Xero Shoes Mesa Trail II

Product Information

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 While the rubber may not be as grippy as Megagrip or downright hard wearing as the TC5+ offered by Vibram, it is an excellent balance between traction and durability.

Although that was countered by higher braking forces (reduction in forward motion). This time we had 12.5G for the Mesa’s and 12.1G in the Superior. 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. 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.First of all, there’s no toe-cap glued to the front of the shoe. In my experience, this is the first failure point on any trail runner. The Mesa Trail has a broad rubber toe-box covering welded to the sole and stitched to the upper. After 500 miles (805 km), this aspect of the shoe shows no signs of failure. A stitched toe bumper shows no signs of failing after 500 miles (805 km).

If you have any questions about the Xero Shoes Mesa Trail in regard to its construction on trails and hikes, drop your questions below. Xero Shoes Mesa Trail FAQs The trail grip of this shoe works well on a good, grass surface but should equally be happy on light gravel and forest paths. I’d stay clear of anything too technical or demanding, mainly due to the very light and unstructured design. And in case it’s not clear, you should look elsewhere if you know you prefer a shoe with a substantial, more traditional midsole that absorbs impacts and makes the trail feel smoother than it is. 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 The durability in these minimalist trail runners is quite impressive - especially for their weight.

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. 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 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) 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. 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.

If you want a barefoot shoe but you don’t it to feel like a barefoot shoe, the Xero Mesa Trail WP offers an optional insole (Image credit: Pat Kinsella)

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. 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. 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.