Xero Shoes Mesa Trail II

Product Information

The Xero Shoes Mesa Trail excels as a minimalist trail running and hiking shoe for lighter terrain adventures. This model is lightweight, comfortable, and fairly durable for abrasion resistance. I personally enjoy this model most for my casual hikes with the dogs and flatter trail runs. We have welded overlays all around the base of the shoe! As I said, I busted out the side of my original Mesa Trails because the upper material joined directly onto the sole at the crease point of the shoe. This time, the Mesa Trail II has gone for overlay all around the shoe, so those weak points are reinforced. What’s more impressive is that this hasn’t affected the weight! From the image, you can see the average of my foot strikes during a 1.3-mile shoe study performed on a fairly flat soft trail.

The toe box is lovely and wide, allowing the wearer plenty of room to spread their toes and really feel the terrain.

For the committed minimalist runner, these barely there sandals can be taken on any (lowland) trail These shoes are super lightweight at only 8.5oz (240g) in a Mens 9.5 US. Less weight on the feet means a smoother airy running feeling, helping add to the true barefoot style. 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). The Xero Mesa Trails WPs have such a low-slung collar, you don’t want to be running in anything other than the shallowest puddles, because water will find a way in (Image credit: Pat Kinsella) If you’re newer to barefoot shoes, then you’re going to want to ease into this style of footwear as you may find trails uncomfortable with super-thin barefoot shoes.

The simple way to interpret this is, if you have pain in your knees and hips, you could be a great shoe to try and incorporate Xero Shoes Mesa Trails to reduce the impact forces in your legs and enable proper posture. Following runs took on a similar structure, a gentle jog warm-up followed by my weekly stride session, bounding and dynamic exercises. Increasing mileage slowly and listening to your body are paramount when pushing distance in this shoe, especially if you're new to the zero drop minimalist category. Multisurface performance Tested: Size up one-half size if your feet run slightly long for your normal size. Use standard sizing-up procedures to account for foot swellings on long hikes. 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 durability in these minimalist trail runners is quite impressive - especially for their weight. If you use the Mesa Trail for training sessions where you know the terrain won’t be too loose, then you’ll get a lot of versatility with this shoe and how it performs. I also really like the 3mm TrailFoam that comes with this model which I think helps to add this model’s versatility in regard to who can benefit from this shoe. Sadly the upper on my Terraflex II and Mesa Trails broke down after 400 miles. While those numbers aren’t bad for other brands, much of the shoe could have continued past this. For the Terraflex, I’ve managed to continue with a ripped forefoot, but the separation in the Mesa Trails meant I had to buy another pair. They seem well made, and their vegan status and recycled materials will please many environment-conscious runners. A tough eyelet chain and solid welded construction should promote longevity, while smartly placed upper overlays should limit damage caused by big toes. Those with deep mid-foots should note Vivo’s shoes volume is more from width that height. As I said above, I would choose this shoe for running in the desert, which, for me, is often a springtime activity. And in my mind, the natural running style that requires a reactive running gait contributes to increased strength in the feet and ankles (so long as you don’t overdo it and get injured). For that reason, I might use the Mesa Trail to build strength early in the season. But once the high country opens up, I might go for something with (much) more cushion, such as the Altra Timp 3. In the barefoot-inpsired category in general, I’d say the Mesa Trail will appeal most to those who will be using it on smoother trails and who prioritize low weight and excellent breathability.

Compared to other barefoot shoes, I do like the Mesa Trail’s comfort. It doesn’t seem like a lot, but the hidden 3mm TrailFoam mixed with this model’s insole does provide you with a bit more cushion for your ride. Lastly, let's touch upon style and aesthetics. While this is a personal preference, both models have a sporty and functional look that can easily transition from the trails to casual wear. Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. My original pair of Mesa Trails weathered 500+ miles (805+ km) with minimal compression in the insole, no noticeable compression of the midsole, and minor fraying on the mesh at the instep on both sides of the shoe (both shoes). See pictures in the Commentary section for more info on this fraying. 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! 🥾 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.

Sizing & Fit Advice 📐

These shoes are comfortable out of the box and essentially have no break-in period. I wore mine around the house out of curiosity, but then hit the trail without a hitch. The wide toebox fit my 2w feet perfectly. From the very first run, I forgot about the shoe and was busy chatting with my friend. The TerraFlex has 4 mm lugs, while the Mesa Trail has 3.5 mm lugs. I consider 0.5 mm to be a negligible difference in terms of traction. Honestly, I’d prefer if both shoes had larger, more aggressive lugs. Its overall appearance actually reminds me of the Xero Shoes HFS which is also another model that I would classify as a “hybrid” in respect to how you can wear and use it on a daily basis. Xero Shoes Mesa Trail Cons The second pro of this model is how maneuverable the 5mm FeelTrue rubber sole is along with its 3.5mm lugs. If you want a shoe that’s highly responsive and allows you to feel all of the obstacles that you can run into on your adventures but also not kill your feet, then I think you’ll like the Xero Shoes Mesa Trail. If you’ve ever opined that some of the bigger shoe companies spend too much on product styling, you'll appreciate the XeroShoes Mesa Trail. They are aesthetically functional. It’s not really until they’re on your feet that the excitement levels rise. 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. A combination of bonded overlays and a stitched toe bumper toughen up the upper where required.