My Z-Trails will be arriving this week. So looking forward to them. I was naturally a barefoot boy until I was 21. I ran track and cross country barefoot (even on the old cinder tracks in the 1960s). I've worn flip flops every day of my life since with the exception of soft boat shoes in my office hours in the corporate world. Now retired and in my 70s I'm a full time flip flop guy again. My wife and I travel and hike a lot and I'm fine with the flip flops except in wet conditions where I slip into a pair of the soft rubber and mesh pool shoes. I think I'm an ideal candidate for the Z-Trail concept :-)
I’ve had my Z-trails for a couple of years for use as camp shoes, water crossing and boat shoes. Yes, they Spontaneously delaminated while drying in the sun, but gorilla glue fixed them right up. Second, I found that using the heel velcro was a pain and also became frayed. So I move the little rubber bands from the top straps to the heel / Velcro straps; and thereby use the front/ top straps for quicker and easier adjustment. The heel/ Velcro straps are then left alone once adjusted and secured by the little black rubber bands.
I had problem with the velcro not sticking too after a while. But these are the best sandals I've ever had. They're comfy, good for your feet and they've lasted me over 6 years and still going
I just bought these and can’t fault them. Easy to fit, super comfortable, packs well as a base camp ‘shoe’ during my hiking expeditions, I would definitely take these travelling because they are so light and don’t take up much space. I don’t know why someone else didn’t think of these sooner?!
Amazing review man thanks. Looking at these. As a sandal it's s unique product on the market, as you mention the are some barefoot sandals but they have mostly flip flop like toe post and that's not good enough way to secure the forefoot for anything more than walking.. As for feeling the ground, to me that's the whole idea, the feeling of what's under your foot whatever you step on (and actually the more uneven the better) is one best sensations I've ever felt and changed my life. I only have barefoot shoes now because I want to feel it all the time.. it's interesting how some people like you don't crave the same feeling since you keep running in cushioned shoes and some like me want to do everything barefoot or in barefoot shoes.. run. I play basketball in barefoots. Etc..
Thanks for the great review.👍🏻 These are my absolute favourite sandals. So comfortable, so barefoot-style. But when they are wet, I can't wear them without slipping inside. That is the only point (for me) where the Z-Trail is much better.
@@bribaldwin3693 Sorry, I didn't swam with the Z-Trails, but when I was with them in the water, it was not slippery inside, but the outer sole was more slippery then the Z-Track. Now, when I want to go to the water, I'm using my self-made Huarache-Sandals with Vibram sole. There are almost perfekt for that.
Coming in late as a reply, but the "slippery when wet" comment people make is not the sole (it grips well) but the footbed. Your foot slides around inside the sandal - if you have very wide feet (I can see you do in the vid), this isn't an issue, but if you have narrow feet like me they are actually dangerous (I very nearly had a serious accident and wrote to Xero as a result). I really think this should be known about - these are for very wide feet ONLY
Think these might be my first barefoot style sandal. Going mostly barefoot when I can anyways, and wearing aqua shoes and a thin sandal like this for so it all. Time to get rid of the Keen
Thanks for the review. I'm considering getting these, as I like minimal sandals and specifically want one in this style (the other ones I have are thongs).
Great review! Love all the detail. I’m no expert but I’m pretty sure the initial pain is due to the lack of drop rather than the stride but don’t quote me on that. I’ve heard that wearing a zero drop shoe like Altra trail runners or a sandal like these, you need to work up to wearing them farther and farther. The reason is because majority of shoes have a drop from heel to toe so feet and bodies are accustomed to that. Zero drop (like being barefoot) puts different/more stress/stretch on muscles and tendons. That is, unless someone already walks around barefoot a lot.
The reason for pain in calves is that the calf muscles are used to absorb the impacts from walking and running. So they work more.. Or prevent the impact you could say because when walking barefoot or such footwear energy from impact is absorbed a lot more smoothly and distributed through ligaments and tendons and muscles throughout movement of body. The whole body starting with calves is lot more springy so to say and moves lighter. If you put thick layer between foot and environment and keep it these for years. All of this mechanisms that are designed to do this job artrophy over the years. Body gets dumb and lazy. And hurt when they have to do their job again.
