Another pro about Xero Shoes is that they have a 5,000-mile sole warranty. Whereas the Terraflex II fits true to size. Be cautious if this is your first foray into minimalist shoes and start slowly. 1mm difference in the rubber outsole, 0.5mm difference in the lug length, and no difference in the 3mm foam. Take a quick 5-question quiz to identify the perfect minimal running shoe for your feet! i've put a few hundred miles on both lone peaks 3.0-3.5 and the og version of the terraflex; though i have moved on since then to vivobarefoot shoes now. It does have a little water resistance because the material is just thicker in general. Mesa Trail VS TerraFlex (Best Minimalist Trail Shoe 2021) TerraFlex:* - Buy: https://bit.ly/3fBvKtZ - Watch Solo Review: https://bit.ly/31voKGI Mesa Trail (pronounced \"may sa\" apparently) :*- Buy: https://bit.ly/2PHRl8Q - Watch Solo Review: Coming Soon___Full disclosure. Knowing that youll be less likely to batter your feet at the end of a race or a long run is always a bonus. Xero Shoes are responsibly, ethically, and fairly manufactured in China. Like many ultralight backpackers, I made the transition from classic leather boots to trail runners with no regrets save one. Any and all feedback welcome! As soon as you introduce anything between the ground and your foot, it ceases to be barefoot. The shoe it self will never hold up long enough for the sole to get that many miles. Amazing grip and traction on all surfaces. I know, it sounds crazy, 1.5mm. The 3.5 mm lugs on the sole are well-spaced and offer extra traction through a variety of conditions. However, these discounts came with no obligation to provide media coverage or a product review. The 4mm rubber lugs gave me very good grip when flying downhill and Im still not seeing any wear on them, so I expect the soles to last a long time. If you took the Mesa Trails on rugged trails, you might find it a little uncomfortable. the lone peaks were quite comfortable, but i didn't get the performance out of them like i was hoping and would slip a bit going up moderately steep hills on even, packed dirt; they were as durable as they advertise, i got about 5-600 miles on those. 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. Clever marketing. Theres no heel cup here, so if you are used to one, you might find the heel fit a bit strange at first. How do you like your running shoe to feel? I get about 200 miles per pair of MT10s backpacking and trail running. Theres no need to rehash the minimalist vs. maximalist debate here. Prevention is always better than a cure. For more information, please see our I especially appreciate the personalization in fit that can be achieved with the adjustable instep and mid-foot straps. I can grab hold of the excess with a full grab. This is done because I receive a kickback from the sellers at no extra cost to you! While theyre rugged, I was disappointed with the relative lack of durability compared to my expectations (I am new to trail running). This meant all my walking had to be super close to home. They essentially guarantee that your shoes will last way beyond the replacement recommendations of most other performance shoe companies. Learn how your comment data is processed. Welded components and more mesh make the Mesa Trail a lighter shoe. Also, its not really a warranty. Well, yes, thats true. Altra vs Topo Athletic Which foot-shaped shoe suits you? At this time, the only shoes not vegan-friendly are the Alston and Coalton, which are made of leather, and the Mika and Pacifica, which contain a small amount of wool. 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. Glad you liked the review. Huarache-inspired straps on the midfoot and . Xero shoes have set the bar high in the barefoot shoe community. -Alastair. I put hundreds of miles on the Lone Peak, I only have a few dozen miles on the Mesa Trail. How are the Mesas treating you now? I have a review here https://barefootrunreview.com/xero-shoes-mesa-trail-ii-review/, Your email address will not be published. Ive switched to Xero Mesas with Superfeet Trailblazer insoles. I assume that whoever wrote the headline thought that the shoes weighed 8.5 oz for the pair but your review is clear in saying that this is per shoe. . My testing occurred in the Lake Tahoe area of the Sierra Nevada, at altitudes ranging from 6,500 ft to 10,000 ft (1,981 m to 3,048 m). If your feet are low in volume or not too wide, you should look at other brands. When it comes to minimal trail running shoes, there arent many options on the market. Required fields are marked *. Weight: 10 oz Happy Trails!! The main improvement I would recommend is more sizing consistency among their different shoes models and to provide a sizing guide or template on their site. Well, Im here to tell you it feels much different. These straps are then looped into the lacing system, meaning any tightening of the laces directly affects the sole and the heel. Over the last few years I've section hiked about 40% of the Pacific Crest Trail and countless other trails up and down the West Coast. 