of the issue is that it's difficult to make a durable pair of barefoot shoes, because for them to have all the characteristics you want in a barefoot shoe (thin, flexible, lightweight, etc.), there's simply not going to be enough thick, durable material to make them last. It's a trade-off. The more durable the shoe, the thicker, stiffer, and heavier they become. At a certain point, it will end up defeating the purpose. That's why I wear minimal barefoot shoes for most daily activities but wear something with a little more substance when backpacking, either a barefoot boot like the Lems Boulder Boot or the Altra Lone Peak. Neither are quite "barefoot", but they're more durable and are still zero drop with a wide toe box.

[@Hemond1]

I wanted to give barefoot style shoes a try to see if they would help my ankle rolling problem. I've been wearing a pair of Xero Mesas all summer. I wear them as kick around sneakers all day and for day hiking. Haven't rolled my ankle once. Plus my slight knee twinge has cleared up. I notice my hiking speed has increased since retiring my hiking boots. The Mesas have held up well for the last 3 months, guessing they have about 75 miles on them.

[@childcrone]

You're sharing your direct experience; that's honest and fair.. and good fellow-hiker support :~) I wonder how the Whitins have held up? After studying and considering for a few months I bought the Vivobarefoot Forest ESC boots for wet/mud/snow-capable property/field chores and hiking. I chose them 'cuz they're leather and have luggy, stitched-on soles. I treated them with Sno-Seal (an old favorite natural beeswax waterproofing) before winter; I've been able to use them in every condition I wanted them for and appreciate them more every time I use them.

[@barclayholmes5982]

I have seven pairs of their shoes and 3 of the sandals. The Teraflex 2 is the only dud in the bunch. They feel a size smaller than all of the others in the same size and the lugs are so pronounced and spaced that they become uncomfortable. Thanks for the review!

[@glssjg]

you can get those shoes for about 10-15 dollars direct from china. Might have to try out at least once.

[@travisfox7590]

Absolutely love my bright blue Whitins, tread is starting to fade but that is because I have used them for literally everything ( workouts, hiking, trails, running on roads & sidewalks etc).

[@TRNSL8]

Appreciate the candid review and story with your experience. I was about to pull the trigger on a pair of Xero's but you mentioned Whitin and I already got a pair so thanks for the reminder that I got a solid pair of shoes! Keep on treking!

[@vandacruz]

I bought a pair of xero shoes last month, they came with a defect in the front, I sent an email some weeks ago, and until today I haven't received a response. They don't want to know, the support service is non-existent. It was my first and last order from them.

[@drsaintdc]

Have had 6 pairs of xeros. No problems other than waiting for my size.

[@bushcraftingterranaut4755]

Whitin shoes are great if someone wants to try switching to a minimalist/barefoot shoe. I have two pair and wear them more than my xero shoes.

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

I couldn't agree more!

[@BareYoga]

I’ve loved my Xeros for hiking the Colorado Trail. With all brands, there are cycles of manufacturing with different suppliers and materials that aren’t consistent. But I also have just bought another pair of Whitins, not because my current pair is failing but because I want another pair as a backup in case the company goes away. Three years and going strong.

[@kylesmith7733]

Seems they may have poor quality control I have a pair of their hiking boots and the soles are ready to fall off after only 5 months of owning them. They are super comfy though!

[@bexthebeard9862]

This video just came up on my feed so I had a look. I then inspected my own Xero shoes. I only really use them around the flat when I'm doing knee mobility exercises and I've noticed mine are also coming apart at the seams! Only had them 3 months too. That's disappointing. They feel amazing to wear though.

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

I couldn't agree more, I loved everything about them except durability!

[@gamersforlife3440]

vivo seems similarly good to wear and are they more durable?i mean if they are minimalist should not all minimalist shoe should feel the same?

