Saturday, December 16, 2017

DAY LITE HIKER FROM XERO SHOES-REVIEW

I held off much longer than usual to review this offering from Xero Shoes.  My apologies to Steven, Lena and the staff who sent these to me to check out, and thanks for their patience.  

     This is such a unique offering, however, I wanted to do even more than the usual wear testing on this product.  I have put this through its' paces, and have hiked and hiked, done some running, and a fair amount of around town wear on these.  They are that versatile, and I'm excited to be doing this review, as these have become a real favorite.

     Let's get started, as I have a lot to say........

     Fresh out of the box, I could see and feel that this product was different.  Xero ALWAYS produces a quality shoe/sandal, but these are exceptional.  Built on the same running sandal sole, they have a really comfortable upper that snugs up around your ankle for serious hiking, while maintaining that "Roll up in a ball" flexibility for which Xeros have become so well-known.  You can see that the toe box is nice and wide, and the tread pattern is capable of serious grip on any terrain that I encountered (and I encountered quite a lot in these!).
 The laces are set up in a "speed lace" style for quick tying, and they have a unique texture which really helps them stay tied in every situation.  They come with a thin insole that is removable. I actually did remove the insoles in mine for most of the time, as I love every bit of ground feel that I can get.  The insoles are thin enough, though that it really isn't necessary to remove them, and leaving them in will likely be better for the interior bottom of the shoe.
      Shortly after receiving these, I had the opportunity to do some camping and hiking at Big Bear Lake, CA.  I took these and another pair of Xeros that I have previously reviewed, their Prios.  I had a history with Prios, hiking in heavy snow, and I knew they could be my go-to if for any reason the Day Lites caused any foot issues, being just out of the box.  I didn't wear anything except the Day Lites, and they were extremely comfortable, whether it was around camp or hiking at the lake or the woods, as seen below.  Brand new hikers that caused no foot issues.  That is a phenomenon in and of itself!
 Not too long after the Big Bear Campout, I had a chance to test these in a lot of different terrain during a trip across Northern Arizona.  They were great during about a 3 hour hike at the Grand Canyon.  Didn't get to take them down in, due to time constraints, but they carried me nicely along several miles of the South Rim.
 We also spent time at Meteor Crater, as shown in the next photograph.  This was more walking and stairs than hiking, but they performed nicely, nonetheless.
      A great test of the soles was the day of hiking through the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest, near Holbrook, AZ.   If you have been there, you will recall that the trails are covered with really sharp remnants of petrified wood, interspersed with heavy gravel.  We went off trail a bit, and encountered more of the same, only rougher.  I could feel the rocks under my feet, but the soles on these were more than adequate protection from the jagged edges.
 As we crossed the northern part of the state, along I-40, there was an obligatory stop.  I had been getting my 12 year old hooked on oldies, and he has become a big fan of the Eagles.  We pulled off in Winslow, and happened to hit there during a huge Native American festival.  The little town was packed, and there was a big parade, with all the streets lined with food and jewelry vendors.  Parking was nowhere to be had near our destination, so we had to trek a mile or so to "THE CORNER", so had no choice but to "Take it Easy".  Day Lites are good not only for camping, hiking, exploring, but are perfect for "Standin' on the corner in Winslow Arizona"!  Here we are below.  Aren't we "such a fine sight to see?"  There was no girl in a flatbed Ford. We had a great Wife/Mom there to take our picture, though!
The bottom line on these hikers, is that they are the most comfortable, versatile shoes I've ever had.  Next summer we head for summer camp with the Scouts, and these will, for sure, be along, ready for the next set of adventures.  If you haven't yet bought a pair of these, just follow the link to the top right of this page, and treat yourself.  You won't be sorry!!

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

New Coalton Chukka from Xero

Today I have an initial review of a new product from Xero Shoes.  I received these about a week and a half ago, and have a video review in the works, but I wanted to at least get a short one out with my impressions so far.   By way of background, I bought my first pair of Xeros back in 2010, when this company was in its infancy.  They have consistently put out good, innovative footwear since that time.  The Coalton is a great example.


     This latest offering is a casual chukka-style that is comfortable enough to wear all day, and just dressy enough to get away with pretty much any attire.  In my day job, I work in an office, and have been wearing these Coaltons to work since I received them.  I am on my feet a lot during the day, and these leave my feet with a great feeling at the end of the day.  I am fortunate to have a desk at which I can stand for most of the day, and these keep my feet comfortable enough to do so.  

