Frequently Asked Questions (and their answers)

One of our goals is being respectful stewards of our environment and the planet.

With footwear, especially, performance footwear, there are some limitations to what we can do while still providing the durability, usability, and function our customers want, at a price they can afford.

We’re careful not to jump into “sustainable” or “environmentally beneficial” products or methods without looking at the bigger picture. For example, creating fleece from recycled plastic bottles sounds like a great thing… until it was discovered that fleece sheds synthetic microfibers — tiny bits of plastic that marine scientists say could be jeopardizing our oceans.

We think of our measured, long-term vision approach as being “Environmentally Intelligent.”

Some of the ways we do this include:

• Our minimalist designs use fewer materials than traditional shoes (especially the performance products)
• Our simpler designs, without midsole layers, require less energy to manufacture
• Our soles last longer — where most performance shoe companies recommend replacing their products every 3-500 miles, our soles have a 5,000 mile sole warranty.
• Whenever possible, we use renewable materials, like hemp

We look forward to more and better ways we can “tread lightly” as we help you Live Life Feet First!

Our co-founder, Lena Phoenix, likes to say, “There is NO reason to start another shoe company… unless your products change people’s lives.”

And if you read the reviews of our shoes and sandals, you’ll hear a lot of people saying just that, even if what was life-changing for them is as simple as finding shoes that are COMFORTABLE.

Frankly, it’s the emails, phone calls, reviews, and letters (yes, actual letters delivered by a mail person) where people share how much Xero Shoes has impacted their lives that keep us going.

We’re creating a MOVEMENT movement: Helping people experience the comfort, fun, and benefits of Natural Movement. And making natural movement the obvious, healthy, choice… the way natural food is currently.

In addition to our Blog, where we talk about this often, here are a few resources:

1. Running, the Natural Way
2. Free Video series: Barefoot Myths… and TRUTH

The short answer is: Start slowly. Give yourself time get used to using your muscles naturally, to relaxing, and to your gait changing.

For running, you might start with a VERY short run… like 30 seconds! If that’s not fun, there are a number of hints on our site that will help you. When a short run feels easy and fun, add 10 more seconds to your next run. Then “lather, rinse, repeat.”

Listen to your body. Use fun as your guide.

This blog post may be helpful.

Check out this article about proper walking form, whether you’re in bare feet or shoes.

We would love to give you personal advice, but we are not doctors and can’t give a specific answer or medical advice.

However, we’ve written a few blog posts about plantar fasciitis that you might find helpful:

https://xeroshoes.com/barefoot-walking/plantar-fasciitis-and-walking-barefoot/

https://xeroshoes.com/barefoot-running/will-barefoot-running-heal-my-injuries/,

https://xeroshoes.com/barefoot-running-tips/can-cure-plantar-fasciitis-barefoot-running/

As you’ll see in the blog posts above, research shows that strengthening your foot can help with plantar fasciitis.

Xero Shoes is about promoting the benefits (and comfort and FUN) of natural movement, first and foremost. Whenever we can, though, we make vegan-friendly products.

Sometimes we aren’t able to due to the materials needed to construct a shoe that meets the requirements  of jobs that require, say, a leather shoe.

At this time, the only shoes not vegan-friendly are the All Day Prio (leather), Tari (leather), Denver Leather (leather), the original Mika (wool collar), the leather Hana, the non-knit Phoenix (leather), the Prio Suede (suede), the Kelso (leather), Glenn (leather), and the Ridgeway (suede).

Yes, all of our shoes and sandals are zero-drop.

That means the heel isn’t higher than the ball of the foot, for proper posture.

Since our soles are flat, with no built-in arch support, they’re probably the best shoe to use if you decide to add an insole.

So you know, though, our shoes are intentionally designed to let your feet bend, flex, and move naturally. Research shows that “supporting” your arch or immobilizing your foot with an orthotic can make your foot weaker in as little as a few weeks, while even just walking in a minimalist shoe can improve foot muscle strength.

