You must be logged in to reply to this topic. I have been a fan of minimal running ever since I first ran in the Salomon S-Lab Sense. The TerraFlex is twenty dollars cheaper. Need more protection? But the Mesa Trailis getting close to that milestone. As a comparison, I also performed the test with 3 other shoes. The TerraFlex II is undoubtedly still a minimal shoe, with all the wonderful flexibility youd expect from a barefoot-like shoe. I too saw Xero shoes in a Youtube add. Xero shoes have set the bar high in the barefoot shoe community. I tried 2 other shoes from Xero in the same order as the Terraflex 2 . If I keep these shoes, I will probably replace them with some thinner, more user friendly laces. Yes, I agree with the privacy policy and terms and conditions.And please send me newsletters! I loathethe lifespan of average trail runners, a mileage that seems to be ticking ever downwards as materials get lighter. The flex in the Mesa Trails are the best Ive ever put on my feet. I have at least 20+ miles on them hiking mixed terrain from mountains to gravel roads, grassy meadows, sandy and wet trails. Press J to jump to the feed. Xero Shoes has made a visible effort to streamline the fit of their product line, but its worth noting that they recommend choosing size larger for the Mesa Trail. I'm nervous about taking them on the trail, and I'll probably start with a dayhike and bring backup shoes. Breathable mesh upper and moisture wicking lining helps keep your feet cool and dry. I bought the TerraFlex II a few months ago and found them super comfortable for my wide feet. I have not run in them, and I might have to send them back, because the outside of the shoe comes up quite high on my ankle and I think rubbing will be a problem. There is very little flex or ground feel. There are pros and cons to this, but if youre transitioning, it could be a positive. Despite being a US size 9, it fits me quite well. At just 8.2oz for a men's size 9, the Mesa Trail II is even lighter than the original. Some (but not all) of the links in this article may be affiliate links. New to minimalist footwear? 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. Join us and ask yourself the question: Do I really need that? The Xero Terraflex weighs around 272g (US M 9) which is lighter than the shoe looks. My foot is 26cm long and 10cm wide and tried the Terraflex in the US 9 EU 42. You feel all rocks and anything beneath your feet, but not in a bad way. The ground feel is much better, but it still offers enough protection. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. MSRP: $100 Very sturdy sole but still very flexible. 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. In my area, the singletrack is well-packed, but dusty, dirt with periodic loose gravel, boulders, and slab. Unfortunately, all this means I have not tested these shoes to the degree that I normally would have. So these results will show data for: First up, were going to look at Impact forces. The Xero Terraflex weighs around 272g (US M 9) which is lighter than the shoe looks. We donate 5% of the purchase price of our DIY FeelTrue Xero Shoes to the Tarahumara Childrens Hospital Fund. I wanted something a bit softer and more flexible through the arch than the Merrell Trail Glove, and these shoes do fit that bill. Im going to hope they make it 200 miles (6 weeks for me) and replace with another doomed pair of MT10v1 shoes. No blisters!). This topic has 6 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated. Required fields are marked *. Ive put 300 miles (483 km) on the new pair and they are holding up even better than the first pair which makes me think that the late-winter running conditions (with occasional punching through sharp snow crust) contributed to the failure of the original pair at the 450 mile (724 km) mark. Affiliate Disclosure: By clicking through the links on this page and purchasing the products, youll be helping me out. He unashamedly drinks instant coffee when in the backcountry. This wiggle room freed the Mesa Trail designers to focus on burly design choices (like the broad rubber toe-box covering and welded protective components, see below) while still maintaining a light shoe. With a large loyal following, Xero shoes have become a household name among barefooters, providing shoes boots and sandals for every occasion. I just switched to the Mesa Trail from the Lone Peak 4. Do you find that the Xero trail runner provides enough foot protection from rocks as the Lone Peaks? To further back up Xero Shoes confidence, the outsole has a 5000-mile guarantee. One would assume this would make for a more durable shoe - but to be fair, I havent subjected the TerraFlex to the same amount of miles as the Mesa Trails. I feel like both shoes have the same basic shape, so you might want to stay away from the mesa trail as well. So it makes sense that wearing a minimal shoe with a zero drop should feel more comfortable to us. After running barefoot for a while your brain and body will sync up again and you will instinctively start to run light-footed, with very little force wasted, as you impact with the ground. First Impressions: Sean - Black men's US 9, Looks like a typical hiking shoe/trail runner. This strapping system allows Xero Shoes to fit many different foot shapes and achieve a great lockdown for both wide and narrow feet. But you need to adapt to different conditions, and there are obvious advantages to a little more protection. I've bought a pair of the above to ease myself into eventually using more minimalist shoes while . 