[@gamersforlife3440]

@@lifeinthemiddle55 i have a question is vivo better like when u wear the overall comfortability etc and sole like i mean idk i have never tried minimalist shoe but gonna try vivo as i use injinji socks and honestly they are really hard to wear with typical shoes like nike adidas + i hate high heel drops even 5-8mm feels bad so i would definitely prefer barefoot feel i assume as i like it when i am barefoot in my injinji socks so is vivo really good?or xero is better i mean comfortability wise and barefoot feel wise which actually wins?as i mostly want durability dont wanna go around buying a shoe again and again tbh i prefer to use my shoes for a long time also is there any differences like major difference in all minimalist shoe or like the differences are there but minimal in general and its more about durability?it would be great if u could answer these questions bro

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

@@gamersforlife3440 I can't opine on the Vivo as I've never worn them. I can say that they get great reviews, but they are very expensive. I theory, minimalist shoes should all be the same, in reality they're very different. How much traction the soles provide on precarious surfaces is a huge factor for me and where many manufacturers fall short, in my opinion. The durability is also a big deal as outlined in my video. It seems, based on other viewers comments on this vid that other models of Xero seem to hold up very well. The Terraflex and Terraflex II are hot garbage.

[@livb6945]

I just LOVE my Xero shoes!!

[@joshb9817]

How heavy of a pack do you normally carry? (I want to backpack in mine, but I’m hesitant to do so in my Whitins just yet)

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

My pack typically is around 35 lbs and that's carrying 6 lbs of camera gear. Heavier in winter of course and lighter in summer.

[@joshb9817]

@@lifeinthemiddle55 awesome yah I’m about in that range too. I may have to give er a go on the next outing!

[@shaash5236]

I love xeroshoes but their continually changing sizing attempts are EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING and the customer service is AWFUL! I love my many pairs of their shoes and sandals but it’s very complicated to buy them. For example, lately my attempts to buy from xeroshoes eapaña have been thwarted because they don’t have a working paypal button and they NEVER answer emails. Therefore if I DID buy from them and need to exchange the size (which, as I said, is total guess work to get right), how would I be able to contact them for an exchange ? It almost seems suspicious that they want my card details and also don’t answer emails, as if they dont really exist. I haven’t got the terraflex pair you are talking about so i can’t add any thing on that front.

[@elvay6847]

I'm a 3500-4000 mile per year trail/mountain runner and have thousands of miles across various Xero shoes/sandals and never experienced a failure. That said, I wouldn't be confident enough to wear them in the Sierra or a rip across Grand Canyon and back. I'd want/need something more durable and more protective in case of a bad toe strike.

[@The-Rain-Ninja]

I had the same issue with the Prio. The shoes fall apart because the glue design is not that great! I do like the look though.

[@toddboucher3302]

Been wanting to try within. Always wondered question I need no arch. He’s having an arch or no

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

Whitin have no arch, just like Xero.

[@shinobieuc]

My take on my Snow winter Xero shoe is that the shoe lace didnt hold and the soles were destroyed after a year of using it.

[@shaggyterrell8460]

I love my Whitins! I’ve been using the reagular and trail runners for 4 years and they are great. Luckily I don’t care how they look fashion wise lol. I want to get some Xero Alpines for winter though. Anyone have any experience with them?

[@ArtOfHealth]

Yup, we all hate to complain. I have your Xero Shoes. Mine are green too. I hike in nasty situations. Rain too. No glue in the seams has let go. Six months in. I also use them doing hard work on the property. Amazing stability. They were drenched in the rain three days ago. I just set them high up and dried out nice. No curling or nasty smells from the insoles. I am extremely pleased. I know shoe manufacturing. It is very possible that your were a part of a bad glue batch. I feel your frustration. I bought two pairs of Merrells. Customer service said bring them back to the retailer 25 miles away. I sent them pictures of the cloth fraying like crazy and the entire shoe coming apart from the sole. All within one week. I have four pairs of Xeros. Nothing falling apart yet. Thank you for your Feral Review!

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

Haha....you're welcome! And you may be right about the glue. Stay tuned for an updated review in the future. Xero is sending me a pair of their Terraflex II to try out. They say the soles are welded on the new model. Fingers 🤞!

[@ArtOfHealth]

@@lifeinthemiddle55 That would be great. I would think the welding is heat pressured together. I checked mine closer this morning and it does appear that the material is cracking ànd the sole is coming apart from the sole. Plus, they do slip on the roots of trees when damp during a hike. Walking down a damp walk is a slippery risk as well. The sole seems more plasticky than say a Vibram. The crappy Merrells do not slip. Take care.

