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Xero Shoes D-Trail Trail-to-Town Sandal Review
The Xero Shoes D-Trail Trail-to-Town Sandal is a versatile, minimalist sandal that works well in camp and on the trail. Despite being lightweight and flexible, these barefoot-design sandals offer enough traction to allow you to consider trading out your hiking shoes.
Xero Shoes D-Trail Trail-to-Town Sandal At a Glance
MSRP: $79.99
Weight: 147 grams/5.2 ounces per shoe (women’s, size 7); 6.6 oz per shoe (men’s size 9)
Materials: nylon webbing/microfiber lining/FeelTrue sole
Colors: Black/Asphalt, Dewberry Multi, Irish Cream/Lake Blue
Sizes: 5-12, no half sizes
Circumstances of Review
I have been wearing the Xero Shoes Z-Trail EV for about a year. I love these shoes as my camp/town sandals on trail. But for me, the Z-Trail were often hard to get on and off, especially when nature called at night!
I was so excited to have the opportunity to try the D-Trail, mainly because they looked far easier to get on and off. I packed them with me for a LASH (Long Ass Section Hike) of the Continental Divide Trail in New Mexico.
There was nothing more satisfying than putting on these sandals after a long day of walking through sand, over lava rocks, and across multiple Gila River crossings. They also added a little style to my look when I went into town.
At 60 years old, I don’t find these sandals rugged enough to use as hiking shoes, but even as a camp shoe, I appreciate that the sole is seriously grippy and that even though the sandal is lightweight, it’s durable and made to last.
Xero Shoes D-Trail Sandal Features
Key Features:
- Three adjustable straps
- Barefoot design
- Microfiber-lined webbing
- FeelTrue rubber sole
- No toe-post
- 5,000-mile sole warranty
- Lightweight
Adjustable Straps
The whimsically colored straps are made from recycled plastic (perhaps I’m even wearing that Smartwater bottle I tossed out from my last hike!). It’s a sustainable alternative which uses far less energy and produces fewer emissions during manufacture compared to sandals made with virgin materials.
All that being said, you’d never know you were wearing recycled plastic. The straps are soft, pliable, and lined with microfiber for comfort. Each attaches with velcro for total adjustability around the foot.
These sandals are open-toed without any toe-posts.
Barefoot Design
Xero Shoes co-owner Steven Sashen (with his wife Lana Phoenix) became a barefoot running convert after suffering numerous injuries wearing conventional shoes. He turned a pair of huaraches into running sandals, and soon Xero Shoes was born, though it would take Lena’s desire to create a much cuter shoe before we would see the styles available today.
The entire concept is to have comfort in mind while promoting natural foot function and allowing the toes to splay properly during walking. You feel like you’re walking in your bare feet while being protected from rocks and sharp spines by Xero’s patented outsole.
FeelTrue Rubber Outsole
The patented FeelTrue Rubber outsole was designed along with former Nike and Reebok designers specifically for barefoot sandals. There’s a dual chevron lug pattern for traction and protection, and if this looks like it can’t possibly take the beating you have in store for it, Xero Shoes offers a 5,000-mile sole warranty. Talk about believing in your product!
Lightweight
Minimalist and flexible, the Xero Shoes D-Trail are not the lightest on the market, but are pretty close. For gram weenies forgoing most luxuries, 10.5 ounces might be a bridge too far, but as I mentioned above, with aging feet I like the option to give them a breather!
Fit
Xero shoes are all made with a wide toe box and lots of adjustments available. Because the sole is flexible, there’s a feeling of walking on a cloud when wearing these sandals. My only problem was that the gap from the corner of the microfiber to the strap across the toes rubbed as I walked and gave me a blister on day one.
Xero Shoes D-Trail Sandal Pros
Light but durable: The D-Trail are very lightweight but durable sandals that pack small, sliding into a side pocket of my backpack with ease. The marriage of minimalism and ruggedness is just right, with a feel of going with nothing on your feet, but with the protection and grip necessary in the backcountry.
Comfortable: Aside from my blister on Day One, the D-Trail are very comfortable with or without socks. I found the adjustments on the D-Trail far easier to get just right than those on the Z-Trail.
Cute: The colors are well chosen.
Xero Shoes D-Trail Sandal Cons
Take some adjustment: Zero-drop shoes take some getting used to. I tried to introduce my feet to them slowly before walking too far since I do not wear a zero-drop hiking shoe.
Don’t perform well when wet: In my experience, the D-Trails are not great in water and tend to slip around a bit. I don’t change shoes when I cross streams. As the Kiwis say, you’d never get anywhere if you did that, especially with at least 165 crossings of the Gila River on the Continental Divide Trail! That being said, even just a little dampness sometimes caused me to slip in the footbed.
Possibly too flexible: On Day One the top of the sandal folded over as I was walking and I scraped apart the footbed. It’s a bit unsightly and I’m not sure how things will hold up over the miles. I’m a bit disappointed that it came apart so easily.
Wide strap aesthetic: The wide velcro straps do make you feel as though you’ve graduated to “old people” shoes. I personally love it, but they are not as sleek looking as the Z-Trail.
Conclusion
While the Xero D-Trail sandals are not likely to replace my hiking shoes, they have just the right balance of comfort and style while also being rugged and durable (with a guarantee!) They pack well and offer a rest for tired feet at the end of the day. These shoes will be in my pack going forward!
Shop the Women’s Xero Shoes D-Trail Sandal
Shop the Men’s Xero Shoes D-Trail Sandal
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The Xero Shoes D-Trail Trail-to-Town Sandal was donated for purpose of review
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