Walking across the hot blacktop was nothing compared to the boredom of staring at a blackboard all day. That pain would be gone after a few weeks—your feet are remarkably adaptable body parts—but that sense of freedom remained. We’ve driven home the point that the Prio doesn’t look like a typical barefoot shoe. But, this point is amplified when considering the durability of this rugged shoe. Though far from heavy by conventional standards, these shoes differ greatly from the pack when you consider their meaty build.
While emerging science appears to be on the side of bare feet, for me the barefoot shoe is about something more than the purely physical benefits. I have had a lifelong love affair with being barefoot, because to be barefoot is to be free. I’ve tried several of Xero’s various running shoes, and the HFS is my favorite for running on human-made surfaces like concrete and asphalt. I went backpacking in mine with 45 pounds on my back and had no problems. Barefoot purists would perhaps rightly argue that these are pushing the definition of barefoot, but why let semantics get in the way of a great shoe? These are comfortable and durable, and they offer about 7 millimeters of padding to soften the impact of running on concrete.
More compelling to me, the Z-Trails are the type of shoes people have worn for most of human history. The materials may be new, but the design is very nearly as old as human feet. Put on these sandals and you will walk like your ancestors. Their tactility creates a positive feedback loop between your feet and your brain. You step on a rock, your brain tells your muscles to adjust.
Size Charts And Templates
While these options mean that this trainer is heavier than most of the pack, it does afford an extra level of comfort that those transitioning to barefoot-style shoes will likely appreciate. Still much more lightweight than many other conventional trainers, the Prio is easily one of the heaviest shoes in our review. Regardless of its true barefoot-feel, this shoe is bulky — the design almost reminds us of a skate shoe. At its most minimal, it weighs in at 8.4 ounces per shoe. That’s nearly two ounces heavier than the closest competitor, and if you include the optional insole, each shoe tips the scale at 8.8 ounces. They are certainly not as lightweight as other road trainers we tested, but they are nearly unmatched when it comes to barefoot accuracy.
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As a matter of fact, the company made 20% of the previous year’s sales within seven days. It also drew the attention of several investors after the Shark Tank episode. In 2018, the company made sales amounting to $8.8 million and had thirty-two employees. Before Shark tank, Steve and Lena had already managed to produce $650,000 worth of Xero shoes just two and a half years into the business.
Although they had not invested in marketing and advertisement, both the Xero Shoes and DIY kits were quite in demand. The revenue, majority of which was made via the website, was split between the kits and custom-made shoes. Although ninety percent of the sales were made through the website, the company already had nine retail accounts- all who had ordered twice. The product is available on their website, or you can alternatively order from any of the 100 retailers available worldwide.
Enjoy Natural Comfort
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Without the optional insole, there is no form of conventional support — but even with the insole, the difference in ground-feel is negligible. Mainly, the Prio is remarkably stable, thanks to its wide design that allows your foot to create its own solid platform naturally. With the added insole, the Prio is an excellent, genuine barefoot-style road runner with just a bit of cushion. Without the insole, the proprietary FeelTrue rubber of the thin, 5.5mm outsole provides the raw feedback diehard barefoot runners expect. Xero designers wouldn’t dream of including a midsole, so your foot lies right next to the ground in this true zero-drop shoe.
Only one email a month with in depth content on new products, comparisons of similar shoes, and transition to minimal info! (And if you can do your job barefoot, congratulations, you win.) If you’re barefoot, you’re also unlikely to have any pressing tasks. You’re more likely to be in the backyard or at a pool or at the park or at the beach. You’re probably outside and free, or at least doing something delightful. Your feet had been imprisoned in shoes all through the year and suddenly they were free. You’d head to the pool or the beach or the park and jump out of the car with bare feet, ready to play.
Feel the fun and freedom of natural movement wearing Xero Shoes. “The shoes are so good, it’s easy to forget you have them on.” Our hollow punches come FREE with every DIY Kit and Custom-Made pair of Xero Shoes (you don’t need it for the Custom-made shoes, but we include it just in case).