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

@@ArtOfHealth other than durability, the slippery soles are my only performance complaint. Like when I see algae covered rocks or slick roots it induces a minor pucker factor....lol.

[@ArtOfHealth]

@@lifeinthemiddle55 yup, me too🏃🏻‍♂️

[@joshuacarpentier951]

How are the Whitin shoes for beginner who haven't worn barefoot shoes

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

As far as which shoe to try as a beginner, any of them should work. Much of it depends on your required use case. I will say that going from a typical padded shoe with heel/toe drop will be a shock. I started with Altras which are padded but are a zero drop. Your calves have a lot of strengthening to do with the zero drop (especially for a hiker) and your feet need much strengthening from the lack of padding.

[@Sienn0]

Thanks for your honest feedback. I was looking at Xero for shoes to wear at work. They may hold better at my workplace since it's not as intense as backpacking in the mountains. I may not get Xero but I'm still searching for the perfect everyday/all-purpose barefoot shoes for me.

[@noobitronius]

Lems!!!!!

[@Sienn0]

@@noobitronius Do you own a pair? How is it? There is one shoe from Lems that has caught my eye, Primal 2

[@noobitronius]

@@Sienn0 I own 4 pairs. Love them all. What are you looking to use them for? I don't have primals.. for hiking I use Altras. However I think the primals look great.

[@Sienn0]

@@noobitronius More than likely for casual wear and maybe the gym as well

[@noobitronius]

@@Sienn0 for casual wear, I really like the Chillums. Super comfy, and I like the minimalistic style. The primals would also be a good choice, I think they are pretty popular, I just can't vouch for them personally. But if they are anything like the other Lems I have purchased, they will be great.

[@rudyh3915]

In theory any minimal shoe from ebay to a top brand, there should not be any difference because its a shoe that should just basically protect your feet enough to run, walk, hike, etc. Because the purpose is have your feet muscle become stronger and adaptive to your environment, the point is not for the shoe to be comfortable to wear but for you to become a custom to not having all these padding on your feet. If you watch people from other countries that don't wear shoes for different reasons they do not complain about how they are not comfortable or can't move because of not wearing shoes when they run, walk, play, etc. The point would be not to wear any shoes if these type of shoes is what people are looking for.

[@Beck-Stein]

Are the Whiten shoes made for 4e width feet?

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

I am not sure. They are available on Amazon, you could check there.

[@Knotdead73]

I've been Trail running with my Xero shoes and over hundreds of KM and no sign of deterioration

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

It seems you've been more fortunate with them than I was!

[@Knotdead73]

@@lifeinthemiddle55 I do prefer my Vivo's though.

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

I really have had my sights on the Vivo's but then I end up choking on the price!

[@woolengrappler]

I bought a pair of Xero shoes about a month before a trip. They dug into my ankle so badly that I got bruises on my ankles. I couldn’t wear them. Something felt wrong with the way my foot was rotated in the footbed. I complained and they didn’t do anything to fix the problem. My go to minimalist shoes are Lems, but I also like Vivobarefoot too.

[@stevej.6674]

I know you said you couldn’t get any other brands but if you can get your hands on vivo tracker FG’s, I find them to be awesome. I wear them for (domestic construction) work where I don’t need capped boots and so far they hold up great and my God, they’re comfy!

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

Thanks! That's actually the shoe I was looking at

[@gamersforlife3440]

@@lifeinthemiddle55 so they are more comfortable to wear then other vivo shoes?

[@DirtyDirtbath]

I've been thinking about making a change from altra to xero but I think I might look into other brands including the whitton Thanks

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

I've now gravitated towards Lem's. Zero drop, wide toe box, lightly padded. Not padded enough to where you don't receive feedback from the trail tho. Definitely on par with Altra.

[@DirtyDirtbath]

@@lifeinthemiddle55 solid recommendation I will definitely check those out thank you

[@betsyepstein]

I love mine!!! AND I bought the boots! They have definitely helped me maintain balance, increase my ankle strength! Love them!

