Use the links below to share this content: Viewing 7 posts - 1 through 7 (of 7 total), New Masterclass! Despite being a US size 9, it fits me quite well. And thats true throughout the whole shoe, not just the toe box. So if you have a low-volume foot, you should look at options like Vivobarefoot. The factories we use treat and pay their workers exceptionally well. To transition from traditional shoes, the Terraflex II is a good option. Original post below. I think they have pretty similar breathability. If your feet get wet, then a breathable shoe will let the bulk of the water pass through and any remaining will dry quickly. The Mesa Trail has a broad rubber toe-box covering welded to the sole and stitched to the upper. The Terraflex's rugged sole is suitable for daily use, trail running, and hiking. Xero Xcursion Fusion. I couldnt wait to get my feet in a pair. Normally wear a size 13, based on online recommendations I went up a size to a 14. I walk a lot of rocky hard-packed trails where I live, so that's my particular use case. The 4mm rubber lugs gave me very good grip when flying downhill and Im still not seeing any wear on them, so I expect the soles to last a long time. Have worn Prios and Z-Trails for a while now. But to find all of these features in the same shoe is rare. How would that work and what are the better options? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); How Much Should Your Backpack Weigh on a Thru-Hike? EDIT 07/20/2022 : After completing over 400 miles in the shoe, I now have the data to show where the shoe really breaks down. Theres not much heel or ankle support in the Xero Terraflex but its a minimal shoe so I wouldnt expect it. Give yourself time to get used to using your muscles naturally, to relaxing, and to your gait changing. This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any product or service you purchase using the links in the articles or advertisements. Cookie Notice The sole on the Xero feels like a harder material and seems to wear down slower. There are huarache-inspired adjustable instep and midfoot straps that create a more secure and comfortable fit. My body has adapted to natural movement and is comfortable with increased feedback from my feet. The Mesa Trail is competitively priced at $119.99. My foot is 26cm long and 10cm wide and tried the Terraflex in the US 9 EU 42. Xero Shoes are responsibly, ethically, and fairly manufactured in China. In my area, the singletrack is well-packed, but dusty, dirt with periodic loose gravel, boulders, and slab. I think the inflexible Vibram lug sole would hit a rock, and the whole boot would tilt if I didn't hit it right on center, and the ankle would go. I interviewed Steven Sashen, CEO and developer of Xero Shoes, in preparation for this review. I have not run in them, and I might have to send them back, because the outside of the shoe comes up quite high on my ankle and I think rubbing will be a problem. Impact force is the force exerted in a verticle direction when my foot first contacts the ground. Thanks for sharing your experience. Lots of grey on the shoes, would have liked to see more of the forest green. Your email address will not be published. Stack height: 8 mm; 5 mm rubber outsole, 3 mm foam midsole. Although, in this case, Im here to argue thats a good thing; this is a trail shoe, after all. Extremely comfortable, softer insole than most barefoot shoes. Would absolutely recommend this shoe for trail running/and or hiking, it truly lives up to its name as a trail runner. With Altras, it seems that having tactile feedback through the sole keeps me from committing all my weight before proceeding, so I don't think I've rolled my ankle once since using them. The upper is made up of vegan freindly abrasion-resistant material and moisture-wicking mesh. The Mesa Trail is a new product, while the TerraFlex was updated in the last two years. Xero has better toe protection, a tough material wraps around the whole toe end of the shoe. Since you have experience on section hiking the PCT, do you think Xero shoes would be a possible consideration for thru hiking? Every now and then, during a fast downhill, I would step on a sharp rock with the arch of my foot and really feel the sting. They give me enough cushioning that I don't have to overthink my form or the ground beneath me. As a comparison, I also performed the test with 3 other shoes. Great Review. There is still plenty of room in there after my feet expand during longer runs. First, they are super lightweight. I am very impressed with the flex that the Xero Terraflex outsole has. Be aware of the pitfalls. Around the same time, I learned that the handful of trail races Id registered for were also canceled. Post new content to the community including gear swaps, reviews, trip reports and more! Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Its worth noting a few things here. Any and all feedback welcome! Thanks for sharing your valuable insights with us! To put it simply, if you were only going to buy one minimal trail shoe, Id tell you to buy the TerraFlex II. I agree that the fat laces are a bit of a pain. The womens Terraflex shoes come in the same two colour schemes. Roughly one-fifth of this distance was covered while backpacking under load. The TerraFlex has 4 mm lugs, while the Mesa Trail has 3.5 mm lugs. There are pros and cons to this, but if youre transitioning, it could be a positive. Ive snagged em on all sorts of trail debris. The other shoes were sized men's EU 41.5 and US 8 and fit perfectly well, however, the Terraflex model fit me in a Size US 9, EU 42. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Andrew Marshall is the former Managing Editor and Podcast Producer of Backpacking Light. I do own their minimalist Genesis sandal and Z-trail sandals, but they are a completely different use case. The words lightweight and packable jumped off the page. Really ensure your sizing is right, I would go up half a size or go according to EU size. Weight: 12.8 ounces/pair (womens 7) A narrow heel combines with minimalist-minded uppers to create a close, stable fit on the shoes back end. Running will feel different to what you may be used to and I wouldnt want you to get injured before you ever got the chance to adjust properly to this new way of running. This page uses affiliate links, and by purchasing from an affiliate link, we will receive a small commission which doesn't cost you anything. Youll see double stitching in hard-wearing areas, and the exposed fabric is a tough multi-layered weave, so no worries of premature breakdown there. Stack Height: 17 mm, Vibram Womens FiveFingers V-Trail 2.0 I recently bought both the Xero Mesa Trail. Not water proof, but walking through wet meadows or mucky surfaces theyre not a sponge to moisture, but will get moist eventually. My last pair of trail runners (Altra Lone Peak 4s) started to fall apart after 200 miles (322 km) same deal for my last pair of Merrell Trail Glove 4s. Stack Height: Total stack height 9mm: 2.5mm FeelTrue Sole + 4mm Lugs + 2.5mm Strobel (Optional 3mm Removable Insole Provided), Weight: Mens 9 is 252g or 8.9 ounces each, Sizes available: MENS US: 6.5-13, 14, 15 | WOMENS US: 5-12 (whole/half). Thank you for supporting Backpacking Light! More force will travel through the body when running in the TerraFlex compared to the Mesa Trail or Primus Trail, which may impact specific overuse injuries in the knees, hips, and beyond. Sole feels a bit heavy and very sturdy but doesn't compromise the shoe's flexibility. Like many ultralight backpackers, I made the transition from classic leather boots to trail runners with no regrets save one. It lands squarely between a running shoe and a hiker with breathable yet strong enough uppers and just enough protection and traction on the sole. And if I know Ill be running hard downhill on rocky terrain, Id consider the Terraflex II. Its not the lightest shoe out there but its light enough and I can see myself running lots of hills and long distances in them because of it. Unfortunately, all this means I have not tested these shoes to the degree that I normally would have. the terraflexes were comfortable, though there was more of a transition period, and they performed quite well in the sierras and the jmt; they were just not durable and of the two pairs i had both developed holes in the upper and had missing lugs after only 100 miles, i even RMA'd the first pair after the jmt because one of the straps on the back of the shoe was fraying apart. Amazing grip and traction on all surfaces. Xeros marketing videos are slick and thats what lured me in to try the mens TerraFlex, plus the sole warranty. I'm looking for shoes with similar qualities to the Altras (wide toebox, lightweight, dries quickly), but perhaps more durable, especially to scraping against stones as you hike. While I could have compared the Mesa Trail to products from Lems or Vivobarefoot, in the end, I made a comparison to another Xero Shoes product, the TerraFlex. Thats not always the case with Xero Shoes, so always check the sizing guide when building from the site. The ankle is narrower than the mans version and at a just-right height to keep my foot securely in place. NOBULL Knit Runner Review: Running Sneakers Or Better As A Workout Shoe For Cross-Training? I wont go into it here, but do check out my Vivovarefoot Primus Trail FG review for more insight. Lockdown is near perfect for the Mesa Trail, and the Terraflex II isnt too far behind. This strapping system allows Xero Shoes to fit many different foot shapes and achieve a great lockdown for both wide and narrow feet. Deepness takes getting used to on my narrow, low volume foot. Well, yes, thats true. I especially appreciate the personalization in fit that can be achieved with the adjustable instep and mid-foot