Xero Scrambler Mid Boot - Full Review - Likes and Dislikes 

Thanks for your feedback. I had one thought a couple years ago that I never have tried out yet; trying to "trap" the front bars of microspikes by putting a dot of Shoe Goo to the immediate left & right of the correct toe location for the microspikes. Instead, I simply gave up trying to get it to work on any Altra trail shoe - they ALWAYS slipped off of those. :-(

thanks. I've not got a pure test to match your thorny sitch, but i have stepped on a sharp twig or two while trail running last week in Great Smoky Mtns NP and i felt it but the stick did not penetrate, and i went on my merry way.

Good points. But simply by wearing wool socks with them, I never got frozen feet while testing these in temperatures from 0°F to 40°F. The risk with a waterproof boot is perspiration buildup, which can also have a foot-freezing effect. Having used both waterproof and mesh-style boots in winter, I find the comfort and breathability of mesh-style usually works better for me. Appreciate your thoughts.

Just use waterproof Socks. I prefer breathable non waterproof Shoes, even in norway and iceland. I sweat im shoes and feel overheat. If the shoe is breathable it will dry very fast. Getting wet socks in breathable shoes doesnt matter since they dry in 30min while hiking. Waterproof shoes / boots only off trail in forest

@@rodrev_hiking6757 That's sort of my take on it as well. Not just for shoes but even for clothing; I discovered early in my trail running (around 12 years ago) that the easiest way to deal with rain is not to try to stay dry but to stay comfortable i.e. have enough layers of the right kind of material that I'm not shivering when it's storming. That way, I get to enjoy (and be one with) the weather rather than fight it. I talk about this regarding shoes in my review of the Xero Mesa II - it, too, is a breathable mesh shoe that dries astoundingly fast, so no big deal if I'm running through water or whatever. And yes, wool socks. my winter go-to

I hope the waterproof version doesn't have the creasing/chafing the toes issue the xcursion had.

@@ninemimesleft never tried the xcursion. i have no crease/chafe issue with these though, if that helps

That's a bummer to hear about the mesh failing on yours. I haven't experience that yet. But I've got less than 50 miles on them. Anybody else having troubles with the mesh failing? Or the opposite; anybody else putting serious miles on these and having them still holding up? As for Gore-Tex or not, that's a personal choice, IMO. For most routes and most weather situations, I'm more interested in having a shoe or boot that drains and dries well but breathes better than a waterproof boot typically does.

Great question. I just went to my closet to research the matter. The toe spring (manufactured upward curvature at the front of the shoe, for those who don't know the term) is nearly identical to the Xero Prio Suede or the Xero Mesa Trail II. So, it's there, but nominal. For all three of the models, I have not noticed that toe spring at all when wearing it probably because it is a minimal footbed and so any toe spring flattens out when standing or walking in them. However the boot is a bit stiffer than those other two Xero shoe models. So if someone is hypersensitive to the toe spring (like, say, a hot case of plantar fasciitis), they may feel it or be affected by it.

@@RicMoxley thanks so much for the info and quick reply Ric.

A little less bruised than my ego. ;)