Nuestra conclusión

Las Xero Shoes Prio son unas zapatillas asequibles y minimalistas que nos dejaron con sentimientos encontrados después de nuestras pruebas de laboratorio y de uso. Nos parecieron demasiado pesadas para no tener mediasuela, su agarre es peor que la media y casi no tienen flujo de aire. Muchos corredores priorizan 1, 2 o 3 de estos puntos clave, así que no nos extraña nada que su falta haga que decidan no comprarse este par. Eso si, en nuestra experiencia, destacan en el gimnasio y en un uso casual gracias a su ajuste ceñido y las correas que tienen, que están muy bien diseñadas. Además, nos parecen una opción interesante para empezar en el mundo de los modelos barefoot si no te quieres gastar una pasta.

Pros

  • ¡Minimalistas de verdad!
  • Baratas
  • Muy flexibles y cómodas
  • Parte delantera resistente para el uso diario
  • Suela gruesa con cobertura total de caucho
  • Ajuste ceñido pero espacioso
  • Sistema de correas de tensión ajustable
  • Plantilla perforada

Contras

  • Upper calentito sin flujo de aire
  • Más pesadas de lo que deberían
  • El agarre es terrible

Veredicto de los usuarios

91
Excelentes

Who should buy

We found that the Xero Shoes Prio is ideal for:

  • Those who want a minimalist running shoe that stays budget-friendly without skipping comfort.
  • Anyone looking for a barefoot-style option for everyday tasks like walking or working—plus some occasional running—with extra adjustability from the wraparound tension straps.
  • Newcomers to minimalist footwear seeking a decently-priced shoe to test the waters without a big commitment.

Xero Shoes Prio side

Who should NOT buy

We found that breathability is one of the biggest letdowns in this shoe. Its upper fails to deliver airflow in warm conditions. For a breathable alternative, we suggest the Xero Shoes HFS II—it shares the same barefoot-minded design but scored much higher in our lab’s airflow test.

Additionally, we think grip is a real concern here. This shoe simply performs below average, particularly on wet surfaces. If traction matters to you, we suggest the Altra Escalante 4 instead—just remove the insole for a closer-to-the-ground, minimalist-inspired ride.

Xero Shoes Prio parts

Amortiguación

Altura de la suela en la zona del talón

The Xero Shoes Prio features an ultra-thin stack height just over a centimeter. Our digital calipers measured a precise 12.2 mm—offering a near-barefoot feel that keeps you closely connected to the surface beneath your feet.

Xero Shoes Prio Heel stack
Resultados de las pruebas
Prio 12.2 mm
Media 34.3 mm
En comparación con 422 zapatillas de running para asfalto
Número de zapatillas
22.5 mm
Altura de la suela en la zona del talón
46.3 mm

Altura de la suela en el antepié

The forefoot keeps that close-to-the-ground vibe with a slightly lower stack of 11.8 mm.

And it feels exactly as it appears—far less cushioned than the average running shoe but offering a touch more protection than a full-barefoot design.

Xero Shoes Prio Forefoot stack
Resultados de las pruebas
Prio 11.8 mm
Media 25.7 mm
En comparación con 422 zapatillas de running para asfalto
Número de zapatillas
13.7 mm
Altura de la suela en el antepié
37.1 mm

Drop

Xero Shoes markets the Prio as a zero-drop shoe, and after running our precise measurements, we can confirm it lives up to the claim. While we found a real 0.4 mm drop, that’s comfortably within standard manufacturing tolerances.

Xero Shoes Prio Drop
Resultados de las pruebas
Prio 0.4 mm
Media 8.6 mm
En comparación con 422 zapatillas de running para asfalto
Número de zapatillas
-0.2 mm
Drop
16.1 mm

Grosor de la plantilla

The Xero Shoes Prio skips a traditional midsole, relying instead on a 3.6-mm insole and the outsole to provide its minimalist cushioning system.

Xero Shoes Prio Insole thickness
Resultados de las pruebas
Prio 3.6 mm
Media 4.4 mm
En comparación con 418 zapatillas de running para asfalto
Número de zapatillas
1.5 mm
Grosor de la plantilla
7.3 mm

Rocker

As expected, the rocker is virtually nonexistent, with zero heel curvature. That's no surprise, since heel striking in a shoe like this isn’t recommended.

Xero Shoes Prio side

Up front, there’s a mild toe spring that slightly assists transitions, though it’s so subtle you’ll hardly notice it’s there.

Xero Shoes Prio Rocker

Tallaje y ajuste

Talla

Xero Shoes Prio tallan bien (346 votos).

Si tienes estas zapatillas, ¿qué opinas de su talla?

1 talla más pequeñas ½ talla más pequeñas Tallan bien ½ talla más grandes 1 talla más grandes
En comparación con 404 zapatillas de running para asfalto
Número de zapatillas
½ talla más pequeñas
Tallan un poquito pequeño
Tallan bien
Tallan un poquito grande
½ talla más grandes

Anchura / Ajuste

Most minimalist shoes come with extra-wide toeboxes that feel amazing for broad-footed runners, but the Prio doesn't feel like that at all—though it still offers more space than the average daily trainer.

