My Favorite Trail Running Shoe (Xero Mesa Trail II Review)

I don't usually trail run in shoes, but when I do, I wear the Xero Mesa Trail II.

Transcript:

Video Transcript:
What is the only shoe that this sandal-wearer will run in? In this video, we're going to look at the all-new Mesa Trail II from Xero Shoes.

Just as a disclaimer: Xero Shoes did send me these shoes free of charge to try out and let them know what I think about 'em. I'm not a paid employee of Xero Shoes or sponsored or anything like that, but if you decide to pick up a pair of these or check out what other kicks Xero Shoes has to offer partially based on this video, doing so with the referral link the description greatly helps out the channel—allowing me make more reviews for stuff like this and bring you related content in the future.

To get started, let's dive into the specs.
The Men's version of the Xero Mesa Trail II comes in at 6.4 ounces, has a moisture-wicking lining, 3mm of embedded “trail foam” in the soles, and all of the usual features of a “barefoot style” shoe—including a widened toe box to allow your piggies to splay, a zero-drop heel—meaning a continuous sole height, no arch support—allowing your arch compress and perform as the spring that it is, and a sole that passes the “fruit roll-up test"—which looks something like this.

These do come with foam inserts for folks that need just a little more cushion, but I prefer them without the inserts for more ground-feel. Fortunately, they understood this and didn’t glue ‘em in.

The Mesa Trail II also boasts of some gnarly treads. I mean, look at these things. They’re pretty much the closest thing to cleats that exist in the barefoot footwear world.

So, what do I think of them?

Now, I’m normally a sandal guy. I run Shammas, but Xero Sandals are among my favorite lifestyle and aquatic sports sandal. I have the Xero Genesis huaraches, Xero Z-Treks, and a pair of Xero Z-Trails that I really dig on the water—all paid for with my own money. That should prove that Xero makes great lifestyle footwear if that’s what you’re looking for.

But the Xero Mesa Trail II shoes have actually become what I wear when I need to cover up my toes—which is happening more and more as the weather changes.

Again, full disclosure, I tend to gravitate toward running in sandals almost exclusively. Socks suffocate my feet. Most toe-boxes jam up on my toenails. There are a variety of other reasons why I dig sandals—which I have already addressed in a few different videos. I say all that to channel the Dos Equis "World's Most Interesting Man" and say, "I don't normally wear shoes when I run, but when I do, I wear Mesa Trail IIs from Xero Shoes."

So, why is that and who are these shoes for? I think explaining who these shoes are for will help articulate why I like 'em and will continue to use them in certain scenarios.

As a sandal runner, the Mesa Trail II provides what I need some shoes...and not much more...which is good.

-Let's start from the top with the upper: I gotta say, these shoes breathe more than any other shoes I've ever worn—almost more like a water shoe. I wore these in the dead of August with socks and I could feel the breeze through the mesh. If you're looking for something that keeps your feet dry in water crossings, I do believe that Xero Shoes has a waterproof version as well.

- Let's continue to all of the barefoot functionality—which one can come to expect from Xero Shoes. These aren't the widest shoes I've ever worn, but they're not too bad. I never felt restricted. No drop and minimal cushioning lend these to provide optimal ground feel while offering enough protection, which can be a tricky balance with footwear that need to appeal to the barefoot-style world as well as trail runners.

—So, where do these shine? Well, in offering (a) traction and (b) protection—which, as a minimalist runner, is all I want from my footwear.

- The construction of these feels robust. This toe cap feels like it can take some abuse from rocks and roots and could also keep your own toe nails from trying to escape—which has happened to me with other barefoot-style shoes.
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- But let's look at the main feature that would make me recommend these for barefooters in need of some grip: the treads. The Mesa Trail II treads, more like lugs, have this unique balance of providing traction as well as some give that allows them to get out of the way when not needed. The tread-lugs somewhat compress to offer protection on harder, flatter surfaces—such as on top of larger rocks. This is great because it can be easy to provide overly aggressive tread that interferes with the ground feel of a barefoot shoe. Some barefoot shoes with hard treads can feel like you're always walking on the shape of the treads, almost like you have a twig in your shoe, but not as much with these. The treads are there when you need them and somewhat compress when you don't. It's hard to explain.

This is all to say that if you're looking for a minimalist trail running shoe that provides that ground feel you want and the protection you need on the trail, I haven't seen much that competes with Mesa Trail II from Xero Shoes. And if this review has been helpful in your research process, I'd greatly appreciate it if you used the referral link in the description to do so. It doesn't cost you anything extra and allows me to bring you helpful reviews and content like this in the future.

Until next time, I'm Ken reminding you to find the fun in movement.