Lightweight Camp Shoes : Xero Shoes Z-Trail vs Skinners 2.0
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- čas přidán 14. 08. 2022
- Shoes. They are quite handy but can be quite bulky.
I got some new ones in the hope of finding a lightweight, packable and comfortable option and here is me... talking about shoes... fun huh?
Skinner 2.0 : amzn.to/3ZioDLE
Xero Shoes Z-Trail Sandals : amzn.to/3rcXKw0
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"I'm Not a proper gear reviewer"
Gives one of the best reviews I have seen on a bloody sock.
You're a champ 🤘
Well thank you. I'm glad it was useful to you.
Thanks for taking the time to comment as well, its actually pretty nerve wracking doing review videos so it really nice to get positive feedback 😁
This is the comparison that I was looking for. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful.
I've been wearing the zero's a bit recently and find that if you keep them nice and tight the issue with stones getting in can be minimised, though it makes them a bit fiddly to get on and off.
Always good to get an ‘expert opinion’ and see products being used in IRL.
Opinions I can give you. Expert may not be the label they should be files under though 😉
But I appreciate the sentiment and I stand by my words. For whatever that is worth
Recently found the channel. Really like your unique gear picks (and great to get a UK perspective)
Thank you. I'm really glad you are enjoying the channel.
I'm not an expert on gear so these are more opinion than hard fact but hopefully helpful 😉
Thanks for watching
Excellent review on both alternatives. I have used both (including the earlier version of the Skinners, and agree with every one of your points. I did find I caught the toe of the sandals quite often, being so thin they would frequently bend under the foot. I gave up on both and moved to SealSkinz as campwear. Either wear them as they are to exit the tent for a pee, or remove shoe insoles and wear them on my feet inside my trail runners where the wet and funky shoes are not contacting my 'end of day' cleaned feet
That is an interesting idea. I did have a pair of SealSkinz socks once but I never gave them much use.
I also have some winter gloves by them which are amazing. I should have checked them out as part of my research really but they slipped under my radar
Really useful review, thank you
Glad it was helpful 😁
camp cooking... yes. poetry in the saddle... yes.
That is all the encouragement I need.
I was on the coast this weekend and managed to catch a fish which I smoked in the new firebox pretty successfully.
I didn't film it but it was encouraging and I'll definitely be doing the cooking vids but will wait until we've had some rain I think. I don't want to be starting any wild fires 😬
Great comparison! I have an older, but hardly worn pair of Feelmax shoes which compare to those Skinners. But look way better! 😊 The downside is what brought me to research for a camp shoe during an upcoming multi day trip: they're warm and sweaty. So thank you for your useful double review!
I wonder how one could modify the sock shoe concept so it wasn't as sweaty but was still sturdy? I'd like to have then less enclosed but then you start to get the sandle issue with bits of debris getting in under your foot.
If you find the perfect solution leave a comment, I'd be interested to know any other options that are out there!
Interesting stuff! I use a pair of Merrell Trail Gloves as my camp shoes - weigh about 240 grams each & their super comfortable. This said, I don't often carry camp shoes.....! Great video anyway!
Interesting. It isn't something I've ever really thought about either but I really did miss them on the Badger.
I've had a few pairs of Merrells in the past but not for a long time. I remember them being pretty comfy though
Very interesting Jethro, the sandals appeal to me
They are good. I just spent a weekend on the beach and used both. I definitely lean towards the Skinners for scrambling over rocks but the ztrails are much nicer in the heat
@@JethroJessop im wondering if they be ok to ride wearing on flat pedals 🤔 on my recent bikepacking trip i began to suffer from footrot, i think open sandals will be more forgiving
@@welshbikepackingadventures i wouldn't want to I don't think. They are really flexible so I don't think it would be that efficient.
I know people do ride in sandals but I imagine a something with a stiffer sole would be required.
more big rides please
I really hope I can fulfil that request. I'd love to say I have some plans but I doubt that this year will see anything longer than a few days as I have exhausted my allocated holiday at work.
I will get something planned as soon as I can. I'll try and keep content varied and hopefully interesting in the meantime 😬
@@JethroJessop Thank you for replying.
Really enjoy your videos.
I find myself very happy when I see you post a new one!
