Xero Shoes Scrambler Low review

After testing the Scrambler Low extensively in the lab and outdoors, we’re convinced it’s the top choice for:

• Minimalist runners who appreciate added protection with a slightly thicker, trail-ready midsole.
• Those seeking a low-stack trail shoe featuring an anatomical toebox and a grippy, rugged outsole.
• Altra fans ready to explore minimalist trail shoes for a truly ground-connected experience.

We believe the Scrambler Low feels a bit heavy for a minimalist trail shoe, making it less appealing for runners seeking a truly lightweight experience. For those who value a lower weight, we recommend the Merrell Trail Glove 7, which offers a more streamlined, feather-light build and excels on hiking trails and easier paths.

Additionally, we think the Scrambler Low is not ideal for winter trail runs, as its super-breathable upper lacks cold and water resistance. In such conditions, the Xero Shoes Mesa Trail WP is a far better alternative, combining waterproof protection with exceptional comfort in freezing temperatures.

The Scrambler Low occupies a unique space with its design. At 16.3 mm in the heel, it feels extremely low-cushioned for runners used to average trail shoes, yet slightly thick for minimalist purists accustomed to barefoot-style designs.

In our view, this balanced design caters well to minimalist runners tackling long distances or extended hikes. After testing, we really think the combination of a trail-ready outsole and thin midsole justifies the added millimetres—offering essential protection while being still below the 20-mm threshold.

As expected, the forefoot delivered nearly the same stack height. Our calipers measured 16.4 mm, confirming our earlier thoughts—still minimalist, but only by a hair's width.

According to Xero Shoes, this model boasts a true 0-mm drop, and our measurement aligned almost perfectly: -0.1 mm. In our experience here in the lab, such a tiny variance is amazing—we’re accustomed to seeing much larger discrepancies!

Xero Shoes incorporated its TrailFoam compound to provide a touch of cushioning underfoot, creating slightly more separation from the ground compared to other minimalist designs. In our opinion, this is beneficial for this shoe.

We tested the foam with our Shore A durometer and measured a firm 44.4 HA—a notably high result. This result makes sense for a thin layer designed to maximise protection. Remember that if you’re after a cloud-soft experience, minimalist shoes like this won’t deliver that, and a model like the Nike Zegama 2 might better suit your needs.

We're sure that many trail runners may aim to use the Scrambler Low year-round. Impressively, after freezing it for 20 minutes, we found the midsole became only 19.7% firmer. This performance is outstanding for an EVA-based shoe, largely due to the foam’s inherently firm nature.

And a quick tip: if you’re planning to wear this shoe in freezing temperatures, be sure to pair it with thick, coldproof socks.

We found the 3.9 mm insole surprisingly impactful while running. Despite its lower-than-average thickness, it definitely plays a significant role in the shoe’s comfort.

The shoe’s rocker design is virtually imperceptible, staying true to the textbook formula for minimalist running shoes.

The foot-shaped toebox on the Scrambler Low offers a distinctive design that prioritizes comfort. Its anatomical shape allows ample room for toe splay, while the slightly increased height—when compared to road-focused minimalist shoes—enhances the secure, comfortable fit for long mountain adventures.

We measured 98.4 mm at its widest point, perfectly matching our impression of a snug-but-roomy feel—a balance unique to barefoot-like designs. In our experience, it felt fantastic right from the first wear!

We measured the big toe area at an impressive 85.9 mm, which we believe delivers exceptional toe splay and a truly natural feel. This gigantic space allows toes to spread comfortably, enhancing the overall minimalist experience.

In our view, the design enhances both comfort and stability, particularly on descents. By allowing toes to splay and stabilize naturally during landings and turns, it delivers an adaptive running and hiking experience with excellent ground feel.

The Scrambler Low isn’t the most stable minimalist shoe we’ve tested, as it sits slightly higher than other competitors. However, in our experience, it remains low enough to provide a secure ride for midfoot and forefoot strikers.

The addition of small sidewalls brings a stability-enhancing touch, helping to centre the ride—a rare feature in minimalist shoes. However, purists may find this feature unnecessary, as many prefer relying solely on their own muscles and tendons.

In terms of torsional rigidity, we found the Scrambler Low meets expectations for a barefoot design, earning a 1/5. This result surprised us, as we expected the thick outsole to push it to a 2/5.

The heel counter lacks any stiff internal structure and is fully pliable, allowing for a snug and comfortable fit. While there are external reinforcements, we found they don’t add much rigidity, resulting in another 1/5 score.

As with any minimalist running shoe, the midsole dimensions are narrower than those of an average trail shoe—a design choice we believe is key to maintain an agile barefoot feel underfoot.

We found that the forefoot measured 106.2 mm, providing a secure landing platform for forefoot strikers. Midfoot runners are equally supported, as this area doesn’t taper excessively, something evident in our photo.

The heel, measuring 82.2 mm, is slightly wider than other Xero Shoes models, which makes sense for tackling rugged environments where a touch of extra support can be beneficial.

We found the removable insole to be a nice feature. It incorporates multiple ventilation holes that enhance airflow and improve flexibility.

We found that the Scrambler Low bends impressively well torsionally, although it obviously doesn’t match the ultra-flexible nature of some minimalist road shoes due to the thick outsole. But it still performs admirably for a trail-focused design.

