Xero Shoes Z-Trek - Men's Minimalist Barefoot-Inspired Sport Sandal - Hiking, Trail, Running, Walking

I've researched and tried most minimalist shoes and sandals. I wanted a lightweight sandal to take for basecamp after long backpacking trips. And burly enough for day hikes. Which allowed for socks in cooler mountain elevation. These seemed best because most have the between the toes strap. But because of the stap system, it's located right on the side of your pinky toe, not allowing it to spread out. I contacted the company and they told me that I had the wrong size...but after researching images, that is how they fit on everyone's feet fit in them.I generally buy everything on Amazon thus one of my decisions to get these, but regretfully had to return them.I then purchased the Unshoe Pah Tempe and they are super awesome. Similar, but ride more on the side of the foot below the pinky allowing your toes total freedom, which, in my opinion, is a major factor in minimalist/barefoot foot ware. Not to mention they are 3oz lighter than the Xeros.Pictures:left Unshoe, pinky is freeRight: Xero, pinky trappedThank you

Absolutely awesome shoe before it breaks.I love this shoe and it became my favorite shoe very quickly. I could slip it on fast and play pickleball, or run, or officiate at swim meets or coach high school football. My feet ran cool, and I could model all of the strikes and movements with no problems. The heel cup holds your heel in nicely and prevents sliding back. The front toe flap runs a bit on the long side so if you drag your toe when you run, you will trip yourself.This shoe got me a ton of compliments as well.Now for the bad part. They are prone to breaking. I bought 2 pairs and both have had the same catastrophic failure. The metal ring that holds the shoe strap together breaks. Once its broken you cannot strap the shoe on. On the first pair I thought I pulled the strap too hard and the metal ring broke but I have a different more expensive pair and the same thing happened while I was walking. There is no earthly way I can pull the straps hard enough to make the metal ring snap. Once broken, it makes the shoe useless so I have 2 sets of Xero sandals that will not work. Over $150 spent on shoes that lasted a couple of months each.

Update: a week later, I like these even more. Other folks' comments to the contrary, I put these on via the strap adjustment, leaving the velcro in place--or I did at first, anyway. Then this weird thing happened where the heel cup became less of an issue. I think the sandals have molded themselves to my feet somewhat. At any rate, they feel secure but I now leave the straps loose enough that I can put them on without messing with adjustments. Takes a bit of time to move my foot far enough forward that the heel strap goes on, but not much. So...if I could give these six stars, I would. I'm picky enough that I still wish they were thinner. But I can deal. Maybe you can too? Original review follows:I've been buying Xero Shoes since they were Invisible Shoes... I've had the DIY kit (with the newer sole material, not the Vibram Cherry), the Cloud, and the Venture.My favorite so far has been the DIY kit. I still have my original sandals, which are somewhere around 5 years old. I still have the original string, too--from time to time the knot I tie underneath is worn away, and I have to re-tie, pulling more string, but that's the nature of that particular beast.My experience with the Venture and Cloud has been less positive. The heel cup is just wrong for my feet. All Xero Shoes (except the ones I cut myself) sit a bit sideways, for me. The outside of my foot rubs against the heel cup. I can compensate somewhat with the laces, but only somewhat. Also, the materials, while good, didn't really hold up.With the Ventures, I was running on a very muddy mountain trail in Alaska and ran (ha) into two problems: first, they were extremely slippery on top, so my foot slid around; and second, the loops holding the straps in broke on first one sandal, then the other, in the same run. Xero Shoes customer support sent me free replacements, though: the Cloud. I totally believe there was just a problem with the particular batch of sandals as support folks suggested, but anyway I was happy to try the new (at the time) sandal.Same slipperiness, sadly. They didn't break, though. Unfortunately they developed a new problem: the softer rubber on top started to tear. This was really a cosmetic issue, possibly related to a combination of trail running and walking around Las Vegas with temps above 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Whatever: it tore and looked bad, but looked fine with my feet in the sandals, and was never a real issue for me.Meawhile I had another pair of Ventures. On both the Ventures and the Clouds, the posts between my toes broke suddenly, not under stress (walking down a hallway for one, driving for the other) when they were around 2-3 years old. I figure that was just about the age of the material.So, the Z-Trek! First off, I was surprised at how heavy these were. Very glad I didn't get the trail version! The strap adjustments are very nice, and I don't miss the string/post between my toes at all. The shape of the shoe still doesn't fit my foot very well (could we please please please have a version without the heel cup?), but as with the others that's really an issue for walking, not for running. These also don't slap the ground as loudly as the previous models (again a walking, not running, issue), which I appreciate.Fairly often I run barefoot. I also usually walk barefoot, on trails and streets. So that may be part of why my shoes last so long...I rarely put them on! But when I do, I have to say these brand-new Z-Trek sandals are my favorite running shoes. Ever. The extra weight doesn't seem to have much effect, and the better attachment system means I simply think less about the sandals. I think they're going to end up replacing my Merrell Trail Gloves as well...clearly less stinky than a closed shoe, you know? (I also own no socks, so....)As for the slipperiness, I don't have access to a truly muddy trail right now. But the surface of the Z-Trek seems much more "grippy"...and on the underside, the tread is what I've become familiar with (and it's always worked for me), only significantly deeper. The sole overall is simply thicker than I was accustomed to. I'd prefer it be thinner. But...not really a big deal. I can, after all, take them off whenever I want. And carry them in a pocket.Overall? A winner. THE winner. But given my impression of these, I'm never going to buy the trail version!