We’ve heard from a number of customers who wear CorrectToes with their Xero Shoes.

Most of them are wearing the product with our sandals, but we know of some who wear CorrectToes with our closed-toe shoes also. It will depend, in part, about your foot’s width.

While our shoes are low to the ground for balance and agility, and flexible enough to let your feet bend and move naturally, our shoes are not electrically conductive.

We have heard from some customers who made their Xero Shoes conductive by putting a rivet or grommet through the soles but we do not have any personal experience with this.

Please keep in mind that any alterations to the shoes would not be covered under warranty.

Xero Shoes are designed to let your feet do what’s natural — bend, flex, move and feel the world.

Research shows that “supporting” your arch can make your foot weaker in as little as a few weeks, while even just walking in a minimalist shoe can improve foot muscle strength.

We want to let your feet be feet… and support you for life.

The more demand we have for particular shoes or colors, the more we’re able to offer.

Email [email protected] with your suggestions if you’d like to see a certain color or style.

Every product’s page gives a recommendation for selecting the correct size.

Also, see our size guidelines at Fit Info for Xero Shoes.

We understand that ordering shoes online can be hard, especially when the sizing between shoes vary (trust us–we’re working on it!). If you’re still unsure, please email our Customer Happiness team at [email protected].

Also, keep in mind that we offer free domestic exchanges in case you get a size that doesn’t feel right.

We find that temperature ratings aren’t very accurate. They vary greatly depending on environmental factors, like humidity and typical weather (a Tennessee snowstorm is quite different from one in Colorado!)

Below is an overview that might help:

Sandals
We hope you don’t have to ask, but in case you do…our sandals will not keep your feet warm.  Add a pair of socks, like ToeSox and you can make it through colder weather. Find some waterproof, insulated socks and you can be one of those people who wears socks all year ’round. Check out what our CEO, Steven Sashen, has done in a Colorado winter

Closed Toe Shoes
Most of our closed-toe shoes are not designed to keep your feet warm. They’ll be just as warm as a traditional closed toe shoe.

Water Resistant Boots and Shoes

The following boots are water resistant, not waterproof. They’ll repel water to a certain degree and keep your feet warm, but they aren’t “trudge through a slushy puddle in the middle of winter” level weatherproof.

If you love the style of one of our water resistant shoes, you can enhance their ability to repel water by adding a waterproof coating, like a Scotch Guard spray or beeswax.

Hana
Mika
Denver

Waterproof Boots

Currently, the Xcursion Fusion hiking boots and Alpine snow boots are our only fully-waterproof options. These shoes are fully waterproof and will keep your feet dry in wet-weather conditions. Bring it on, monsoon!

We design all of our shoes here in Colorado. Xero Shoes are responsibly, ethically, and fairly manufactured in China.

While we would love to manufacture in America, it is literally not possible at this time, in the same way it’s not possible to domestically manufacture the device you’re using to read this answer.

Performance footwear manufacturing moved to Asia in the 70s and shows no likelihood of moving back. Note that some companies that claim “made in America” are still sourcing their materials from overseas (or the US companies from which they buy their materials are doing so).

We visit and work with our factories multiple times per year.  We also have an on-the-ground manufacturing agent who oversees the factories when we’re not there to ensure that conditions are good, workers are treated fairly, and the shoes are made in compliance with all local laws and regulations. The factories we use treat and pay their workers exceptionally well.

Companies much larger than ours use these same factories and have spent millions of dollars on audits to assure themselves and their wholesale partners about the quality and conditions.

Every time we release a shoe for some specific purpose, like the Speed Force for running, we find that people will do just about anything in it – from hiking to slacklining to weightlifting or using as a day to day shoe.

