Nuestra conclusión
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
- Top 8% entre Zapatillas de running para asfalto
- Top 7% entre zapatillas de running neutras
Comparativa
Las zapatillas de running más parecidas
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Puntuación global | 91 Excelentes | 89 Notables | 85 Buenas | 86 Buenas | |
Precio | 100 € | 130 € | 130 € | 115 € | |
Pace | Correr a diario | Correr a diarioTempo / series | Correr a diario | Correr a diario | |
Arch support | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | |
Peso laboratorio Peso marca | 9.8 oz / 279g 7.4 oz / 210g | 6.7 oz / 189g 6 oz / 170g | 8.6 oz / 244g 8.3 oz / 235g | 5.6 oz / 159g 5.3 oz / 150g | |
Lightweight | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Drop laboratorio Drop marca | 0.4 mm 0.0 mm | 0.1 mm 0.0 mm | 1.0 mm 0.0 mm | 0.0 mm 0.0 mm | |
Técnica de carrera | Medio/antepié | Medio/antepié | Medio/antepié | Medio/antepié | |
Talla | Tallan bien | Tallan bien | Tallan bien | Tallan bien | |
Rigidez de la mediasuela | - | - | Firme | - | |
Diferencia de la rigidez de la mediasuela en frío | - | - | Pequeña | - | |
Durabilidad de la parte delantera | Buena | Decente | Decente | Decente | |
Durabilidad del acolchado del talón | Baja | Media | Baja | Media | |
Durabilidad de la suela exterior | Decente | Decente | Decente | Decente | |
Transpirabilidad | Baja | Alta | Alta | Media | |
Anchura / ajuste | Media | Media | Estrecha | Media | |
Anchura de la parte delantera | Ancha | Ancha | Ancha | Ancha | |
Flexibilidad | - | Flexible | Flexible | Flexible | |
Diferencia de la rigidez en frío | - | Estándar | Pequeña | Pequeña | |
Rigidez torsional | Flexibles | Flexibles | Flexibles | Flexibles | |
Rigidez del contrafuerte del talón | Flexible | Flexible | Moderado | Flexible | |
Talón laboratorio Talón marca | 12.2 mm 7.0 mm | 10.6 mm 7.0 mm | 13.1 mm 12.0 mm | 7.6 mm 6.0 mm | |
Antepié laboratorio Antepié marca | 11.8 mm 7.0 mm | 10.5 mm 7.0 mm | 12.1 mm 12.0 mm | 7.6 mm 6.0 mm | |
Anchuras disponibles | EstándarAncho | Estándar | EstándarAncho | Estándar | |
Orthotic friendly | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | |
Estación | Todas las estaciones | VeranoTodas las estaciones | VeranoTodas las estaciones | Todas las estaciones | |
Removable insole | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | |
Clasificación | #323 1% inferior | #96 Top 30% | #203 37% inferior | #171 47% inferior | |
Popularidad | #323 1% inferior | #307 5% inferior | #281 13% inferior | #142 Top 44% |
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.
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.
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.

Prio | 12.2 mm |
Media | 34.3 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.

Prio | 11.8 mm |
Media | 25.7 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.

Prio | 0.4 mm |
Media | 8.6 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.

Prio | 3.6 mm |
Media | 4.4 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.
Up front, there’s a mild toe spring that slightly assists transitions, though it’s so subtle you’ll hardly notice it’s there.

Tallaje y ajuste
Talla
Xero Shoes Prio tallan bien (346 votos).
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.

Prio | 94.1 mm |
Media | 95.3 mm |
Anchura de la parte delantera
Our second measurement in the big toe area was more generous, reaching 76.2 mm.
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.

Prio | 76.2 mm |
Media | 73.5 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.

Prio | 33.9 mm |
Media | 27.3 mm |
Tracción / Agarre
Traction test
NuevoThe 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.
Prio | 0.27 |
Media | 0.46 |
Diseño de la suela exterior
NuevoThe 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...

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.
Prio | 1 |
Media | 3.4 |
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.
Prio | 2 |
Media | 2.9 |
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!

Prio | 105.6 mm |
Media | 114.2 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!

Prio | 78.3 mm |
Media | 90.6 mm |
Flexibilidad / Rigidez
NuevoAny 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!

Prio | 4.0N |
Media | 14.9N |
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!

Prio | 9.8 oz (279g) |
Media | 9.3 oz (265g) |
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.
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.
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.
Prio | 2 |
Media | 3.8 |
Durabilidad
Durabilidad de la parte delantera
As we expected, the toebox delivered a strong performance in our durability test, scoring 4 out of 5.
Prio | 4 |
Media | 2.6 |
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.
Prio | 1 |
Media | 3.3 |
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.
Prio | 1.0 mm |
Media | 1.0 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.

Prio | 6.1 mm |
Media | 3.3 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.
Prio | $90 |
Elementos reflectantes
We found that Xero Shoes added a visibility-boosting twist by making the adjustable straps reflective.
Prio | Sí |
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.
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.

Prio | 6.9 mm |
Media | 5.9 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.

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

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.
Prio | Sí |