Our verdict

The Xero Shoes Prio is a wallet-friendly, minimalist shoe that left us with mixed feelings after lab testing and real-world use. We found it overly heavy for a midsole-free design, with below-average grip and almost no airflow—three deal-breaking flaws for many runners. However, in our experience, it shines for gym use and casual wear with its snug fit and smart tension straps, and we think it’s an interesting entry point into barefoot-style running for those in a budget.

Pros

  • Truly minimalist!
  • Low price
  • Super-flexible and comfortable
  • Rugged toebox for daily wear
  • Thick outsole with full-rubber coverage
  • Snug but spacious fit
  • Adjustable tension strap system
  • Perforated insole

Cons

  • Warm upper lacks airflow
  • Heavier than it should be!
  • Terrible grip

Audience verdict

91
Superb!

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

Cushioning

Heel stack

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
Test results
Prio 12.2 mm
Average 34.3 mm
Compared to 422 running shoes
Number of shoes
22.5 mm
Heel stack
46.3 mm

Forefoot stack

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
Test results
Prio 11.8 mm
Average 25.7 mm
Compared to 422 running shoes
Number of shoes
13.7 mm
Forefoot stack
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
Test results
Prio 0.4 mm
Average 8.6 mm
Compared to 422 running shoes
Number of shoes
-0.2 mm
Drop
16.1 mm

Insole thickness

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
Test results
Prio 3.6 mm
Average 4.4 mm
Compared to 418 running shoes
Number of shoes
1.5 mm
Insole thickness
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

Size and fit

Size

Xero Shoes Prio is true to size (346 votes).

Owners of this shoe, how does this shoe fit?

1 size small ½ size small True to size ½ size large 1 size large
Compared to 404 running shoes
Number of shoes
½ size small
Slightly small
True to size
Slightly large
½ size large

Width / Fit

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
Test results
Prio 94.1 mm
Average 95.3 mm
Compared to 177 running shoes
Number of shoes
88.5 mm
Width / Fit
102.4 mm

Toebox width

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
Test results
Prio 76.2 mm
Average 73.5 mm
Compared to 177 running shoes
Number of shoes
66.7 mm
Toebox width
83.3 mm

Toebox height

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
Test results
Prio 33.9 mm
Average 27.3 mm
Compared to 176 running shoes
Number of shoes
22.4 mm
Toebox height
34.1 mm

Traction / Grip

Traction test

New

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.

Test results
Prio 0.27
Average 0.46
Compared to 216 running shoes
Number of shoes
0.11
Forefoot traction
0.83

Outsole design

New

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

Stability

Lateral stability test

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.

Torsional rigidity

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.

Test results
Prio 1
Average 3.4
Compared to 401 running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Heel counter stiffness

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.

Test results
Prio 2
Average 2.9
Compared to 385 running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

Midsole width - forefoot

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
Test results
Prio 105.6 mm
Average 114.2 mm
Compared to 423 running shoes
Number of shoes
102.2 mm
Midsole width - forefoot
126.9 mm

Midsole width - heel

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
Test results
Prio 78.3 mm
Average 90.6 mm
Compared to 423 running shoes
Number of shoes
70.8 mm
Midsole width - heel
106.6 mm

Flexibility / Stiffness

New

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
Test results
Prio 4.0N
Average 14.9N
Compared to 224 running shoes
Number of shoes
4.0N
Flexibility <> Stiffness
28.5N

Weight

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
Test results
Prio 9.8 oz (279g)
Average 9.3 oz (265g)
Compared to 423 running shoes
Number of shoes
5.6 oz (159g)
Weight
12.6 oz (357g)

Breathability

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.

Test results
Prio 2
Average 3.8
Compared to 352 running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Toebox durability

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

Test results
Prio 4
Average 2.6
Compared to 286 running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Toebox durability
5

Heel padding durability

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.

Test results
Prio 1
Average 3.3
Compared to 281 running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Heel padding durability
5

Outsole durability

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.

Test results
Prio 1.0 mm
Average 1.0 mm
Compared to 264 running shoes
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Outsole thickness

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
Test results
Prio 6.1 mm
Average 3.3 mm
Compared to 419 running shoes
Number of shoes
1.0 mm
Outsole thickness
6.1 mm

Misc

Price

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.

Test results
Prio $90
Average $147
Compared to 423 running shoes
Number of shoes
$60
Price
$285

Reflective elements

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

Test results
Prio Yes

Tongue padding

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
Test results
Prio 6.9 mm
Average 5.9 mm
Compared to 420 running shoes
Number of shoes
0.4 mm
Tongue padding
14.2 mm

Tongue: gusset type

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
Test results
Prio None

Heel tab

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

Xero Shoes Prio Heel tab
Test results
Prio Finger loop

Removable insole

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.

Test results
Prio Yes