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. The outsole is very low to the ground which gave me a strong sense of control when navigating the trails this also made the shoe feel responsive. Second they hug my narrow heel beautifully. The padding on the rear collar is also too bulky and high. Hey Jill, I actually kicked a buried rock on one run but thanks to the outsole overlapping at the bottom, my toes were protected. Huarache-inspired straps on the midfoot and instep allow for precisely dialed fit without causing compression. Click. I would recommend sizing up a half a size if looking at the US size option or just stick to the EU sizing for more accuracy. Click here to view more info. Thank you so much for supporting us! if i had to choose between the two, i'd go with the altras, at least you should at least get more miles out of them. Be sure to inspect the product before returning, and include the original packing materials. This is because all through life, youre brain has been trained to account for that elevated heel which is built into so many shoes on the market. I cant help but feel they add unnecessary weight, albeit not very much, and because of their thickness, I found them tricky to quickly fasten. I received these shoes in mid-May while British Columbia was still in phase 1 of the pandemic emergency plan. and our The Xero Terraflex weighs around 272g (US M 9) which is lighter than the shoe looks. What did you think? It's surprisingly lightweight. Thank you Andrew, I've worn them with both casual shorts and pants on different occasions and the black color blends in and matches quite easily. A narrow heel combines with minimalist-minded uppers to create a close, stable fit on the shoes back end. The words lightweight and packable jumped off the page. Make no mistake - these are minimalist shoes with only a 10 mm stack height (not counting the 3.5 mm lugs). Xero do not recommend putting the shoe in the washing machine or dryer. Removing the inner sole does help with feeling more minimalistic. This is a common theme amongst all Xero shoes and a key aspect for minimal running. Again that makes sense because there is more material underfoot than the other minimal shoes. This compliments barefoot running excellently. Maybe too much cushion (even with the insole removed). Really ensure your sizing is right, I would go up half a size or go according to EU size. Other than the insert though they don't really have any padding and eventually the insert is going to collapse and get squished to nothing. Ok maybe not decades, and I haven't actually timed it, but it seems like they don't soak up as much water and also dry quicker, so you are less uncomfortable for less time. Ive tried a TON of shoes and Mesas are definitely the best suited to any 3 season terrain from sloppy mud to dusty dry to pointy stones toe breakers, Mesas do well in all. I'm not quite sure if I'm ready to try "minimalist" hiking shoes, based on the cushion. What is the most important aspect of a running shoe for you? Edit: I kept the shoes and really like them now, they broke in fine, don't hurt at all and have plenty of room once they loosened off a bit. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Disclaimer: These shoes were given to us to review, however our opinion is our own. What is the most important aspect of a running shoe for you? With only a few millimeters of stack height difference, youd expect the feel in both shoes to be similar. AND itll take longer for them to dry. You had mentioned that you used these in winter together with waterproof socks. You should probably suggest that Backpackinglight.com correct the incorrect teaser headline they used in their email to subscribers linking to your excellent review. I feel way more secure on my feet. But looking at the material used and how flat they lay against the shoe, I still think its improbable. Its similar to what I started to experience. Were not talking 24mm Altras here! We also have an on-the-ground manufacturing agent who oversees the factories when were not there to ensure that conditions are good, workers are treated fairly, and the shoes are made in compliance with all local laws and regulations. We can see here that the Terraflex II acts more like the cushioned Superior. But its worth noting that this is a relatively new product, and the long-term durability(600+ miles / 965+ km) of this shoe is yet to be determined. Breathable mesh upper and moisture wicking lining helps keep your feet cool and dry. Does the Terraflex have any water resistance that would keep my feet a little more dry? Connects to a rubber piece at the bottom. Theres nothing there. Xero shoes have set the bar high in the barefoot shoe community. Trail running in the Mesa Trail is an absolute dream. Very sturdy sole but still very flexible. Ill be contacting Xero Shoes. These commissions help us provide authors with honoraria, fund our editorial projects, podcasts, instructional webinars, and more, and we appreciate it a lot! and 6.5mm of rubber underfoot, any scuff or scrape will leave a mark and nothing else. And if I know Ill be running hard downhill on rocky terrain, Id consider the Terraflex II. Impact force is the force exerted in a verticle direction when my foot first contacts the ground. I recently bought both the Xero Mesa Trail. Thats a shame. It had a brief appearance on Shark Tank in January 2012, where they turned down a $400,000 offer, and have since had a rise to prominence as one of the leading barefoot shoe companies within the industry. Whisker Litter-Robot 4 Review: Is This Self-Cleaning Litter Box for Cats Worth The Money? You did not feel cold? We have had the privilege to trial their updated version of the trail runner, The Terraflex 2. It was a sandal, rolled up into a small circle, loosely held between a thumb and index finger. 