Thanks for this review Eric. I have been following you since I read your book " The Cool Impossible" and appreciate your insights. As a result of that book, I did the foot and core strength exercises with great results. I also took your suggestions regarding minimal shoes and bought a pair of Xero Terraflex shoes. I thought I took my time getting used to them over a period of 4 to 6 weeks, including some barefoot running. However, I made the mistake of racing a 12k trail race in them too soon in spite of experiencing some nagging achilles pain in my left foot. A day after the race I was in full- blown achilles tendonitis that made it hard to even walk. I suffered for two years with it until finally finding a good physiotherapist that could treat it. Last year I ran my first road marathon in June (in Hoka Mach 4's) and first 50k trail race in October (in Speedgoat 5's) with barely a niggle in my achilles. So I echo your caution about most people not being strong enough to wear these for extended periods of time without proper training and acclimation. Not that I blame the Xero shoes for my injury since my right foot was totally fine. But I do blame myself for not taking the time needed to adapt and for not paying attention to the warning signs. 😢
Hey David. Thanks for this comment, it is an important one. Since others will read this, I feel it is important to set a mindset. For many, it might take longer than 6 months, rather than 4-6 weeks to condition the body to race a half marathon in a natural shoe. Therefore, it is much better for runners to have the mindset of using natural shoes as a strength tool, rather than a race shoe. Thanks for the comment and sharing your experience.
Loved seeing your review Eric, especially loved the part where you share that you hated being in your 'old' shoes! For about 3-4 years now I've been living a 'barefoot/natural' foot lifestyle so my feet are well adapted to wearing barefoot shoes and I just can't stand conventional footwear anymore, I too crave the barefoot feel. In the last couple of months I've also started running, which is crazy as I truly have never been a runner, but from reading Born to Run and now your Born to Run 2 book also I'm working on it as a 'craft' and LOVING it!! I recently competed in my first trail race and even though I'm definitely at the back of the pack the feeling is amazing. I love watching your videos and slowly am improving my technique and strength. I have the first version of the Mesa Trails and they're absolutely awesome, I feel like they just aren't there... my feet are something I barely have to think about when running (except for technique) but they're strong, love the feeling of the trails and pull up feeling fine after every training session. Thank you for all your hard work and sharing your knowledge.
Yeah, just can't do it anymore. They began causing blisters and my feet just wanted "more natural" feel. So gonna go exclusive in Mesa for longer runs. I still think I need more of a shoe for very long, all day runs, but will work from the Mesa end for now.
Hi Eric - thanks for this and your other videos, plus all your tips in Born to Run 2. It’s been huge for me getting back into running. What size foot are you and what size mesa trail do you have? I have several zeros, including the Zelen and wear a 13 that I can run several miles in comfortably on the road. So wondering if you sized up on the mesa trail to accommodate for descends
That’s my debate now do I go with these in May? I’ve got an ultra coming up like 17,000 feet again. I’m looking at probably 20 hours or less would that be enough or should I go with a different shoe? I’m trying to debate that right now I could always pick it up and start seeing really how long I can go on it until I fail I know I can at least do 12 hours in it but I’m not finishing this race in 12 hours so I’ll, I’m just debating you know I was thinking about my sandals because those are thicker so pay time will tell appreciate the video I always get so much from all your videos
If you’re imminently doing a race and want to be competitive, compete how you trained. Don’t switch your footwear right before the race and introduce a novel variable into an already complicated and delicate situation. Finish this upcoming race with what you’re used to and then once you’re done, have rested and recovered from that event, start a training cycle utilizing these new shoes incorporating training parameters which allow you to develop your running ability with this new footwear. Your volume will likely be reduced as a consequence of new footwear and the time it takes for your entire body to adapt to the new technique necessitated by bare foot footwear.
It seems like the feet would get torn apart on a long downhill race like the Pikes Peak marathon. How does it feel going downhill on more technical trails?
Hey there. Like I mentioned in the review most runners are not strong enough to run I these for 20 min let along a marathon. This is my personal review and not a recommendation. My mission is to let runners know everyone can benefit in their own way from using a minimal shoe as a Tool. So it's not so important what you race in, but what you train in some of the time all based on personal strength capacity.