@@patrickdewhurst3378 of course that's why your should listen to your body and feedback carefully and never go through pain.. only use and walk barefoot for as long as it's fun.. my experience is not try any transitional shoes just go for thin light sole and increase time in it...
@@jgsk78 Agreed. I've read the books on it like most everyone else on here, but the best thing is just to go out. That said, if you go from a total heel striker to cold turkey fore/mid foot strike, you will have calf pain. I don't mean anything bad, but when you are using a muscle group for the first time, you will feel pain. It is the good pain that identifies muscle growth. But then again, I think most of us with athletic backgrounds know on an intimate level the differences between the pain of overuse/injury, and the good pain of new growth and strength. My progression was going from padded Brooks straight to the Xero DIYs. I ran for a measly 2-300 yards. That's it. I couldn't walk for a week lol. But never once did it feel like a "bad" pain. It was more of... "Wow! So that is how your calves are supposed to work." I'll be running the flying pig marathon in the DIYs btw. Foot, knee, and lower back pain are completely gone as a result. Oh, and the calf pain was completely gone within a week. To be fair, I didn't switch because I wanted to be minimalist. I switched because I am extremely flatfooted and running has always sucked. But I have always wanted to love running and now I do!
haha. i actually dont know that one. My daughter listens to music on the tv. I'll have to give it a listen. I used to love contemporary when i was a kid
Brown sole with black straps? Love that configuration but can't find them on their website. Did you buy the brown ones and installed the black straps yourself?
Hey Bryce, are you still using these? I was thinking of getting them for the JMT as a stream shoe and camp shoe, not really any lengthy hiking. If you have a different recommendation let me know.
I keep hearing different things about the sizing.... sone say true to size some say a bit smaller then normal, while others say half size bigger then normal.... what is it? I normally wear a mens 8.5, do I need an 8 or a 9 in these?
Per sandal. I actually thought it was the for the pair when i bought them. Kind of sad that my flip flop camp shoes weigh less than them but they are worth the weight for water crossings
Bryce Newbold Thanks! That’s the same I thought when reading their web site. I use my 3 oz a piece flip flops modified with a 4 inch loop piece of bungee cord for water crossings. Enjoying your vids, thanks for the response.
would you like to see the photo of my left foot in a boot that I got yesterday because of a complete fracture of my second metatarsal that i have to wear for 6 weeks while the bone heals from wearing these sandals on a 6 mile run?
Definitely not the shoe that broke your foot. If I ran 6 miles in them it would probably have the same result. When switching to a barefoot running style / shoe you have to ease into it over about a 6 month period. I know this because I broke my foot switching from heal striking to a midfoot striking running style (the way your feet land when barefoot). In normal running shoes mind you. Needles to say I went back to traditional running style with lots of heal drop in my shoes (12mm). I've ran only short distances in the zero shoes. I personally wouldn't do more than 3 miles in them because of my running form.
The rubber holding the strap, will break, then no good anymore. They feel good and you can get about 6 months use, may just be my experience. Too many great reviews, companies do this. So it improves buying behavior. Reviews are not after they have been worn for months. They want to know just when you get them.
This was my 1 year review and I can say that after wearing them everywhere for over 2 1/2 years that mine are still doing great. And I am paid nothing by xero shoes.
You didn't even watch the video did you? He said he's had them for 1 YEAR. Commenting and have NO IDEA what you're talking about. Just wow, people are getting dumber everyday.
Don't buy them - put them on the second time and adjust the strap near the pinky toe - the rubber that makes the strap adjustable broke way to easily. I've lost all trust in this brand and it's way to expensive. But they are made in China so yeah.
@@BryceNewbold I glued the rubber part together. Think it's silly in transport to send something I can fix myself. Hope it holds up for now. But from a design perspective, the rubber part is way too thin and could have been made in another more durable material. It's not acceptable to the price given.