That says a lot.
I wrote a year or so ago about how much I enjoyed your PBW videos, but wanted more detail about where you were on the trail.
Watched them all again recently and enjoyed it all the more... because... we did it again this summer and completed it.
So I knew where you were more of the time! (We had it easy, full sus, lots of backup with wife and daughter in car, camping etc. so no medals for us. But even so, it is a challenge).
Don't worry Jethro - do what you can (videos), and much respect for what you do do.
Very best of luck
Raymond Briggs died a few days ago. 'Father Christmas goes on Holiday' etc. I am sure you know the books. I am tempted to say, 'best of luck old son'.
His energy and yours not dissimilar.
@@gardupgti4609 fair play for completing the PBW!
Supported out otherwise that is a hard ride. I hope you are recovering ok 😂
I saw that Raymond Briggs died. Very sad. I loved Fungus the Bogeyman when I was a kid and have incredibly strong memories of rain When the Wind Blows for the first time.
Might I suggest the Jethro Skinners are made of wool. Wool dries out like magic.
More poetry please.
I shall suggest that to my product design team.
I also will of course demand that my face be embroidered into each foot ;)
I'm always on the lookout for poems that fit the channel ideology so I'm sure there will be more coming somewhere down the line
@@JethroJessop Good lad.
I always carry a pair of sandals. Also needed for crossing rivers.
Yeah, that is the one place I'd definitely go sandals over Skinners just for the quick drying factor
Thanks! I bring a small collapsible bottle to pee in at night without leaving the tent. Dump and rinse in the morning. I like a lightweight water shoe like the Skinner... keeps crap out of your toes around camp and keeps your feet cleaner for sleeping.
That is of course the other solution but I'd want a camp shoe even if it was unrelated to bladder capacity 😉
The Skinners are great I have to say. I'm wearing them a lot, even just out to the shops and other everyday wanderings.
A pair of Crocs all the way! Dry weather, wet weather, rivers, forest… Easy to slip in and out of even in the dark. Always strap my Crocs onto my bag! ✊
They do seem to be a popular choice. My only concern would be how well they perform if you do decide you want do a bit of a hike or go scrambling over rocks and rough terrain.
@@JethroJessop I have the ones with adjustable backs, you can really cinch em down and they sit good and tight. But for more tougher terrain outings I probably take my Bedrock sandals, they double up as great biking shoes if something happens to your regular bike shoes. Keep on rolling! ✊
@@stephenconroy9283 seems like I could have dug a lot deeper. Since bringing up the subject I've been recommended half a dozen other brands to try.
I will be reading up and making lists for the future 😉
found you today looking for idears of welsh travels . we live in our skinners by the way (not literally of cors , we live in a flat in cornwall ). we both have joint issues as well and find we can walk further with skinners than anything else . Used to love the xero's cheap DIY sandles but they stopped making them . They were better as they were more barefoot style . we would love to cycle wales or lake district one day on recumbants (hubby has one already , i need to save for a trike for me ). So im requesting you go ahead of us and find all the most beautiful spots . Im crazy about wild swimming so id be looking for all the cleanest water too .
I would love to spend all my time researching and reporting on potential rides all over the place.
Sadly I'm a little short on holiday for the rest of this year 😟
I do like a wild swim when the chance arises but I'm not ashamed to admit I'm a bit of a coward when it comes to cold water 😉
You should also absolutely try the Xero Genesis. They're MUCH more minimalist and flexible than Ztrails.
Ultimate camping sandal.
I shall look them up, thanks for the tip.
I'm still really liking the Skinners but it's always nice to have something new to read up on
Great content Jethro, both shoes have their place, so it’s down to personal choice! I use the Teva sandal/shoes. I think of them as flip flops, with enough support and wrap around to be more than flip flops. They are good, and great for any river crossings. It’s so important to keep your cycling footwear dry and comfortable. Don’t you think? If you’re really not into Teva type shoes for camp wear, buy the sock type too. Sorted!
I actually have some Teva sandals that I have had for over 20 years. The soles delaminated a bit a year or two ago and stitched them back together with cable ties 😉
They are great but a little too big for me.
