Xero Shoes Review | Reasonably Priced Barefoot Shoes (as featured on Shark Tank)
Written by Christopher Ioannou, BSc (Hons) Sports & Exercise Science
Reading Time: 10 minutes
The video version of this post:
Xero Shoes first found fame through the hit TV show Shark Tank in 2013. The Xero Shoes founders were offered $400,000 for a 50% stake in their company by none other than Kevin O' Leary.
After turning down the offer, Xero have continued to grow in the industry and are now competing as one of the top dogs in the barefoot shoe space.
So, let’s get this review started so we can see why Xero Shoes are so popular.
Background Info
I actually bought my first pair of Xero Shoes back in 2018. Since then, I've tried dozens of different kinds of barefoot shoes, as can be seen in the many reviews we have done on them.
Figure 1 - Xero Shoes purchase’s slip from 2018
So, while I enjoyed wearing Xero Shoes in the past, it has been interesting to test them out again, especially now that I have a point of comparison to all the differing models of barefoot shoes I've tried over the past couple of years.
Shoe Design and Features
So, we tested the Xero Aptos, Prios and HFS, which are the more popular fitness-cum-casual shoes from Xero. You can find links to them here.
Soles
All these models sport thin and flexible 5.5mm zero drop soles, which is pretty standard for barefoot shoes.
Figure 2 - Xero Shoes Prios, Aptos and HFS
However, I did find that the HFS sole was the most flexible and provided the most amount of ground feel, probably due to the unique material composition in this particular model. For this reason I preferred wearing them to the Prios.
Figure 3 - Upper Material of HFS
Apparently, the Speed Force shoes, which we have yet to try out, provide even more ground feel, which is pretty insane, considering how much sensory feedback I was able to get from the HFSs.
Figure 4 - Xero Speed Force
All these models also come with a 2mm removable inner sole, which doesn't really affect their flexibility but does reduce the amount of ground feel one gets through the shoes. However, it’s a nice add-on, particularly for those who are new to barefoot shoes and are still trying to adjust to the reduced sole thickness of barefoot footwear.
Figure 5 - Xero Shoes 2mm Inner Sole
Toe Box Width
Now, as you know, the toe boxes of barefoot shoes are supposed to be wide enough to allow the toes freedom to splay or spread naturally while walking and running.
The easiest way to check if a shoe’s toe box is wide enough is to flip the shoe over and stand on the under sole while applying pressure through the toes.
Figure 6 - Xero Shoes have a Wide Toe Box
As you can see from the images, the HFS and Prios had no problem accommodating my toes. The Aptos were also wide enough for my wife's feet.
So, thumbs up with regards to the toe boxes of Xero Shoes.
Huarache Heel Strap
The one unique feature found in Xero Shoes is the Huarache strap.
Figure 7 - Huarache Strap on Xero Shoes
How it works is that there is this strap that ties around the heel and attaches to the shoe laces. When you tighten the shoe laces, they pull on the heel strap and that actually helps to support the heel and keep the shoe connected to the foot at all times.
Figure 8 - How Huarache Strap Works
Also, when you dorsiflex the foot, like in a squat, for example, the shin pushes the laces forwards and that action tugs on the heel strap, which might keep the ankle joint a little more aligned.
Figure 9 - Dorsiflexion of the Foot
While this is a cool feature, I'll be honest – I haven't felt a massive difference in my heel stability when compared to my other barefoot shoes. But, then again, my feet are pretty stable and my ankle joints are in good alignment, so perhaps it would assist someone whose feet and ankle joints are less secure.
If anyone has used Xero Shoes and has experienced great benefit from this feature, please comment below.
Looks wise, the strap is a little distasteful for me. I much prefer a cleaner and tidier look. But I think Xero have realized this because they have hidden the huarache straps between the layers of material in the new HFS model, as well as some of their other designs.
Figure 10 - HFSs Hidden Strap
While this is purely a subjective thing, I do think it was a good move and it's definitely another reasons why I prefer the HFS over the Prios.
Product Range
Xero have a pretty extensive range of shoes, which includes everything from hiking and snow boots to trail running shoes, a wide selection of barefoot sandals and even some semi-formal shoes. Because we didn't get the opportunity to test them all out, I'm going to do a little experiment.
Figure 11 - Xero Shoes have Hiking Boots, Snow Boots, Trail Running Shoes, Sandals and semi-formal shoes
Let’s treat the comments section like a bit of a forum. Please comment on the model you have owned, along with your little review of it. In that way, we can turn this review and comments section into a one-stop shop for all those looking to find out about Xero Shoes.
Out of the two pairs I tested, the HFSs were my favorite. I wore them a lot for road running and they performed superbly. I would say that they gave me the most amount of ground feel of any barefoot running shoe I've tried to date.
They are definitely up there among my favorite barefoot training shoes.
Figure 12 - Running with the HFSs
The only downside is that they happen to be Xero's most expensive training shoes outside of their trail range.