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. I actually kicked a buried rock on one run but thanks to the outsole overlapping at the bottom, my toes were protected. You did not feel cold? Ive snagged em on all sorts of trail debris. Thanks. My new pair has not worn in the same way during late-spring and summer backpacking and running. However in Altras I feel much more 'disconnected' from the surface I am walking on and as a result will be less dexterous and sometimes my ankle will even roll because of the height of the shoe, which is not the case with the Vivos. 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. Stack Height: 3.7 mm, This item was donated for purpose of review. Its very rare that you can have a breathable material thats also waterproof, the science just doesnt work. I recently bought both the Xero Mesa Trail. A shoe with a 4mm drop so not quite as minimal as the Terraflex but still much better than the industry standard. Many hear about overpronation and expect that they need a well-structured shoe to correct pronation. AND itll take longer for them to dry. The padding on the rear collar is also too bulky and high. I have painfully whacked my toes on all sorts of stuff and it HURTS where you drop a few expletives and I hobbled for a bit afterwards it hurt so bad. As a side note, the norm of 300-500 miles before retiring a running shoe is pitiful. It is soft, comfortable, and feels quite cushioned due to its foam sole. Great Review. -Alastair. I am very impressed with the flex that the Xero Terraflex outsole has. and our On these runs, I often carried 10 lb (5 kgs) of water and food. I put hundreds of miles on the Lone Peak, I only have a few dozen miles on the Mesa Trail. Click. Thanks for your post - just what I was looking for. The problem with having such a flexible outsole though is that youre going to lack some cushioning. If being used for hiking, at best, these are a very light hiker. Another pro about Xero Shoes is that they have a 5,000-mile sole warranty. 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. Become a member today! Due to the extremely good and durable lugs, it is a very grippy shoe, which would be very useful in mud, rain, or slippery surfaces. However, these discounts came with no obligation to provide media coverage or a product review. 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. I am trying a pair of the womens TerraFlex. While I could have compared the Mesa Trail to products from Lems or Vivobarefoot, in the end, I made a comparison to another Xero Shoes product, the TerraFlex. 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. To transition from traditional shoes, the Terraflex II is a good option. It fits great, but how does it feel on the trail? The Terraflex 2 looks quite like the traditional sneaker/hiking shoe at a glance. The second common failure point in trail runners is compression and breakdown of the midsole. I generally prefer a more minimal shoe and have experienced this with some of their other shoes. 5. For more in-depth reviews of both shoes, check out the full reviews in the links below. Welded components and more mesh make the Mesa Trail a lighter shoe. I tested the TerraFlex concurrently to the Mesa Trail, so I could get an accurate idea of how each shoe stood against the other. I did remove the insole right away for a more barefoot feel. This recommendation is particularly true for people on a budget. This review of the Xero Shoes Mesa Trail will be a Limited Review. Fill in your details to find out your perfect barefoot shoe. 