     These great shoes are built on the same, tried-and-true running sole that has become one of Xero’s most recognizable features.  Absolute zero-drop and a crazy-wide (in a good way J) toe box that gives your feet plenty of room.  They are made of a nice feeling semi-distressed leather upper that is soft to the touch and has an almost suede-like feel to it.  Top that off with leather laces and you have the whole package.  These can be worn anywhere, with jeans or khakis, to more dress-type pants and they just blend in well.  The stitching and Xero traditional side strap lacing system give these just enough character so they are not “just another shoe.”  The more I wear them, the more they break-in and get even more comfortable. After a while, these are going to feel like my best old leather gloves, only on my feet.  Do yourself a favor and spring for a pair (or two) of these.  As with every Xero product, they are backed by world-class customer service and the 5,000 mile warranty on the soles.  Xero continues to push the envelope with their designs, and this one was a home run!

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

MORE ON THE PRIOS FROM XERO SHOES-PRETTY SERIOUS FIELD TEST

I previously did a video review of the Prios that I had the good fortune to test.  I had received them a fairly short time before and had worn them around and run in them some, so I had a decent baseline for a review.  After this review, I have continued to wear them, and recently had the good fortune to give them a real baptism by fire, er actually, snow, rocks, rivers, wet logs, ice-covered stone steps, etc., etc.

      My family recently had a chance to spend a few days in Sequoia National Park.  We had a chance to do some hiking, and I thought that was a good opportunity to give the Prios a real test.  We initially hiked to the top of Moro Rock.  Not a huge hike, but a couple of miles, and then about 1/4 mile of stone-carved steps to the top.  The Prios' chevron design gave me plenty of traction, even where the steps were wet.  (There was a LOT of snow up there this year.)  What surprised me was how they performed on the parts of the stone that were still ice-covered.  Careful steps taken, to be sure, but no slippage at all, even on the ice.  That, though, was the easy part of the test.

      On our last day at the park, we were looking for a shorter, kind of a wrap-up hike before we drove back home, about 5 hours away.  The ranger at the park suggested a nice hike "more of a walk" he said, to Tokopah Falls.  "It's only a couple of miles".  "Do you think we need snowshoes?" I asked.  "No, they recently did a hike there, and none are required.........."  (His pants are bursting into flames as I write this!)  We started through the parking lot of a closed campground, and noticed that, although the lot was clear, there appeared to be a wall of snow about 3-1/2 feet deep right next to it.  Probably a stray drift, I thought.  We crossed a little bridge, (at least I think it was a bridge, although it was totally covered in snow, ) and struck out through the woods, following the footprints in the snow as we paralleled a meandering, but roaring, river.  The Prios gave me good traction in the snow, as well, and then we began to experience the longest 4 miles that I can remember.  Drifts were covering downed trees (big trees), boulders, bridges, you name it.  Some drifts were in excess of 10 ft.  There was a light crust on the snow, however as the 50 degree day wore on, it became less reliable.  My wife is not much heavier than my 11 year old son, and the snow seemed to support them.  Prios are really good shoes.  Even in size 13, however, they are NOT snowshoes!  I spent the next 3-12 hours, mostly up to my knees as my weight 190+ repeatedly broke through the crust.  We crossed wet logs, wet, moss covered rocks, and my feet plunged into the freezing water more than once.  Each time, the grip on the Prios held fast, and the water drained out of them like they were water shoes.  Don't know if that is the design plan, but they do very well in water.  They are now my new kayaking shoes!  We crossed a bridge that was drifted over so heavily that there was only one bridge railing left exposed.  We had to pick our way down a steep snowbank, ease onto the railing, and inch our way sideways, hoping not to slip an plunge 10ft. into the freezing, fast flowing river.  Good old Prios performed like champs there, as well.  We eventually made it to the Falls, and shortly afterward, began the trek back the way we came, encountering some other hikers with...........SNOWSHOES!  Don't know how they made it across all those river crossings.  Must have been a pain to keep removing those.  The Prios performed beyond any expectations, and even with feet soaked and 4 miles of rough trail, I had no blisters or even hot spots.  They held up great, stayed tied well.  (Only had to re-tie one during the whole hike), and cleaned up nicely afterward, with no discernible wear.  I gave these high praise during my first review, and can seriously heap it on, now that I have had a chance to test them further.  These are great, quality shoes, and seem to be up to just about any task that you have in mind for them!

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Questionable advice.................

Just received an email from the Veteran's Administration health website.  They have "tips" on starting a running program.  One of the first is:

2. Wear proper footwear

You might think that your flip-flops are the most comfortable shoes you own - but they are not appropriate for running. For exercising, be sure to have properly fitted athletic shoes with good arch support.

