review: Xero Shoes

Xero Shoes, formerly known as “Invisible Shoes,” are about the most minimalist of minimalist footwear.  Inspired by the huaraches of the Rarámuris and other Mexican Indian tribes, they consist of only a simple flat sole and a length of cord to tie them.  But whereas traditional huaraches are cut from abandoned tyres and bound with strips of leather, Xero Shoes consist of Vibram brand rubber and tough nylon cord.

Despite their flimsy look, don’t be fooled: these shoes are as well suited to marathon running as they are to everyday lounging.  Available in 4mm and 6mm thickness, the rubber is as durable as any other quality outsole.  The nylon cord, which comes in a variety of colours, feels smooth against the skin and is very comfortable in most circumstances.  Exceptions to this are when the huarache is either tied too tightly or when running in the rain and on dusty trails, in which case the water or added abrasion can cause blisters.

One thing I love about these shoes is their custom-made feel.  You cut them to size yourself, although for an extra fee Xero Shoes are happy to take this work on themselves.  Adding a personal touch, there is a huge variety of styles in which to tie them, both traditionally bound around the ankle (as pictured above), and in countless slip-in thong styles (such as that pictured below).  I run in mine both ways, and they are equally comfortable if adjusted to the correct tension.

My favourite thing about Xero Shoes is that they retain a barefoot feel better than any other footwear I can think of.  The 4mm version is extremely light (mine weigh in at 105g / 3.7 oz.), and you can really feel the ground underneath you – almost as if you aren’t wearing any shoes at all.  Over rugged terrain this might feel too precarious to some people, but the extra 2mm of the 6mm version compensates for this, if at the expense of weight (175g / 6.2 oz.) and sensitivity.

Another advantage of Xero Shoes is their use in everyday walking.  Whereas pretty much all other footwear changes our natural gait to some degree, Xero Shoes are so minimalist that they cause no effect whatsoever.  (As a result, if you aren’t already acclimatised to barefoot walking, you might want to make a gradual transition to avoid sore muscles.)

One final plus: the price.  Xero Shoes are currently priced at around $25, well below anything else on the market.

The only annoying thing I find about Xero Shoes is the slapping noise they can create upon contact with the ground.  Steven Sashen, creator of Xero Shoes, is obviously well aware of this, addressing the issue on the company website.  But it is more than just a question of improper running technique, as he suggests.  I may be as silent as the wind barefoot, but when donning Xero Shoes I sound like a flock of stampeding ducks with flappy feet!  This is especially true in the case of the 6mm sole, when tied in a looser slip-on version.  (Tied traditionally, the 4mm sole creates less noise.)  Unfortunately, it seems to me that the same qualities which distinguish Xero Shoes positively also cause the extra noise – that is, the flexibility and thinness of the rubber sole, combined with such a minimalist tying style allow the rubber to fly slightly away from the sole of the foot upon landing, thereby causing a slight ‘smack’ with each step.

For me, the only other disadvantage of Xero Shoes is again related to its strengths as a huarache.  Over uneven and especially wet, uneven ground, the shoe’s sole tends to slide around against the underside of the foot.  This can also be an issue on downhill slopes and is perhaps one of the reasons that the Rarámuri as well are known for running so gingerly downhill.

Nevertheless, these negative factors are a small price to pay for the nearest possible sensation to running completely barefoot.  When, for whatever reason I don’t run fully bare, the first thing I reach for are my Xero Shoes.

plusses:

+ most minimalist shoe available
+ custom-made, individual feel
+ light weight
+ also perfectly suited to barefoot walking
+ price

minuses:

– noisy
– not always stable over rough terrain and downhill