[@ALLTHERAGE1996]

After about 8 months using my prios from xero shoes most of the seams are coming undone and the inside of them has fallen out 😂 they are made in china and I was very disappointed. Oh and barely ever used to me outside it’s just my kitchen pair.

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

Sorry to hear you've had a similar experience. I've contacted the company directly and they seem to cling dearly to "we rarely experience defects in our shoes." Meanwhile I'm on my third pair (second replacement) and they're doing the same thing.

[@TheJakeRobinson]

Is it possible you aren't properly fitted? or is it possible your feet may have a different shape than most? or could it be the way you walk/gate? Not trying to be a jerk but maybe there is some other variable that is contributing to the failure besides only the shoe? I can't believe a company like Xero would have widespread results at what seems like very little duration and still be in business. Your wife hikes with you? why not both get the same pair and compare after doing the same hikes, the same distance over the same time frame? and see if her results are different? Cheers

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

Thanks for watching the video. As a backpacker, properly fitted shoes are a must. You would only make the mistake once of humping a 40lb pack with ill fitted shoes. I own a pair of Altra Lone Peaks that have hundreds of miles on them thru everything imaginable, mud, snow, desert, countless river crossings. The soles are almost wore completely thru and the uppers tho look old don't have so much as a stitch out of place. It shouldn't matter what you're doing in/with a shoe, they should wear out, not rip out. I'd rather not waste any more money to attempt to disprove what I already know to be true. Take a minute to read thru the comments here and you'll find that many others have had similar experiences, especially with the Terraflex. I'm currently on my third pair of these (second replacement) and they are splitting in the exact same place and these are even the (improved) Terraflex II. Mostly gym usage as I no longer trust these shoes in the backcountry.

[@KBradAdams]

I bought a pair recently and honestly I can feel them slip when it is wet or has rained. Every step I take I feel them slip as I push off to move my other leg forward. I also woke up the other night and my arch was killing me. Remember I am not running at all. Just walking and I think these shoes are the issue without arch supports. I am going to try and not wear them for a few weeks and see if the pain goes away. I have worn 5 fingers with no issues walking so curious why my arches in my left foot started hurting now.

[@KBradAdams]

I will say I think my foot pain was from wearing a pair of Adidas with a bunch of arch support then using the xero shoes. I dumped the adidas and have had no issues since. So the xero shoes were not the culprit!

[@healthywildfree]

Xero has the most functional barefoot minimalist shoes. Sure, they have had some challenges but they've always been good about them.

[@dayyego]

Damn, not the review I wanted to hear but needed for considering my first barefoot shoe. Whitin is very enticing with price except they’re a Chinese company. That’s an automatic disqualification. Do you have an USA companies you suggest? I was considering Xero or Lems

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

I have considered others. The one's you mention as well as Vivobarefoot. The Vivo's are crazy expensive and are based in the UK (I believe but not 100% certain). New Balance makes a real decent shoe that almost fits the barefoot bill, the Minimus 10V1. They are very minimalist but have a 4 or 5 millimeter drop. Other than that, all I've found are Chinese based companies. Good luck to you, and let me know what you end up with!

[@yaroisawayoflife]

Appreciate the review . I always check out peoples experiences before investing so much for shoes.

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

You're welcome!

[@asantesamuel13]

I've had the same issue actually with a couple different sneakers (Prio and 360) with the sole separating, and the company knows about the issue as the founder has addressed it in a live video, but his excuse was that this is a common issue in the shoe industry... but to me that was a cop-out. I've never had this issue happen this quickly and on multiple pairs. I still love Xero shoes and will continue to buy from them because they're very comfortable and the delaminating issue doesn't occur on every pair I've owned. I wonder if there's a chance they don't want to use what they consider to be non-environmentally-friendly adhesives and opt for "biodegradable" adhesives if such things exist, and those alternative materials typically wear out much faster in general and are ironically more energy-intensive to produce than the conventional material.

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

That's like going to your car dealer regarding premature engine failure and the dealer saying "all engines fail."

[@asantesamuel13]

@@lifeinthemiddle55 Yeah very true, it does have the same energy as that excuse. I really think they just don't want to use typical adhesives in the shoe industry because they think they're more harmful, but the quicker peoples' shoes break, the more waste is produced!