@@trainwellracewell love this discussion. Keep in mind that the potent benefit is how you use your feet directly related to how well you use other parts of your legs and hips/glutes. So yes foot strength comes with it, but it is the training of the feet that is potent for how you use other muscles and the strength that comes with that....very powerful. Then you pick the protection you need for bigger runs and races.
@@BornToRunCoachMakes perfect sense. Do these shoes tend to run big, small or true to size? I wear 11.5 in brands like ASICS & Hoka. I wear 12 in brands like Salomon & Brooks
The Mesa actually runs very very well on roads. The lug depth and spacing provides a nice smooth ride for a trail shoe on roads. Of course, with any road running, the rubber will wear quicker than if only dedicated to dirt and trail.
@@jamesblaser5329 it's a great shoe and you will love it. But it is very minimal, so if you are not used to that, phase it in and microdose with it, a little bit goes a long way.
Hey Eric. Nice review. Could you please provide a comment on the choice of a 3 mm insole for the Born to Run Edition versus a 2 mm in the regular edition in the Xero lineup?
Due to the lug spacing configuration, they ride really nice on roads with less wearing than normal trail shoes. And the outsole has a 5000 mile warranty, but any rubber will wear faster on tarmac than dirt.
Eric, I wear minimal shoes for my every day walking around, or I’m barefoot. I’ve owned two pair of Xero shoes in the last 6 years, the Terraflex trail and Prio. I loved the Terraflex and wore them until they got a hole, but I could never use them for trail running because they weren’t protective enough. I really want to try out the Mesa Trail but I’m hesitant for the same reasons. My feet are extremely well adapted to minimal shoes and barefoot walking and I can’t wear built up shoes any more. I wear extremely light Saucony Kinvara road shoes for my trail running and they’re surprisingly durable. Any thoughts or recommendations?
Looks a nice shoe, something to have in my quiver. Not sure it would suit most of what I do here in Scotland, it is a lot tougher than those lovely smooth trails in your video. ps, I normally go for the Inov8 G270
It is a tremendous strength tool. We also have very technical alpine terrain in the Tetons, and go back and forth between the Mesa for strength and Inov8 g270. Thanks for watching and hope to get to Scotland someday for some magnificent mtn running.
@@BornToRunCoach . Get over for the Salomon Skyline series, which is at the beginning of September. It is in Kinlochleven, which is where I live, next Glen over from Glencoe A great range of superb runs, mind the weather is not always as good as you seem to have.
Not at all. Most people can't or won't be patient to go exclusive, therefore, most should use them as a tool for ongoing benefits. This is my experience and personal review, why I partnered, and not a recommendation.
@@BornToRunCoach Even for yourself to not need industry minimal shoes as much for foot protection and comfort I would see as a change to your previous viewpoint.
@@TadeuszCantwell my goal has always been to go as minimal as possible, but could never find the protect I needed, in a very minimal package. It was either too much of a shoe with protection, or not enough protect. That's where the Xero came in. And then I was patient to adapt over winter.
Regrettably, I have to say, most disappointing trail runners purchase ever. Insoles extremely thin and moving around inside the shoes. But, most importantly, their acclaimed 5000-mile guaranteed sole started do fall apart after a two-day 38 km 3100m elevation gain hike. Got in touch with Xero and they kindly offered me a 20% discount on my next purchase. Never again.
Man...i love Xero shoes but I feel like once i buy a pair and like anything Xero on socials, Steven is just UP MY ASS woth spamming my feed constantly.
Thanks for this review Eric. I have been following you since I read your book " The Cool Impossible" and appreciate your insights. As a result of that book, I did the foot and core strength exercises with great results. I also took your suggestions regarding minimal shoes and bought a pair of Xero Terraflex shoes. I thought I took my time getting used to them over a period of 4 to 6 weeks, including some barefoot running. However, I made the mistake of racing a 12k trail race in them too soon in spite of experiencing some nagging achilles pain in my left foot. A day after the race I was in full- blown achilles tendonitis that made it hard to even walk. I suffered for two years with it until finally finding a good physiotherapist that could treat it. Last year I ran my first road marathon in June (in Hoka Mach 4's) and first 50k trail race in October (in Speedgoat 5's) with barely a niggle in my achilles. So I echo your caution about most people not being strong enough to wear these for extended periods of time without proper training and acclimation. Not that I blame the Xero shoes for my injury since my right foot was totally fine. But I do blame myself for not taking the time needed to adapt and for not paying attention to the warning signs. 😢
Hey David. Thanks for this comment, it is an important one. Since others will read this, I feel it is important to set a mindset. For many, it might take longer than 6 months, rather than 4-6 weeks to condition the body to race a half marathon in a natural shoe. Therefore, it is much better for runners to have the mindset of using natural shoes as a strength tool, rather than a race shoe. Thanks for the comment and sharing your experience.
