this post was submitted on 16 Mar 2024
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Check out Xero shoes. They have an EU store now. Some are repairable by ordering the part you need from them, since multiple models of shoes use the same soles. The shoes themselves are also very long lasting in my experience. Still have a pair of canvas shoes that have lasted 6 years of continuous usage and still use - although caveat I use those only once the snow melts. They also have multiple colors available.
The only thing is they are very thin sole shoes, made for barefoot type walking. They do come with a sole to add some distance, but it's removable if you want it at max thinness. Best thin sole shoes out of many I've tried, including vibrams, and they don't do the toe thing, instead going with a wide toe box.
They also have some leather options, winter boots, and diy sandal kits.
I've heard mixed things about the durability of Xero shoes, and most of it was on the 'not super durable' end of the spectrum. They have a great warranty, but some say you'll need it.
For Barefoot style shoes, Vivobarefoot and Freet seem to be known for being pretty durable. Freet in particular is an interesting one since they use recycled materials sometimes, and more importantly, use side-stitching on some of their models (I know Vivo does too on a few), which significantly increases durability by keeping the sole from separating from the upper.
Never heard of freet, I'll check them out. I prefer shoes with a sole as thin as possible is the thing, so that's a main criteria for me. But recycled materials is also a plus.
As for Xeros's durability, I can say I've definitely walked them hard. I don't have a car, only used the excellent public transport in Finland. But when the pandemic happened, I also wanted to avoid covid at all costs due to being on dialysis, and didn't have a bike yet. Do for at least 6 months, I'd walk over an hour uphill both ways literally to get to the hospital, and another hour waking back, 3 times a week, every week. Then I did the same after I got the bike and the motor broke and had to wait for a couple of months for a new one about 2 years later. Still use that same pair of shoes, and sole is still good. My winter boots since then died, so that's why I replaced them with Xero ones since the shoes have at least proven themselves. I've even washed the shoes multiple times in the washer, but I do always air-dry them.
All that said, the outer sole seems to be glued to the shoe (on most but not all models) but it's also partially tied down to it. Hard to explain, but if you look at the back / side of basically all their shows, you'll see what I mean. Technically if the glue did somehow wear off,, or the outer sole wore down, all you'd need to is remove it from that strap, and replace that sole with a new one and more glue. It's probably why they offer great warranty.
I know Xero started in the USA, but I don't know if there's a difference in quality between Xero US and Xero EU as well I suppose too.
I can't dispute your experience, it's possible you got lucky, or the complaints I've seen were just unlucky.
I see what you mean by the side-strap, but I'm not sure how much that would actually do to help them remain usable compared to proper side-stitching, which would hold the sole on all around, instead of just in that one area in the back.
At least in this review of some Xero's, his failed pretty early, including the side-strap retainer breaking, and his second pair seem to be failing early as well. They did honor their warranty, but at least from an environmental perspective, it's not ideal to need a new pair of shoes frequently, even if it's not costing you anything.
Unless I'm mistaken, Xero does not appear to mention anything about repairing shoes on their website. The 5000 mile warranty just says they'll send you a new pair. In contrast, Vivobarefoot does offer a repair service (in the UK only, unfortunately), and also refurbishes worn out shoes to resell at a discount on their Revivo website, which helps reduce waste.
Also, I was wrong that Xero does not offer shoes with recycled material, after checking their website, I see that they do. Still though, I think for the money, they just seem a little suspect as far as durability. Maybe that's a quality control issue, or a specific model issue? This review of some Xero's is similar with your experience, so I'm thinking that might be the more likely answer.
Hm, perhaps then it could be a difference in quality control between the USA branch and the EU one, or even the models. Guess I've been lucky then so far. I do wonder how they know you've walked 5000 miles in a shoe tho, but in another 5-8 years I did definitely reach that milestone with my first pair.
Either way, good info to know.