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You know we’re big fans of Xero Shoes here at Terradrift. We just find them comfortable and suitable for all different manner of outdoor activities. But at this point, the brand has quite a few options to choose from and it’s hard to decipher which Xero sandals might be the best for you.
So in the name of eliminating a bit of trial and error, we tested them all. Well, almost all. And over several years, so we know what we’re talking about here. Want the inside scoop? Let’s get to it. And stick around to the end to find out what our favorite pair is and some tips for getting the right size. Also, these aren’t ALL the sandals Xero makes, but this is the bulk of them and most of the others are just variations on these (or not designed for outdoor adventure), so you should still be able to figure out which ones are gonna be your jam.
Looking for more barefoot hiking sandals? Check out more we reviewed and compared HERE.
Xero Sandals: Genesis
Let’s start at the beginning, shall we? With the Genesis. (See what I did there?)
This is one of Xero’s classic sandals for men and women.It wasn’t the first, but it was inspired by the first (the DIY kit), and it’s exactly what you’d expect from a barefoot shoe brand: a classic huarache style with some built-in adjustability, simple through-the-footbed cord lacing, and a seriously minimalist sole.
Like, really minimalist. This sole is just 5mm thick and supremely flexible. That truly makes it as close to barefoot as you can get. As such, I gotta say, it’s not my favorite sandal for trail running. The trails near me are rocky and because of the greater impact force you put on your feet when you run, well, let’s just say I landed on a rock wrong more than once when running in these. They offer very little protection but crazy ground feel. So I still like them for hiking, travel, around town, and absolutely as camp shoes.
Even for backpacking. Because they weigh less than 4oz per sandal, take up no room in your pack, and are just as functional for high creek crossings as for wearing around camp and taking little exploratory evening wanders. There are a couple variations on this one, including the extremely minimalist DIY FeelTrue sandal and the Aqua Cloud, which is designed more for water activities and has just a touch of added squish to the footbed.
Xero Sandals: Z-Trek
The Z-Trek has a sole similar to the ultra-minimalist sole of the Genesis, but with a z-style strap made of soft, flexible webbing. This was one of our first barefoot sandals here at Terradrift. They feature a similar through-the-footbed adjustable webbing to dial in the right fit at every part of your foot, a 6mm sole, they come in a bunch of colors, and are simple and comfortable.
That said, we found them better suited as camp sandals, for easy strolls, and around-town adventures than serious hikes or trail running. Mostly because in addition to that ultra-thin sole that offers far more groundfeel than protection, there’s no toe plug and the straps are so pliable and thin that they don’t keep your feet from sliding forward very well on the downhill. Bottom line: comfort, not security is the selling point on these.
Xero Sandals: Z-Trail
The Z-Trail EV has a similar story (not as secure on steep inclines) thanks to similar webbing to the Z-Trek, but these do have a thicker, comfier footbed and sole. The stack height is 11mm, but don’t worry; they’re still ultra flexible and lightweight. That’s thanks to a thin layer of foam and a less dense sole that offers plenty of ground feel but with just a touch more squish and protection from sharp rocks. You get a lot for just those few extra millimeters.
Honestly, they’re super comfy from the bottom up AND the top down and we love them for easy hikes, daily wear, camp shoes, and water activities, but not so much trail running or aggressive hikes. The soles are a little less durable than the last few options, so keep that in mind. We’ve seen significant wear over a season or two. Still, we think they’re some of the best barefoot sandals out there for casual pursuits.
Xero Sandals: H-Trail
Then there’s the H-Trail, which has a similar sole to the Z-Trail EV (it has a similar soft, thin foam on the footbed), but with a thong-style strap with a toe plug that makes it more suitable for aggressive trail adventures. That said, I found it wasn’t quite as secure or adjustable as some other, similar style hiking sandals we’ve tested. But I do have especially narrow and low-volume feet, so that’s likely a personal problem.
That said, the sole is more durable than the one on the Z-Trail EV, they’re moderately protective despite how thin and flexible they are, and they’re super light. They’re a great travel sandal because they’re easier to dress up or down, which makes them versatile, and the thin foam in the footbed makes them comfy for long days of walking on trails or cobblestone streets.
Xero Sandals: D-Trail
Then there’s the D-Trail, which is Xero’s newest sandal, and maybe our new favorite. That’s because these Xero sandals for women and men might be the perfect marriage of comfort, security and functionality. So it’s a polyamorous marriage, I guess.
They have a supremely comfy but still super thin, light and flexible sole thanks to a rubber outsole and thin layer of foam in the footbed. Also because of the nice wide, robust straps, all three of which are independently adjustable via Velcro, you can dial in the perfect fit quickly and easily every time. Plus! Those straps are lined with wide, soft microfiber fabric so they’re gentle on your feet and grippy at the same time.
I’m not saying I’m going to do any extreme hikes in them since they don’t have a toe post, but my feet were locked in and stayed put way better than in any other sandals we’ve tested without toe posts, so that’s quite a feat. The Velcro is also more robust than other Xero sandals with hook-and-loop straps, so they stay secure better. Plus there are nice wide grab-tabs at the end of each that make them easy to adjust.
I’m a big fan. Plus they look less “hikey” than some of the other barefoot options out there. And with an 11mm stack height they offer plenty of flexibility and groundfeel.
Sizing Xero Sandals
As promised, a note on sizing, because frankly, how should Xero sandals fit? Xero tells folks to order their “regular size” but I’ve found that to be a bit misleading in some cases. I did mention I have narrow, low volume, rather petite little feet. So take this with a grain of salt. But I wear a size 8 in Xero boots, a 7 in Xero sneakers, and a 6 in Xero sandals.
Josh has more “standard” shaped feet, but even he wears about a half-size smaller than usual. So take that into consideration when ordering, especially considering Xero doesn’t offer a printable sizing template like a lot of other barefoot sandal brands do. Fortunately, they offer free exchanges for U.S. orders if you get the wrong size. Or, if you live near an REI or local shoe store that carries Xero Shoes, you can just go try some on so you get it right the first time. Up to you.
But while barefoot sandal sizing can be based partially on preference, generally you don’t want more than a centimeter or so between the end of your toes and the end of the sandal; you don’t want much extra material jutting out in front that can get caught on things and trip you up.
Bottom Line
So did we help you resolve your Xero sandal debate? Maybe help you find the perfect Xero sandals for hiking or running? Are there any questions we didn’t answer? Drop ‘em in the comments. Also, tell us which ones are your favorite and why. I love that stuff. And if there are any other barefoot sandals you want us to test–besides the ones we just reviewed in our annual list–let us know!
Then like this video, hit subscribe so you don’t miss more upcoming barefoot shoe videos, and wander on.