We discovered this during testing, as our first measurement came in slightly below average, explaining the snugger-than-expected fit.

Xero Shoes Prio Width / Fit
Resultados de las pruebas
Prio 94.1 mm
Media 95.3 mm
En comparación con 177 zapatillas de running para asfalto
Número de zapatillas
88.5 mm
Anchura / Ajuste
102.4 mm

Anchura de la parte delantera

Our second measurement in the big toe area was more generous, reaching 76.2 mm.

Xero Shoes Prio fit

We found that it allows more natural toe splay than most running shoes, landing somewhere in the middle-ground category between those and foot-shaped shoes.

Xero Shoes Prio Toebox width
Resultados de las pruebas
Prio 76.2 mm
Media 73.5 mm
En comparación con 177 zapatillas de running para asfalto
Número de zapatillas
66.7 mm
Anchura de la parte delantera
83.3 mm

Altura de la parte delantera

Our third measurement switched to height, and the Prio reached the top tier with 33.9 mm of vertical clearance.

This sky-high toebox adds comfort especially for bulky toes, though it might feel loose or floppy for those seeking a snugger fit.

Xero Shoes Prio Toebox height
Resultados de las pruebas
Prio 33.9 mm
Media 27.3 mm
En comparación con 176 zapatillas de running para asfalto
Número de zapatillas
22.4 mm
Altura de la parte delantera
34.1 mm

Tracción / Agarre

Traction test

Nuevo

The Prio falls short when it comes to grip. It scored only 0.27, which means traction is acceptable on dry ground—but once moisture comes into play, expect noticeable slippage underfoot.

Resultados de las pruebas
Prio 0.27
Media 0.46
En comparación con 216 zapatillas de running para asfalto
Número de zapatillas
0.11
Tracción en el antepié
0.83

Diseño de la suela exterior

Nuevo

The Xero Shoes Prio features full-length rubber coverage with three segmented zones separated by deep flex grooves for added articulation. Each rubber segment showcases a uniform chevron-style tread pattern arranged in alternating directions. However, as we found in our grip test, it didn't work that well...

Xero Shoes Prio Outsole design

Estabilidad

Prueba de estabilidad lateral

Compared to most running shoes, it's clear that this one drops you much closer to the ground, delivering a balance-boosting sensation. Even at faster paces, we found that the Prio maintains this stable, stripped-down ride.

Rigidez torsional

Without those extra 3 or 4 centimeters of thick foam underfoot, the Prio becomes ultra-bendable... and we’re here for it. Scoring just 1 out of 5, it delivers the barefoot-like flexibility we expect from minimalist shoes, encouraging full foot-and-ankle engagement.

Resultados de las pruebas
Prio 1
Media 3.4
En comparación con 401 zapatillas de running para asfalto
Número de zapatillas
1
Rigidez torsional
5

Rigidez del contrafuerte del talón

The heel counter has a bit of structure, so it’s not completely flexible. Still, with a 2/5 score, it offers a decently adaptive feel that molds to your foot without being too stiff.

Resultados de las pruebas
Prio 2
Media 2.9
En comparación con 385 zapatillas de running para asfalto
Número de zapatillas
1
Rigidez del contrafuerte del talón
5

Anchura de la mediasuela - antepié

Staying true to its minimalist DNA, the midsole has slimmer proportions than nearly any shoe you’ll spot on fellow runners. We measured just 105.6 mm in the forefoot, which is undeniably compact!

Xero Shoes Prio Midsole width - forefoot
Resultados de las pruebas
Prio 105.6 mm
Media 114.2 mm
En comparación con 423 zapatillas de running para asfalto
Número de zapatillas
102.2 mm
Anchura de la mediasuela - antepié
126.9 mm

Anchura de la mediasuela - talón

The heel is even more minimal, coming in at just 78.3 mm. This ultra-slim rearfoot design clearly discourages any kind of heel striking during runs!

Xero Shoes Prio Midsole width - heel
Resultados de las pruebas
Prio 78.3 mm
Media 90.6 mm
En comparación con 423 zapatillas de running para asfalto
Número de zapatillas
70.8 mm
Anchura de la mediasuela - talón
106.6 mm

Flexibilidad / Rigidez

Nuevo

Any shoe aiming to be labeled as minimalist or barefoot needs to be ultra-bendable, period. That’s where we come in with our lab machines, testing shoes under a highly-controlled, repeatable setup.

And the Prio passed with flying colors. We tested it in our 30-degree bend assessment, and it needed just 4.0N. That's an impressively low score!

Xero Shoes Prio Flexibility / Stiffness
Resultados de las pruebas
Prio 4.0N
Media 14.9N
En comparación con 224 zapatillas de running para asfalto
Número de zapatillas
4.0N
Flexibilidad <> Rigidez
28.5N

Peso

While we were genuinely impressed with its feedback-rich ride and yoga-inspired flexibility, the weight came as a major letdown. We tested the Prio at 9.8 oz or 279g, far too much for a midsole-free design.

