Xero Shoes Mesa Trail II

Product Information

If you have any questions about the sizing on the sizing with the Mesa Trail, drop a comment below and I can help direct you accordingly! Price Breakdown For my first run, I probably covered only around 2 miles in total and it’s important to bear this in mind when starting to use this type of footwear. Below, I’ve provided some of the key construction aspects that come with the Xero Shoes Mesa Trail. This model is once again very similar to the Xero Shoes HFS when it comes to its upper construction design.

The flexible feel of the shoe means it disappears around the foot and you actually feel like you are running barefoot. I achieved the rest of my miles while trail running. On these runs, I often carried 10 lb (5 kgs) of water and food.

If your feet are low in volume or not too wide, you should look at other brands. While Xero shoes aren’t the widest on the market, they are pretty voluminous and broader than other brands, such as Vivobarefoot. If you need a more substantial shoe option, there are the TerraFlex from Xero and the Trek Ascent from Vibram. It’s worth noting a few things here. Firstly, this mesh failure on this exact spot occurs in many of my trail runners (prompting Steven Sashen to point out, rightly, that the problem could be my feet, my mechanics, my general terrain, or all of the above.) But it’s also worth noting that this failure occurred at mile 200 (322 km) on my Altra Lone Peaks and went all the way through the shoe (see my photo above). On my Mesa Trail shoes, the failure has stopped at the outer layer of mesh. So, the Prio and Mesa Trail II may have some differences in design, but they both offer a barefoot experience in slightly different environments. If you prioritize flexibility and flexibility, the Prio might be the shoe for you. If you prefer a more rugged, trail-focused design with added protection, the Mesa Trail II could be the better choice. Ultimately, the choice is yours! 🥾

My preference is always the undulating wave laces some shoes use but these do work, even if they feel kind of nerdy. Removable Insole One of the great things about Xero Shoes is they offer virtually no break-in period for those adapted to minimally cushioned, zero-drop shoes. Many trail running shoes feature zero (neutral) or minimal drop between the heel and the toe, which encourages a natural running style instead of high-impact heel striking stride, but still have a little bit of a midsole. What you gain here is a little bit of cushioning, and what you loose is some trail or ground ‘feel’. A word of warning The hyper-agile Mesa Trail is the most footloose and fancy free shoe for trail running the brand has ever made. They’ve chosen a subtly foot-shaped last to build these on that will please most runners. The upper is soft and comfortable and the eyelet chain, a mixture of punched holes and webbing, does a great job of securing the mid-foot. It has a low-to-the-ground construction that is essentially a 5mm flexible rubber outsole, an interior 3mm foam layer and a 2mm insole (made from a closed-cell foam, which won’t gain weight when soaked) that’s cushy, breathable and removable.

Price Comparison 💰

My Vibram V-Alphas leave me wanting when the trail surface is nothing but half dollar sized, arch stabbing limestone debris or a steep descent. Plus, running everyday in VFFs isn’t my preference — I use them as a training tool. The construction of the Xero Shoes Mesa Trail running shoes provide many VFF-like benefits while adding features a technical trail runner needs. Aggressive but Not Overbuilt Lugs The Mesa Trail has aggressive lugs which still work well on smooth surfaces without creating drag. I got a size 10 for continuity purposes and to see just how tight this model is if you don’t size up. If you don’t size up, then expect to feel the sizing issue with respect to this shoe’s length. I can wear a 10 in this model and it’s not incredibly uncomfortable, but I definitely feel a bit limited with the toe box’s length and width.