Fit Info For Xero Shoes
From the DYI custom kit to the Hana closed toe every day to the HFS high performance runner, your feet will love Xero Shoes. The company has further expanded its product to over thirty styles, most of which are client-inspired. They are rampant in digital marketing, creating awareness, and attracting a large audience. In July 2020, Xero Shoes was declared the official footwear partner to USA Artistic swimming. Their top competitors include; Unshoes, Luna Sandals, Earth Runners, Vivo barefoot, Deliberate Life Designs, Paisley Running Sandals, among others. The company’s team of employers has increased to forty-four with $12.1 million annual revenue. From customer reviews, there are numerous testimonials that further confirm that Xero Shoes was and still is a revolutionary product.
Notably, it feels more substantial than other core models while still offering a true zero-drop design and superb barefoot accuracy. Most importantly, the optional insole offers enough additional support while you work on adjusting your running style and building up the musculature of your feet. Your feet are your foundation and Xero Shoes are designed to allow them to remain strong and function naturally by providing protection, but not artificial support. They offer wide toe boxes to allow your toes room to spread, a zero drop design to encourage proper posture, and super flexible outsoles to allow natural foot movement. While I had already tried a few barefoot shoes, I wasn’t sold on the idea until I tried the $80 Z-Trails. Every other “barefoot” design I had tried felt too much like a regular shoe. Then Xero sent me a pair of the sandals to test for a barefoot shoes buying guide I’m working on.
- Focus the discipline you usually use for distance into not doing distance.
- If you think of your foot is a bit longer than the kids size 4, you can consider ordering the narrower but longer women’s style.
- Perfect for that “barely there” feeling when paired with your favorite Xeros.
- If you’ve changed your mind within 45 days of purchase, simply return your items for a full refund or exchange them for a different size.
Just be sure to adjust the size by 1.5 (for example a kid’s size 4 is the same as a women’s 5.5. A half-size larger than the kid’s size 4 would be the women’s size 6). People like different types of fit — some like their toes near the end, others like 1/4″-1/2″ of extra space. Shoe sizing, especially online, is not a perfect process. That’s why we offer free exchanges for all US orders. Experience the comfort, fun and benefits of letting your do what’s natural.
Toesox
Immediately after their appearance on Shark Tank, the company experienced a huge spike in demand. Their website was crashing with incoming orders from all corners, from clients rushing to acquire a pair of Xero shoes.
Whether you’re out on a run, trying out a new trail, hitting the gym, or toeing a slackline, you’ll love the Prio’s combination of freedom and protection. Join the worldwide community of people enjoying the fun and freedom of Xero Shoes.
All of our children’s shoes are wider than conventional children’s shoes. If you normally wear a larger size to get a wider fit in conventional shoes, you may not have to do that with Xero Shoes. All of our women’s shoes are wider than conventional women’s shoes. All of our men’s shoes are wider than conventional men’s shoes. In 2020 , Xero Shoes expanded into flats and other traditional footwear . Keeping with their minimalist design , the Xero Phoenix became one of their best selling shoe.
Just be sure to adjust the size by 1.5 (for example a men’s 7 is the same as a women’s 8.5). If you think of your foot as particularly narrow, you can consider ordering a women’s style. Many of our male customers find a great fit in our women’s styles. A ready-to-wear barefoot-inspired sandal for travel, walking, hiking, yoga, working out, paddling, even running ultra marathons. In 2018 Business Insider acclaimed Xero Shoes as one of the Top 5 Best Barefoot shoes of 2018. In 2017, Apparel Magazine nominated Xero shoes as one of the top Apparel brands of 2017 amongst contenders like American Eagle, 3.1 Phillip Lim, and other brands. In 2012, National Geographic named Xero Shoes as one of the top 5 best running shoe brands .
Like many of the barefoot runners we tested, the Prio fails to achieve high marks in traction as soon as the roadways become wet or slick. On damp, flat surfaces in particular, the low-profile lugs don’t do a great job of shedding water, leading to a few awkward slips. We want to make sure you get the correct size and enjoy your Xero Shoes.
Prio Lightning Blue
This is one of the few shoes we tested that has absolutely no toe-spring, rendering it completely flat from heel-to-toe. While it does lack a bit of downward flexion, it is incredibly flexible upward right at the natural point where the ball of the foot meets the toes. This allows for a comfortable running experience and enables you to activate both the support of your arch and the rebound of your toes. Though not as lightweight as other trainers we tested, the Prio glides smoothly across pavement. A true zero-drop shoe that lays close to the ground, the Prio offers an optional removable insole that adds an additional 2mm of cushion to the otherwise ultra-minimal 5.5mm outsole.