Loved seeing your review Eric, especially loved the part where you share that you hated being in your 'old' shoes! For about 3-4 years now I've been living a 'barefoot/natural' foot lifestyle so my feet are well adapted to wearing barefoot shoes and I just can't stand conventional footwear anymore, I too crave the barefoot feel. In the last couple of months I've also started running, which is crazy as I truly have never been a runner, but from reading Born to Run and now your Born to Run 2 book also I'm working on it as a 'craft' and LOVING it!! I recently competed in my first trail race and even though I'm definitely at the back of the pack the feeling is amazing. I love watching your videos and slowly am improving my technique and strength. I have the first version of the Mesa Trails and they're absolutely awesome, I feel like they just aren't there... my feet are something I barely have to think about when running (except for technique) but they're strong, love the feeling of the trails and pull up feeling fine after every training session. Thank you for all your hard work and sharing your knowledge.
So have you binned the terraultras?🤔
Yeah, just can't do it anymore. They began causing blisters and my feet just wanted "more natural" feel. So gonna go exclusive in Mesa for longer runs. I still think I need more of a shoe for very long, all day runs, but will work from the Mesa end for now.
Hi Eric - thanks for this and your other videos, plus all your tips in Born to Run 2. It’s been huge for me getting back into running.
What size foot are you and what size mesa trail do you have?
I have several zeros, including the Zelen and wear a 13 that I can run several miles in comfortably on the road. So wondering if you sized up on the mesa trail to accommodate for descends
I'm so tired of the altra superior... I'm thinking about moving to xero
That’s my debate now do I go with these in May? I’ve got an ultra coming up like 17,000 feet again. I’m looking at probably 20 hours or less would that be enough or should I go with a different shoe? I’m trying to debate that right now I could always pick it up and start seeing really how long I can go on it until I fail I know I can at least do 12 hours in it but I’m not finishing this race in 12 hours so I’ll, I’m just debating you know I was thinking about my sandals because those are thicker so pay time will tell appreciate the video I always get so much from all your videos
Definitely go with shoes that help you perform at your best.
If you’re imminently doing a race and want to be competitive, compete how you trained. Don’t switch your footwear right before the race and introduce a novel variable into an already complicated and delicate situation. Finish this upcoming race with what you’re used to and then once you’re done, have rested and recovered from that event, start a training cycle utilizing these new shoes incorporating training parameters which allow you to develop your running ability with this new footwear. Your volume will likely be reduced as a consequence of new footwear and the time it takes for your entire body to adapt to the new technique necessitated by bare foot footwear.
It seems like the feet would get torn apart on a long downhill race like the Pikes Peak marathon. How does it feel going downhill on more technical trails?
Hey there. Like I mentioned in the review most runners are not strong enough to run I these for 20 min let along a marathon. This is my personal review and not a recommendation. My mission is to let runners know everyone can benefit in their own way from using a minimal shoe as a Tool. So it's not so important what you race in, but what you train in some of the time all based on personal strength capacity.
@@BornToRunCoach Great, appreciate the insight. These shoes look intriguing to try out and gradually strengthen the feet
@@trainwellracewell love this discussion. Keep in mind that the potent benefit is how you use your feet directly related to how well you use other parts of your legs and hips/glutes. So yes foot strength comes with it, but it is the training of the feet that is potent for how you use other muscles and the strength that comes with that....very powerful. Then you pick the protection you need for bigger runs and races.
@@BornToRunCoachMakes perfect sense. Do these shoes tend to run big, small or true to size? I wear 11.5 in brands like ASICS & Hoka. I wear 12 in brands like Salomon & Brooks
@@trainwellracewell great question. I typically wear an 11 in Salomon and went to a 10.5 for the Mesa.
Bonjour Éric , ma taille EU pour Altra Superior est 47 , est elle identique pour Xeroshoes mesa trail 2 ?