[@4epatterson]

You should give their Sandles a shot. I have had great luck with mine. Watch for sales and you can get them pretty cheap😊

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

I've hiked a fair amount in sandals, it's good on some trails but when the terrain gets steep, they just don't cut it for me!

[@drathmor1401]

ive had Xeros for many years now several pairs actually and my experience has been nothing but positive. I appreciate the review though as you are using yours way more heavily than I am but I've had 4 pairs of hana's and they last longer than any other shoes I have purchased. granted not the same model shoe and not the same usage

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

Ya it appears, based on comments here that isn't every model that has the durability issues. The Prio seems to be another well built model.

[@Calisthenics_Enjoyer]

I bought a pair of hana today for walking and running. Hope I have a similar experience

[@FlashToast]

Have you ever tried the Altra Lone Peak? I don't do multi-day backpacking but I carry a ton of gear (camera and drone) for day hikes and I love them. Grip, feel, and tread are all awesome.

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

Yes, I actually came from those. I liked them but I wanted to get away from the thick soles and be more in tune with the trail.

[@SplashFireFilms]

I had this Shoe and it felt really nice wearing it and stepping into it for the first time, reeealyy good, but the Quality of the Sole is not good. My Shoe broke after 3 Hikes. Within is actually amazing, i wear them at Construction Work for 2 Years and they still hold up.

[@Kjuken69]

People wears shoes different i reckon, it's also different doing mountain hiking, then just walk to the gym or run, i quess

[@kimchininja]

Ive had good luck with Xero. Ive heard a few mixed reviews.

[@jhh243]

very respectful review. Just stating facts as they happened to you. I appreciate your review. with the version you got, I see it has the elastic drawstring shoelace. I'm not very familiar with that. Can you tell a difference between that and a normal lace or does it feel kinda weak? I only ask because I could see elastic losing its strength when stretched a lot. Thank you in advance for your response!

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

Thank you for watching and I hope you found it helpful! I don't believe the laces have any elastic to them. They do have a bit of stretch to them but I believe it is due to how they are woven/braided. They have the appearance of small paracord.

[@jhh243]

@@lifeinthemiddle55 Thank you so much! I'm ordering some now! Also, the Whitin shoe has a new design that includes a hook and loop strap across the top that looks better in my opinion. Have a great day brother, thanks again!

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

@@jhh243 you're certainly welcome!

[@NicholsFamilyAffair]

I’ve had 3 pits that fell apart and two of them wore through the sole. Their customer service was great and replaced them… but horrible quality and not worth the hassle.

[@countbrass1346]

Loved your honesty! Cheers for the good review

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

Thank you, I feel it's important to attempt to be as objective as possible when reviewing something or some place. Give'em the facts, they'll decide on their own!

[@scott-k2k]

This is a great video… I have about eight pairs of xero shoes, and the only pair that has fallen apart on me is the TeraFlex. And I have not even worn them that much. All my other zero shoes have held up very well.

[@packman3979]

Any barefoot shoes you would recommend for skate boarding??

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

Afraid I can't help you there! I have no coordination for skateboarding!

[@rashb3994]

I've always wanted to try Xero but I'm cheap and had started off with the Whitin type Amazon barefoot and water shoes and I love them. This vid is example of if it working for me I'm not missing out by not paying for a well known name. Though if Xero or one of these companies can come up with a hoops version of barefoot, I'll pay to try it. Thanks for your review. So great to hear people seeing the value in the Whitin's. To me it's such an affordable way for people to get into the barefoot shoe game.

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

I understand that products produced here cost more to make. Things start looking even crazier when you price the Vivobarefoot brand, which is difficult to justify with their $270ish price. The Whitins may not be the most stylish, but they are great quality.

[@cryptomando]

Knees over toes guy supposed to be coming out with a bball shoe

[@shawnbadger2737]

I'm 235lbs, and my Xero HFS shoes are holding up so far *fingers crossed*. Granted I mostly using them for trail running and walking. No bouldering or steep descents.

