Xero Shoes has been upping the ante when it comes to barefoot shoe style, and their spring 2026 lineup is so fresh and at the same time functional. This is a reliable brand to look to for both seasoned barefoot shoe wearers and newbies, with reasonable price points and a wide variety of options. So I couldn’t resist sharing my favorites with you.
While several of these are brand new, many are carryover styles I’ve loved for a while but in fresh colors.
General Sizing & Fit Tips
I’ll share model specific fit advice below, but here is a general guide to Xero’s shoe fit.
- Most Xero Shoes’ models have a medium wide, medium volume fit. That means Xero is suitable for many average, middle of the road feet, but typically not the best for those who need an extra wide toe box.
- Many models also work for higher volume, or lower volume feet (thanks to insoles, laces, straps).
- In general, their sizing is consistently true to size without huge variations between models.
- The Men’s versions are slightly wider and higher volume, so if you fit in both you can choose according to your foot type.
Historically, Xero had a very high volume fit that was wide through the heel, but in recent years they’ve been refining their shape to be more fitted through the heel and also a bit wider and more squared off in the toe box (which in my opinion is more in line with a typical foot shape! So yay!).
Pro tip: You can shop Xero around the world, like at:
Casual Sneakers
Prio Coast – I’ve had these for a about a month and I have been wearing them almost daily since then. They’re totally hands free, you just step into them, so are even easier to put on than slip-on sneakers. The elastic laces are adjustable so you can set it to a tension you like and then be good to go. They’ve become my gardening, school run, and walk around the block shoe.
The only other step-in barefoot shoe around is the Lono Ezy, which I also like. But the Prio Coast fits my foot type better.
Retro Wynn – The mesh version of the Wynn fits me better than the nylon version because the mesh expands with my toes more. And the color combo on this is just perfection. They’re light, flexible, breathable, and really cute.
Dillon Slip-on – I’ve been wearing my Dillon slip-ons to death since they first launched two years ago (my original pair is in a discontinued color, not pictured here but I was just wearing them this morning!). They are the only barefoot slip-on I’ve tried that works well on low volume feet (with the removable insole in). They’ve added a few new fun prints, including tie dye!
Dillon Knit – This casual mesh sneaker has a higher volume fit (you can see that it’s bunching on my low volume feet here), and it’s got a little bit of extra cushion. They’re soft and breathable, and a good beginner barefoot shoe style.
Flats
Cassie Knit – I instantly fell in love with these. For one, they’re easy on with a velcro strap and I’m kind of into that. But also because the knit is immediately soft, and they’re genuinely cute. To me it’s the right blend of feminine and functional – because you really could wear these all day for tons of walking.
Phoenix Gold – This ballet flat has a wider fit through the heel than is optimal for me (you can see some gaping on the sides of my feet). But for thicker feet, this is a solid dress flat with a bit of details and also a bit more sole than many other barefoot dress shoes.
Sandals
Z Trek Leopard – The Z Trek was my first ever barefoot sandals (I wrote a review of them 7 years ago, almost to the day!!) and they still are essentially the same shoe. Of all Xero’s sandals, they fit me the best, with straps that can adjust to my liking. And this new leopard print was too cute to pass up. This sandal does run big, I have a size 6 and it fits like a 6.5
Z Trail – This sandal is a similar style to the Z Trek, but on a thicker sole and with a different construction. The way the straps attach to the sole make for more pressure over the big toe, and I find that I have trouble getting the tension right. I love the thicker soles and the color options, but the Z Trek is the sandal for me.
D Trail – This sandal launched last year and has a new colorway this year. They’re really cute, but if you have low volume feet you really have to cinch the straps down. My toes also don’t feel as free in these as the Z Trek. They’ll be better suited for someone with medium or high volume feet.
Athletic Shoes
360 Rally – This sneaker is extremely light and comfortable. They’re very responsive for dynamic feet and also grippy on the floor. This is a really minimal shoe, but personally when I need to move my feet fast I prefer that. I love them so far.
HFS Original – Couldn’t resist this colorway!! The upper is extra breathable, and the sole is designed more for forward motion than the 360 Rally. It’s a very minimal road running shoe, with a super soft upper.
HFS II – This version of the HFS has a slightly thicker sole. They are still uber flexible and soft, but not so minimal and for me this is perfect. I really love this shoe. Also the coral/pink ombre is so fun.
Nexus Knit – This is sock-like shoe with a fabric knit upper and attached tongue. You really can pull them on without socks. There are minimal reinforcements in this shoe, so they aren’t suitable for all exercise. They’re more of a hybrid light exercise and lifestyle shoe. In any case, they’re very comfy and also cute.
