Xero HFS II Lightweight Road Runner Shoes: My 3 Month Review
After wearing the Xero HFS II Lightweight Road Runner for a little over three months, I’m excited to share my thoughts!
Background:
I’ve been a long-distance runner since high school when I joined the cross country team. While I no longer run the same distances, I still love heading out for 2-3 mile evening runs with my husband and dogs around the neighborhood. I tend to over-pronate, which means I was used to running shoes with lots of arch support and cushioning. But when I transitioned to barefoot and minimalist shoes, I knew I needed to find a shoe that would support my running and daily activities—without all the padding. The Xero HFS II came highly recommended during my search, so I decided to give them a go.
Over the past three months, I’ve logged about 300 miles in them, combining runs and walks with my dogs. Here’s how they’ve performed so far.
Pros:
Aesthetics:
These shoes offer style and versatility, with seven different colorways for both men and women. If you prefer classic colors, they have neutral shades like white, gray, and black. But if you’re like me and love a pop of color, you’ll appreciate the vibrant options. I chose the “Tidal Wave” colorway, a striking blue with fun black, orange, and yellow-green accents. After running in both dry weather and post-rain conditions, I’m happy to report that the color hasn’t faded at all!
The sole has a somewhat “thick” appearance due to the sole wrapping around the bottom sides. This helps the shoes look more like a traditional running shoe.
Lightweight:
One of my favorite things about the HFS II is how incredibly light they feel. At only 8.3 ounces for a men’s size 9, they’re practically weightless. They’re zero drop and come with a thin, removable insole, so you can customize the amount of groundfeel for a truly barefoot experience. Plus, the moisture-wicking lining helps keep my feet cool and dry, even during longer runs.
Sizing:
The sizing runs a little long in my opinion. I usually wear a women’s 7.5 in regular shoes and an 8 in running shoes. When I tried on the size 8, there was about half an inch of extra toe room. I ended up sticking with the 7.5, but even then, I found them just a tad long. If you’re in between sizes, you may want to size down.
Durability:
Xero Shoes offers an incredible 5,000-mile sole warranty! To put that in perspective, most road running shoes need to be replaced after 300 to 500 miles. I typically aim to get at least 500 miles out of my running shoes. Five thousand miles will get me almost 5 years of wear at my current pace of about 20 miles a week!
After around 300 miles, the tire-tread-inspired sole still looks the same (just a little dirtier). I’m also pleased to see no wear on the outer ankle areas, which is where my shoes usually start to break down.
Versatility:
I’ve worn these shoes not only for road running and walking my dogs but also while doing yard work, running errands, and shopping. They’re super versatile and comfortable for all of these activities.
Cons:
Width/Toe Box:
While the shoes are comfy and have a relatively foot-shaped toe box, they’re not quite wide enough for me. As you can see in the picture, my slight bunion is pressing against the side of the toe box. My foot doesn’t feel cramped, but I’d prefer a bit more width. If you have wider feet or use toe spacers, these might not be ideal for you.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, I’m really enjoying the Xero Shoes HFS II. Here’s who I’d recommend them for:
- Those with medium to low volume feet
- People looking for a versatile shoe for walking, running, yard work, and general activities
- Anyone who values durability in a minimalist shoe