My Z-Trails will be arriving this week. So looking forward to them. I was naturally a barefoot boy until I was 21. I ran track and cross country barefoot (even on the old cinder tracks in the 1960s). I've worn flip flops every day of my life since with the exception of soft boat shoes in my office hours in the corporate world. Now retired and in my 70s I'm a full time flip flop guy again. My wife and I travel and hike a lot and I'm fine with the flip flops except in wet conditions where I slip into a pair of the soft rubber and mesh pool shoes. I think I'm an ideal candidate for the Z-Trail concept :-)
I’ve had my Z-trails for a couple of years for use as camp shoes, water crossing and boat shoes. Yes, they Spontaneously delaminated while drying in the sun, but gorilla glue fixed them right up. Second, I found that using the heel velcro was a pain and also became frayed. So I move the little rubber bands from the top straps to the heel / Velcro straps; and thereby use the front/ top straps for quicker and easier adjustment. The heel/ Velcro straps are then left alone once adjusted and secured by the little black rubber bands.
I had problem with the velcro not sticking too after a while. But these are the best sandals I've ever had. They're comfy, good for your feet and they've lasted me over 6 years and still going
What a nice low key review. Such a relief from the merchandise hustlers. Going to go look at a pair of these.
Ah... I'm in the UK and used to live in Virginia near the WVA border... you brought back great memories mentioning Dolly Sods. Thanks.
I just bought these and can’t fault them. Easy to fit, super comfortable, packs well as a base camp ‘shoe’ during my hiking expeditions, I would definitely take these travelling because they are so light and don’t take up much space. I don’t know why someone else didn’t think of these sooner?!
They're loosely based on huarache sandals no idea how long those have been around but I think they're ancient. No school like the old school
I just put these on my wish list for Santa yesterday. It's like you knew I wanted them and made a review for me ..
Oh yea i knew you wanted them. This one was for you 👍
I have the Decathlon knock off of these and I love them. Someday, Xero. Someday.
They better than the Xero?
Amazing review man thanks. Looking at these. As a sandal it's s unique product on the market, as you mention the are some barefoot sandals but they have mostly flip flop like toe post and that's not good enough way to secure the forefoot for anything more than walking.. As for feeling the ground, to me that's the whole idea, the feeling of what's under your foot whatever you step on (and actually the more uneven the better) is one best sensations I've ever felt and changed my life. I only have barefoot shoes now because I want to feel it all the time.. it's interesting how some people like you don't crave the same feeling since you keep running in cushioned shoes and some like me want to do everything barefoot or in barefoot shoes.. run. I play basketball in barefoots. Etc..
Thanks for the great review.👍🏻
These are my absolute favourite sandals. So comfortable, so barefoot-style. But when they are wet, I can't wear them without slipping inside. That is the only point (for me) where the Z-Trail is much better.
Are the z trails still comfortable to swim in? Debating between these two styles... swimming in them is important to me as well as comfortability
@@bribaldwin3693 Sorry, I didn't swam with the Z-Trails, but when I was with them in the water, it was not slippery inside, but the outer sole was more slippery then the Z-Track. Now, when I want to go to the water, I'm using my self-made Huarache-Sandals with Vibram sole. There are almost perfekt for that.
Thanks for the kayak info! Exactly what I was needing to know
Great review. If I was a minimalist, these look great.
Thanks Fred!
I will definitely be looking these up. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks man!
I have the zero trail Sandler. They are my go to for camp Sandler.
Coming in late as a reply, but the "slippery when wet" comment people make is not the sole (it grips well) but the footbed. Your foot slides around inside the sandal - if you have very wide feet (I can see you do in the vid), this isn't an issue, but if you have narrow feet like me they are actually dangerous (I very nearly had a serious accident and wrote to Xero as a result). I really think this should be known about - these are for very wide feet ONLY
Very true! I agree 100%
Think these might be my first barefoot style sandal. Going mostly barefoot when I can anyways, and wearing aqua shoes and a thin sandal like this for so it all. Time to get rid of the Keen
Thanks for the review. Im ordering mine now
Thanks for the review. I'm considering getting these, as I like minimal sandals and specifically want one in this style (the other ones I have are thongs).