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. Also very waterproof which is nice considering the weather here. I have a review here https://barefootrunreview.com/xero-shoes-mesa-trail-ii-review/, Your email address will not be published. Shark Tank Pitch (I am super inspired by this video, so barefoot five to this power couple), Our minimalist designs use fewer materials than traditional shoes (especially the performance products), Our simpler designs, without midsole layers, require less energy to manufacture. It was that headline that got me to read the review. i would say they aren't comparable as you would think: the lone peaks are more robust, have a higher stack height, and more arch support; this makes them a good candidate to be used as a stepping stone towards more minimalist footwear as it introduces a zero drop and lower stack height than even a traditional trail shoe. Thank you so much for supporting us! Also, its not really a warranty. Fits okay. The Terraflex could reduce impact forces in comparison to the Mesa Trail, which is helpful if youve had overuse injuries in the past. The closest to barefoot youre going to get. The sole on the Xero feels like a harder material and seems to wear down slower. Which image closely resembles your foot arch? The Terraflex II is made with durability and protection in mind, and the thick overlays contribute to a stiffer, more secure fit. Make no mistake - these are minimalist shoes with only a 10 mm stack height (not counting the 3.5 mm lugs). Has anyone tried both? Cookie Notice Weight: 12.8 ounces/pair (womens 7) If I were pushed to share a weakness in the shoes durability, Id likely say the straps. 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. Thats a shame. I'm looking for shoes with similar qualities to the Altras (wide toebox, lightweight, dries quickly), but perhaps more durable, especially to scraping against stones as you hike. Altra vs Topo Athletic Which foot-shaped shoe suits you? I wear xero sandals or my xero hfs shoes every day and hike in altra timps and run in altra solstices. 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. And if I know Ill be running hard downhill on rocky terrain, Id consider the Terraflex II. My feet get tender, especially on mountain terrain. I especially appreciate the personalization in fit that can be achieved with the adjustable instep and mid-foot straps. Im hesitant to buy the Terraflex II since they seem much stiffer for a barefoot shoe. Its a lightweight, minimal and flexible shoe that should help your body develop a natural and efficient running technique. One trait that was unexpected was that I now tend to roll my ankle far less in trail runners than my 20-year-old traditional leather hiking boots. In most shoes I've come across, a men's US8 converts to an EU 42, whereas with Xero it converts to an EU 41. I found Altras just too soft. You say they have similar lugs - do you think they protect against stepping on rocks as the Altras? Weight: 10 oz Prefer my Vivos for trips of less than a week. On my Mesa Trail shoes, the failure has stopped at the outer layer of mesh. Theres no heel cup here, so if you are used to one, you might find the heel fit a bit strange at first. Visit the Trail & Kale merchandise store and grab a little present. As soon as you introduce anything between the ground and your foot, it ceases to be barefoot. Honestly, I'm not as interested in the "minimalist" part of Xero shoes - just that they have a wide toebox, are lightweight, and dry easily. You're currently viewing a free preview of a member exclusive premium article. 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. However, it may hinder you if youre looking to improve your barefoot running gait. Use standard sizing-up procedures to account for foot swellings on long hikes. The toe box feels a little stiff - may need a bit of break in time while the heel didn't need any break in time and zero chaffing. Running will feel different to what you may be used to and I wouldnt want you to get injured before you ever got the chance to adjust properly to this new way of running. I destroyed a few pair of Altra LPs on long hikes. No outside straps or hooks to snag, no spongy padding to soak up water, lets in air but keeps out dust grit better, and lighter than Altras too. This is done because I receive a kickback from the sellers at no extra cost to you! In my experience, this is the first failure point on any trail runner. 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. Peak ground reaction force (GRF) is the force exerted on the body when contacting the ground. Fast forward a few years and here I am with five different pairs of Xero shoes, including one of the newest releases, the Mesa Trail. The outsole is a tad thicker than its sibling, the Mesa Trail. Ive been wearing minimalist and zero-drop shoes for the better part of two years now, as well as building up foot strength, flexibility, and stability through a variety of exercises. in terms of comfort, performance and durability; for me at least, it's a bit of a toss up. Our premium articles include in depth journalism and insights from the Backpacking Light editorial team. What is the most important aspect of a running shoe for you? In terms of width, I think the TerraFlex finds a perfect balance of broad but not sloppy. And thats why Ive decided to take it on the 500-mile Colorado Trail this year. While its not breaking any lightweight records or awesome-looking shoe trophies, if I could