Hello, my name’s Andrew, and this is the Xero Genesis, the best barefoot huarache sandals for hiking and trail running on a minimalist budget.

1. Features

Back in 2017 I bought a pair of Xero Z-Trek’s, and I liked them so much that I literally didn’t buy another pair of barefoot sandals for six years.

But people kept bugging me for a huarache review, so I was like: “Ugh…fine, I’ll have Xero send me a pair of Genesis. Genesises? Genesi?”

Either way…I think I might have to switch to team toe thong!

Fit/Form

Because the Genesis has a minimalist design like the V-Trek but with a thinner, ultra-flexible 5mm sole, and a wide, foot-shaped toebox…

…although, FYI, I went with the more narrow women’s version, because I have skinny soccer feet.

Materials

Up top you’ve got a simple cord lacing system that’s soft and stretchy but also easily adjustable at the front, sides, and back for a snug fit.

Underneath there’s a minimal tread, which is angled in both directions for grip…

…and while mine are the black’s, they also come in dark blue, light blue, and red.

2. Testing

When I first went out with the Genesis I expected a long break-in and I kept looking down, like: “Ok, when is the toe thong going to start rubbing?”

But I walked a mile, then two, then three, and unlike other huarache sandals I’ve tried, the Xero’s felt…really good!

Hiking

So I hiked up and down some hills, though a muddy field, and across a bunch of rocky gravel…

…and where the Z-Trek’s were a bit too hard at times the thinner 5mm sole on the Genesis was the perfect balance of ground feel and protection.

Trail Running

At one point I just started running, and I was impressed by how light and responsive the tread felt.

Also, the straps stayed surprisingly snug, whether I was poking along or sprinting all out, but I did have to stop once in a while to readjust the fit.

Conclusion

When I was adding up the features of the Genesis at a certain point it was like: “Just stop…they’re too good!“

Pros/Cons

Because with the flexible sole, great traction, comfortable lacing, and 5,000-mile warranty, all for less than $50…what else could you want from a barefoot sandal?

To be fair, the Xero Genesis is clearly meant for trails, so it does feel a bit thick on roads, and if you’re going up and down steep, rocky hills, the minimal straps may not be enough.

Alternatives

So in terms of other options…

Resources

Finally, if you want to check out any of the barefoot sandals we covered, you can support the channel by shopping with the links above/below…

…and if you have a question about the Xero Genesis, or about barefoot shoes in general, let me know in the comments.

Thanks for reading. Catch ya next time. Peace!