Good job Bryce
Super solid review -thanks
Great review! Love all the detail.
I’m no expert but I’m pretty sure the initial pain is due to the lack of drop rather than the stride but don’t quote me on that. I’ve heard that wearing a zero drop shoe like Altra trail runners or a sandal like these, you need to work up to wearing them farther and farther. The reason is because majority of shoes have a drop from heel to toe so feet and bodies are accustomed to that. Zero drop (like being barefoot) puts different/more stress/stretch on muscles and tendons. That is, unless someone already walks around barefoot a lot.
I think your absolutley right. I use a 12mm drop in my running shoes. They feel much better after 6 months or so of use. Thanks Steph!
The reason for pain in calves is that the calf muscles are used to absorb the impacts from walking and running. So they work more.. Or prevent the impact you could say because when walking barefoot or such footwear energy from impact is absorbed a lot more smoothly and distributed through ligaments and tendons and muscles throughout movement of body. The whole body starting with calves is lot more springy so to say and moves lighter. If you put thick layer between foot and environment and keep it these for years. All of this mechanisms that are designed to do this job artrophy over the years. Body gets dumb and lazy. And hurt when they have to do their job again.
@@jgsk78 This. Wearing zero drop shoes hurts for the same reason your muscles hurt when you start lifting weights for the first time ever.
@@patrickdewhurst3378 of course that's why your should listen to your body and feedback carefully and never go through pain.. only use and walk barefoot for as long as it's fun.. my experience is not try any transitional shoes just go for thin light sole and increase time in it...
@@jgsk78 Agreed. I've read the books on it like most everyone else on here, but the best thing is just to go out. That said, if you go from a total heel striker to cold turkey fore/mid foot strike, you will have calf pain. I don't mean anything bad, but when you are using a muscle group for the first time, you will feel pain. It is the good pain that identifies muscle growth. But then again, I think most of us with athletic backgrounds know on an intimate level the differences between the pain of overuse/injury, and the good pain of new growth and strength.
My progression was going from padded Brooks straight to the Xero DIYs. I ran for a measly 2-300 yards. That's it. I couldn't walk for a week lol. But never once did it feel like a "bad" pain. It was more of... "Wow! So that is how your calves are supposed to work." I'll be running the flying pig marathon in the DIYs btw. Foot, knee, and lower back pain are completely gone as a result. Oh, and the calf pain was completely gone within a week.
To be fair, I didn't switch because I wanted to be minimalist. I switched because I am extremely flatfooted and running has always sucked. But I have always wanted to love running and now I do!
In the background you have Hillsong what a beautiful name it is. That’s a amazing song!!! Do you like Hillsong?
haha. i actually dont know that one. My daughter listens to music on the tv. I'll have to give it a listen. I used to love contemporary when i was a kid
I don’t know if you are a Christian but it is a really good song that talks about Jesus.
NEVER CROSS THE STREAMS
after wearing it for awhile your feet feels and moves like a hand. quite a weird feeling but cool
the Z-Trek Sandals are currently on sale and I bought a pair.
Are you describing calf pain or discomfort? Pain is usually associated with injury.
Brown sole with black straps? Love that configuration but can't find them on their website. Did you buy the brown ones and installed the black straps yourself?
You convinced me.
Nice review.
Hey Bryce, are you still using these? I was thinking of getting them for the JMT as a stream shoe and camp shoe, not really any lengthy hiking. If you have a different recommendation let me know.
I keep hearing different things about the sizing.... sone say true to size some say a bit smaller then normal, while others say half size bigger then normal.... what is it? I normally wear a mens 8.5, do I need an 8 or a 9 in these?
