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The cushioning of the upper provides some warmth which is nice compared to the extreme minimalist shoes l have run in like the Vibram Fivefingers. The TerraFlex FeelTrue® rubber stays nice and supple.
Everything I expected to feel in this shoe was the complete opposite of my traditional experience with minimal/barefoot shoes. The heel collar of the Xero TerraFlex is quite cushioned, which is something I often find lacking in minimal/barefoot shoes. But most notable, in my opinion, was the fact that the TerraFlex maintained it’s minimal feel without also feeling stiff prepaid expenses or clunky. The Bareform sole and FeelTrue rubber gives the same soft ride of much more cushioned shoes, without actually being overly cushioned. I can still “feel” the trail underfoot, but there is enough cushioning to protect against rocks, roots, etc. over the course of a longer run. I have to update the traction and quick drying ability of the TerraFlex slightly.
At the end of the first day, the soles of my feet were in agony but they had just hiked 17 miles on tarmac and my wife’s feet were just as sore in here well padded boots. A little calf soreness the next day which went away after the first mile or so and the shoes felt great on every terrain except tarmac, which wasn’t a major issue again until the last day. The soles of my feet were sore for the day after finishing but by the second morning they were fine, and there was never the thought of blisters on the whole hike. Back in the summer I was in the market for some new trail shoes. I ended up with a choice between 2 well known brands but I’ve had well known brands let me down plenty of times in the past.
The thin, zero-drop sole is admirably grippy and allows your feet to really feel the terrain. Theoretically, zero-drop shoes with a “barefoot” or minimal sole should help develop a more natural gait. Tough but comfortable uppers that provide ankle support. Feel connected to your world when you run or hike in the lightweight, 9.6 ounces , TerraFlex. The wicking mesh upper keeps your feet cool and dry while the aggressive lugged sole provides confident traction. Bumps fade away thanks to 3mm of TrailFoam™ hiding inside of the patented FeelTrue® sole. The heel cinch and adjustable mid-foot webbing gives you a secure and stable fit while the wide toe box lets your toes splay and flex to empower your stride.
A couple of days later I stumbled upon a Facebook post fromXero Shoeswhich pricked my interest. Barefoot/Minimalist trail runners might work for a hiking shoe. But they’re over in the states and won’t have my size. Not only did they have aUK online storebut they also carried my size, and in my budget. If I’m risking £80 of my hard earned cash on shoes, I’d rather give it to this smaller company thats doing things a little different than another global behemoth. The Xero Terraflex trail running shoes are a very affordable way to kick-start your “barefoot” running journey.
If I had one complaint it would be that I have to tie the shoes. I know that sounds lazy but I’m not very flexible and slightly overweight. However, slip on shoes would not be up to the hiking conditions I encounter so it is just part of the game.
In my opinion, a running shoe is a tool that you shouldn’t notice. It should feel as though it is a natural extension of your foot. There should be no hot spots, no slipping heels, no clunky sole, nothing that reminds you “hey, there’s a shoe on my foot”. I don’t feel like I’ve bragged on the shoes enough but this will have to do for now. I have considerable experience with several makes and styles, from « toe » shoes to much thicker but still zero drop trail runners and several in between.
I have been wearing XERO Shoes footwear for over 7 years now. I have come to appreciate the company just as much as I do their shoes.
If they were 4 ounces and only good as camp shoes I might get them. many shoes have this, but in that case it’s the outsole. In the case of the Xero shoes, due to the minimal sole, this means the insole also curves up at the front. It means, despite the minimal sole, the bottom/end of your toes is constantly pushed upwards.
I would not use them on wet rock if at all possible. Over 100 miles of use, and the TerraFlex are still in good shape. The upper looks brand new with no significant wear.
Ultimately, I don’t trust the grip, which is why I shan’t be using the TerraFlex on my 2019 attempt. By the way, just noticed that they’ve bookkeeping opened a US site. They’re not offering the trail shoe right now, but it’s new so I imagine they’ll be stocking it at some point.
Whatever rubber compound Xero Shoes uses is especially durable as well. My TerraFlex have seen six months of regular use on packed dirt trails, roads, and one backpacking trip and are holding up well.
Backpacking Light does not accept compensation or donated/discounted products in exchange for guaranteed media placement or product review coverage. Here’s a shot of the mesh failure and welded component tear on the other shoe. 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.
