Xero Shoes

Xero Shoes started in 2009 when Steven Sashen, a competitive sprinter, discovered barefoot running. He began making huarache-style sandals from Vibram rubber sheets and selling them online. The brand has since expanded into a full footwear company based in Broomfield, Colorado.

Philosophy

Xero builds shoes around what they call "natural movement" — zero drop, wide toe box, flexible sole, and lightweight construction. They aim to be the most accessible barefoot brand, with shoes for every activity and price point. Most models are vegan and use synthetic materials.

Product Range

• Running — HFS, Mesa Trail, Speed Force for road and trail
• Casual — Prio, Dillon, Glenn for everyday wear
• Hiking — Scrambler, DayLite Hiker, Xcursion for trails
• Sandals — Z-Trek, Z-Trail, Genesis for warm weather
• Kids — Prio Kids in little and big kid sizes
• Water — Aqua X Sport for wet conditions
• Boots — Alpine, Mika for cold weather

What Sets Xero Apart

Xero has the widest product range of any barefoot brand. They cover more activities and price points than competitors. Their toe boxes are among the widest in the industry — wider than Vivobarefoot or Altra. The brand also offers a 5,000-mile sole warranty, signaling confidence in durability.

Xero's aesthetic is more athletic than fashionable. If you want barefoot shoes that blend into a gym or trail setting, Xero excels. For office or social wear, other brands may be a better fit.

Who Chooses Xero

Active people who want one brand for everything — running, hiking, casual, sandals, and water shoes. Budget-conscious buyers appreciate the $60-130 price range. Runners with wide feet particularly favor Xero's generous toe boxes.