You can print their template for each size men and women. However I haven't bought them yet. I will update if the template is reliable.
It's been 3y since upload. Did you ever get the Z-trail and if so which do you like better?
I appreciate the review but for durability, you said it's a sandal you have used for "a year". Could you give a rough idea of how many miles?
I want them for grounding. Will they really work?
I need to buy them for canoeing
I was expecting these mocha ones to get the dirty foot shadow after a whole year
Its been over 2 years now and still no dirty foot shadow. The rubber won't stain!
Can these be used for road running ?
Does it push the toes together? Does the strap prevent splaying?
No you can adjust the strap
Is the weight you are stating per sandal, or for your set? Thanks!
Per sandal. I actually thought it was the for the pair when i bought them. Kind of sad that my flip flop camp shoes weigh less than them but they are worth the weight for water crossings
Bryce Newbold Thanks! That’s the same I thought when reading their web site. I use my 3 oz a piece flip flops modified with a 4 inch loop piece of bungee cord for water crossings. Enjoying your vids, thanks for the response.
Did you say Clarion, PA!? You from there?
Haha. It's about 3-4 hours away from me
U consider these to be too heavy?? What sandals r less than 6oz ??
there is actually alot. some people just tie straps on shoe insoles. haha!
What are some examples? I haven’t found anything that has a back strap and that I could wear socks with if it’s cold at camp that is lighter
13:05 dog
Anyone here lift in these? Specifically squats and deadlifts
Not allowed in my gym :(
Wow you run, hike, and kayak in your sandals dude just marry-me your my type a guy i want in my life.😊 ok im done being creepy have a good day.
Lol
Haha your about 10 years too late 😘 but his wife agrees he's quite the catch 😉
@@postrunbanana5480 lol
Jesus Sandals lmao my family calls mine the same when I wear them. Unfortunately I had mine stolen :(
I love Hillsong Worship
would you like to see the photo of my left foot in a boot that I got yesterday because of a complete fracture of my second metatarsal that i have to wear for 6 weeks while the bone heals from wearing these sandals on a 6 mile run?
Definitely not the shoe that broke your foot. If I ran 6 miles in them it would probably have the same result. When switching to a barefoot running style / shoe you have to ease into it over about a 6 month period. I know this because I broke my foot switching from heal striking to a midfoot striking running style (the way your feet land when barefoot). In normal running shoes mind you. Needles to say I went back to traditional running style with lots of heal drop in my shoes (12mm). I've ran only short distances in the zero shoes. I personally wouldn't do more than 3 miles in them because of my running form.
Have you gotten better at running since you hurt yourself?
USER ERROR isn't the fault of the sandals. Try not being STUPID, that's and old farmer's trick for not getting hurt that you should look into.
Don't run in barefoot shoes is one safety precaution. Just hike and walk, lower stress load, more sustainable movements
13:06 Big Stretch
I know a lot of people get their fe-SHOES-et wet. That one made me laugh out loud.
The rubber holding the strap, will break, then no good anymore. They feel good and you can get about 6 months use, may just be my experience. Too many great reviews, companies do this. So it improves buying behavior. Reviews are not after they have been worn for months. They want to know just when you get them.
This was my 1 year review and I can say that after wearing them everywhere for over 2 1/2 years that mine are still doing great. And I am paid nothing by xero shoes.
They also have a 5,000 mile warranty.
You didn't even watch the video did you? He said he's had them for 1 YEAR. Commenting and have NO IDEA what you're talking about. Just wow, people are getting dumber everyday.
Don't buy them - put them on the second time and adjust the strap near the pinky toe - the rubber that makes the strap adjustable broke way to easily. I've lost all trust in this brand and it's way to expensive. But they are made in China so yeah.
Beat mine up for 3 years. Still going strong 🤗
@@BryceNewbold I glued the rubber part together. Think it's silly in transport to send something I can fix myself. Hope it holds up for now. But from a design perspective, the rubber part is way too thin and could have been made in another more durable material. It's not acceptable to the price given.