4. Is that ideal? But suffice it to say that if you are already a fan of low-drop, wide foot-box shoes with minimal features (and you are okay with a low stack height and a lack of rock plate), the Mesa Trail is worth a hard look. How do the Xero Mesas compare to the Merrell Trail Gloves? My body has adapted to natural movement and is comfortable with increased feedback from my feet. You can find him onInstagram,Twitter, and at hiswebsite. But you need to adapt to different conditions, and there are obvious advantages to a little more protection. Their site provides no sizing guideline or template which is problematic since I find that each shoe runs differently. No blisters!). I tested the TerraFlex concurrently to the Mesa Trail, so I could get an accurate idea of how each shoe stood against the other. Thats not always the case with Xero Shoes, so always check the sizing guide when building from the site. The Xero Shoes TerraFlex II is the big brother of all the barefoot trail industry, trying to prove you can marry minimal and all-round foot protection. Borrowing from their sandal design, youll notice straps running on both sides of the shoe and around the heel. I bought the TerraFlex II a few months ago and found them super comfortable for my wide feet. Still, its not quite as floppy and forgiving as some sandals or even the Xero Shoes Mesa Trail. In matching the theme of the outsole, the upper is ideally suited to aggressive conditions. Fill in your details to find out your perfect barefoot shoe. You'll get both road and trail options based on your answers! First of all, theres no toe-cap glued to the front of the shoe. The colour of the mens Terraflex that I have is called Forest but they also come in Black. With the TerraFlex II having a little more material underfoot than the Mesa Trail and Primus, Id expect the result to sit between the Superior and Mesa Trail, but that didnt hold true. You're currently viewing a free preview of a member exclusive premium article. Generally, as you increase the cushion, impact forces reduce. With the show in hand, youll notice its built like a bomb and protects your feet from all angles. I asked him how he made such a durable shoe for such a small weight penalty. Instead, performance observations and issues are noted below. The injuries eventually dissipated and Steven began producing barefoot sandals, based on huarache styled sandals, similar to those worn by the Tarahumara Indians in Mexico's Copper Canyon. They are a solid platform on the rocks, though durability is a serious issue. The toebox doesn't feel as roomy as Xero Primal or Lems Prio, and when I walk around town in the Mesa Trail, my left 4th toe goes numbI think the lacing is pressing down on the top of my foot somewhere. But doesnt that mean its not as barefoot? But again be wary since their sizing varies for each model. Have worn Prios and Z-Trails for a while now. Affiliate Disclosure: By clicking through the links on this page and purchasing the products, youll be helping me out. I generally prefer a more minimal shoe and have experienced this with some of their other shoes. I went to the Terraflex from New Balance MT10v1 because I wanted something that would hold up better. When you hit that sharp pointed rock, you dont wince quite as much in the TerraFlex II (tip: learn to read the trail and dance around sharp stones). Sara went with the Forest women's US 8 and I went with the black men's US 9. Theres not much heel or ankle support in the Xero Terraflex but its a minimal shoe so I wouldnt expect it. Third roomy toe box, but deep from top to bottom. This review of the Xero Shoes Mesa Trail will be a Limited Review. The Terraflex II is made with durability and protection in mind, and the thick overlays contribute to a stiffer, more secure fit. Hammock vs. Tent for an Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike, Backpacker Radio #195 | Jack "Quadzilla" Jones 2.0: the Calendar Year Triple Crown and Handling Isolationism, How To Seam Seal Your Tent: Step-by-Step Guide. Sole feels a bit heavy and very sturdy but doesn't compromise the shoe's flexibility. The Xero Shoes TerraFlex II is a great all-rounder shoe built for rough terrain. Which image closely resembles your foot arch? Stack height is 9mm - the sole is wide, flat. First Impressions: Sean - Black men's US 9, Looks like a typical hiking shoe/trail runner. These sturdy little shoes have lasted 500 miles (805 km), and I expect to get at least 200 more out of them before complete failure. Backcountry Tenkara Fishing, Read about our approach to journalistic integrity, product reviews, and affiliate marketing here. Almost forget, Mesa dries out decades before the Lone Peak. However, my problem is that running the 1/2 mile through the grass to the trail near me in the Mesa Trail leaves my feet soaking with the morning dew. However, it may hinder you if youre looking to improve your barefoot running gait. Stack Height: 15 mm, Merrell Womens Bare Access XTR I took the Terraflex shoes out on the Colorado Trail with me, where I moved for 30 miles daily. You can literally roll this shoe up into a ball and it will flex back into shape afterwards. I'm a little worried that I may not find them to my liking at all, as the trails I hike are almost exclusively hard-packed, with tons of granite and rocks. 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