Trust me, we don’t want to stop you. We think it’s super cool when someone sends us a photo of them at the top of a mountain and the shoe that took them there was our casual Hana 😉

That said, if you’re looking for a specific recommendation, check out our shoe finder, or contact us directly!
Otherwise, below are some of our most commonly worn shoes for specific activities:

Road Running
Speed Force
HFS
Prio
Z-Trek
EV Z-Trail
Cloud
Genesis

Trail Running
TerraFlex
Mesa Trail
Aqua X Sport
EV Z-Trail

Warm Weather Hiking
DayLite Hiker Fusion
TerraFlex
Mesa Trail
Aqua X Sport
Xcursion Fusion
Z-Trek
EV Z-Trail
Cloud
Naboso Trail

Warm Weather/Beach
Aptos
Speed Force
HFS
Prio
360°
Aqua X Sport
Z-Trek
Z-Trail
Genesis
Jessie
Cloud
Naboso Trail
Cassie

Cold Weather Hiking
Alpine
Xcursion Fusion
DayLite Hiker Fusion (with warm socks)
TerraFlex (ditto about the socks)

Weightlifting/CrossFit/Fitness
Speed Force
HFS
Prio
360°
Z-Trek
Genesis

Cold weather
Mika
Denver <!–Ashland—>
Xcursion Fusion
Alpine

Office wear
Cassie
Phoenix
Tari
Denver
Prio All-Day
Hana

Travel
All of our shoes are travel friendly because they’re so lightweight and versatile. But we’ve heard many people say they used just one of these for a whole vacation (depending on where they went)
Aptos
Speed Force
HFS
Prio
Hana
Z-Trail
Z-Trek
TerraFlex
Denver
Mika

Casual wear
Aptos
Hana
Prio All-Day
Jessie
Cassie
Alston
Phoenix
Tari <!–Ashland—>
Denver

Email [email protected] if you have a suggestion or request for a specific shoe, color, or size. The more demand we have, the greater our ability to make more shoes (this includes making men’s versions of our women’s shoes and visa versa).

The women’s styles will fit more narrow than the men’s. If you are a man with a narrow foot, then you may be prefer the “women’s” sizes. If you are a woman with a wider foot, then you may want to try the “men’s” styles.

The difference in length between men’s and women’s closed toe shoes is 1.5 sizes.

Below is a size conversion chart:

Our sandals, since they come in “whole sizes” only have only a 1 size difference between styles. A men’s 8, for example, would be comparable in length to a women’s 9.

Currently, our kids sizes range from 12 to youth 4 (Y4).

From there, a women’s 6 will be a half size larger than the Y4.

That means that if your kid wears a youth 5 or up, they can fit into our women’s sizes.

And if you want to recommend a new/different size or style, email [email protected]

We don’t. So if you see anyone on the internet offering a “Xero Shoes coupon code” they are scamming you.

We do have occasional specials and sales that you’ll hear about if you subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter.

We do offer active military personnel a 15% discount on orders placed through xeroshoes.com!
Here in the US, we use GovX ID, a free third-party service, to verify your affiliation. You can find more information through the following link: https://xeroshoes.com/military-discount/

For those of you outside of the United States, since GovX ID wouldn’t be used internationally, we would just ask for a proof of service.
Email [email protected] from a government email account or send a copy of your Military ID. Once that has been received, we will email you directions about how get your military discount.

We accept credit cards, PayPal, check and money order.

You can also order with 4 monthly, no-interest payments using Klarna. You’ll see that option on the Product Description Pages and when you get to the Checkout page.

Here on our website, for one.

You can also check www.xeroshoes.com/stores to find a retailer near you.

We have new retailers coming on board every week all around the world, so check back often.

And if you know of a store that should be carrying Xero Shoes, let us know about them. Email [email protected]

We’ve sent Xero Shoes to 97 countries around the world.

Sadly, though, we have had to discontinue shipping packages to certain countries due to unreliable delivery, notably Mexico, Indonesia, and Brazil.

To find out if we ship to your location, you can either add items to your cart and go through the checkout process — if you don’t see your country, then we may not deliver there.

