Xero ShoesBarefoot Shoes for Men | Speed Force Men’s Barefoot Running Shoes | Zero Drop, Wide Toe Box, Ultra Lightweight, Minimalist |

Before I get into my actual review, let me tell you first how much I wanted a pair of these.I followed the sizing guide on the Xero Shoes website and ordered a 9. I was so excited I even paid extra for next day shipping! Then, they came and I was super stoked, until I tried them on. Sadly, too small. What? But I wear a 9 normally! I reached out to the company, who was incredibly expedient about getting back to me and decided to return the 9s and get a pair of 9.5. They arrive a few days later and what, they're still a little too small! Flabbergasted at this point, I considered either committing seppuku, or maybe even grinding my feet down to fit this size. I decided instead that I would just try a size 10, so I sent the 9.5s back and ordered a 10. Got them last Friday and wonderfully, I've worn them all week as these fit! Finally I was basking in the holiness of Xero Shoes. And it has been glorious.I've been wearing them every day for the last week for a minimum of 8 hours per day, and sometimes up to 12+, and I have to admit that they've already become my favorite shoe. I'm used to wearing flat-soled shoes like Chuck Taylors or Vibram Five Fingers and these are way more comfortable, and genuinely don't feel like they crowd my toes into a little box. They do take some getting used to if you're not acclimated to a more barefoot style shoe, but for those of us who are, there's very little break in period. I stand on my feet most of the day, so I'm quite used to fatigue, but these definitely don't leave me feeling the same way after a long day. Even after walking several miles in them my feet still don't hurt nearly as much. The fact that they have a wider than normal toe box is definitely a benefit, and one of the biggest selling points for me. The lightness of the shoe is also impressive; I do lots of calisthenics and bar work and even an extra pound or two can really throw off your balance, so it's wonderful that these really don't. Who wants a back lever to suffer because of the wrong shoes?Now I also have to admit that these aren't perfect. I love the styling on them, but when I look down at my feet I almost imagine I'm wearing a pair of Birkenstocks. I think it's the wide toe box that makes me think that, but I love Birks so I'm not complaining. Because they're canvas, they do breathe, but I find that if I don't wear socks, my feet tend to get sweatier. These can be washed fairly easily though, so I'm not concerned. I have them double-knotted so I can wear them as slip-ons, but I also ride a bike a lot and am somewhat afraid the laces are going to come undone even after double-knotting them. Those are really my only gripes with the shoes, and even those are minor compared to how amazing they are.In summation, (I've always wanted to say that, :D), I am definitely in love with my Xero Hanas and plan to buy a pair of their sandals very soon, and possibly a pair of Prios.

I walk 8-12 miles almost every day, and have for several years. I wore Nike Air Monarchs until this shoe. I've been interested in switching to minimalist shoes, and I've tried many. The shoes never fit right. I couldn't use them even for a few miles. I stuck with the Monarchs, and stockpiled them as I'd wear out a few per year. The problem was that I was developing corns and my feet would hurt. I just sucked it up.I have a few of the Xero sandals, and like them. A few issues, but that's a different story. When this shoe came out, I thought I'd give it a try. It feels like a really comfortable slipper. I could immediately walk 3 or so miles. But I didn't want to push. In fact, I could tell I needed to learn the correct way of walking. So I did research and practiced. Meanwhile, I used my Monarchs for my long walks, with lots of bandaids to control the abrasion.I have now completely switched to these Xero shoes for my long walks. More than 50 miles this week. I use them for hiking on nearby rocky trails. They are amazing! I don't need any bandaids. The corn and other abrasions have disappeared. The adequate toe box, I believe, is crucial.I now own 4 pairs. I use one pair for my long walks and don't care how dirty they are. Then I have one of each color to match with clothes, which I try to keep clean.My only concern is that the "treads" at the center of the ball of my foot are nearly worn away. I'm at, what, 200 miles? Oddly, it's the same place my heavy wool socks (worn around the house without shoes) wear out. I'm concerned about making it to 5000 miles, but, even if I don't, these shoes are worth every penny in their comfort and reduced pain.Update 2 months later: I wear these shoes pretty much everywhere now. My concerns about the soles wearing out seem unfounded - the wear seems to have stopped once the bumps had worn off. The shoes remain as comfortable as ever. As a plus, learning to walk in these fixed an issue I had with my Xero sandals mentioned above, namely my foot sliding forward so that my toes rubbed the ground. The sandals fit fine. It was the sliding. Now that I know how to walk, there is no sliding forward.I love these shoes.Update: About 6 months later. I retired my first pair of Hanas this week. I don't think they lasted 5000 miles, but they are indeed the most comfortable shoes I've worn for about 6 months. The soles are very thin, so I've relegated the first pair to dog walking shoes. I don't want to be 5 miles from home with a hole in my sole. I still love these shoes. They, along with the sandals, are the only shoes I wear.

These shoes taught me that comfortable shoes cam exist. Also, they are the stickiest sole ive ever worn. I frame houses and they are the undesputed best shoe fir walking top plates, trusses, even wet and icy wood.