Dry riding footwear definitely makes a trip more enjoyable i agree, especially if the temperature drops at all
@@JethroJessop thank you for the reply Jethro, kind of you. I know you must be busy answering your fans! As for Teva shoes? What a price on them now? Mine have hardly been worn, so a few years left in them yet. I hope to need them soon. Take care pal.
@@jameskolar9655 the comments are gradually becoming more numerous but I'm trying to keep answering. It seems the polite thing to do 😁
Bring on summer and the need for camp shoes!
idea: Hiking water shoe :) They are very lightweight and have a rugged bottom for hiking very breathable and if and when they get wet, they dry quickly.
I did look at some water shoes but as I don't really need them for hiking the Skinner's won out just for being so small and packable.
Bread bags to keep dry socks dry in wet shoes is ultralight and comfy
I remember doing similar things back in the days when I used to go to festivals. Fashioning leggings from heavy duty bin bags so I could wade between the stages at Glastonbury 😉
Bright yellow croks , LOL
They really are a popular choice. Though I'm not sure of the most popular colour 😉
Hi Jethro, I use the thinner ztrek sandal as a camp shoe. I also use them for running and sailing keeps the feet cool & fresh
I'll have a look at it.
I left my Skinners drying on a wall during a recent bike trip so I'm in need of a replacement camp shoe. I'm leaning towards Skinners again but I'll have a look around first so thanks for the tip!
@@JethroJessop They are the thinner version of the ztrail you tried so you may not like them. Barefoot style does take quite a bit of getting used to
@@JethroJessop are they still on the wall? Or is some one walking in the shoes of a great CZcamsr?😎😂
@@timisherwood2887 the barefoot aspect is ok, it's the problem of debris getting between my foot and the sole that makes me most dislike sandals.
I dunno what became of the Skinners. I hope someone adopted them but I doubt it, they were probably not very appealing to a casual passer by. Even if they were previously worn by a CZcams sensation such as myself 😉
Should the Skinners be worn with socks? Would that help with sweaty feet issues? Would flipping them inside-out at times help them to dry faster? I'm thinking about getting a pair. I just ordered something similar in idea and goal, but I really like the protective sock concept. Thank you for uploading this video. I appreciate seeing the two products being compared in practical environments. Cheers, and God Bless!
I do wear them with socks but generally only when it's colder. I guess it might help.
Turning inside out will definitely help dry them out faster.
I'm still liking mine. I lost my V2 set, left them at a camp site on a recent trip, so I'm wearing my originals for now. Just as good really.
Glad the vid was helpful, cheers for watching
@@JethroJessop Thank you so much for your reply! Were the V2s wider than the original? Do you notice much of a difference?
@@bp6087 to be honest the only difference I notice is that the V2 had that removable insole. I think there is a width difference but without laying them side by side I don't notice
Xero the only shoes I can wear.The water shoes are great for sweaty feet.
I looked the water shoes but scared off by people saying the sizing was weird. I'd been though a cycle of returning shoes that I bough the wrong size and I wanted to break that. I actually still look at them from time to time though so maybe I'll give them some more consideration if they are that good.
Interesting to hear you had an issue with posture with saddles and not 'socks' I did try some zero drop trainers and didn't really get on with those, although apparently there is a period of adjustment needed (hours and a good few miles not a morning) depending know your physiological starting point
Yeah, I've always had trouble with my ankles and knees ever since I was a kid so I've got pretty uses to nice supportive shoes.
I think the Skinners work for me just because they really do feel pretty barefoot so walk more carefully in them
🟣 Try a lightweight Huarache sandal by, XERO SHOES. They are called the Genesis. This could be a 3rd alternative for footwear. Give them a try. 👍 👣
I shall check them out, thanks for the tip.
The winter has kind of pushed such footwear from my mind but it's all starting to warm up again now so the sandals may be coming out again soon 😁
@@JethroJessop🟣 Xero Shoes will send you a pair of Genesis sandals if you do a CZcams video review. It gets them noticed and other barefoot shoe / sandal people watch these videos. It's a great light as air sandal and I highly recommend them. 🌞 👣
@@rubencohen2936 I dunno if I could squeeze another whole video out of a pair of sandals without risking repeating myself 😉
I'm just looking into them now. They do look good! I'd definitely like to try them out.
