Xero Shoes Hana

$80

Overall Rating: 9/10

Pro’s

Con’s

Very rarely, a casual shoe will transcend its city-focus and show itself off as one of the best day-hikers on the market. This is one of those cases. The Hana by Xero Shoes is light, nimble, and grips well on basically any surface in any condition. With the same, popular sole as Xero’s Z-Trek sandal, this shoe lets you get a barefoot-mimicking feel that any minimalist-shoe fan will love. As with all other Xero Shoes, the Hana is Zero Drop, meaning that the heel isn’t elevated. It also features a wide toe box, allowing your feet to naturally splay. The generally width of the shoe is something I’ve heard mixed reviews about, with some individuals (especially those with narrower feet) feeling that the shoe is too wide.

I’ve personally taken my Hana’s (with varying degrees of wear-and-tear) through some of the most technical, rough trails in the Southeast. Whether in the notorious Linville Gorge or on rocky scrambles leading up to local crags, the Hana has performed better than notable trail-runners on the market. The only downside to this shoe is the durability. Though it performs well in comparison to most casual shoes, you simply can’t expect a casual shoe to last for as long as a trail-runner. While the soles are still solid after significant heavy use, the uppers on my pair have begun to tear and fray to the degree that my toes are open to the elements. Overall, the Xero Hana is one of the best shoes on the market for adventurers looking for a true minimalist option. It grips well in poor conditions, is as light as a feather, and feels like a barefoot shoe should.

David Hallen