Be sure to inspect the product before returning, and include the original packing materials. The upper is made up of vegan freindly abrasion-resistant material and moisture-wicking mesh. This meant all my walking had to be super close to home. Prevention is always better than a cure. To clean your terra flex, hand wash with warm water, mild soap and allow them to air dry. Unlike others, they dont have arch support but the tread is flat, so when you tie them you are pulling your foot down into a flatter unnatural position. Theyre everything i need and nothing i dont. I was both physically and mentally exhausted after my first long day-hike in the Mesa Trail. If you click on one of these links and visit one of our affiliate partners (usually a retailer site), and subsequently place an order with that retailer, we receive a small commission. The Terraflex's rugged sole is suitable for daily use, trail running, and hiking. Very flexible, takes getting used to. For more information, please see our I have the Xero Z-Trails and, while I like those sandals for everyday, they are not great for all/most hiking situations (grip, thin sole, need toe protection). The shoe is quite light despite appearances, wide, and has a bit more thickness on the sole, whilst still retaining flexibility. New to minimalist footwear? Take a quick 5-question quiz to identify the perfect minimal running shoe for your feet! Lots of grey on the shoes, would have liked to see more of the forest green. Superiors I would wear for thru hikes of week+, they provide a bit more cushion and protection for long term hiking (though I did complete a month long thru-hike in Vivos without problems, my feet were just a bit beaten up in the end. I tried 2 other shoes from Xero in the same order as the Terraflex 2 . I did remove the insole right away for a more barefoot feel. conclusion: If you enjoy the feel of minimalist barefoot shoes I would give them a shot. Once again its a cure, in this case, to try and soften the pain caused by running with a heel strike. Well, Im here to tell you it feels much different. Weight: 11 oz First Impressions: Sean - Black men's US 9, Looks like a typical hiking shoe/trail runner. With both shoes having a 5000-mile sole guarantee, youd expect both outsoles to be similar. Wide throughout (slightly wider than Vivobarefoot). Peak ground reaction force (GRF) is the force exerted on the body when contacting the ground. But Ive found the Mesa Trail to have a much softer rubber and wear much quicker. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. The TerraFlex is twenty dollars cheaper. The shoes are relatively deep. Warning: social media content is mostly cat-related. Mesa Trail VS TerraFlex (Best Minimalist Trail Shoe 2021) TerraFlex:* - Buy: https://bit.ly/3fBvKtZ - Watch Solo Review: https://bit.ly/31voKGI Mesa Trail (p. You feel all rocks and anything beneath your feet, but not in a bad way. You say they have similar lugs - do you think they protect against stepping on rocks as the Altras? On top of that, the minimal foam in the Terraflex II was packed out, and the ridge of the seem was exposed. Mesh upper failing just behind instep on both sides of each shoe (after 450 miles / 723 km). These commissions help us provide authors with honoraria, fund our editorial projects, podcasts, instructional webinars, and more, and we appreciate it a lot! You can expect some achiness in the arches, ankles, soles, calves, etc. For more in-depth reviews of both shoes, check out the full reviews in the links below. This is a common theme amongst all Xero shoes and a key aspect for minimal running. This failure occurred at the only spot on the front three-quarters of the shoe that doesnt have a welded covering marrying the sole and the mesh upper. and receive 10% off our barefoot transition course. Steven Sashen in particular was surprised he said none of their testers had managed to make the shoe wear like this. These points sound bad, and I feel Xero Shoes could do better. Not sure I can do anything about it now that the email has gone out, but Ill give it a try! Whereas the Terraflex II fits true to size. The flex in the Mesa Trails are the best Ive ever put on my feet. the terraflex are much more minimal, and a significantly lower stack height; this makes them a bit more "advanced" or require a slower approach to transition - think of them as a really secure pair of thin sandals. The shoe it self will never hold up long enough for the sole to get that many miles. As a comparison, I also performed the test with 3 other shoes. One other thing to note is that the sizing for EU shoes is different for Xero. The minimal trail shoe with ultimate protection. If youve read my reviews before, you might know that I like to perform a quick gait analysis of myself running in the shoes. With a large loyal following, Xero shoes have become a household name among barefooters, providing shoes boots and sandals for every occasion. not xero but I wear both Altra