Honestly, if Xero could get the HFS down to the price point of the Prios, they would probably become my default training shoes, just from a value-for-money perspective.
Price
And this is a good Segway into talking about the price of Xero Shoes.
Xero shoes start well below $100, which is a price point not commonly seen in this niche space.
In fact, Xero makes what is probably the most-value-for money barefoot shoe that we have come across to date. That is their new Aptos Unisex slip on.
Will your viewers know what this means? I had to look it up.
Figure 13 - Xero Shoes Aptos
At just U$59, excluding shipping, these are fantastic everyday casual shoes, according to my wife, who is the one who tested them out. For her, it's always about comfort and practicality and the Aptos tick both those boxes for her.
It seems she is not the only one who thinks so because, at the time of making this video, the Aptos was the only Xero shoe model that was sold out on both its European and US websites.
I think another feature that makes the Aptos so popular is the use of hemp canvas for the upper material.
Figure 14 - Hemp Upper on the Aptos
Now, up to this point, I've been pretty ignorant about the benefits of hemp as a fabric. But, after reading a 2020 literature review on hemp use in the textile industry, I learned that the oldest known woven fabric was in fact made from hemp. The first pairs of Levi Strauss jeans were made from hemp. And the first American flag was said to be made out of hemp too.
Figure 15 - Study done on Hemp | Source: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10311-020-01029-2
This review paper goes on to state that hemp clothing is stronger and more durable than cotton clothing, and does not deform easily.
However, what's really pushed the hemp textile industry to make a comeback recently is the fact that it is supposedly extremely eco-friendly and has about a hundred and one other uses, from insulation and building materials to food and cosmetics.
Figure 16 - Different uses of Hemp | Source : https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10311-020-01029-2
So it’s pretty cool that the Xero company is experimenting with hemp, and it has personally inspired me to delve deeper into the world of hemp and all its benefits.
Anyway, the Aptos from Xero Shoes definitely give you a great bang for your buck.
Quality and Durability
Now, moving on to quality and durability.
We have not owned our current pairs of Xero Shoes for long enough to give a thorough review of their durability, but they seem fairly robust thus far. While I don't have my pair from back in 2018, at the time that I gave them away they were still in reasonable condition, despite many hikes and runs in them.
Xero Shoes do offer what they call a “5,000 mile warranty”. Basically what that means is that if you can prove to them that any part of your sole has worn down to below 1mm thickness, they'll give you 60% off the listed retail price of your next pair. While this sounds all well and good, I feel that it's a bit of a cheeky marketing ploy.
Figure 17 - Xero Shoes 5,000 Mile Warranty
I mean, how much and what type of proof must you provide of your accumulative walking or running distance in the shoes?
Nevertheless, the company also has a 24-Month Manufacturer Defect Guarantee on all their shoes, which is all one really needs anyway.
Besides the soles, the build quality of the upper fabric and the overall feel is good. In my opinion, the overall quality matches the price of the shoes well, and even exceeds that of some of the other more expensive barefoot shoes we have
tested in the past.
Figure 18 - Xero Shoes Upper Material
Sizing, Shipping and Returns
The final thing to talk about is sizing, shipping & returns.
Sizing always seems to be an issue with barefoot shoes. I think this is because there is no industry standard. This is a very new market and I have a hunch that each company is doing its own thing and creating custom molds at the factories.
My general rule of thumb is to have a 1 to 1.5cm free space between the tip of the toes and the end of the shoes to accommodate natural toe and foot motion.
Figure 19 - Rule of thumb: 1 to 1.5cm free space between the toes and the end of the shoes
When I ordered my usual size in the Prios, I got the required fit. My wife’s Aptos also fitted true to size. However, with the HFSs, I had to select half a size bigger to get the same fit. This discrepancy is probably due to the fact that the soles in the HFSs are different to the other two models.
Figure 20 - Difference in Size between Prios and HFSs
There are recommendations on the Xero website, which is linked below. I suggest you follow the recommendations, because the company will only cover the cost of the return shipping, due to sizing mistakes, in the US.
Talking about shipping, this is not free either, which is a bummer. However, I found out that US Standard shipping is pretty cheap and there is only a negligible increase in cost the more pairs you buy in one order.
Figure 21 - Difference in Price for Shipping
Final Thoughts
Well, that's our honest take on Xero Shoes. If you want to check them out, you can follow this link here. Purchasing through our links does help us through commission at no additional cost to you. So, please consider doing it that way.
Also, if you are new to barefoot shoes, then you must check out our Barefoot Shoe Transition Program, which is designed to help you safely transition to minimally supportive footwear, specifically for running.
Furthermore, we have also just launched our Strong Feet, Strong Foundation Program, which is designed to build athleticism from the ground up.
At the end of the day, our feet are the only contact point we have with the ground, during most movements, so we ought to make sure they are strong and functioning optimally.
With that said, thanks for reading another review from us at Exercising Health.
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