Xero Shoes Z-Trail Review - Back o' Beyond (2024)

FAQs

Xero Shoes Z-Trail Review - Back o' Beyond? ›

In a pinch, you can wear Z-Trails on technical trails but I think they're better suited for easy hiking. While the tread offers sufficient traction for it, you have to be vigilant or you'll slip on slick or unreliable surfaces. The best part about the Z-Trails is how lightweight they are for a functional sport sandal.

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. Whenever possible, we use renewable materials, like hemp.

Xero Shoes newest styles focus on key design elements: Comfortable, wider, foot-shaped toe boxes and flexible, zero-drop sole. A balance of protection and ground feel, supporting natural movement and foot freedom.

We've had many customers wear our sandals — all the different styles — to thru-hike major trails, including the AT, PCT, and Camino. Even if you don't wear sandals for hiking, they make a great camp shoe or recovery shoe.

In addition to using sustainable materials, we're committed to ensuring all our materials are safe, and that they are sourced ethically.

If you're planning to wear your shoes with socks, try them on that way. If you want a more barefoot experience, you can try them in bare feet or with a very thin sock.

Where are your shoes made? We design all of our shoes here in Colorado. Xero Shoes are responsibly, ethically, and fairly manufactured in China.

HFS Uppers and Lacing

Materials are lightweight, breathable and stylish.

Be sure to also ensure that the sandal provides enough space for your toes, and is not too tight or too loose. A sandal that is too loose will lead to blisters, especially when hiking in wet areas; and a sandal that is too tight will cause general foot pains.

For short and easy hikes, outdoor barefoot shoes with a medium grip are more than sufficient. However, if you plan on going on a long or even multi-day hiking tour with barefoot shoes, you'll need a pair that provides for outstanding traction (e.g., multi-terrain soles) and stability.

Was Xero Shoes on Shark Tank? ›

Xero Shoes was featured on ABC's Shark Tank and gained success after the appearance in February 2013. Feel the World Inc. November 23, 2009 in Boulder, Colorado, U.S.

And: We recommend hand washing your Xeros in warm water with a mild detergent. Please allow them to air dry afterwards. Placing your shoes in the washer or dryer may result in deformation and will not be covered under warranty.

Steven Sashen and Lena Phoenix, Co-Founders

Steven and Lena are husband and wife (I'm assuming you can guess which is which) and life-long entrepreneurs. Steven is the visionary and marketer for Xero Shoes.

When people ask, “How long will my Xero Shoes last?” we say, “We don't know, but it's going to be a long, long time!” (I've put well over 5,000 miles on mine.) That's why we offer this 5,000 mile sole warranty.

Most of our shoes will last between 300 and 600 miles, depending on your chosen activity. Can I wear my insoles or custom orthotics in Altra's? You bet. The Balanced Cushioning and FootShape™ design of Altra shoes work with the insoles by putting them on a stable and natural base.

It's generally accepted that the standard lifespan of road running shoes is somewhere between 300 - 500 miles, or around 500 - 800km, with lightweight shoes somewhere between 250 - 300 miles. So if you're running 20 miles per week, you'll probably need to replace your running shoes after around 4 - 6 months of wear.

But generally, shoes (not just On shoes) last up to 300 miles (approx. 482 km) depending on the model and materials used. For example, some of our styles, such as the Cloudboom Echo, are designed for high-performance racing, so naturally, they won't have the same durability as an all-day shoe like the Cloud 5.