Xero Terraflex Review

We only found a few customers that noted fit issues with their designs, but it’s really nothing to worry about. Compared to your regular heels and flip flops, Xero Shoes are definitely more comfortable and flexible.

But, because the string is so thick it looks ridiculous if you double tie the string. Come on Xero, please do something about the shoe strings.

Xero Terraflex Review: A Barefoot Trail Running & Hiking Shoe

The step in feel of this shoe is great, it has a natural shape so your toes can move but it’s not sloppy on the foot. Underfoot it’s a solid platform and Xero really hit the outdoor all-purpose nail on the head with the lugs on these.

The big names in the running industry phased out their zero drop shoes, and went back to what they knew best. But a few smaller companies have stuck to the belief that zero drop shoes are the best bet, and I’m glad that they are still around. Love the width of toe box and the protection from rocks with a good sole and still feels very minimal. The middle section of the heel and instep straps are highly reflective, so you can be safely seen while out running and walking at night. Many minimalist or barefoot-style shoes are so thin that you may feel like your feet have been put through a meat grinder after a long run on technical trails. The Terraflex gives enough protection, without relying on unwanted cushion or support. I was honestly considering the TerraFlex as my thru-hiking shoe for my 2019 Appalachian Trail attempt, but after my last backpacking trip in North Georgia that idea quickly vanished.

Most Reviewed Races

Whether you desire to walk or run barefoot or not, there are times when it is necessary to wear shoes. The running and ultralight backpacking community have made terms like minimalist shoes, wide toe box, and zero drop common everyday language when looking to purchase a new pair of shoes. The company Xero Shoes has become a player in the minimalist shoe arena with their line of adventure shoes, everyday shoes, and sandals. I find that you really do feel everything you put your feet on when running in the Mesa Trail, much more so than the Altra Superior, which is one of Altra’s most minimalist zero-drop shoes. As such, I never opted to remove the 2 mm insole and the bit of extra padding it provides. While I can adjust my running style to accommodate the minimalist, Huarache-inspired design of the Mesa Trail, it is still not my first choice for longer runs, especially on rough trails.

If I were going to go run Leadville again, or climb to the top of Mt. Whitney, I’d wear the Terraflex. For conditions in upstate New York, the biggest traction concerns in my experience are scrambling over sandstone ledges and running through layers of dried leaves. While we have our share of muddy patches, we don’t typically see long stretches of soft dirt. Since my Field Report the weather turned hot and somewhat dryer but it has still been a wetter than normal summer. As a result my hiking was limited to early morning or late afternoon exercise hikes with the exception of one overnighter on September 1, 2018. This would be the hike to The Walls of Jericho in northeastern Alabama. On this trip the high was around 85 F and it was very humid.

Are These $375 Trail Runners Worth It?

And most running shoes today don’t even come close to it, fancy gels, air pockets and cushioned soles not withstanding. Several manufacturers have offered solutions in the minimalist, or barefoot, shoe market. The Huarache-inspired heel cinch strap is attached to the laces, and loops through the sole and back around the upper rear of the heel. It works exceptionally well and helps pull your heel and foot down into the shoe which provides a secure, connected and stable fit without any heel lift. The separately adjustable instep straps allow you to lock down your instep for stability while still letting your toes to move around comfortably. The laces are a bit thick and on occasion will loosen up and untie and require a retightening. As someone who is relatively new to a minimalist shoe, I’m still surprised about how comfortable the TerraFlex can be.

• Offered in a minimalist design, these trainers come with the same technology as the Prio sneakers but with a few added upgrades.
• I get about 200 miles per pair of MT10s backpacking and trail running.
• On the flip side, their designs may not appeal to everyone, but sometimes you need to sacrifice fashion over function.
• But seriously, there hasn’t really been enough that this was necessary, I’m just in the habit of doing it with my other shoes.
• My feet also felt a little tired after the first days hiking but surprisingly, felt great the next morning, and the hike up the mountain did not make them feel tired.
• The Xero Terraflex weighs around 272g which is lighter than the shoe looks.

These two areas are where I typically encounter pain if my shoes don’t fit well or are not working properly. Please stay tuned for my Field Report which should follow approximately two months from now. There’s not much heel or ankle support in the Xero Terraflex but it’s a minimal shoe so I wouldn’t expect it.

