Verdict from 21 experts and +100 user reviews

8 reasons to buy

  • A good number of gear testers mentioned that the Xero Shoes Z-Trek gripped well on various ground surfaces.
  • A couple of owners were surprised with how this multi-sport sandal moved with their foot.
  • A lot of Z-Trek owners praised its versatility.
  • According to hordes of wearers, it was extremely light that they felt like they were walking barefoot.
  • The performance of the Z-Trek from Xero Shoes exceeded its budget-friendly price, as exclaimed by numerous online buyers.
  • Based on an abundance of user reviews, it was a great replacement for flip-flops.
  • A blogger was very pleased with how easy it was to adjust the straps.
  • The Xero Shoes men's Z-Trek fits a wide foot excellently, according to a bunch of male hikers.

3 reasons not to buy

  • A considerable portion of online buyers were disappointed with its quality. Most of them declared that the anchor connecting it to the sole snapped off after a few uses.
  • A couple of experienced hikers did not like the heel cup as it tends to trap loose trail debris.
  • An expert reviewer was a tad disappointed with the straps of the Z-Trek as he has to tighten it frequently.

Bottom line

Xero Shoes’ success in minimalist footwear is evident in the Z-Trek sandals. Its prime features include satisfactory trail performance, grippy outsole, and remarkably low weight. However, it still earned criticisms. All in all, despite the sandal design issues, the Xero Shoes Z-Trek remains to be a hiking sandal worth checking out.

Tip: see the best hiking sandals.

Expert reviews:

Video reviews

Good to know

  • The packable Z-Trek from Xero Shoes is a lightweight multi-sport sandal ready for different outdoor adventures. Its adjustable webbing strap, Velcro closure and sturdy hardware work together to provide a secure lockdown.
  • The sole unit features a zero heel-to-toe drop which helps create a good posture. It delivers a natural feel of the ground while maintaining surface traction.

The Xero Shoes Z-Trek caters to male and female hikers. Both versions come in standard width and are offered in whole sizes only. Its Z-pattern webbing strap allows customization of fit across the foot and the heel area.

According to the brand, the sandal runs a half size larger and has a wide forefoot. There are printable templates on Xero Shoes’ website which reflects the actual size of the product. These will help determine the best size to purchase. To check if it is printed correctly, a scale marker is included which should be compared with a ruler.

For men with a narrow foot, they recommend checking out the women’s version and get a size up than what they usually wear. For wide-footed women who wear a size over 10, it is recommended to try the men’s sandal.

The Z-Trek from Xero Shoes employs a flexible 5.5 mm FeelTrue sole. It keeps the foot protected from rocky grounds while rendering optimal ground feel. The chevron lugs are facing opposite directions (forefoot and rearfoot) to provide multidirectional traction.

Cradling the foot is a textured material which prevents the foot from slipping. At the back of the sandal is a heel cup which helps keep trail debris away.

This multi-sport sandal from Xero Shoes wears an adjustable Z-shaped water repellent webbing strap. The women’s version has a narrower strap than the men’s.

To manage fit, it has a Velcro closure at the back of the foot and rust-proof nylon hardware. An elastic band prevents the excess strap from dangling.

  • This hiking sandal is 100% vegan-friendly.
  • Depending on the user’s preference, the toe area of the Z-Trek can be trimmed with a pair of kitchen scissors to match the shape of the foot. Use sandpaper to smoothen the edges.

How Z-Trek compares

This shoe: 89
All shoes average: 83
59 96
This shoe: £60
All shoes average: £90
£40 £130
This shoe: 187g
All shoes average: 333g
130g 578g
Not sure yet? Overview of all 108 hiking sandals
Author
Paul Ronto
Paul Ronto

Paul loves adventure. Over the past 20 years, he has climbed, hiked, and ran all over the world. He’s summited peaks throughout the Americas, trekked through Africa, and tested his endurance in 24-hour trail races. He has worked in the outdoor industry as a whitewater and hunting guide, gear tester, copywriter, and outfitting specialist at places like The National Outdoor Leadership School, No Barriers USA, and Sierra Trading Post. He has been quoted in NYMag, NBCNews, and Business Insider to name a few.

paul@runrepeat.com