Xero Shoes Mesa Trail II

Product Information

When it comes to the perfect blend of cushion, fit, and ground feel, both the Prio and the Mesa Trail II from Xero Shoes don't disappoint. So what about the sizing, fit, and comfort features of these two models. For the rougher terrain, the TerraFlex offers a bit more protection for the trail runner and Xero Shoes even offers barefoot hiking shoes with ankle protection like the Xcursion Fusion ( Mens and Womens). Sidenote: they even offer a snowboot! Mesa Trail Shoe Running Experience I achieved the rest of my miles while trail running. On these runs, I often carried 10 lb (5 kgs) of water and food. So, you've read all about the Prio and Mesa Trail 2 and you're all fired up about barefoot shoes! What's next on your minimalist footwear journey? 🤔 Enter the Xero Shoes Mesa Trail. 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. Is that ideal? No. I long for the day I can get 1000 miles out of a lightweight, minimalist shoe. But the Mesa Trail is getting close to that milestone.

Donning these huarache-style sandals– inspired by the footwear used by the long-distance runners among the Rarámuri people of the Mexico’s Copper Canyons, as described in Christopher McDougall's book Born to Run – is about as close as you can get to really running barefoot, while minimising the risk of gashing your foot on flint or glass, which would be a really annoying way to put yourself out of action. There is nothing between the soles of your feet and the dirt except 5mm of ‘FeelTrue’ rubber, and the sandal is held on with nylon straps (with silicone grip), which go between your toes and around the Achilles strap. People who are confident wearing these sandals run all sorts of distances (including ultras) in them, across challenging terrain in various conditions. 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. 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.

Returns & Customer Reviews 💬

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. Fast forward a few years and now everything has to be categorised, so we have minimalist and maximalist shoes. On the other hand, if your heart belongs to the mountains and trails, the Mesa Trail II might be your new best friend. Its improved welded components, breathable mesh, and enhanced traction make it an excellent choice for trail enthusiasts who value ruggedness, durability, and protection. Plus, who wouldn't appreciate the soft, lightweight, and breathable upper mesh after a long day of conquering mountains? 🏔️ My Vibram V-Alphas leave me wanting when the trail surface is nothing but half dollar sized, arch stabbing limestone debris or a steep descent. Plus, running everyday in VFFs isn’t my preference — I use them as a training tool. The construction of the Xero Shoes Mesa Trail running shoes provide many VFF-like benefits while adding features a technical trail runner needs. Aggressive but Not Overbuilt Lugs The Mesa Trail has aggressive lugs which still work well on smooth surfaces without creating drag. 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.

Outside, there are welded protective coverings of the adjustable midfoot and heel straps that are Xero's hallmarks. The added durability was apparent in hard use conditions, preventing the straps from getting snagged on low lying thorns or branches. Yes, you can lift in the Xero Shoes Mesa Trail. You’ll likely notice the lugs on this model when lifting, but I don’t think it will be to a point in which your performance will be hindered. Final Thoughts One frequent criticism of wide-toe-box trail runners is a sloppy feel, particularly on off-camber terrain. The Mesa Trail doesn’t have this problem - it felt stable and glove-like while traversing slopes. I believe this performance is a result of two factors: the aforementioned midfoot / instep straps, and the fact that the toe-box, while wide enough to allow for toe spread, is not overly wide. 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. If you need a more substantial shoe option, there are the TerraFlex from Xero and the Trek Ascent from Vibram.

Enjoy your adventures with Xero Shoes!

On top of all this, I found the outsole to be hard-wearing. After 500 miles (805 km) of mixed terrain, the lugs have not measurably worn down. A third failure point in trail runners is an abrasion-induced failure in the mesh material. Here I finally saw some failure in the Mesa Trail, at around the 450-mile (723 km) mark. The mesh just behind the instep on both feet failed (on either side of the foot). This failure occurred at the only spot on the front three-quarters of the shoe that doesn’t have a welded covering marrying the sole and the mesh upper. Mesh failure between welded components just behind the instep. You can see where the tear has started to creep into the welded component. There is a similar tear on each side of each shoe. This started at mile 450 (724 km). The Mesa Trail II, on the other hand, uses a 3.5mm TrailFoam™ layer to even out the bumps on the trail and provide additional comfort without sacrificing that barefoot feel.

Due to the minimalist nature, I tend to think that simply jogging and some strides on a good grass surface are the best way to proceed. The Xero Shoes Mesa Trail is a minimalist shoe with a secure lacing system and the chops to last for 500+ miles (805+ km). Performance Analysis To discuss the performance of the Xero Shoes Mesa Trail, we’re going to discuss how this performs in a few different contexts. This helps paint the full picture of this model’s performance and who it’s best for. Versatility on the TrailIncreasing 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 Talking numbers... does the Prio and the Mesa Trail II offer the best value for your hard-earned cash? The hyper-agile Mesa Trail is the most footloose and fancy free shoe for trail running the brand has ever made. 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. It has a low-to-the-ground construction that is essentially a 5mm flexible rubber outsole, an interior 3mm foam layer and a 2mm insole (made from a closed-cell foam, which won’t gain weight when soaked) that’s cushy, breathable and removable. It’s comfortable, lightweight and flexible. There really is nothing to dislike as there’s not a lot here!