You can also ask Customer Happiness Team — email [email protected] or call 303.447.3100 (that’s always the fastest way)

If you live in a country that we can’t ship to, you may want to look into the following courier services that may be able to forward packages to your location:

https://www.shipito.com/

https://www.bonvu.com/

Another option — see if we have a store near you that can ship to you — https://xeroshoes.com/stores/

Also we have a few styles available on Amazon.

We’ve heard that many international customers ship their shoes to friends or family in the US, UK, or Australia who will be visiting soon.

We do! We’ve sold Xero Shoes to people in more than 97 countries around the world.

We use the US Postal service or DHL to send our shipments. The cost to ship will depend on the weight of the package and the delivery speed you select; several options will be provided at checkout.

Limited tracking is available for some Standard and First Class International shipments depending on the country. Full tracking is available with all Priority Express and Express International shipments.

Though almost all of our international orders arrive without incident, we strongly advise you to select Priority Express International or Express International if you live in a country with a less reliable postal service. We cannot guarantee delivery of packages shipped using First Class International.

At this time, we’ve stopped shipping to Brazil, Mexico or Indonesia due to poor delivery. See the FAQ “Do You Deliver to my Country” for more details and options if you’re in those countries.

International delivery can take anywhere from 3 days to 8 weeks depending on how long your order spends in customs at the border.

Please note that some countries do require the payment of import duties for international shipments above a certain value. We advise you to know the import regulations of your country and understand that you will be responsible for payment of any duties and fees imposed by your government at the border.

All packages will be marked as merchandise; as a commercial shipper, we are not able to mark a package as a gift (if you’re giving Xero Shoes as a gift, that’s not the same as us sending a gift).

Also, check our store locator at www.xeroshoes.com/stores. There may be a Xero Shoes dealer closer to you.

Note: Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, some shipping services may be delayed, and due to heavy order volume during the holidays, it may take longer for your order to be shipped. We thank you for your patience as it may take two weeks or longer for your package to arrive.

Shipping time depends on what you order, where your package is going, and how fast you want it delivered.

When you get to the Checkout page, you’ll see different options and prices before you’re asked for payment information.

Typical shipping domestic shipping times are:

• Our Flat Rate shipping takes 5-10 business days on average.
• First Class  – estimated 4-9 business days – can be slower during high volume mail times
• Priority Mail – 2 or 3 business days
• Priority Express Mail – 1 or 2 business days

Please note that USPS does not guarantee delivery times for First Class and Priority Mail.

For International deliveries, here are some typical times:

• DHL Packet Plus – 2-3 weeks average, may take longer depending on receiving country*
• First Class – 1-3 weeks average, may take up to 8 depending on receiving country*
• Priority Mail – 6-10 business days*
• Priority Mail Express – 3-5 business days*

* International delivery times may be increased by additional customs processing times at the border.

Full tracking is available for items shipped with DHL International shipping and USPS Priority Express International shipments.

You may also want to check for a retailer  near you at www.xeroshoes.com/stores.

You can find more information about shipping here: www.xeroshoes.com/shipping

Lena likes to say there’s a “sweet spot” for sandal strap tension and position. Some people find it right away and others take a bit of time.

Go to https://xeroshoes.com/tying/adjust-for-the-perfect-fit/ for more info and suggestions.

The simplest answer is: Do they feel right?

Sizing is largely about personal preference. You could take 3 people with identical feet, put them in the same shoe, and they’d have 3 different opinions about how the shoe fits.

Some people think you need a lot of room in front of your toes. This is true for shoes with thick midsoles, but not with Xero Shoes (when thicker shoes bend, the “inside” shortens faster than the outside… like what happens when you bend a phone book).

Some people like their toes to lightly touch the front of the shoe because it gives them additional feedback.

We recommend wearing the shoes indoors for a bit to see how they feel (remember, if you need to return or exchange, the product must be in “new and unworn” condition).

If you’re a woman with a wider foot, you may be more comfortable in a “men’s” style. And if you’re a man with a narrower foot, you may like a “women’s” style better.

