Lena and I started Xero Shoes in 2009. Since then, we’ve helped over a million people discover the comfort, benefits, and FUN of natural movement. We’d like to do the same for you.
Keep reading below to find more info that will help you have the best experience possible with your new Xero Shoes.
What you’ll find in here:
When your Xero Shoes arrive, here’s what we recommend:
1
Check your order
Our dedicated warehouse employees have worked hard to create a system that’s close to 100% error-free, but on rare occasion the wrong shoe may fall into the wrong box.
If something isn’t correct contact us immediately by calling 303.447.3100 or emailing [email protected]
2
Get the right fit
If you’ve ordered SHOES…
Shoe fitting is more about personal preference than geometry. I could take 3 people with identical feet, put them in the same shoe, and they could have 3 different opinions about whether the shoe fits.
So, try ‘em on and see what you think. If you’re planning to wear your shoes with socks, try them on that way. If you want a more barefoot experience, you can try them in bare feet or with a very thin sock. You can also experiment with removing the sockliner (insole) for an even “more barefoot” experience or to help get your ideal fit.
If you ordered ready-to-wear SANDALS…
Similarly, length is a bit of personal preference. Some people want their toes up to the front edge, some people like them slightly further back, and some people even wear their sandals so that their toes hang slightly over the front edge — it’s entirely up to you!
If you’ve got a DIY Sandals Kit…
You can develop the superpower of knowing how to make your own footwear in just a matter of minutes with our DIY Kit.
3
Need a different size?
You can exchange for another size. We offer free exchanges for US customers. See https://xeroshoes.com/exchange for details. If you’re out of the country, contact our Customer Happiness Team (their info is at the bottom of this page).
A quick note: PLEASE help us and the planet by testing your shoe’s fit and comfort indoors only so that if you need to exchange or return them, they’ll be in “unworn” condition and we won’t have to throw them away. We cannot accept shoes worn outdoors for full exchanges or refunds for this reason.
4
Adjust for the perfect fit
If you have SHOES…
Many of our shoes have some combination of an adjustable heel strap, an adjustable heel or instep strap, an adjustable instep strap, and/or adjustable midfoot straps.
If your shoe has any combination of these, you’ll notice that the straps are not sewn down. You can adjust for a comfortable fit by using the laces to cinch the straps for the snugness or looseness that you prefer.
If you have SANDALS…
It’s all about finding the right combo of snug and comfortable. Here is a link with more information on how to do that.
5
Get out there and have fun!
Switching to footwear that lets your feet do what’s NATURAL – bend, flex, and Feel The World – it may take a bit of time to adjust. How much time? That depends on you, and what you do in your Xero Shoes. Walking and running naturally usually means some changes to your gait, building some strength, and learning to relax. The good news is that most of this happens just from wearing your Xero Shoes.
Research shows that merely walking in shoes like Xero Shoes* builds foot muscle strength as much as doing a foot exercise program! You probably know that if you haven’t been to the gym in a while, you don’t jump back in by doing 8 hours of heavy lifting. You start small, and build up your reps, sets, and weight over time. Making the transition to Xero Shoes is similar to that.
If you plan to walk, hike, or stand in Xero Shoes…
Start by wearing them out for small amounts of time and when you feel comfortable, add a bit more until you’re able to handle your usual activity. When it comes to your gait, the thin soles of your Xero Shoes give your brain the feedback it needs to help you move your body the way it is supposed to. Xero Shoes can promote moving with a more natural form!
If you plan to run in Xero Shoes…
The approach is similar to walking — start small and slowly build up with what feels comfortable. Comfort is about form, not footwear. Some footwear actually gets in the way of proper form. So, what is proper form? Landing with your foot closer to your body, under your center of mass. Incorrect form is landing with your foot too far in front of your body, typically on your heel with your leg outstretched. In short, “incorrect” form hurts. Good form feels great. You can find more information about natural walking and natural running in the articles below.
For more info read here:
