Randy Kreill, January 5, 2021
Minimalist AVR Score: 9.8
Editor Overall AVR Score: 9.8
Price: Adult Ladies and Men $79.99 and Kids $59.99. Primarily available online. #XeroAmbassador at www.XEROSHOES.com/go/randy_kreill
Review Summary
Incredibly light, comfortable and functional general purpose minimalist non huarache style sandal. Wide straps flex with the foot for a super natural feel. The 10MM outsole is so light for a barefoot feel on rough surfaces. Ideal for the crushed gravel that is so commonly found on trails, etc.
Pros
~ Comfort!! The 10MM outsole is formed with three different weights of rubber. The lighter weight, softer rubber close to your feet has more air for comfort, so it will mold to the shape of your foot with use. The heavier weight, more durable rubber on the bottom adds longevity to the Z-Trail.
~ 5000 Mile Outsole Warranty
~ As the softer rubber compresses and molds a bit to your foot and as the tread wears over time, the Z-Trail simply becomes “more minimalist” and can be used for different applications. An older, well worn pair is great for a training run, while a fresh pair should be perfect for a flat one hundred mile trail race in Florida this month.
~ Grippy super duty rubber tread pattern
~ Attractive Lace designs featuring simple methods for tension adjustments at the forefoot, midfoot and heel.
~ Open air feel for sensing the sun, wind, leaves, grass, etc. Very nice for keeping cooler while active on warmer days. Thin, wide straps flex with your feet, just right. #FeelTheWorld
~ Sizing. Men’s run in even sizes from 6 to 15. Women’s run in even sizes from 5 to 11. Kid’s sizes are available: kids 12 & 13, and youth 1 to 4.
Cons
I started running further and further, gaining confidence that Z-Trails would be just right for the entirety of the Canal Corridor 100 Mile Endurance Race here in Ohio this past July. And they were. That run in Z-Trails for 100 miles with no socks was flawless. While I still wear toe post huaraches with a bit more protection built into the outsoles for super rugged mountain ultras with rough trails. Z-Trails light weight and “just right” protection on more moderate ultra courses is undeniable.
~ Prior to the initial release of the Z-Trail years ago, I had a pair for wear testing/review, but they had a manufacturing defect. That led me to initially underestimate the utility of the Z-Trail. The replacement pair has been used extensively, but I was using them for super comfortable warm weather walking and for recovery after long runs in huarache style sandals with toe posts. The “over the forefoot” straps on the Z-Trail felt nice after long huarache runs. More recently, the pandemic shifted my habits and thinking. Xero had a major retailer cancel an order due to the pandemic, leaving Xero heavy on Z-Trail inventory. Our family of five all ended up with Z-Trails. We all love them.
Minimalist AVR Score 9.7
Weight ~ 10 Very light, especially for 10MM outsoles
Toe Box ~ 10 Open forefoot with fully adjustable strap over the forefoot area with a wide enough outsole for most users.
Heel to Toe Drop ~ 10 Zero drop from heel to toe with all Xero Footwear
Sole Flex ~ 9.5 Very flexible. The strategically placed heavy duty rubber mean the outsoles are uneven relative to how they flex when you hold them and roll them up. On the feet, they flex just right. Contact points at the forefoot and heel are heavier weight. Lighter weight rubber is used elsewhere to give them an “impossibly” light feel.
Foot Grip Support ~9.7 A very effective lacing system consisting of a buckle at the midfoot and Velcro on the heel, with a “loop” opening on the forward outside strap post to lock in the tension of the strap over the forefoot. Triple adjustable for fine tuning.
Cushion ~ Brand new, the Z-Trails are perfectly comfortable. With wear, expect some compression in the upper, softer rubber section of the outsoles. As the outsoles wear with use, those contact points will get thinner, making the Z-Trails ideal for certain uses. In other words, heavy use can make them more minimalist, which changes their ideal purposes over time. I keep a few pair of Z-Trails on hand in various stages of wear. Heavily used Z-Trails will give more feedback from the trail. I just bought a new pair for a 100 mile trail race in Florida. That extra cushion will be ideal for that application.
