Xero Shoes Denver – The Cold-weather Friendly Minimalist Boot

Detailed Review

The Xero Denver Boot shows that style, ground feedback, and minimalism don’t have to be given up when the air is getting colder. Created specifically for winter and chilly days, the Denver shoes from Xero have most of the characteristics that a user would want from a zero-drop, minimalist boot.

Material

The Denver Boot is 100% vegan. No animal products were used in the making of the shoe. Those who are into the vegan lifestyle and barefoot movement have lauded this feature the most.

The upper is made up of a water-repellent canvas with a few reinforcements on the toe tip, heel, and eyelets. It’s very effective in keeping water out to some degree as mentioned by a couple of reviewers but it is not 100% waterproof. 

There aren’t a lot of overlays on the upper. Since this is a minimalist shoe, it stays true to its nature with its lightweight construction. Weight-wise, a size 9 for men is only about 12 oz (340g) which is lighter than most winter boots.

Durability & Grip

There were a good number of Xero shoes Denver Boot reviews that expressed their disappointment with the pull tab on the heel. Getting into the ankle-high minimalist boot requires a user to tug on the pull tab. Unfortunately, it was mentioned that the tab tore. Reviewers had to fully undo the laces and pinch on the sides of the shoe’s opening to get their foot in.

On the outsole is Xero’s high-traction FeelTrue Rubber. It’s a material that’s highly resistant to abrasions and tearing, giving the shoe a decent shelf life. It is robust enough to protect the bottom of the foot from getting injured. It has a chevron tread pattern, with some arrows facing forward and some facing backward, providing sufficient traction and grip on most surfaces.

Design & Usage

Designed to be simple but still stylish, almost all reviews online stated that they paired their Xero Denver Boot with virtually any outfit. Most stated that their favorite pairing was jeans plus their Denver for a casual, everyday look.

The flannel lining inside adds a nice aesthetic touch, said almost all users but it’s not only to add on to the boot’s overall look. It also keeps the foot warm and helps provide that snug, glove-like fit from within.

Also inside is a heat reflective insole that warms the foot up. A Xero Shoes Denver Boot review mentioned that having the insert may be too hot when indoors. Taking it out when staying indoors is suggested. One problem seen by users is that it can be cumbersome because it is not fastened on the sole.

Lastly, it’s important to remember that the boot was designed for cold weather, so the shoe is not breathable nor ideal for wearing during summer or spring.

The ground feel was not compromised. However, a small number of reviewers said that the amount of feedback was not as the reviewer expected. It was a bit lesser compared to his other Xero shoes.

Fit

The Denver shoes are equipped with a full, lace-up system. The lacing is connected to side straps, wrapped around the heel. Tightening the laces will deliver a more customized fit all over. Plus, with the other features that aid in improving the fit like the flannel lining and the removable insert, most expressed that the boot has the right amount of snugness without the feeling of constriction.

When it comes to sizing, the Xero Denver boot is only available in men’s sizes. There were female consumers who opted for the boot but they had to adjust their sizing according to the Xero’s Men’s sizing chart. One Xero Shoes Denver Boot review by a lady said that having sizes for women is ideal, but for now, females who have wide feet may be able to enjoy the footwear.