👌
Thank you
Those are still pretty heavy for UL camp shoes. I have finally settled on mesh shower slippers/booties for my camp shoes. They are super cheap and super light. Designed to not hold water and give some grip on the bottom. The ones I am using right now weigh 31 grams and are easily packable. Only downside is they are not very durable, but for $10 bucks who cares? Just order another pair.
Pretty much the perfect camp-shoe for ultra-light backpacking.
Ultralight isn't something I really get into. I imagine it is much more important when hiking than it is on a bike and I've always packed heavy even by bikepacking standards.
For me I'm happy with the extra grams if the solution is good.
I watched a few tutorials on making UL sandals from all kinds of stuff but I never found the time to try it myself.
@@JethroJessop Understood, but weight is weight and efficient functionality is the answer.
Google "mesh shower slippers" and give them a shot for 10 bucks. hahaha.
Thanks for the review, brother. Are the Skinners true to size in your experience? I was checking their size guide, and they recommend a much smaller size than my ordinary shoes.
I don't even know what size foot I am anymore, it seems to change with each new pair of shoes I get 😉
In this case I went with their measurements and got a good fit on both the original and V2 so I'd say they can be trusted
@@JethroJessop Thanks for responding. Highly appreciated :)
@@TheLegendaryLore no worries. I hope you get a good fit and they work out for you. Cheers for watching
Xero shoes make one of the best ! I can’r wear anything else on my feets.
I have to say I'm tempted by a few of their other offerings as well. The water shoes were what first lead me to them and I'd still like to try them.
Which are you wearing and enjoying?
@@JethroJessop HFS is my absolute favorite. And the xtrail are my outdoor fav. Then i jave some discontinued ones such as toronto etc. Have the runninng ones too, but not a huge fan of those, prob cause I don’t run 😂. Get the HFS and you will be in love!
@@AlbertVicol High praise indeed. I shall look into it.
Do to you find the sizing on their shoes a bit weird?
The sandals were fine but I read a lot of reviews saying that people needed to buy unusual sizes compared to what they would normally wear?
If you were to combine both together would you unlock some sort thanos ultimate footwear for the outdoors?
I've heard legends of such a thing, of a shoe so light and strong that it would take the wearer to realms reachable only by the strongest magic. But I am just a simple lad with no stomach for such adventures. I just want dry feet in my tent ;)
Ultralight backpackers use bread bags, put them over their dry socks and put their wet shoes back on. That’s a step (pun intended) too far for me, that and sawing half your toothbrush handle off! I use a pair of neoprene swim shoes, bit lighter than the skinners but probably not as protective
Ultralight backpackers do a lot of things! Some are genius and some, as you say, are a step too far.
I very much appreciate the load carrying ability of a bicycle and as such I shall never cold soak my dinner and I will continue to carry two pairs of shoes 😂
I definitely pay attention to the ultralight philosophy but I will never be a true acolyte of that particular cult 😉
I did look at the swimshoe idea and that was probably what lead me to the Skinners. They are very similar.
@@JethroJessop yes it is a bit of a cult, some take it to the point of self flagellation! I often take a chair with out me which automatically expels me from the club!
@@mikelambrou4462 haha, yeah I've been furtively looking at the Helinox Chair Zero recently myself. I do miss a chair more and more on my rides
What chair do you use out of interest?
@@JethroJessop that’s the one I use, I love it and I can squeeze it into a bar bag with my sleeping bag etc. The whole point of ultralight for me so I can take a few luxuries without weighing me or my bike down too much. A chair, an aeropress and a hip flask are my luxuries of choice. A good coffee in the morning, a dram of whisky in the evening while reflecting on my surroundings and the world in general in a comfy seat, what could be better?!
@@mikelambrou4462 I can't fault your choices there 😀
Helinox definitely seem to be the goto name for lightweight chairs. I expect it will happen at some point but I'm trying to be restrained when it comes to new gear at the moment.
Are skinners breathable? I would like buy them for work 6h all time, what do u think?
Yeah, they are basically thick woven sock, not sure what the fabric is but its is breathable and they are washable as well.
I've not worn mine for that long at a stretch but I've done several hours with no complaints
Dude you're alright
Well thank you 😁