Xero Z-Trail EV

Minimalist footwear often forces a compromise between ground feel and underfoot agony. The Z-Trail EV cuts a smart path through that divide, aimed squarely at ultralight backpackers, packrafters, and minimalist trail runners who want legitimate ground protection without lugging around half a pound of vulcanized rubber per foot. It is designed to be the ultimate secondary camp shoe or a primary warm-weather trail option for those whose feet are already conditioned to zero-drop movement.

The underfoot setup relies on an updated three-layer FeelLite sole. A thin, grippy rubber bottom layer with dual-chevron lugs grips hard surfaces, backed by a firm TrailFoam middle layer to disperse point-loads from sharp gravel, topped with a comfortable BareFoam footbed. The Z-pattern webbing, made from recycled materials, locks the forefoot and instep firmly into place, while an adjustable heel strap keeps the foot centered. On well-graded singletrack, sand, and river fords, it provides surprisingly competent security. However, push it onto steep off-camber traverses or loose scree, and the soft footbed permits your heel to drift sideways over the edges.

Where this sandal trounces heavier rivals like the Bedrock Cairn or Chaco Z/1 is packability and dead weight. Rolling down to roughly the size of a water bottle, it tucks effortlessly into external pack pockets. You will not get the impenetrable sole protection or alpine longevity of a heavier vibram-clad rig, and rock strikes remain an ever-present risk with exposed toes. Still, for fast-and-light trail duty and creek-side camps, its balance of weight, flex, and gravel protection is tough to beat.