[@germanprepper]

I agree sort of lol. I had the same problem with the xero shoes hfs and bought the whiten and have worn them for 2 winters now and love them for winter shoes. I do however still absolutely love my xero shoes z trail sandals for the rest of the year.

[@misslauracharles]

I appreciate this review. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@barefootshoeguy]

Dude... I just bought a pair of xero shoes, they'll be here later this week. Hopefully I'll get a good set, I've heard many positive reviews.

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

Hopefully not the Terraflex II!

[@barefootshoeguy]

@@lifeinthemiddle55 I bought the HFS, hopefully they’ll be as good as the reviews

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

@@barefootshoeguy I think you'll fare better.

[@dumbcrumb879]

I am in the same boat now that you were in. How was the ground feel difference between the terraflex and the whitins? I was looking at the terraflex because they say the sole is a bit thicker compared to the mesa trail which would be preferable as I'm going to be hiking in rocky colorado terrain. I used my vivobarefoot primus trails on my last colorado trip and had a few times where a rock poked my foot pretty bad. Do you feel like the whitins or terraflex provide decent protection from sharp rocks? Thanks.

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

I don't believe either provide great protection via their sole. I used the Terraflex in Grand Canyon and was fine, but I definitely had some areas where I was forced to be extra mindful of each step. The Whitins I used in Glacier Peak Wilderness in Washington and I noticed there's a notable difference between soles. The Whitin are a gum sole and mich more pliable. I believe my speed was reduced because of that.

[@dumbcrumb879]

@@lifeinthemiddle55 Thank for the reply. I currently have the terraflex and Altra superiors on order from REI right now. Going to test them out and return whichever one I don't like. Maybe both who knows. I wish Altra made something in the 15mm stack height range like the merrel trail glove but apparently their newer models have molded foot beds and narrow toe boxes. No idea why these companies just keep making their shoes worse every year.

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

Ahhhh.....your wish is my wish as well! I have actually gravitated to Lems Primal Pursuit and I love them. They have a 14 mm stack height and in my opinion are perfect for just the right amount of feedback and protection. Mine are a yr and a half old and the sole tread is wearing thin, buy the uppers are perfect except for a couple crampon punctures.

[@dumbcrumb879]

@@lifeinthemiddle55 Thanks for the rec. Ill check them out

[@dkurtz111]

I had a similar issue with the Prios from Xero Shoes. Granted I wore them for everything, I only ever have 1 or 2 pairs of shoes at a time so I definitely got my money's worth. The soles just kept separating but they fulfilled the warranty on them twice! Worth the money in my opinion.

[@frankc9158]

How do they size in comparison. Liek if im an 11 in zero shoes ami in whiten?

[@bubbleman441]

This was my expeience with 2 pairs of Xero shoes back in 2018. The are simple not constructed with high quality materials. I loved the fit and look compared to other brands but the they fell apart quickly.

[@nealrutgerskid]

I just can figure why I would but a pair of Xero shoes price $110 when there are shoes like Nike, NB, VIVO,.. etc that are similarly priced. Even if they are durable the price doesn't match the expectation. I would pay $120 dollar for a Nike...

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

That's a question only you can answer! But from a detail standpoint, only Vivo are really in the same category of shoe and to my knowledge you can't find an adult sized pair for less than $150ish. Nike and NB to my knowledge, do not offer a zero drop or barefoot style shoe, which is what buyers of Xero are looking for. NB offers the Minimus 10V1 but they have a slight heel toe drop of like 5mm.

[@mrazik131]

xero shoes the fit is off for me, it take a long time for customer service process my order, can't wait to have my money back, they gave a sale and now it takes 2 weeks to return email or phone call...so 2 weeks to get the shoes since they send it and now 2 weeks waiting to return them plus the shipping played 14 dollars shipping and now return shipping who know how much it will cost? i Learned a huge lesson never order from them!!!

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

Ya their customer service leaves something to be desired. They follow thru on their promises but their process is very long and protracted.

[@DLFfitness1]

I looked at the video, because I am considering buy a pair of barefoot shoes. I had a pair a decade ago. Loved them in the gym, but my ankles swole when wearing on concrete. Thanks for the review. I looked at the other comments, and it seems like a lot of folks have multiple pairs of shoes. That definitely would play a part in how long they lasted.