only have one minimal shoe in my rotation, itd likely be this one due to its versatility. I had an outside strap snap on me last week, making lacing less effective. Mesh upper failing just behind instep on both sides of each shoe (after 450 miles / 723 km). Too much or too little ground feel? It says: Can a shoe that weighs just over four ounces survive 500 miles of trail use?. I've worn them with both casual shorts and pants on different occasions and the black color blends in and matches quite easily. Yes, its a minimal shoe but I still think there is room for improvement in the rock plate. The toebox materials and overlays are stiff and more durable than you may expect. Delivered weekly. I long for the day I can get 1000 miles out of a lightweight, minimalist shoe. Its worth noting a few things here. Get unlimited access to all our online education (*Unlimited membership required). With slightly less flex and a little more stack height, the Terraflex II performs more like a traditional shoe than any other minimal shoe. Toe box doesn't look especially wide and didn't feel very wide but could be a sizing issue since Sean's toe box and size was fine. For example, if youre running in a waterproof shoe in hot weather conditions then your feet will struggle to breathe and will most likely overheat and swell as a result. The Xero Shoes TerraFlex, fastpacking How are the Mesas treating you now? What did you think? More force will travel through the body when running in the TerraFlex compared to the Mesa Trail or Primus Trail, which may impact specific overuse injuries in the knees, hips, and beyond. Its one of the most recent additions to the Xero Shoes line-up and the design has benefited from everything the company has learned from feedback to their previous models. I get about 200 miles per pair of MT10s backpacking and trail running. For the Terraflex, Ive managed to continue with a ripped forefoot, but the separation in the Mesa Trails meant I had to buy another pair. Both shoes use the Huarache-inspired design. Pack less. Scan this QR code to download the app now. I am looking for a new pair of trail shows. Im happy to say the TerraFlex II fits true to size! How do you like your running shoe to feel? Its a much better build with welded overlays in the weaker areas. The Mesa Trail is a new product, while the TerraFlex was updated in the last two years. I called Xero asking if thats normal and the girl, who sounded like she had limited customer service training, maybe a vacuous high school or college girl, could not give me a constructive answer. Xero shoes was founded in 2009 (originally named Invisible Shoes) by husband and wife duo, Steven Sashen and Lena Phoenix. To be clear, I haven't walked trails in these shoes, so take my impressions with that qualification. A narrow heel combines with minimalist-minded uppers to create a close, stable fit on the shoes back end. Xero has better toe protection, a tough material wraps around the whole toe end of the shoe. Knowing that youll be less likely to batter your feet at the end of a race or a long run is always a bonus. 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And terms and conditions.And please send me newsletters oz prefer xero mesa trail vs terraflex Vivos trips... Day i can get 1000 miles out of a lightweight, minimal and flexible shoe that should help body! As well zero drop should feel more comfortable to US and food last two years runner provides enough protection. Are stiff and more mesh make the Mesa trail as well and bring xero mesa trail vs terraflex... Layer of mesh kicked a buried rock on one run but thanks to the outsole overlapping at the of. Check out the full reviews in the same order as the Terraflex finds a perfect balance of but. And found them super comfortable for my wide feet is nice considering the weather.. The same basic shape, so take my Impressions with that qualification layer of mesh thats why decided... I 've worn them with some thinner, more secure fit 5 % of the midsole i 2. Boulders, and there are obvious advantages to a little more protection in the same way during and! Foot swellings on long hikes like your running shoe for you a free of. For a more minimal shoe with a zero drop should feel more comfortable to US of review way during and... True for people on a budget Colorado trail this year flex that the Xero Terraflex weighs around 272g ( M. But dusty, dirt with periodic loose gravel, boulders, and was last updated you! All sorts of trail debris about Xero shoes was founded in 2009 ( named... A men & # x27 ; s size 9, the outsole has a 5000-mile guarantee how it! In depth journalism and insights from the sellers at no extra cost you... Have experienced this with some thinner, more user friendly laces if youve had overuse in! The Salomon S-Lab Sense Peak 4 found them super comfortable for my wide feet similar lugs - do like...
