AMore than an intense day of racing or hiking, there is nothing like slipping your painful feet of muddy shoes and in a pair of windy sandals. From Nike and Adidas slides to Chacos and Birkenstocks, I produced many styles and brands. But now I think I finally found a pair that will last a whole life – the Xero Genesis.
With an unprecedented warranty of 5,000 miles, these barefoot sandals are designed for the long term. I have been carrying a pair of Genesis for two years now, taking them around the world and accumulating thousands of kilometers. Despite their light weight and their minimalist design, they have remarkably resistant. And at only $ 45, they are a shocking investment for all those looking for a pair of sustainable sandals adapted to travel that are not intended for the trash in a few years.
Better than Birkenstocks
I am known to breathe through a pair of sandals in less than a year, so the guarantee of 5,000 miles of Xero has bitten my interest. I loved my old Birkenstocks, but wearing them in the water is not recommended, and the time (and the beaches) of Charleston, in South Carolina, finally obtained the best of them. My chacos were a little more versatile, but the straps quickly started to crash and the soles started to crack – allowing the water to infiltrate inside and to greet me with a nice creak while I was walking.
$ 44.99 at Nordstrom (Men)
$ 44.99 at Nordstrom (Women’s)
The Xero Genesis does not have such warnings. Whether it’s hiking around Boulder, Colorado, exploring the Sonora desert near Tucson or wading in alpine lakes in the rocky mountains, my Genesis sandals have never disappointed me. After all these kilometers, the polyester cord does not show any signs of the blurring, and the rubber sole has no chips, tears or tears. Although there is (finally) a little wear on the tread, they are always perfectly adherent and capable of manipulating the grounds of the trails with beaches. For a pair of $ 45 sandals, I am very impressed.
The more it is less
Unlike a big Birkenstock, the Genesis is a “barefoot” sandal. This means that they do not offer any cushioning, putting your foot as close as possible to the earth. Personally, I love adjustment, which is a welcome relief after hours of racing or hiking in ultra-supporting shoes. They also help develop different muscles in your feet – although this implies a little acclimatization. And although I use them for a serious hike, something with more cushioning would be a better choice if you make trekking on an uneven ground – the limited padding under the feet is not ideal for shredded rocks.
Here are the small characters on the 5,000 -mile warranty: Xero will give you a 60% discount on replacements if you manage to crush the soles within 1 mm. Mine still measures about 3 mm at the most absolute fine. In addition to this, Xero layers on the warranty of a 24 -month manufacturer, offering a complete replacement if you meet a manufacturing defect within this period. After two years of flogging, I cannot imagine that many people will use either.
Staying outside of a 5,000 mile discharge is one -way, Xero reduces its environmental footprint, but they also get their supplies carefully and use less. Xero’s restricted substances’ test protocol describes the tests and limits the use of everything, “chemicals forever” of the PFAS to direct, and the minimalist design of Genesis means that there is no need for materials in moss intermediate soles. Less shoes, less waste. Other Xero models also use durable materials such as hemp, carbon fiber coffee and recycled polyethylene.
The Xero Genesis are probably the best pair of sandals I had and a basic food of my wardrobe all year round. For all the most rocky conditions, light barefoot sandals are a wonderful adjustment for everything that makes you pass.
Features
Type: Huarache
Weight: 4.6 oz per sandal (size 9)
Colors: Stone, sand, black, raspberry, blue lake, sea mousse
Materials: Rubber sole, polyester cord
Jon Bitner is a writer covering travel, outdoor and technology for points of sale, including Gamespot, digital trends and islands. He is a passionate hiker and likes to explore the rocky mountains of his home in Boulder, Colorado.
This part is part of the Guardian US Buy It for life series, highlighting sustainable products designed for the long term. If you want to suggest a product that has resisted the time test in your own life, please contact us at thefilter.us@theguardian.com