[@edwardcollins741]

I have several pair of Xero shoes, no problems except with the Terraflex, which has a lot of miles in wet weather on it and does show some adhesive separation at the edge of the soles in the forefoot, nothing severe and not as bad a I'd seen a couplepairs of New Balance shoes I'd had but noiceable. It might be that there is a problem with the adhesive they're using and the particular faux leather on that model, which is a bit different than what seems to be on their other models. I note the substantially redesigned the shoe this year.

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

Good to know! I'd be happy to go back to them if the durability issue is solved.

[@GunnedDownAtrocity]

love xero shoes, but ive had this exact issue. the shoes are insanely comfortable. the soles on my first pair of prios from several years ago are still fine. the uppers on everything but the water shoes have also held up (i went on multiple long hikes with the water shoes because they were so comfortable and they got chewed up by twigs ... still use them for yard work). overall, they nailed the uppers and lowers. its just keeping them together thats the issue!

[@Funcentric]

I noticed actually not a lot of real reviews on Zero shoes. They're all sponsored, aka ads disguised as reviews. Yours seems to be one of the few actual owner reviews.

[@NN-og4kj]

The xero 360s have been pretty durable. I have had some other models and they weren't as durable. I'm pretty heavy on my feet so I've been surprised the 360s have held up so well.

[@Jasmine-hk4qo]

i love them so far but it’s only day 2 of wearing them and. the bottom is alr wearing off and i don’t run in these i was j wearing them casually 💀

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

That sucks!

[@Jasmine-hk4qo]

@@lifeinthemiddle55 also i’m having slight discomfort with some of the matierial in the shoe idk what part but i keep getting irritated and the insoles r cheap as fuck

[@cynthiat9089]

Finally someone that addresses their durability. I bought a pair of boots for my middle schooler in 2019 and they didn’t last. I was very disappointed for paying a decent amount of money. At the same time. I bought vivo shoes in 2019 and I’m still wearing them. I wear them daily, occasionally I’ll skip them if there is snow or lots of rain, otherwise they are on my feet. They are starting to look worn out, but the show overall is whole. Now I want to get some for my son, but just not sure about xero since I had that bad experience. All video reviews seem to rave about them. As much as I’d like to give them another chance, my experience with vivo has been so good that maybe it’s worth sticking to what has worked (vivo).

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

I think Vivo are a great option, their only downside being the price. Even in a world of "you get what you pay for," they're still at the top of their category!

[@cynthiat9089]

@@lifeinthemiddle55 they are expensive. I used to have a lot of shoes there for a while ( dress up for work, outings, etc), but I’ve also been know to wear shoes until they can’t go anymore. Now I’m back at a point in my life where having one multipurpose pair, is so liberating. Less clutter, less choices 😄. If we want to stretch it, we can add a little dress up pair, and some sandals for summer/water areas. The ones I got from vivo where the sort of water looking shoes. I can’t remember what they were called. So very multipurpose, and washable. They don’t have them anymore. I haven’t tried other brands besides xero and vivo. For the durability of vivo (so far) and as little as I like to buy shoes, it has been a good investment so far. Not entirely relevant, but for some reason, I also really dislike xero’s website design haha.

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

I get it. My wife and I attempt to multi task all of our shoes and clothing for our lifrstyle and adventures!

[@Demon09-_-]

if your still looking vivo does 25% off when reccomended by another email. It brings the new price similar to there revivo area

[@Demon09-_-]

@@balbibou yep they just went up a little more on the usa side 160 for a pair of primus lite 3 or like 157 euro. so crazy for once something is higher in usd then euro lol but thats mainly because most other currencies have dropped compared to the usd

[@Solo_01]

I have the been wearing the WHITIN shoe like the one you were showing in black/black for 10 months now in the gym on runs, mountain biking and on weekend errands to the store or whatever and these things hold up well! I was weary as well as they were made in China but I must say I have not had any issues with them. No tears or anything. I actually have been waiting for them to break to give myself an excuse to buy another pair. Because I go barefoot in them 99% of the time I keep them fresh with foot powder because they make my feet sweat a lot. Then I occasionally put the inserts in the washing machine to wash out the powder and dead skin build up and they are like brand new again. I highly recommend these shoes for the durability and price.

