Randy Kreill, March 12, 2021

Minimalist AVR Score: 9.9

Editor Overall AVR Score: 9.9

Price $119.99

Available primarily on-line at www.XEROSHOES.com/go/randy_kreill (paidxeropartner)

*I’ve happily purchased many pair of Xero Shoes over the years, but thank you Xero Shoes for providing this early pair of Aqua X’s for review/wear testing.

Review Summary

While Aqua X is being branded as a “water shoe”, I wear them as casual shoes, running shoes and especially as trail running shoes! Xero Aqua X has the features I want in a great trail running shoe, such as: quick draining after water crossings, excellent traction, quick and easy lace adjustments and it’s easy to knock the mud off the well spaced lugs.

Pros:

~ Proper minimalist shoe with a flat outsole and no arch support.

~ Wide and super flexible forefoot and toe box area with a very light, flexible upper.

~ Ample small openings in the thin uppers for air and water flow.

~ Roughly and 11MM stack height with sturdy 3.5MM lugs on the outsole for a “just right” feel on trails or pavement.

~ Removable 3MM insole for easy drying or for a lighter feel using Aqua with no insoles.

~ 5000 mile outsole warranty and great support from the Xero customer happiness team.

~ Men’s color choices in sporty blue or stylish all black.

~ Ladies color choices are plum or blue.

~ Quick lace system for easy and fast fine tuning tension and fit. Convenient for quick on and off the feet.

~ Vegan Friendly

~ Comfortable with bare feet. No socks required.

~ Only 7.2 ounces for a men’s size 9.

~ Substantial lugs for gripping wet surfaces. Widely spaced lugs makes it easier to clear dirt.

Cons:

Nothing to report here so far! Form follows function and design team hit a home run with the Aqua X. It looks and functions very well.

Minimalist AVR Score 9.9

Weight – very light

Toe Box – wide and breathable

Heel to toe drop – always no drop with Xero products

Sole Flex – Very flexible relative to the protection level as this is meant to protect the feet in water, streams, etc.

Foot Grip Support – Sturdy lugs, well spaced, effective.

Cushion – Minimal cushion primarily from the removable insole.

Flat sole – No arch support, flat outsole.

Specs:

Use – Water and wet areas, plus much more.

Weight – 7.2 ounces for a men’s size 9.

Materials – Rubber and fabric, vegan friendly, breathable

Water – non absorbent materials. Full wet, this shoe doesn’t weight much more than dry.

Widths – wide toe box, one size with adjustable straps built into the uppers for fine tuning fit.

Seasons – for warmer weather use, but I ran for hours in them with temps just above freezing, on snow, ice, etc.

Sizes – Ladies 5-11 including half sizes. Men’s 6.5-12 including half sizes, plus 13, 14 & 15.

Detailed Review

Since Aqua X is new and we are coming out of Winter now, I’ve not used them extensively, but I loved them right out of the box. Mine are beautiful blue, but a stylish all black option is available for men. Ladies choose from plum or blue.

After wearing the new Aquas indoors, I decided the Aquas and my feet were ready for the first outdoor test run to be over 50K. Normally few people would suggest a first run of 50K in brand new shoes. Aquas are THAT good.

I ran mostly paved bike path to a favorite town, the village of Yellow Springs, Ohio and back on a recently unseasonably warm, mostly sunny day. There was some ice and snow, as well as moist trails to run alongside the bike path. I loved the feel of Aquas on all surfaces. Grip is very good. I had no problems and ran in my very thinnest, lightest socks just to be safe.

More recent runs and walks have proven the Aquas are very comfortable with bare feet. Over the past few years, Xero Shoes has gotten better at getting their products to fit true to size. At my foot size, where the shoes only come out in full size increments, not half sizes, I’m fortunate to measure right between at 11.5 inches actual foot size, so a size 12 Xero fits near perfectly in just about everything. Aqua X in size 12 feels just right.

Aqua is a great new option. I hiighly recommend them. I think trail runners, ultra runners and hikers will love the Aqua.

#paidxeropartner Thank You Xero Shoes for providing this pair of Aquas complimentary for preview, wear testing, review and feedback.