From a longitudinal perspective, it also passes the minimalist test. At just 12.6N, the shoe offers a barefoot-like flexibility, delivering a natural feel while walking or running.

At 9.2 oz or 261g, the Scrambler Low isn’t a lightweight trail shoe by any means, which is clear. However, we think it’s somewhat justified. Ideally, Xero Shoes could reduce it to 8–8.5 oz without sacrificing durability, but it’s not a deal-breaker for us.

We discovered that the Xero Shoes Scrambler Low excelled in our breathability test, earning a perfect 5/5. The upper design stood out against our smoke-pumping machine, delivering a summer-ready construction ideal for day-long adventures.

The engineered mesh used by Xero is exceptional for ventilation, as we confirmed with our LED light test. Very few shoes in the lab allowed such a significant amount of light to pass through!

Under the microscope, we discovered the upper constructed from a tightly interwoven engineered mesh, with intricate, twisted strands interlaced for both strength and flexibility.

While it lacks large ventilation holes to prevent wear and tear from sharp rocks, it features constant microscopic openings spaced every few millimetres, optimising airflow across the entire surface.

We also noted that Xero kept padding minimal in the heel and tongue. In our view, this weight-saving choice allowed the brand to reinforce the upper.

The rough texture of the upper feels purposefully designed to withstand abrasions, water, and dirt, making it a durable and practical choice for trail runners.

The durability result was average, with a 1.1-mm dent in the rubber. While not the most impressive outcome, now we understood Michelin’s choice of a harder-than-usual compound to offset the smaller lugs and limited ground contact.

From our perspective, this durability score suggests that the Scrambler Low is best suited for off-road use. We believe road running could quickly wear down the small lugs.

To test if the mesh is as durable as it appears, we turned on our Dremel at 5K RPM and applied it to the upper. The result was impressive—a solid 3/5 score that, in our view, ensures good durability for most uses.

We also think Xero’s inclusion of a sturdy toe bumper adds essential protection to the more vulnerable front area of the Scrambler Low. This feature complements the robust upper, preventing damage in a wear-prone zone.

The heel padding fell short of expectations, earning just a 2/5. However, the snug fit and absence of heel slippage make it unlikely for holes to develop from friction with the Achilles tendon.

Car tyre manufacturers have made their mark on running shoes, with examples like Adidas partnering with Continental and Skechers collaborating with Goodyear. These partnerships often deliver impressive grip performance, so spotting the Michelin logo on the Scrambler Low immediately raised our expectations. It was an exciting surprise!

We tested the Michelin Fibre Lite rubber using our Shore C durometer and measured an exceptionally hard 96.1 HC—one of the highest readings we’ve ever recorded. While we initially worried about traction, the rugged-yet-grippy compound performed exceptionally well on all kinds of dry surfaces.

The durability result was average, with a 1.1-mm dent in the rubber. While not the most impressive outcome, now we understood Michelin’s choice of a harder-than-usual compound to offset the smaller lugs and limited ground contact.

From our perspective, this durability score suggests that the Scrambler Low is best suited for off-road use. We believe road running could quickly wear down the small lugs.

The outsole measures a substantial 2.9 mm, which we believe is a smart choice for protection. In our experience, while thinner outsoles are often preferred for trail shoes, this minimalist design—with its ultra-thin midsole and no rock plate—relies on the outsole to shield against sharp rocks effectively.

With 2.7-mm lugs, the Scrambler Low performs best on easy, non-technical terrain—ideally dry conditions. In our experience, the wide spacing between the lugs helps it handle slightly muddy paths but we found it doesn't work very well on difficult trails, soft sand, or deep mud.

We think that deeper lugs would compromise the minimalist feel, and even 2.7 mm approaches the upper limit for this type of shoe. Still, this rugged-yet-versatile design makes it suitable for most hikes and runs, balancing grip and adaptability across varied conditions.

The Scrambler Low doesn’t come at a bargain price and might feel steep for a shoe with almost no cushioning. However, in our experience, its high-quality materials and rugged features justify the cost for minimalist enthusiasts that need a reliable trail shoe.

While this shoe boasts impressive trail-ready features like the Michelin outsole, we were surprised that Xero omitted reflective elements from the design. It’s particularly odd since the brand includes them in some of its cheaper models like the Speed Force II.

The Scrambler Low features a mixed lacing system with classic eyelets and loops, which works well with the rounded laces included. However, in our experience, swapping them for flat laces might help prevent untying. We also found a tongue loop that keeps the tongue centred—an essential addition given the lack of a gusset.

In our view, the tongue is one of the best we’ve tested in any minimalist running shoe. It has 3.7 mm of padding, striking a balance between low weight and comfort, making it both practical and aligned with the shoe’s ethos.

The tongue is not gusseted, and in our opinion, that’s a notable drawback. While minimalism often demands compromises, we believe a trail shoe needs a secure, debris-blocking design to keep the toebox clean and functional.

While most trail running shoes feature a finger-loop heel tab, it’s uncommon to see one in minimalist or barefoot designs. That's why we were thrilled to finally find this practical addition in a Xero Shoes model!

We found the removable insole to be a nice feature. It incorporates multiple ventilation holes that enhance airflow and improve flexibility.