[@chetanrs]

Which particular model of the WITHIN do you wear for the gym ?

[@danielcole7325]

love my whitin shoes, first pair of barefoot shoes ive bought. spend 170 on the xero xcursion waterproof boots for them to fall apart, break and leak within hours of my first use walking through wet grass

[@cristi724]

42$ is a normal price for a simple minimalist shoe. 100-150$ for one is insane.

[@kinesiooutdoors]

How do you feel your foot holds up packing around a heavy backpack in minimal shoes? I will be guiding this summer and fall and will have a heavy pack everyday on the Oregon Coast, I am concerned about my arch and feet not being strong enough to support the load. Thanks for the help! I have been looking for someone who backpacks with minimal shoes.

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

Hi Stephen, I actually made the transition to minimalist shoes over a period of time (like maybe a year and a half.) I started with Altra's which are zero drop and let my calves get adjusted to that. Then I bought my first Xero shoes around May of 2020 and used them on a few day hikes to see what the shock would be like. After those hikes abd analyzing everything I decided it was time to backpack with them. I've never had a blister since switching. I do feel like my pace is a bit slower due to generally being very selective where each step lands. Beyond that, I've done 14 mile days in them and I'm not an ultra lighter by any definition. At the end of the day I feel like my feet have gotten stronger with every hike and continue to do so. Would I recommend someone to jump right into minimalist shoes for a backpacking trip.....absolutely not. But with the proper timeand consideration I feel it is the best move I ever made for backpacking and for joint health overall.

[@kinesiooutdoors]

@@lifeinthemiddle55 Thank you for the reply, I have been running and walking barefoot or wearing minimal shoes for a little over a year now, so I may be close to your starting point for backpacking in minimalist shoes. I will try it on a short trip in a few weeks, 3 days and about 25-30 miles. I hope to see the results you did. Thanks for the content!

[@MikefromTexas1]

Right on that same edge for me too.

[@halfofbeauty]

hey man! im wondering how to whitin are holding up right now? i only ever considered vivo and xero even though both were quite pricey-- the thought never even crossed my mind that there would be a good "bootleg" type of barefoot shoe. but now, dang! the whitin has some nice color options at such a good price! and if it has still lasted you?? dang! also my xeroshoes started tearing after a little over a month. i took the soles out for a while and while they were out, i did some heavy jumping in volleyball so perhaps its my fault?? but still :P

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

Hi Yusuf! So far so good with my Whitin's. Other than being dirty and looking like they've been worn there is absolutely no signs of wear or failure. Stitching is all sound, glue I'd not peeling, soles look brand new still. Sorry about your experience with Xero, regardless if whether you had the insoles in them they should not fall apart. They actually sent me a pair of their updated Terraflex II and after a few weeks the soles started peeling on them as well. So disappointing.

[@Josh-ch3nv]

No one had a single shoe in stock??? What? Like I randomly buy 5 fingers off the sale page once or twice a year…. That’s just one other minimalist zero drop shoe…. I get everyone under the sun hates one the finger toe thing, but I have a feeling they were not out of stock.

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

Five fingers weren't an option I was willing to try last minute. This was 2 yrs ago, so yes, there were many models of shoes that were entirely unavailable for months. Also, very few of the minimalist shoes are even suited for backpacking or hiking.

[@phillipp1399]

I had the same issue with this model of Xero shoe, just not durable. I’ve had their Z-trail for years and many miles without issues. I’m bout 50 miles into a pair of their meat trail runners and they are feeling super solid. I think there just are material and construction issues with this model.

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

I think you are correct in saying that.

[@wesley290]

I've just bought my 6th pair of Xero shoes and plan on buying another soon. No problems at all. Have had issues with other brands though, that made me return some that were new and sell some that were used. Xero are the best barefoot shoe company and they're always improving design and durability with new models.

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

Hopefully they apply the improvement you speak of to the Terraflex! I went through 2 pairs of v1 and them they sent me their updated and "improved" v2. The v2 is an improvement but is still failing the same way as both v1 I had.