If you have other questions about fit, give us a call — 303.447.3100 or 1-800.499.8880

Hmmm… there should have been an instruction card that came with your kit which pointed you to these resources:

1) How to make your DIY kit with FeelTrue soles — https://xeroshoes.com/make/

2) How to make your Classic DIY kit — https://xeroshoes.com/huaraches/how-to-make/

3) How to tie your DIY sandals — https://xeroshoes.com/tying/

While we stand behind the quality of our products, we also know reality: nothing is perfect and nothing goes 100% according to plan. That’s why we have a 2 Year Manufacturer’s Warranty.

There are more details about our warranty here.

Please email [email protected] or call us at 1-800-499-8880 or 303.447.3100 so we can evaluate your situation and give you the correct remedy options.

There’s a simple way to shorten the straps on the Cloud or Genesis at https://xeroshoes.com/adjust/

We are pleased to offer free domestic exchanges if you need to change the size or color. Exchanges will be sent using our flat-rate shipping option. 

1. Visit our Returns and Exchange Center. To start a return, choose “Returns” at the top of that page and follow the steps provided.

2. Enter your order number, email address, or shipping zip code used to place the order.

3. Select the items you want to exchange and follow the instructions.

4. Once your request is approved, you will get a confirmation email with shipping instructions.

5. Once your return tracking is confirmed, the replacement item will be shipped to your original shipping address.

I am not in the United States, can I return or exchange?

Yes! You can process a return or exchange through the Returns and Exchange Center. You will need to return your items through a local courier. Follow the instructions given in the Returns and Exchange Center. Please note that for international returns, the original shipping costs are not refundable.

1. Visit our Returns and Exchange Center. To start a return, choose “Returns” at the top of that page and follow the steps provided.

2. Enter your order number, email address, or shipping zip code used to place the order.

3. Select the items you want to return and follow the instructions.

4. Once your request is approved, you will get a confirmation email with shipping instructions.

5. Once your item is received, your order, tax, and original shipping will be fully refunded to your payment of choice.
(If the package was shipped to Colorado, this excludes the Colorado Retail Delivery Fee)

Looking for more information regarding a return or exchange? Please visit: https://xeroshoes.com/returns/.

We call our “ambassadors” Xero Heroes.

The Xero Hero program is for social media influencers and content creators who love Xero Shoes.

Xero Heroes are the first to hear about cross-promotional opportunities, contest opportunities, and ways to get involved with our brand.

You can apply to become our next Xero Hero at www.xeroshoes.com/xerohero

We do have a Pro Deal program for people who work in the health and/or outdoor industry.

You can apply for the Pro Deal program.

We do.

Affiliates can earn commissions on sales made by people they refer to Xero Shoes.

Learn more at xeroshoes.com/affiliate-info/

First, thanks for your support!

Word of mouth has been the #1 driver in our business since we started.

So, not surprisingly, the simplest thing to do is tell people about XeroShoes.com.

Another thing you can do that would be really helpful is to talk to the manager of any store that you think should carry Xero Shoes and tell her/him about us. We know some people who’ve walked into a local store (in their Xero Shoes, of course) and done an impromptu sales pitch 😉

Here’s one more: If you know of any medical, fitness, or health & wellness practitioners (doctors, podiatrists, chiropractors, trainers, chiropractors, yoga teachers, etc.), tell them about us as well. We have special programs for healthcare practitioners who want to promote Xero Shoes.

If you want to earn commissions on sales you refer, check out https://xeroshoes.com/affiliate-info/

And, if you want to directly sell Xero Shoes through your own facility, email [email protected] for more info.

We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Much of our product development comes from hearing what you want next.

Send an email with your requests or suggestions to: [email protected].

By the way, it can take up to 2 years to develop a new shoe. So we may already be working on what you want 😉

Suffice it to say, the footwear industry is very competitive and we can’t reveal ALL our plans for future products.

The best way to find out about new releases is to sign up for our newsletter at https://xeroshoes.com/newsletter/ and to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.

If you have a great suggestion for a new shoe or a request about an existing one, send us an email — [email protected].