• Overall Rating

  : 4-5 out of 5

As a keen barefoot shoe and boot wearer, I was interested to try a pair from Xero, and I’ve really enjoyed wearing them. They are extremely comfortable straight out of the box, and wearable for long days immediately.

I sized up half a size as recommended on the website, and this suited me well. They’re not massively wider over the forefoot, but where you notice the difference is in the width of the toe box, and my feet never felt restricted. On this model, the sole is made of a non-branded rubber, which was grippy enough most of the time, but I did find it a little slippy on wet rock. The next model up does use Michelin rubber though. There are 3mm lugs evenly across the sole which were a good compromise between grip on boggy ground and still feeling through the sole of the boot. Being a barefoot style boot, there’s no midsole, just a removable insole which when in place gives a little more protection and warmth.

The upper is synthetic and the main fabrics and textiles are confirmed vegan. The ripstop upper feels very durable with the TPU overlays acting as a rand to protect the front and sides of the boot. Due to the flexibility of barefoot shoes I often find that the creases at the toe can be a weakness. This hasn’t happened in this case, but be aware that barefoot shoes can be less durable.

The Xero Scrambler Trail Mid WP in the wet, wet, wet. Credit: Kirsty Pallas

The waterproofing is Xero’s own membrane and has kept my feet dry through testing. This boot has a mid-level ankle, with two hooks for the laces to keep everything secure and supported. I found this comfortable and a nice height to still maintain some movement at the ankle. I’ve really enjoyed testing these and reach for them time and again, to keep my feet happy on all terrains and weathers.

How we tested

Kirsty has UK size 5 feet with a wide forefoot and narrower heel. These boots have been tested across the Scottish Highlands in a range of weather conditions, including the heatwaves! Weights were measured by Kirsty on her scales.