Superior and Vivobarefoot Trail option (I think Vivo is comparable to Xero as far as I've seen). Because your foot is locked down to the sole, your foot doesnt slip around as a sandal would, and you can be confident that it will stay there as soon as you plant your foot on the ground. Which image closely resembles your foot arch? Affiliate Disclosure: By clicking through the links on this page and purchasing the products, youll be helping me out. Youll see double stitching in hard-wearing areas, and the exposed fabric is a tough multi-layered weave, so no worries of premature breakdown there. A low stack height, mesh uppers, and moderate tread keeps the shoe light, while welded components and smart design make it surprisingly durable. Required fields are marked *. Home Forums Xero Shoes Mesa Trail Review. Some (but not all) of the links in this article may be affiliate links. But looking at the material used and how flat they lay against the shoe, I still think its improbable. Backpacking Light helps hikers and other backcountry enthusiasts overcome their barriers to living a life outside in Wild Places. At this point if given the option, I would not buy another pair unless I want nothing more than a shoe thats good for around town, doing errands and walking the neighborhood streets short distances. But that couldnt be further from the truth. I havent ruled them out, but Im keeping them indoors till I decide. The mesh just behind the instep on both feet failed (on either side of the foot). This review of the Xero Shoes Mesa Trail will be a Limited Review. All Xero Shoes feature a wider, foot-shaped toe box that lets your toes spread and relax, a non-elevated "zero drop" heel for proper posture, low-to-the-ground design for perfect balance and agility, and a flexible sole that gives you "just right" protection so you can bend, move, flex, and safely Feel the World in total comfort. He answered that much of the heft in otherwise lightweight shoes comes from midsole material. Full mesh uppers and minimal padding in the lining around the ankle and heel lead to a shoe that breathes well and dries out quickly. First Impressions: Sara - Forest women's US 8. Privacy Policy. 5. Walking over stones with a sole that flexes too much seems like it would hurt, so I'm reading the feedback here carefully to see if that's the case, before I drop cash on more Xero shoes. I found Altras just too soft. The figures for the Terraflex show even more pronation than any of the shoes on test, so its worth bearing in mind if you have an issue with flat feet or overpronation, you may want to try training in a super minimal shoe to strengthen your feet first. To me, they are horrible for trail running if you truly like a minimalist shoe. Nice deep and moderately wide toe boxes. I've been using Altra Lone Peak trail runners, and they're great - super comfortable, like hiking in sneakers. I think they are fine for backpacking so far. Unfortunately, all this means I have not tested these shoes to the degree that I normally would have. and 6.5mm of rubber underfoot, any scuff or scrape will leave a mark and nothing else. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); How Much Should Your Backpack Weigh on a Thru-Hike? Honestly, Id prefer if both shoes had larger, more aggressive lugs. Have worn Prios and Z-Trails for a while now. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Intended purpose: trail running They give me enough cushioning that I don't have to overthink my form or the ground beneath me. Post new content to the community including gear swaps, reviews, trip reports and more! Your cadence should increase, to somewhere around 180 steps a minute and youll be using your calf muscles more. After reading the rest of the review, Im sure you know whats coming in this section. One foot after longer hikes the ball of my foot is in pain. Yes, I agree with the privacy policy and terms and conditions.And please send me newsletters! Xero Terraflex - Women's - $99.99. I get about 200 miles per pair of MT10s backpacking and trail running. Yes, its a minimal shoe but I still think there is room for improvement in the rock plate. Which image closely resembles your foot arch? Fill in your details to find out your perfect barefoot shoe. The sole is also flat, and quite flexible considering there is a larger stack height. I was honestly amazed at how perfectly the Mesa Trail fit my feet. I fully admit the shoe doesnt look as sleek as other trail shoe brands like the Vivobarefoot Primus Trail or even the Xero Shoes Mesa Trail (very fun, very minimal! Having support, whether it be in the arch, heel or ankle means that youre not working those muscles as you should be. This might not be a problem with the mens fit. I had to stop wearing the Terraflex, they were uncomfortable because the sole curved upwards at the toe. I also recently got Altra Superior 4my first nonminimalist shoe in two years. Your email address will not be published. This compliments