You can see the material buckles a bit on my low volume feet, but it doesn’t bother me. And they fit my friend with high volume feet well too.
XT Max – This is a strength training shoe designed for more intense workouts like HIT and Crossfit where your foot needs to be really locked in. The laces are not at all stretchy for maximum security, the upper has reinforcements all around the sides and is made of an abrasion resistant material, and the outsole is firm and holds fast to the floor. By nature, the XT Max is not as soft as the other sneakers reviewed here, but it still manages to be light and flexible even with all these specs.
Personally, I don’t need this type of shoe for my exercise (strength training, Pilates, walking) but I recognize it’s value for those who do.
16 thoughts on “Xero Shoes Spring 2026 Review”
Love the purple XT Max! Wish they were wider at the toes 😢
How do you find the toe box width on the HFS vs HFS 2? I love the original but the extra cushion of the 2 might be nice for longer runs. Thanks!
The toe box feels exactly the same to me! Looking down they look like the same shoe.
Yes! I own the Men’s version of both. They are almost identical. The HFS 2 has about another 1mm or so of sole thickness (midsole foam layer)but the cut of the shoe is the same.
One thing to note is the sizing has been updated from the old version 1 to the new HFS 2 and “new” HFS Original. I used to have to go up ½ size in the old shoe. Now it’s my usual size.
I own an old version 1 HFS in a Men’s 12½ and a new HFS 2 in a Men’s 12. I don’t notice any difference in width, and the length of the two are almost identical.
The main thing I have noticed is the 2 seems to have just a little bit more structure. I’d imagine the Women’s versions are similar, as Xero generally builds the same shoe for both genders and the main difference between the genders is the width.
Appreciate the info ❤️
I have always enjoyed the fit of Xero Shoes and love the fun they are having with color and design! I have the D Trail sandals and LOVE them! Also the Prio is such a great all around shoe.
I got the Prio Coast but they are so hot and not breathable! Anyone else have this problem? It felt like a plasticy material and they were much stiffer.
We have a very cool spring, so I haven’t yet worn them in hot weather. But they haven’t seemed extra sweaty to me. And the heel portion has to be firm enough to hold its shape so you can step in without it collapsing, but nothing rubs or pinches. I’m usually pretty particular about material and stiffness, so I’m curious too if others have had the same experience as you.
Xero has been nailing it!
I bought the Men’s Prio Leather recently and it’s not only a good-looking, full-grain leather shoe, it retains the fit and performance of the original. The heel has a soft inner lining (might be a microfiber?) and it has some wide, flat laces and perforations that finish the look.
I went on the site to leave a review for those and saw they just added a “Shaved Chocolate” brown color of the Men’s Genesis Sandal. So, now I have those ordered, too. I’d love to try some of the other new shoes like the XT Max, but I’ll have to get to those in time.
Still hoping they do a golf shoe someday….
May I know what size do you wear for Prio Coast, Wynn & Cassie Knit?
I got a women’s 7 in all the sneakers, including the Prio Coast and Wynn. I also got a 7 in the Cassie Knit, but that was a mistake on my part. I normally would have ordered a 6.5 in that kind of style. It actually still fits because of the secure ankle strap, but the 6.5 would be closer to my true size.
Im disappointed in Xero. I live in their Daylite Hikers (womens).
First- they are discontinued.
Second- apparently they are being manufactured elsewhere. Sizing and quality of material are inferior.
So, I am constantly looking for the same style in an American made brand.
Any suggestions?
I own 3 other pairs of the Cassie and can walk miles in them without issue. I am disappointed in the new mesh over hemp version:
1) the former styler was instantly worn in. this version digs into my achilles and I am having to bend it outward every time I wear it in hopes that it will eventually soften up.
2) the strap is shorter than it used to be and my high volume feet need more length to strap down over the whole inner strap so the velcro doesn’t show.
3) there is no leather heal protection as there was in the original version.
as someone mentioned, they are now manufactured in China and all these changes are obviously downgrades to cut production costs. It’s a shame when these companies sell out for higher profits and don’t remain true to their original goals of creating a product.
I personally wasn’t a big fan of the Cassie hemp, but it sounds like it was a good one for you. I’m confused about the moving manufacturing though – Xero was always manufactured in China. They’ve been producing there for 15 years.
Questions about XT MAX. How do you like the shoe laces? Do you feel XT MAX thicker soles than Rally 360 ? I have Rally 360 but if XT MAX has thicker soles, I would love to try.
I like the laces. They are pretty easy to do and undo, which is a big deal to me. And they are a little bit thicker than the 360 Rally.