Mesh upper failing just behind instep on both sides of each shoe (after 450 miles / 723 km). Xero Shoes says this failure is covered by warranty and sent me a new pair. Original damage was probably caused by late-season winter running and punching through sharp snow crust.
Natural Fit — wide toe boxes let your toes spread and relax. A non-elevated (zero-drop) heel for proper posture. I had to stop wearing the Terraflex, they were uncomfortable because the sole curved upwards at the toe. I considered comparing the Xero Shoes Mesa Trail to trail runners from Altra, Topo Athletics, and Inov-8. At the end of the day, none of the comparisons I considered making matched the Mesa Trail’s mixture of stack height, weight, and minimalist design. 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. Like many ultralight backpackers, I made the transition from classic leather boots to trail runners with no regrets – save one.
Please leave a comment if you have suggestions on other products we should consider reviewing. Now able to put that experience into words Chris G is our resident camping, backpacking, and hammock specialist. No one is sure when he actually writes reviews, as he seems to post pictures from remote backpacking camp locations 24/7/365. While much of the crew at Gear Report have branched out into firearms, Chris remains focused on all things camping. The WrightSock Escape socks I was wearing did a good job of keeping my wet feet warm even in the slightly above freezing creek water. Cool, well thanks so much Sue for sharing your opinion on the TerraFlex shoe from Xero Shoes. Remember to like, comment, and subscribe on this video if you haven’t already.
Breathable mesh and stitched-on overlays form the Xero Shoes TerraFlex’s below-the-ankle upper. Its front tip is built with a durable toe bumper called Tough Tek for extra forefoot protection. Its midfoot and heel regions are engineered with straps that reflect light in the dark. I’m a 33-year-old British Army veteran with a passion Certified Public Accountant for running and fitness. I’ve been running on and off my whole life and competed in multiple track and cross country events when I was younger as well as being a competitive swimmer and squash player. In recent years, I have completed several half marathons and aim to run both full and ultra marathons in the not-so-distant future.
The receive a 3 out of 5 gears because they function as they are advertised. Now that I have been introduced to the Xero shoes I am looking forward to seeing what else they offer. Upper and sole wear on the Xero Shoes TerraFlex after 100 miles of useI have put over 100 miles of use on the TerraFlex by XERO shoes over the past several months. I have experienced mostly hot and Xero Shoes Terraflex Review humid summer weather that dominates the Southeastern United States along with heavy afternoon thunderstorms. On a break in hike at the Woodlands ConservancyI am interested to see how they hold up over the test period. I am battling some Achilles tendonitis so this review may take longer than normal. I plan to use the TerraFlex hiking, trail running, and for daily wear.
The outsole is very low to the ground which gave me a strong sense of control when navigating the trails this also made the shoe feel responsive. The problem with having such a flexible outsole though is that you’re going to lack some cushioning. Yes, it’s a minimal shoe but I still think there is room for improvement in the rock plate.
The Xero Terraflex weighs around 272g which is lighter than the shoe looks. It’s not the lightest shoe out there but it’s light enough and I can see myself running lots of hills and long distances in them because of it. 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. Instead of pounding, you’ll be gliding as if running on hot coals. Your cadence should increase, to somewhere around 180 steps a minute and you’ll be using your calf muscles more. I have now been on a few trail runs with the Xero Terraflex and am ready to share my thoughts with you in this review.
When this sore finally heals I will try again but as of now the Prio shoe doesn’t work for me. I find these minimalist hikers on my feet more often than not. Yeah, when you think of a traditional shoe like your leather work shoe, those shoes only bend at the toe and they don’t mold to the surfaces underneath them.
But buying shoes online is always tricky—mostly because of the size. While Xero Shoes do have a size guide for each of its shoes, I feel it could have been more detailed. This would be especially helpful for the Prio and Terraflex because the brand recommends you buy a 1/2 size larger than your normal shoe size. Xero Shoes is a minimalist footwear brand founded in 2009 by husband and wife duo Steven Sashen and Lena Pheonix. Steven is actually a Masters All-American sprinter and former All-American gymnast—and he was the visionary behind the company’s range of ‘barefoot’ shoes. And with their warranty, you’ll likely have these shoes for a long time.
Source : https://evalom.com/women-s-lightweight-minimalist-trail-running-and-00087253.html
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