Great video eric can i use the mesa trail on the road
The Mesa actually runs very very well on roads. The lug depth and spacing provides a nice smooth ride for a trail shoe on roads. Of course, with any road running, the rubber will wear quicker than if only dedicated to dirt and trail.
@@BornToRunCoach thanks bud I want to make it my all purpose shoe thanks eric
@@jamesblaser5329 it's a great shoe and you will love it. But it is very minimal, so if you are not used to that, phase it in and microdose with it, a little bit goes a long way.
Hey Eric. Nice review. Could you please provide a comment on the choice of a 3 mm insole for the Born to Run Edition versus a 2 mm in the regular edition in the Xero lineup?
Hmmm. All of my original Mesa Trails and Mesa II have a 3mm insert.
Do you think these lugs would get worn out if my regular route is partly on road mostly off-road?
Due to the lug spacing configuration, they ride really nice on roads with less wearing than normal trail shoes. And the outsole has a 5000 mile warranty, but any rubber will wear faster on tarmac than dirt.
Eric, I wear minimal shoes for my every day walking around, or I’m barefoot. I’ve owned two pair of Xero shoes in the last 6 years, the Terraflex trail and Prio. I loved the Terraflex and wore them until they got a hole, but I could never use them for trail running because they weren’t protective enough. I really want to try out the Mesa Trail but I’m hesitant for the same reasons. My feet are extremely well adapted to minimal shoes and barefoot walking and I can’t wear built up shoes any more. I wear extremely light Saucony Kinvara road shoes for my trail running and they’re surprisingly durable. Any thoughts or recommendations?
Sounds like you are on a good path and maybe don't fix what is not broken.
How is the grip in wet conditions I’ve been using the Merrell trail glove 4 for my trail runs but I need a shoes that grips better on loose gravel
@@michaelalbrecht3395 I would say the all purpose 3mm outsole lugs are very average in the wet, but much much better than the Trail Gloves.
…I do power walk for much of my Ultra distance, and training for that. Looks like it should be a great shoe for power / race walking.
I always have used Merrell Trail Glove, is it similar to mesa trail?
From my experience the Mesa Trails are way more protective, with much better traction/grip and a way better fitting last.
@@g.a.lobato1944 mesa trails are obnoxiously tight
Looks a nice shoe, something to have in my quiver. Not sure it would suit most of what I do here in Scotland, it is a lot tougher than those lovely smooth trails in your video.
ps, I normally go for the Inov8 G270
It is a tremendous strength tool. We also have very technical alpine terrain in the Tetons, and go back and forth between the Mesa for strength and Inov8 g270. Thanks for watching and hope to get to Scotland someday for some magnificent mtn running.
@@BornToRunCoach . Get over for the Salomon Skyline series, which is at the beginning of September. It is in Kinlochleven, which is where I live, next Glen over from Glencoe A great range of superb runs, mind the weather is not always as good as you seem to have.
@@markthomasson5077 yes and yes! Glencoe has been high on my list. Looks spectacular! Will keep ya posted for 2024.
Sounds like you are coming around to the Chris McDougall side of the argument wtih shoes!
Not at all. Most people can't or won't be patient to go exclusive, therefore, most should use them as a tool for ongoing benefits. This is my experience and personal review, why I partnered, and not a recommendation.
@@BornToRunCoach Even for yourself to not need industry minimal shoes as much for foot protection and comfort I would see as a change to your previous viewpoint.
@@TadeuszCantwell my goal has always been to go as minimal as possible, but could never find the protect I needed, in a very minimal package. It was either too much of a shoe with protection, or not enough protect. That's where the Xero came in. And then I was patient to adapt over winter.
Regrettably, I have to say, most disappointing trail runners purchase ever. Insoles extremely thin and moving around inside the shoes. But, most importantly, their acclaimed 5000-mile guaranteed sole started do fall apart after a two-day 38 km 3100m elevation gain hike. Got in touch with Xero and they kindly offered me a 20% discount on my next purchase. Never again.
Two days of use and they fell apart and they didn’t offer full refund? Sounds like BS
Man...i love Xero shoes but I feel like once i buy a pair and like anything Xero on socials, Steven is just UP MY ASS woth spamming my feed constantly.
@@ItsGBZ ha, i hear ya and feel the same. When I get annoyed, I turn it around and try and appreciate his passion.
@BornToRunCoach oh I do too and respect the grind