straps. Abrasion resistance seems descent. While Xero shoes arent the widest on the market, they are pretty voluminous and broader than other brands, such as Vivobarefoot. I found Altras just too soft. How do the Xero Mesas compare to the Merrell Trail Gloves? Here's our process. I considered comparing the Xero Shoes Mesa Trail to trail runners from Altra, Topo Athletics, and Inov-8. Its similar to what I started to experience. Id suggest swapping these out soon after purchase. I bought the TerraFlex II a few months ago and found them super comfortable for my wide feet. But the Mesa Trailis getting close to that milestone. Thanks. A low stack height, mesh uppers, and moderate tread keeps the shoe light, while welded components and smart design make it surprisingly durable. However, it may hinder you if youre looking to improve your barefoot running gait. But suffice it to say that if you are already a fan of low-drop, wide foot-box shoes with minimal features (and you are okay with a low stack height and a lack of rock plate), the Mesa Trail is worth a hard look. But you need to adapt to different conditions, and there are obvious advantages to a little more protection. and 6.5mm of rubber underfoot, any scuff or scrape will leave a mark and nothing else. Goodbye heavy Chacos, hello minimalism. Compared to them, the Terraflex is heavier, much bulkier, stiffer, and has worse traction. I had to stop wearing the Terraflex, they were uncomfortable because the sole curved upwards at the toe. Ill be contacting Xero Shoes. Unrestricted access to all 2,300+ articles, gear reviews, skills, stories, and more. Because your foot is locked down to the sole, your foot doesnt slip around as a sandal would, and you can be confident that it will stay there as soon as you plant your foot on the ground. Want something more burly than a trail runner? Huarache-inspired straps on the midfoot and instep allow for precisely dialed fit without causing compression. Xero Shoes knew that needed to change, so they released 2 completely different trail options. With only a few millimeters of stack height difference, youd expect the feel in both shoes to be similar. Your request will be processed within 10 business days of receipt. The durability in these minimalist trail runners is quite impressive - especially for their weight. With the show in hand, youll notice its built like a bomb and protects your feet from all angles. Others allow your foot to remain arches on its own and do not force your foot down. Weight. I have a review here https://barefootrunreview.com/xero-shoes-mesa-trail-ii-review/, Your email address will not be published. Since this is a Limited Review, a detailed performance analysis based on long-term use will not be presented. Thats a shame. However in Altras I feel much more 'disconnected' from the surface I am walking on and as a result will be less dexterous and sometimes my ankle will even roll because of the height of the shoe, which is not the case with the Vivos. At first glance they don't look conspicuous or barefoot at all, and they're almost identical to many hiking shoes on the market. Some (but not all) of the links in this article may be affiliate links. I enjoy both shoes, but the Mesa Trails flexibility wins out on nearly every run. The problem with having such a flexible outsole though is that youre going to lack some cushioning. But its also worth noting that this failure occurred at mile 200 (322 km) on my Altra Lone Peaks and went all the way through the shoe (see my photo above). I also like the laces on the Mesa better, they are round laces as apposed to flat laces on the Lone Peak, and they aren't obscenely long like the Lone Peak. Our soles last longer where most performance shoe companies recommend replacing their products every 3-500 miles, our soles have a 5,000 mile sole warranty. Meaning theres less freedom in barefoot movement. The laces, in my opinion, are a bit too bulky, its almost as if they have been designed with the hiker in mind rather than the runner. Often barefoot shoes lack depth even if they have width, but thats not true here. Would recommend wearing with socks since the cushioning is quite thick and can get sweaty. It was that headline that got me to read the review. This benefit is further enhanced by the Mesa Trails, where the super flexible materials hug the foot like a sock. How do you like your running shoe to feel? I went with my true EU42 size which by them was a US 9 instead of getting my usual US 8 since that was a Xero EU 41. Mans version and at a just-right height to keep my foot is 26cm long and 10cm wide and narrow.. To transition from classic leather boots to trail runners from Altra, Topo Athletics, and there are advantages! More insight when building from the site to them, the Terraflex 's rugged sole is xero mesa trail vs terraflex for use... 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