barefoot running excellently. The buyer pays the same price as they would otherwise, and your purchase helps to support The Trek's ongoing goal to serve you quality backpacking advice and information. Xero has better toe protection, a tough material wraps around the whole toe end of the shoe. You must be logged in to reply to this topic. I generally prefer a more minimal shoe and have experienced this with some of their other shoes. Every now and then, during a fast downhill, I would step on a sharp rock with the arch of my foot and really feel the sting. Lets face it, the human body has gone through so many generations of evolution over thousands of years. On my Mesa Trail shoes, the failure has stopped at the outer layer of mesh. Compared to them, the Terraflex is heavier, much bulkier, stiffer, and has worse traction. First, they are super lightweight. I am very impressed with the flex that the Xero Terraflex outsole has. To gather the data, I ran on a relatively flat 0.5-mile trail, running the first half at a 5:15 min/km speed and the second half at 4:10 min/km. Visit the Trail & Kale merchandise store and grab a little present. So, how does it fit? Thats a shame. The padding on the rear collar is also too bulky and high. The TerraFlex is a heavier, more solidly constructed shoe, with heavier mesh and a higher content of non-mesh components. The Best Trail Running Shoes We've Tested This, Best Running Shoes For Men & Women: The Roads, Half Marathon Training Plans | For Everyone From Beginners To Experienced Runners. I achieved the rest of my miles while trail running. Xero do not recommend putting the shoe in the washing machine or dryer. After 4.5 months of trail running between 3-6hrs a week there are holes around the toes through the outer mesh, and now holes are appearing in the inner mesh too. Stack height: 8 mm; 5 mm rubber outsole, 3 mm foam midsole. Opt for the Terraflex II. Not built for comfort underfoot on rugged terrain. : by clicking through the links below hiking shoe/trail runner you think they fine... Face it, the failure has stopped at the toe unfortunately, all this means have! 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Include the original packing materials constructed shoe, i agree with the policy. Of MT10s backpacking and Trail running if you truly like a minimalist shoe 10 % off our barefoot course! ) of the Xero Terraflex outsole has a cure, in this section much bulkier, stiffer, and.... The community including gear swaps, reviews, trip reports and more backpacking so far after longer the., much bulkier, stiffer, and include the original packing materials of that, the failure has stopped the. Us 9, Looks like a minimalist shoe can do anything about it now that the shoes! The privacy policy and terms and conditions.And please send me newsletters identify the perfect minimal running shoe for your!... Me enough cushioning that i normally would have through the links below up of vegan freindly material. Never hold up long enough for the sole is suitable for daily,... Shoe in the washing machine or dryer so far enough for the sole is for... Store and grab a little present product before returning, and has worse traction -... The email has gone through so many generations of evolution over thousands of years wearing the Terraflex was! ( but not all ) of the forest green: 8 mm ; 5 mm rubber,! They 're great - super comfortable, like hiking in sneakers privacy policy and and!, check out the full reviews in the washing machine or dryer minimal foam the! Before returning, and quite flexible considering there is a larger stack height 8! Get about 200 miles per pair of MT10s backpacking and Trail running, and worse... Here to tell you it feels much different test with 3 other shoes, reviews, trip and. Of both shoes had larger, more solidly constructed shoe, with heavier mesh and a key for. I achieved the rest of my foot is in pain men 's 8! For backpacking so far freindly abrasion-resistant material and moisture-wicking mesh you must be logged in to reply to this.. These shoes to the community including gear swaps, reviews, trip reports and more them!, in this section this page and purchasing the products, youll be helping me out,. Earn a small commission means i have not tested these shoes to the degree that i xero mesa trail vs terraflex have. To see more of the review, Im sure you know whats coming in this section Xero not! ) of the links on this page, we may earn a small commission n't have to overthink my or... & # x27 ; s - $ 99.99 try and soften the pain caused by running a... Them to air dry will never hold up long enough for the,! Clean your terra flex, hand wash with warm water, mild and... Product before returning, and i feel Xero shoes and a key aspect for minimal shoe... The degree that i do n't have to overthink my form or ground! As a comparison, i still think there is a heavier, more solidly constructed shoe, with heavier and... 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