Xero

Why r/BuyItForLife recommends Xero

20 mentions from real owners

• #1Dec 30, 2025

  The Best Kids' Clothes Right Now?

  We get most of our child’s clothing from Target, specifically the All in Motion line. Believe it or not, they’re pretty hard wearing. He always outgrows them rather than them wearing out or starting to look ratty. We do get more expensive outerwear, we like the kids down jackets from Bean, and some Lands End jackets and Patagonia jackets have been very nice. We get him decent shoes, Merrells and Xeros. Typically we don’t spend a lot on clothing for him because he grows. I can’t praise the target clothes enough. We have a hyper 11 year old boy that’s always moving, always riding bikes, playing outside, nerf battles with neighborhood kids, getting dirty, all the things. Those clothes really hold up.

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• #2Dec 20, 2025

  Best Men’s shoes for back pain?

  Ah, I would start with uncomfortable shoes with less cushioning as you’ll naturally begin to take shorter strides, along with a wide toe box. My first pair were made by Xero. They were like a canvas material that stretched and were shipped folded, not in a box but they were relatively inexpensive at the time. The first 2-3 weeks it started with sore ankles and sore feet bottoms. My body started to adjust and get used to that while my back pain from standing basically went away. I have far less back pain from standing and walking than if I sit too long. I haven’t had any barefoot shoes BIFL. However, as time goes on. I’ve noticed less and less indication of heal striking from the soles. I currently wear a pair of Lems Chelsea for the wet weather but I wouldn’t call them BIFL.

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• #3Dec 5, 2025

  Best Running Shoes According to Reddit Users

  This is the only answer if you want a running shoes that is even close to bifl. I’ve been running since middle school, first in regular running shoes and in minimalist barefoot shoes since 2011. We both run ultras. My wife runs in regular running shoes. My Xeros last for years, while regular running shoes last for months. I have one bare of Mesa Trails from 2018 that probably have 4,000 miles on them. They look like crap but are still usable. There’s simply no padding to wear out. It takes some time to transition to minimalist running and it’s not for everyone. It works for me as my injury rate is way down from where it used to be and I spend way less money on shoes. To be truly bifl, run barefoot. I still do that once a week or so and lots of folks out there only run barefoot.

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• #4Sep 4, 2025

  Best walking shoes for men: which ones do you recommend?

  Xero.

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• #5Sep 4, 2025

  Best walking shoes for men: which ones do you recommend?

  I've recently gone the barefoot-style shoes route after years of running shoes. Xero makes really good shoes in this style and have a 5,000 mile sole warranty. It takes a bit to get used to but my feet feel great now. I do also run and still use proper running shoes for that but have considered switching to xero for those too. It's really fun feeling all the changes in the ground when moving.

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• #6Sep 3, 2025

  Best walking shoes for men: which ones do you recommend?

  Gonna go against the grain on this one a bit. I had foot pain for years, weird calluses, blisters, tried all different brands and types of shoes. I finally bought a set of Xero Prio shoes probably 5 years ago, now they are the only brand of shoes I buy, Xero makes all kind of styles. They aren't "BIFL" but they do hold up extremely well and I've worn them for over a year. I work in a hospital and am on my feet all............the................time. First couple of weeks might be tough, but it's totally worth it. Once your natural strength comes back in your feet, you'll never look back.

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• #7Sep 2, 2025

  Shoes that last longer than a year?

  Xero shoes have 5000 mile sole warranty

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• #8Aug 7, 2025

  Reef Flip-Flops aren't even "Buy It For Now"

  You want as hard of sole as possible if you want it to last longer. The soft rubber with lots of grip wears out fast. Downside to the hard rubber is much less grip and its loud when you walk. Xero and Zuzu have a couple good options.

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• #9Aug 3, 2025

  Having trouble finding quality sneakers

  My running shoes are Xeros. I was disappointed with the "urban" sneaker the kelso. It was heavy and wasn't well suited to the speed I needed to walk in the city. I would end up heel striking a lot. My next pair of runners will be Xeros but I don't know about street shoes

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• #10Jul 10, 2025

  What's everyone's go-to sneaker?

  Lesser known brand for me. Xero shoes. They aren't for everybody since their whole thing is zero drop and minimalist (thinner soles, same height on the heel as the toe), but they have a 2000 mile guarantee on the treads. I use mine for running, which I haven't done a lot of lately, but they've lasted me several years and over 1000 miles and show little signs of wear.

