Xero Shoes Mesa Summit Trail Review: A Barefoot Purist’s Crossover Shoe

I’m excited to share my thoughts on a shoe I’ve been putting through its paces recently: the Xero Shoes Mesa Summit (men’s and women’s). Xero Shoes sent me a pair of these trail runners to test out in exchange for my straightforward opinion.

xero shoes mesa summit trail running shoes

At first glance, I noticed something different about the Mesa Summit compared to Xero’s previous trail offerings. It has a much more mainstream, modern aesthetic that feels like a crossover shoe. Runners who like the low, grounded feel of Salomon or La Sportiva trail running shoes may enjoy testing out the Mesa Summit as a foray into barefoot trail running shoes. For runners who want the benefits of barefoot movement without the distinct “barefoot shoe” look, this aesthetic shift is a very welcome change.

Here is my look into how the Mesa Summit performs on the trail, how its design stacks up, and how it compares to its sibling, the Scrambler Low EV.

xero shoes mesa summit instep

Mesa Summit Technical Specifications & Weight

Despite its rugged look, the Mesa Summit is lightweight and the lacing system received a new kind of laces than previous shoes:

  • Weight: Approximately 9.2 ounces (for a men’s size 9/10), which actually makes it lighter than the Xero Scrambler Low EV (which comes in around 9.8 ounces).
  • Drop: True to Xero Shoes’ philosophy, it features a zero-drop platform to encourage natural posture and foot alignment.
  • Lacing System: Xero has moved away from the thin, “weird” round laces used in some of their older models and replaced them with better flat laces. They cinch down well and stay secure.
  • The Tongue: The tongue is somewhat chunky and puffy. While it feels a bit unusual at first compared to the Scrambler’s thin, streamlined tongue, it provides a comfortable buffer against lace pressure.
xero shoes mesa summit traction lugs

Traction and Outsole Performance

The outsole of the Mesa Summit comes with generous lugs and grip:

  • Lug Depth: It features beefy 3.5 mm lugs, which are more aggressive than the 3 mm lugs found on the Scrambler Low EV.
  • Grip: I tested these shoes on the hard-packed, loose, gravelly trails we often run on, and the traction is phenomenal. The lugs grab the loose terrain well and being so low to the ground makes an ankle roll less devastating (in my opinion, informed by lived experience!).
  • Rubber Compound: The rubber itself is soft and highly grippy. Unlike the Scrambler Low EV, which uses Michelin-branded rubber, the Mesa Summit didn’t seem to mention a specific material (as of the time of writing this). While I didn’t get to fully push the envelope on wet, flat rocks to test its limit, its performance on step and hard-packed gravel has been excellent.
xero shoes mesa summit uppers

Fit, Upper, and Foot Lock-Down

Xero Shoes is known for their secure, foot-shaped fit, and the Mesa Summit delivers on this front:

  • Toe Box: It features Xero’s signature wide toe box. I’d estimate the width to be around a 2E (or slightly under), which gives your toes plenty of room to splay naturally as you run.
  • Huarache-Inspired Tensioning System: The shoe utilizes Xero’s classic adjustable instep straps (inspired by Huarache sandals). When you tighten the laces, it pulls the straps snug around your midfoot, locking you down securely.
  • Heel Pocket: The heel pocket is designed to wrap around your ankle. I experienced zero heel slippage while climbing or descending.
  • Upper Materials: The upper is made of a breathable fabric overlayed with a sleek laminate material. One trade-off is that the heel collar has a softer, fabric-dominant feel, and the shoe lacks a dedicated gaiter hook (which the Scrambler Low EV includes).
mesa summit rockplate protection for rocky surfaces
The Xero Shoes Mesa Summit rock guard helps defend the barefoot runner from rocks like these.

Underfoot Protection: The ESS Rock Guard

The most interesting technical feature of the Mesa Summit is the inclusion of an ESS Rock Guard.

Usually, adding a rock guard stiffens a shoe significantly, but Xero has designed this one to be incredibly flexible. It acts as a shield against sharp, stabbing rocks without sacrificing your connection to the ground. Many barefoot enthusiasts like to feign indifference about rocks on the trail, but fall curiously behind their running buddies when faced with a trail covered in golfball-sized rocks. The rock guard should help soften those occasional arch-busters.

If you are a barefoot purist, someone who loves the low-to-the-ground feel of FiveFingers or ultra-minimalist sandals, the Mesa Summit is an good option for something more built, but not a sell-out. It preserves that raw, tactile ground feel while saving you from the sharp pain of stomping on jagged rocks.

xero shoes mesa summit vs scrambler low ev
Comparing the lugs on the Mesa Summit (left) and the Scrambler Low EV (right)

Mesa Summit vs. Scrambler Low EV

If you are deciding between these two models, they cater to slightly different running styles:

  1. The Scrambler Low EV (~$150) (men’s and women’s): Feels more “built up” and protective, closer to a traditional trail shoe. It has a higher stack height and a bit more underfoot foam, which offers more forgiveness on long runs.
  2. The Mesa Summit (~$125): At $25 cheaper, this shoe is lighter, has a lower stack height, and features more aggressive 3.5 mm lugs. It is highly flexible and leans heavily into a true minimalist barefoot feel.
xero shoes mesa summit heel
The Mesa Summit heels are a flexible fabric which hugs the heel. The primary protection is the flair of the rubber outsole at the bottom of the heel.

Who is this shoe for?

Because of its thin sole and high flexibility, the Mesa Summit is going to put a bit more demand on your lower legs.

I see this shoe as an excellent tool for runner training—ideal for strengthening your calves and Achilles tendons and increasing your ankle’s range of motion. While conditioned barefoot runners can certainly take these for long distances, for most people, it may not be an ultra-marathon shoe right out of the box because your feet will feel the trail.

That being said, they are comfortable, look good, and are perfect for general hiking, trail running, or just wearing around as a daily crossover shoe.

Final Verdict: 4.4 / 5

Xero Shoes continues to innovate and refine the zero-drop, minimalist trail market. The Mesa Summit is a creative, highly fun entry that strikes a balance between raw ground feel and necessary rock protection.

I’m giving the Mesa Summit a 4.4 out of 5. It’s a high-quality, lightweight trail runner that I am excited to continue testing and wearing up in the rugged Colorado high country.

If you’re looking to transition into minimalist trail running or want an aggressive, lightweight barefoot shoe that doesn’t looks so weird, the Mesa Summit is worth checking out.