For context, the maximalist ASICS Superblast 2 weighs just 8.9 oz or 252g, even with over 40 mm of foam packed underfoot!

Xero Shoes Prio Weight
Resultados de las pruebas
Prio 9.8 oz (279g)
Media 9.3 oz (265g)
En comparación con 423 zapatillas de running para asfalto
Número de zapatillas
5.6 oz (159g)
Peso
12.6 oz (357g)

Transpirabilidad

Upon close inspection of the Xero Shoes Prio under controlled lighting, we noticed right away how little light passed through the upper—indicating limited airflow. Our smoke test backed this up with a below-average 2/5 score.

We believe the main reason for this score is the multi-layered, thick upper. Xero uses a standard mesh base, but it’s paired with a durability-focused overlay that completely blocks airflow—ideal for cold climates but not for summer.

When we magnified the upper with our digital microscope, we saw that the mesh had no visible ventilation holes.

Xero Shoes Prio microscope

From our experience, this construction helps prevent wear and tear and we'll check that in a minute with our Dremel. However, runners in warmer areas may find it stuffy.

Xero Shoes Prio mesh

We also found that the heel and tongue are padded similarly to average daily trainers. This adds comfort but makes the shoe even less breathable overall.

Resultados de las pruebas
Prio 2
Media 3.8
En comparación con 352 zapatillas de running para asfalto
Número de zapatillas
1
Transpirabilidad
5

Durabilidad

Durabilidad de la parte delantera

As we expected, the toebox delivered a strong performance in our durability test, scoring 4 out of 5.

Resultados de las pruebas
Prio 4
Media 2.6
En comparación con 286 zapatillas de running para asfalto
Número de zapatillas
1
Durabilidad de la parte delantera
5

Durabilidad del acolchado del talón

However, the heel padding performed poorly in our Dremel test. While everyday use won’t stress it like our tool does, you should know that it’s not the most impressive out there with its 1-out-of-5 score.

Resultados de las pruebas
Prio 1
Media 3.3
En comparación con 281 zapatillas de running para asfalto
Número de zapatillas
1
Durabilidad del acolchado del talón
5

Durabilidad de la suela

The outsole held up well, landing right around the average. We measured just 1.0 mm of wear using a tire tread gauge—a result that left us satisfied too.

Resultados de las pruebas
Prio 1.0 mm
Media 1.0 mm
En comparación con 264 zapatillas de running para asfalto
Número de zapatillas
0.0 mm
Desgaste de la suela
2.0 mm

Grosor de la suela

This shoe packs a massive 6.1-mm outsole—which is pretty mind-blowing.

In fact, this ultra-thick rubber is the main reason behind its excessive weight, and we believe trimming it while adding a thicker insole (or even a super-slim midsole!) would’ve been a smart move for v2.

Xero Shoes Prio Outsole thickness
Resultados de las pruebas
Prio 6.1 mm
Media 3.3 mm
En comparación con 419 zapatillas de running para asfalto
Número de zapatillas
1.0 mm
Grosor de la suela
6.1 mm

Varios

Precio

The Prio comes with a super-competitive price tag—and that’s something worth applauding. With running shoe prices climbing in recent years, this model stays in the budget-friendly zone, making minimalist footwear more accessible to everyone.

Resultados de las pruebas
Prio $90
En comparación con 423 zapatillas de running para asfalto
Número de zapatillas
€50
Precio
€300

Elementos reflectantes

We found that Xero Shoes added a visibility-boosting twist by making the adjustable straps reflective.

Resultados de las pruebas
Prio

Acolchado de la lengüeta

One of the standout elements in some Xero Shoes is the use of tension straps, giving runners total control over lockdown. They’re cleverly built into the lacing system and wrap around the shoe for adjustable support.

Xero Shoes Prio tension straps

As for the tongue, we discovered a 6.9-mm thick design that leans heavily toward comfort. That might feel a bit too plush for a minimalist shoe, but those who enjoy pillow-soft tongues will likely appreciate this setup.

Xero Shoes Prio Tongue padding
Resultados de las pruebas
Prio 6.9 mm
Media 5.9 mm
En comparación con 420 zapatillas de running para asfalto
Número de zapatillas
0.4 mm
Acolchado de la lengüeta
14.2 mm

Lengüeta: tipo de refuerzo

The tongue is ungusseted—something expected in a wallet-friendly shoe like the Prio. While we don’t see it as a major issue, having it attached to the sides would've offered a more secure feel.

Xero Shoes Prio Tongue: gusset type
Resultados de las pruebas
Prio Ninguno

Tirador del talón

Unlike most other models from Xero Shoes that skip it altogether, the Prio includes a finger-loop heel tab.

Xero Shoes Prio Heel tab
Resultados de las pruebas
Prio Tirador circular

Plantilla extraíble

We discovered that the insole is fully removable and features multiple perforations. That's a smart, airflow-boosting detail meant to offset the shoe’s limited ventilation.

There’s also generous vertical clearance inside as we found before, so if you're after more cushioning, simply swap in a plush insole like the one from the Saucony Ride 18.

Resultados de las pruebas
Prio