Summary

We spent 9.4 hours reading reviews from experts and users. In summary, this is what runners think:

8 reasons to buy

  • Numerous critics and consumers loved the roominess of the Prio’s toe box.
  • This Xero Shoes was adored by droves of wearers for its shocking lightness.
  • Dozens of owners hailed the Prio as an amazingly comfortable shoe.
  • Several users were impressed with the way they were able to feel very much connected to the ground in this footgear.
  • The shoe having a zero drop was greatly appreciated by professional bloggers.
  • Some testers called the footwear’s heel support excellently reassuring.
  • This running shoe didn’t disappoint experts in terms of flexibility.
  • A few reviewers were overwhelmed with the stickiness of the gear’s outsole.

3 reasons not to buy

  • Based on a number reports, the Xero Shoes Prio runs small.
  • Footwear pundits wouldn’t have criticized the shoe had its overall design been slightly more appealing.
  • A seasoned reviewer wasn’t happy to discover the outsole’s inability to shed mud effectively.

Bottom line

If the only quality wearers need in a shoe is a spacious toe box, they will not be disappointed getting the Prio. The good news is, the running shoe offers so much more than forefoot space. Indeed, among other things, it also provides tons of comfort in its superbly lightweight confines. That said, the shoe might not live up to the expectations of runners who value sizing precision in their gear. All in all, the Xero Shoes Prio delivers a promising performance—especially once its confusing fit has been successfully worked out.

Tip: read our review of Xero Shoes Prio, or see the best running shoes.

Facts

Rankings

A top 3% best Trail running shoe
Top 1% most popular running shoes
It has never been more popular than this August

Reviews from around the internet

Expert reviews:

User reviews:

SportsShoes, Zappos and 20 other shops don't have user reviews

Video reviews and unboxing

  • The Xero Shoes Prio is a minimalist running shoe that allows users to have more ground intimacy but with less restraint. Its lightweight upper is engineered with reflective straps which give the wearer visibility during night adventures.
  • This vegan-friendly footgear is equipped with the FeelTrue sole for surface traction. It has a non-elevated, low-to-the-ground design called Xero-drop to give wearers balance, proper posture, and agility.

A low-cut, wide-toed running gear for men and women is the Xero Shoes Prio. Its sizing selection consists of half and full sizes. It comes in standard width. The footwear runs small according to Xero Shoe, so purchasers are advised to size up (either a half or full size larger) to get the right fit. Its lace-up closure with reflective straps provides a secure lockdown.

Delivering enough slip resistance on the trail is the shoe’s 5.5-mm FeelTrue rubber outsole. V-shaped lugs engineered at opposing angles populate its surface, enabling runners to plant their feet on unpredictable terrain with the right amount of grip. This outsole configuration is also utilized in the Xero Shoes TerraFlex.

For extra cushioning underfoot, the sandal comes with a 2 mm thick removable insole. It has a cupped heel design to keep the rearfoot centered as much as possible.

The Prio’s low-top upper is made of a lightweight and flexible synthetic material. Its ankle cuff and tongue are adequately padded for additional comfort. For breathability, its sides and forefoot come with perforations. For extra toe protection, on the other hand, its front tip is engineered with a sturdy rand.

Completing the upper of this Xero Shoes running gear is its lacing system. Regular lace holes and fabric loops make up its combination eyelets. The fabric loops, in particular, are integrated with the shoe’s reflective straps.

Author
Jens Jakob Andersen
Jens Jakob Andersen

Jens Jakob is a fan of short distances with a 5K PR at 15:58 minutes. Based on 35 million race results, he's among the fastest 0.2% runners. Jens Jakob previously owned a running store, when he was also a competitive runner. His work is regularly featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, BBC and the likes as well as peer-reviewed journals. Finally, he has been a guest on +30 podcasts on running.

jens@runrepeat.com