Scrambler Low Series

Xero shoes has the scrambler series which is very good for trail running.

I do everything in my minimalist sole shoes (Suavs) even running. The guy at the running shoe store laughed at me, I bought a pair of Altras, and returned them the next week. They might be zero drop and a wide toe box, but they’re still very cushiony. I like to feel what I’m walking/running on. The Suavs I’ve been wearing for 4 years have zero drop, minimalist sole, and knitted upper. They don’t have the wide toe box but they’re still very knitted upper let my feet flex and splay enough. I bought 1.5 sizes up from my regular size I should say. I’m on my 4th pair. Wear them every single day. I bought a pair of Xeros, and they’re fine, but honestly super stiff compared to the sole and uppers of the Suavs. And my Suavs don’t need tied every time.

Depending on how badly you hate yourself, you could look at some xeros. The toe boxes are really wide since they’re barefoot shoes, and after your feet strengthen up, I greatly prefer them to regular shoes. They’re easily 0/10 for comfort at first though unless you regularly go barefoot. I just recently picked up their trail runners for hiking, but haven’t had a chance to get out yet though.

I do xero shoes for everything but backpacking. I've done trips in them for shorter times and have done okay but I'm also a fan of altras. JMT is longer so I wouldn't do xeros the whole time personally.

I used the all black Xero Mesa Trail II for this purpose, and also as my daily. Was quite satisfied with them but for the fact that the cleats-like sole tread tended to cause calf pain when running with them on pavement for more than a half hour and not staying very mindful about short strikes. I recently wore this pair out (got maybe 2 years out of them), and they were sold out of my size. Tried and returned the all black Xero Scrambler Low EV, as they weren’t as narrow and low profile as I liked with the Mesa Traill II. Ultimately opted to switch to the all black Xero HFS II, and I’ve been very happy with them. I’ve thus far been preferring them > the Mesa Trail II for the lone shoe I wear traveling, as they have been better for my mix of road running (no pain) + light hiking and trail running (the less extreme tread has seemed fine) + daily. When I’m not traveling, I use the all black Altra Escalante 4 for road running; olive Nike Pegasus Trail 4 Gore-Tex for heavier duty hiking/trail running, rain, and snow running; and the HFS II for daily duty.

The grip is good on dry surfaces and soft surfaces but on wet rock they're pretty slippery in my experience. I like them but it'd be awesome to have a Vibram version.

My xero trail runner shoes have amazing grip and I've used them on a bunch of loose scree/scramble approaches with no issue, and prefer it over stiffer shoes basically always

My wife and kids got me something very similar for Fathers Day 2014. Same color scheme and all. I’ve tried them all. If you like those, you’ll like the Xeros. I think I have four different styles and any of them would be decent for trails, but two pair have a little extra in the knobby department and they are fantastic for trails and everything else.

However, due to the hard rubber compound, they are also slippery on some surfaces and less flexible than others. It's similar to car tires: lots of grip -> high wear, less wear -> less grip. And, for example, the Scrambler Low are slippery and have high sole wear. 😄 With my other Xeros, however, I can see virtually no wear on the sole.

Xero Scrambler Lo and now Mesa Trail