Perfect minimal/barefoot sandals!I am a 12.5 wide so I ordered the 13 (Medium). They are a tiny bit long but not silly long. Totally passable for open toe shoes. They are a tiny bit wide in the toe but the design allows adjustment to pull in the sole a little making them very comfortable.I cannot image how a more barefoot sandal could be made. Soles are ultra thin with little to no heel raise.They are nice quailty why these cost $65 is beyond me but I feel like it is a fair price.I would/will buy again without question. Very pleased.

In 62 years... best, most comfortable sandals. My first 14 years (I grew up in a South American jungle), only wore shoes to school and church (lots of stubbed toes). These take me back. Love them.Day 1, walked 2.5 miles (4km) -- no blisters. Day 2, ran/walked 7.25 miles (11.5km) -- no blisters. I walk/run on the balls of my feet.If you walk heel-to-toe, may take getting used to (I'd buy 6mm.).Bonus: stones between sandal and foot -- not a problem. Lift the foot, bend the sandal, stone falls out, you're good to go. 3 seconds tops.

I liked them, but size was slightly too large. I followed return instructions and sent them back. I received the shipping cost refund, but no refund for the sandals. I wanted to buy a smaller size after receiving funds, but I never was refunded. Basically stole my money unfortunately and they have the product.

Yo compré los Xero shoes z-trek como parte de un reto para correr un maratón con huaraches. Estaba un poco preocupado de que correr de esta manera fuera doloroso o incomodo, sin embargo todo lo contrario. El calzado a pesar de ser de 6mm te protege muy bien de las irregularidades del camino, su sistemas de ataduras mantiene el huarache en posición todo el trayecto (no hay movimiento ni percepción de que se deslice). En mi primer prueba salí a correr 9km y fue una experiencia asombrosa.

Son muy cómodas, tal vez incómodas para algunas personas porque las cintas de los dedos quedan muy encima del dedo pequeño del pie, pero a mi me gustaron mucho, a comparación de mis chanclas anteriores, éstas son muy dificiles de poner, pero en general no son muy dificiles de poner, sólo que estaba muy acostumbrado a la simpleza de las anteriores.No es enteramente como caminar descalzo, pero sí se siente similar, que es justo lo que buscaba; Se pueden ajustar del empeine del pie y del talón para que te queden como a tí te guste.Esto es con dos semanas de uso, en caso de que algo negativo pase, actualizaré ésta reseña.

I have never heard of 'minimalist' or 'barefoot' sandals until now. I think these sandals that I have just purchased are the most comfortable pair of sandals I have ever worn. I just hope they reasonably last because the straps are run through slits that look kind of tenuous. But we shall see.