Xero Shoes Men’s 360 Cross Training Shoes - Zero Drop Heel, Rope Climbing Grip, Protective Design for Gym, Trail Running & Outdoor Workouts

I bought these shoes after seeing so many ads for 'barefoot shoes.' I was leery of them because it seemed like a gimmick. Also, they seemed like they would be flimsy and would wear out quickly. I walk around 2000 miles a year and have kept two or three pairs of shoes that I rotate through on a day to day basis. I decided to see what brand of shoes was being sold by a well regarded camping and hiking outfitter. I figured they would not stock a shoddy product. The one barefoot shoe they sell is Xero. I went to their store but unfortunately, they only had two options available. One of the pairs was too small and the other was more of a trail runner. So I bought these shoes on Amazon.First, it turns out that Xero has a 5000 mile guarantee on the soles of the shoes! They were immediately comfortable out of the box. I decided to take a chance and do my usual five plus mile walk in them instead of breaking them in. The walk is on paved roads and there is a fair amount of uphill and downhill involved. So far, after four days, I have walked about 27 miles. The shoes did not need a breaking in period! The toe box is large enough so there is no crimping. The toe spread is the same as if I were barefoot.Immediately upon walking with these shoes it became apparent how much force I was using when walking. With these shoes and my normal way of walking I was slamming down hard. I had not known I was doing this with the other shoes. Over the last few days, my gait has changed significantly. As a result of this, I have far less foot fatigue at the end of the day. I also feel that my balance is better with these shoes.Yes, the have less cushion than my other shoes. However, that has not been a problem for me. My feet actually feel better than they did walking in my other shoes. In the Fall, when cooler and wetter weather comes, I intend to purchase a pair of waterproof Xero shoes.