TerraFlex II Women Clearance

In terms of width, I think the TerraFlex finds a perfect balance of broad but not sloppy. And that’s true throughout the whole shoe, not just the toe box. If you have a foot that’s wider from the heel through to the toes, give the TerraFlex a try. I fully admit the shoe doesn’t look as sleek as other trail shoe brands like the Vivobarefoot Primus Trail or even the Xero Shoes Mesa Trail (very fun, very minimal!), but that’s not always the most important factor. If you’re looking for a minimal shoe with knarly trail protection, you’re in for a treat. The Xero Shoes TerraFlex II is the big brother of all the barefoot trail industry, trying to prove you can marry minimal and all-round foot protection.

• The TerraFlex sole is a bit wider than other Xero models, but I do not consider it particularly wide – going half a size up would probably be a safe bet.
• So if you have a low-volume foot, you should look at options like Vivobarefoot.
• You can also hit the road without having the feeling that your lugging mud tires around on your feet.
• I haven’t experienced any grip failures but suppose these would slip on the extreme end of the spectrum (mud/high incline marbled) — as would most shoes.
• While I don’t mind wet feet for a day or two, over a protracted period wet conditions raise the risk of blisters, and shoes with soft uppers sometimes take a long time to dry.

Natural Fit

The rugged 6.5mm FeelTrue® sole, including 4mm lugs for confident traction, provides the perfect combination of protection and ground feel for any off-road activity. The embedded 3mm layer of TrailFoam™ provides added comfort and protection and the toe bumper helps guard against unexpected bumps you encounter along your way. The structured toe boxes on both models are nice and deep and will accommodate 80% of you out there. Now if you’re a super toe splayer with a fan-shaped foot, you are likely better off looking at different brands because Xero Shoes are not the widest on the market. The mesh uppers are quite breathable, lightly water resistant and wick moisture well, and I never felt like the shoes got overly hot in any weather.

FIT:

• It means you won’t find as much give in shoes if you have any pressure points, or at least it’ll take a while for the upper to give a little and mold to your foot shape.
• He swears by them for trail running, hiking and even downhill biking.
• She is a mom of two teen boys, and has been running and racing distances of 5K to 100+ miles for over a decade.
• In most shoes I’ve come across, a men’s US8 converts to an EU 42, whereas with Xero it converts to an EU 41.

The outsoles on both shoes are rugged, but I don’t recommend spending any time on the road with them. It likely goes without saying, but these shoes are not made for the road. Both will likely see similar wear rates as the rubber materials are similar. Too maximal, and everyone will complain that there’s no ground feel. The middle section of the heel and instep straps are highly reflective, so you can be safely seen while out running and walking at night. We finished this short trip with a much steeper uphill climb out of the valley.

Mesa Trail II

Simply put, if your feet hurt while hiking and you’re looking to make a change to a lighter shoe, Then these NEED to be on your list. They look great, they hike amazing, and they dry fast after creek crossings. As a trail running shoe, the TerraFlex is a durable, flexible racer that has a beautiful foot-shaped design.

Comparing Shape, Size and Fit of Barefoot Hiking & Sports Shoes Hiking Enthusiast Investigates

The climb was a starkly different test of the TerraFlex shoes, as grip was at a premium. The XeroShoes did well on the hike out of the valley, only slipping a bit on the steepest and most thoroughly leaf covered section of the trail. You will feel every rock and root underfoot, but that’s also the point. The rubber used will ensure that the rocks and roots never poke through the outsole into your foot though.

Sizing and Fitting

” However, it is entirely possible to run trails in minimal shoes. In fact, many options are available on the market for this purpose. Lockdown is near perfect for the Mesa Trail II, and the Terraflex II isn’t too far behind. Because the materials around the ankle cuff are relatively flexible on both shoes, it’s possible to lock your feet tight without worrying about slippage. This benefit is further enhanced by the Mesa Trails, where the super flexible materials hug the foot like a sock. The fit of both shoes is relatively similar and familiar to anyone that’s worn Xero Shoes before.

This proved a good choice as I had zero issues with hotspots or blisters. I was honestly considering the TerraFlex as my thru-hiking shoe for my 2019 Appalachian Trail attempt, but after my last backpacking trip in North Georgia that idea quickly vanished. At this point in time I had been wearing the TerraFlex for three months and was starting to not experience a tired foot after trail runs.

The toebox materials and overlays are stiff and more durable than you may expect. As part of this review and in the context of my affiliation as a Backpacking Light contributor, I received a xero shoes terraflex review complimentary pair of Terraflex shoes from Xero Shoes with no expectation or obligation to publish a review. Provided that you’re used to a flexible zero drop shoe, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them for ultra-distance trail races and multi-day fastpack adventures.

It is wiser to buy a shoe that’s longer than you think you need (eg. 1 to 1,5 cm longer than your foot), as opposed to something that seems just the right length (eg. 2 mm longer than your foot). Especially when you are at the start of your barefoot transition, I would recommend choosing a bigger size. Take a look at this complete guide on foot measurement and how to to find the perfect shoe fit. Many minimalist or barefoot-style shoes are so thin that you may feel like your feet have been put through a meat grinder after a long run on technical trails. The Terraflex gives enough protection, without relying on unwanted cushion or support.

If you want the authentic barefoot feel, the Mesa Trails II’s are for you. With only a few millimeters of stack height difference, you’d expect the feel in both shoes to be similar. The Mesa Trail II perfectly balances protection and barefoot flexibility, which works in various conditions. The material differences set both of these shoes apart in performance but also fit.

The TerraFlex sole is a bit wider than other Xero models, but I do not consider it particularly wide – going half a size up would probably be a safe bet. It had a brief appearance on Shark Tank in January 2012, where they turned down a $400,000 offer, and have since had a rise to prominence as one of the leading barefoot shoe companies within the industry. The TerraFlex is flexible, but they fit like a glove and are secure when tightened down properly with the laces, minus the roomy comfort zone in the toe box. The thin insole can be removed for a closer to barefoot feel, but I didn’t find it necessary, and I always left it in. The first thing I noticed after wearing the TerraFlex II was the uber wide toe box that allowed my toes to splay out, offering up oodles of comfort and relaxation. The TerraFlex II is amazingly flexible and is close to noodly when bent by hand, but they fit like a glove and are secure when tightened down properly with the laces, minus the roomy comfort zone in the toe box.

To protect your foot and improve durability they utilize a Tough Tek toe bumper and a rugged, breathable and wicking mesh outsole that keeps your feet cool and dry. I started the trip solidly skeptical that the XeroShoes TerraFlex would be sufficient for my 225Lbs + 25Lb pack. But I finished the hike optimistic that these lightweight trail shoes might actually replace my trail runners for even longer trips.