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• #11Jul 8, 2025

  Hiking sandals that aren’t disposable?

  Try Xero also

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• #12Jul 8, 2025

  Hiking sandals that aren’t disposable?

  Dang. That really sucks. For OP’s reference, the model I have are the “Z-trek”. They’re just a rubber sole without any foam cushioning.

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• #13Jul 8, 2025

  Hiking sandals that aren’t disposable?

  Xero cloud - here's what they said - "We can replace these shoes for you under the terms of our 5000 Mile Warranty program for the cost of $20 plus $6.98 shipping". I got them in July of 2018 and at that point they were only $50 (so paying 27 bucks for soles after a year really pissed me off and I told Xero to get effed). By contrast, I bought earthrunners in May of 2023, and I have beat the shit out of them. They hike, walk city streets, run, have done creek walks, and hang out in the ocean. I have beat the shit out of them, and other than the footbed looking a little dingy, they are basically as they were when I bought them.

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• #14Jul 6, 2025

  Walking Shoes Recommendation?

  Yeah, don’t buy these. Barefoot foot shoes are great for building strength in your feet, but shouldn’t be your only shoe and honestly should be worn just a couple hrs a day as you’re getting used to them.  However, they do last a long time and if you ever buy a pair my pair of xero shoes has lasted years. 

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• #15Jun 4, 2025

  BIFL shoes combo that I have had for years. Curious what works for you.

  I think with shoes it’s entirely up to ur weight and abuse level. I use nearly exclusively Altras trail runners and Xero sandals. I get new pairs, but it’s not due to failure, but instead losing shine. So I have 3 pairs of Altra yard shoes, and 2 pairs of sandals because I can’t remember where I took the last pair off. Neither are hefty built footwear, but because I’m a medically healthy weight and I don’t work a factory job, all is well.

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• #16Apr 9, 2025

  Best shoes to buy???

  I would get some merino socks for starters. Smartwool, Darn Tough, Icebreaker, etc. Then I would get a pair of moc toe boots with a wedge sole. Danner Bull Run, White's Perry Select, Red Wing, Thorogood, etc. The Danners and Thorogoods feel great from the get-go, the others will take a week or two to break-in. I might consider adding a cushy insole if I felt so inclined. Then After a month or so, I would buy a 2nd pair...maybe something completely different - Lems or Xero, zero-drop maybe? I would rotate them. If they have to have safety-toes, I'd probably get another boot with a wedge sole. I work outside on a golf course year-round. I have a locker full of shoes/boots, with more in my car. Like you, I do a lot of miles on my feet. I have a lot of conditions to contend with, however, I am constantly changing my shoes. If my feet start to hurt or I don't have the right shoes on for what I need to do, I change them. I wear a pair to/from work, and might wear 3 different pair in a day. Again, being on my feet all day, I can't afford to have any issues with my feet/footwear. The only thing worse is just being cold and wet all day, lol.

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• #17Feb 5, 2025

  Black non slip work shoes for walking all day

  Xero makes a decent non-slip shoe if you like a barefoot/zero-drop style

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• #18Feb 1, 2025

  Going to Europe, suggestions for comfortable, not-ugly walking shoes that will last?

  Splay and Xero are my go-to shoes if you like a barefoot style

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• #19Jan 7, 2025

  Cloud on or new balance?

  Shoe fits are very personal. Anything with very thick soles tend not to last long, I kept a pair of new balance 860s for far too long and had uneven wear between shoes giving me massive knee pain. Have you thought about barefoot shoes? I currently have a pair of Xero Speed Force II as my daily shoes. The last pair I had lasted me 2 years until the top stitching broke soles never wore down. I used to rock the first 3 generations of New Balance Minimus but those had bad quality control and tore up easily. the Xero's [https://xeroshoes.com/shop/shoes/speed-force-men/](https://xeroshoes.com/shop/shoes/speed-force-men/)

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• #20Jan 4, 2025

  House slippers for sweaty feet

  Controversial opinion: socks with sandals.. I get made fun of a lot for wearing them but they are so comfy and feel like I’m barefoot but not fully exposed and showing my toesies.. I have some xero sandals (thin sole zero drop is another eccentricity my feet love) I like wearing all summer and keep wearing them into fall/winter as long as i can handle the cold (I live in GA/TN mountains so not too cold) and ridicule! Merino socks are my favorite but can get snagged up a bit if you are going off road at all. Inside they are perfect tho, full ventilation except for the part under your soles and they feel like part of my feet since the sole is so thin and lightweight.

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