Vegan Hiking Shoes

This product has yet to be reviewed by the Happy Barefoot team. On the flip side, their designs may not appeal to everyone, but sometimes you need to sacrifice fashion over function. And as we covered before, nature knows no style. Xero Shoes manages to ‘pick up the pace’ when it comes to external reviews. Other websites, such as Outdoor Gearlab and RunRepeat, also left a positive critique of the brand. No Xero Shoes review is complete without a summary of common customer feedback. To kick things off, let’s take a look at a few of their ratings for their top-selling products.

In my experience, this is never positioned where my arch actually is. I’ve never understood why people feel that a healthy foot needs arch support. Attracted by the low cost and the xero terraflex review 5mm lugs on a Vibram sole. And the weight doesn’t look too bad for a durable shoe – I guess that feather-light and durable is an unattainable ideal, with current materials at least.

My Favorite Minimalist Hiking Shoes

Hurts as if you have several small pebbles lodged at the ball of my foot or painful blisters, but I don’t. Take the shoes off when I get home and it’s a major relief, but my foot hurts for the rest of the night and mildly tender the next day. Not water proof, but walking through wet meadows or mucky surfaces they’re not a sponge to moisture, but will get moist eventually. There is an exterior strap that connects from the bottom heel area to the laces.

Made as the upgraded version of Xero’s Prio sneakers, this design comes with a Tough Tek toe bumper, an adjustable instep strap, and an optional 2mm insole for added comfort and fit. The DayLite Hiker Fusion boots are made for stomping.

Constructed with Barefoam inserts and a reliable lacing system, these Xero Shoes sandals can reportedly last for up to 100 miles. In case your beach walk leads to a forestry trail, we suggest swapping these slippers for the Xero Shoes Lena model instead. He quickly gained traction with his fancy footwear, ultimately leading to the launch of Xero Shoes in 2009. For Steven Sashen, it was his own personal injuries that prevented his daily sprint.

I’m worried about wetness and mud, but will try it in that environment this weekend. I actually called to order them to ask about the sizing, and told the rep on the phone that I was planning to use them to walk the Camino. He said that the sole will wear faster when walking on pavement, which is what I expected.

The Xero Terraflex is a very minimal shoe with the goal of helping you run as naturally as possible. Let’s face it, the human body has gone through so many generations of evolution over thousands of years. Most of this evolution occurred during a time when we weren’t even wearing shoes. So it makes sense that wearing a minimal shoe with a zero drop should feel more comfortable to us. If I was designing a shoe, I too would start from this very basis of thought. Then we’ve added a lugged sole for grip (5mm FeelTrue® sole base with 4mm lugs), and embedded 3mm of BareFoam™ inside the sole for extra protection and comfort.

• This guy also backed up Lee Saxby’s endorsement of the rather odd looking Flexitec footbed.
• If I hiked early enough in the day they would complete dry in a few hours of afternoon sun.
• After a burst of popularity a few years ago, true minimalist running shoe sales have declined, and many of the major brands have backed away from the market.
• Use Java Programming Help if you have less knowledge of coding and programming language.
• One last observation from the Walls of Jericho trip.
• Well there’s one more option but I prefer not to alter my route.

I have to update the traction and quick drying ability of the TerraFlex slightly. As I mentioned, on my last overnighter I experienced several light showers while hiking back to the Walls of Jericho. It had been dry for a few weeks prior so the trail was a little dusty. Apparently the brief showers were not enough to wash the dust off the rocks and they became very slick. I do think the flexible sole of the TerraFlex improved my foot grip on uneven surfaces but on flat rocks it was almost like skating on ice. I was very glad I had my trekking poles with me. My feet also felt a little tired after the first days hiking but surprisingly, felt great the next morning, and the hike up the mountain did not make them feel tired.

But I opted for the Terraflex and excitedly waited for its arrival. The goal was to take runners back to a running style closer to the barefoot running we were built to do. Minimalist running hit the mainstream a decade ago, and many runners jumped in to it too fast, leading to injuries and pain. Barefoot, or minimalist running, still works for many though, especially when alternated with running in more traditional running shoes. In order to minimize injury, easing in to minimalist running is best, starting with very low mileage to get your feet used to the close ground connection and your body used to the running stance. I have been using Merrell Bare Access Flex for the past 6mos.