Grip ~ 9.3 Grip is very good for general use and is good on wet surfaces. Some trail runners might expect a bit more “rugged” tread design. Watch for that in future models from Xero Shoes.
Flat Sole ~ 9.9 There is no arch support in any Xero Footwear. As the outsole molds to the foot a bit, the outsole may no longer appear flat while not is use. Thickness at the contact points will be thinner with wear and compression.
Other Parameters 9.7 ~ The Z-Trail delivers on it’s intended purpose as a great all around warm weather sandal. Z-Trail exceeded it’s intended purpose for me, when I ran 100 miles in them sans socks with no problems.
Grip 9.7 ~ Very good traction.
Temperature Isolation 9.7 ~ Obviously a sandal is ideal for warmer climates, but it’s easily adjustable to allow use with socks for cooler temperatures. Since there is no huarache style toe post, any standard sock can work with Z-Trails.
Specs
~ Casual or active use
~ Weight. Just 5.4 oz. per sandal for a men’s size 9
~ Materials. “Vegan Friendly” of rubber and fabric
~ Water. The outsole is waterproof, while the laces will only absorb nominal moisture. Great for stream crossings as water drains away and the laces feel OK when wet.
~ Widths. There is one standard size that will work for most feet.
~ Seasons. Primarily for warm climates and a very good choice for wet areas.
Detailed Review
Form follows function and sometimes that can lead to footwear that looks awkward. Z-Trails are highly functional and look great on men’s, women’s and children’s feet. So, it’s not surprising the “Z” is a best seller for Xero Shoes.
My deep appreciation for the Z’s has evolved slowly. Prior to the initial launch of the Z’s, my “wear tester” pair had a manufacturing defect in a side post. This lead me to using them for lighter duty use only. I have loved them for walking comfort and as a recovery sandal after covering great distances in huarache style sandals. Z’s gave me a break after running in a toe post style huarache sandal and they have a touch more cushion than most of the other minimalist running wear. One of the best parts of running a 100 mile race, is the hot shower afterwards. Slipping the Z-Trails on after that is a treat, as my feet don’t want to be squeezed into a shoe while swollen. The Z’s are easy to slip off for barefoot driving as well.
So, in my mind the Z’s were great for general use, shorter training runs and recovery, but the pandemic changed my thinking. Serendipitous that when REI cancelled a huge order of Z-Trails due to the pandemic/lockdown, Xero offered us a special price that resulted in my wife and three daughters all getting Z’s. And with my new pair, I started running long routes close to home in them while races were cancelled. My confidence and enjoyment of them grew. I then realized the Z’s were the ideal sandal for the hot and humid mid July Canal Corridor 100 mile endurance run here in Ohio. The trail was mostly paved, smooth and relatively flat.
Knowing that we humans loose about 25% of our excess heat from our feet, meant that I had an edge as the only sandal runner at the 100 mile race. I ran it well, finished strong and had no blisters or skin issues. Z-Trail is the lightest sandal I’ve ever worn for 100 miles and the first Xero product that my entire family loves. It’s wonderful that they come in kids sizes.
I recommend that people rotate the use of Z-Trails with Xero Genesis, the super thin and minimalist huarache style sandal, and the Z-Trek. Z-Trek is similar to Z-Trail in the lacing system, but the outsole is a thinner, solid piece of the sturdiest rubber they use, so it gives more trail feel, and less cushion. The Genesis also has an outsole with only one weight of rubber, so there is little or no “molding” to the foot, simply slow wearing of the rubber from the ground up.
Of course, pure barefoot motion whenever it’s safe is ideal. Sometimes the minimalist products are so good, we forget to take them off and more fully feel the world.
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