Don't think there's a lot of research going on there about minimalist/barefoot running.  Kind of makes the rest of the info on there suspect, as well!

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

PRIO RUNNING / FITNESS SHOES FROM XERO SHOES ON SALE NOW---->>>>>>>>>>>>>

Xero Shoes newest line, the Prio running and fitness shoes JUST went on sale.  Access the link on the right to get your pair before they run out.  I have been wearing these and they are great.  Good traction, excellent comfort, roomy toe box, reflective laces, you name it, they have it.  "Xero" drop, totally flexible, optional 2mm insoles come with them as well.  Wear with socks or without.  I have a video review up.  Scroll down to my earlier post for that link.  Take advantage of sale prices while they last!

Monday, March 6, 2017

EASY CHANGES

     Doing what's best for our health, from an evolutionary perspective, isn't always easy.  So much of our whole societal infrastructure (for lack of a better term) is premised upon over-eating and sitting.  I have addressed the tendency in our society to push food upon people.  Today I want to focus more on the virtual REQUIREMENT that people sit down wherever they go.  Go to the airport, you sit. Go to a restaurant, and you SIT while you wait to be SEATED.  Go to have your car smogged.   You sit in the car, then get out and sit in the waiting room.  Go to any government office and you sit.  Go home and you sit and eat, sit and talk, sit and watch TV, sit and work on the computer.  Most people sit a lot in their jobs, as well.  In many cases, there really isn't much of a choice.  My day job, for example, is in a government building.  Most people sit, sit, sit.
      By a stroke of luck, being in the right place at the right time, I snagged a sit and stand type desk that raises and lowers.  Since getting it, I went from sitting for about 5-6 hours out of the workday to sitting for about 1-2 hours, when it is necessary.  I don't know for a fact what long-term effects this will have on my health, but I do know that our ancient ancestors very seldom had the luxury of sitting around for 6-8 hours.  I welcome the opportunity to stand for the majority of my workday. It may not be a huge change, but it is one easy, simple way to dial back the sitting.   I intend to push for these for everyone.  Granted, given our history, not everyone will want to stand throughout the day, but I hope, at least, everyone will be given the opportunity.   A treadmill desk would be even better, but don't think that will fly in this building.........................

Sunday, March 5, 2017

XERO SHOES PRIO-VIDEO REVIEW

Hi all,

     I have had a bit of a chance to wear and run-test the newest offering from Xero, and have put up a short video review.  I am providing a link to it in this post, so please check it out.   These will be out very shortly, and you can buy a pair through the link on the right side of this page.  I plan to do a longer video review soon, as testing is underway!  Had a chance to run through the local vineyards today, and it was a great way to try out the Prios.
They proved to be really comfortable, (my preference is without socks).  One great feature of these is the HIGHLY reflective lacing.  I frequently run in the early morning darkness, and when you are on the road, this could literally be a life-saving feature.  Here is my video review:  PrimitiveHealth Xero Shoes Prio-Review


Thursday, March 2, 2017

XERO SHOES' "PRIO"-PRE-REVIEW

Hi all,

     To the right you will see a link to the new Prio from Xero Shoes.  I just received a pair of these, and am currently testing them in preparation for a review.  I will post a review on their site, and also do a video review after I have put these through their paces a bit.  I have a couple of initial observations that I would like to share, as I prepare to do a thorough review;  I put these on when I received them, and noticed that the toe box felt significantly wider than the Hana's that I last reviewed.  The Prio is an all-around running, exercise, you-name-it shoe, and that toe box is proving to be one of it's best features.  I'm so far impressed with the overall quality of the shoe itself, and it has the Xero signature flexibility so that it feels like nothing on your foot.  These shoes are shaped like..............feet.  What a concept, huh?  Anyway, more to come on this as I get my full review ready.  Stay tuned................

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

XERO Does it again!

Steven, Lena and the crew at Xero Shoes continue to innovate and improve their impressive line-up of footwear.  The newest offering is the LENA, a much-awaited ladies' version of their HANA.  I tested and reviewed the Hana, and it is a great casual shoe. Hana Review  The Lena is built along the same lines, and although I haven't yet obtained a pair of these for my lovely wife, they look as great as the Hanas.  There is a link to the right where you can find out more about these!!  Do yourself a favor and check them out.  I've been dealing with Xero Shoes since shortly after they began, (buying my first couple of pairs some time in 2010, I think.)  Both of those pairs are still in use! The company has developed a great reputation over the years, and they have excellent customer service, as well.