Xero Pacer Lite - A barefoot walking shoe.

Barefoot shoe fatigue is real! There are A LOT of barefoot shoes and barefoot shoe companies out there, and sometimes it feels like everyone is making the same thing.

We've always stood by the idea that you can just as easily run a marathon in your barefoot dress shoes as you can in your barefoot running shoes. After all, one of the greatest things about barefoot shoes is their versatility.

But every now and then, a brand comes along and does something creative and unique.

Xero designed a walking shoe, and we LOVED IT!

The Pacer Lite is designed specifically for walking, with a unique outsole construction that follows the natural walking gait.

It's still zero drop, has a wide toe box, and allows for natural foot movement, just like all Xero shoes. But what makes this shoe interesting is how they've designed the outsole.

Instead of adding padding and cushion as you would usually see in non barefoot walking shoes, Xero designed the outsole lugs to follow the natural S curve of the walking gait. The lugs are larger and more durable around the heel and forefoot, where walkers tend to put the most pressure, and smaller through the middle to keep the shoe relatively lightweight and flexible.

They've also added a PORON crash pad at the heel to provide a little extra protection during heel strike.

It's a pretty interesting concept, especially coming from a barefoot shoe company!

You can find Xero shoes here

Walking Around NYC

When it comes to testing a walking shoe, there was no better place than the city that never sleeps, or as we like to call it, the city where nobody wears barefoot shoes, NYC!

We generally don't stick to one shoe for too long. Between our ridiculously large barefoot shoe collection and constantly testing different shoes and prototypes, we're always switching things up.

But we actually stuck with the Pacer Lite for our week of adventures around New York.

And after spending so much time walking around the city, we can confidently say these shoes are EXTREMELY comfortable!

What's interesting is that they don't have the excessive cushioning or elevated heel you'd typically expect from something marketed as a walking shoe.

They're still relatively minimal, lightweight, and flexible, yet they feel great for spending long days on your feet.

And that's what impressed us most. Xero managed to create a comfortable walking shoe without completely changing what makes barefoot shoes so great in the first place.

Xero Pacer Lite Specifications

• Release date: October 20, 2026

• Price: $130 USD

• Drop: Zero drop

• Sole thickness: 13.5 mm

• Toe box: Wide toe box with an overall medium width fit

• Upper: Breathable engineered mesh

• Midsole: ETPU foam

• Heel protection: PORON crash pad

• Outsole: Walking specific lug pattern following the natural S curve of the walking gait

• Best for: Walking, everyday wear, traveling, and long days on your feet

Fit and Sizing

One thing worth mentioning is that the Pacer Lite has a relatively medium width fit.

My feet are approximately 10 cm wide, and I found the fit to be very comfortable, with enough room for my toes without feeling like I was swimming in the shoes.

I also wore them both with and without socks, and they worked great either way.

That being said, I don't think these are going to be the perfect fit for everyone.

If you have particularly narrow feet, you might find them a little too roomy, while those with very wide feet might find the fit a bit restrictive.

They're certainly not the widest barefoot shoes out there, but for someone with average to moderately wide feet, I think they offer a really nice balance.

As far as looks go, we tested the black color, which I'll admit was a little dull. Nothing particularly exciting about the design or color, but then again, they worked great as a practical everyday walking shoe.

And sometimes that's exactly what you want!

But Why a Walking Shoe?

This was honestly my first question when I heard about the Pacer Lite.

Do we really need a barefoot shoe specifically designed for walking?

One of the things I love most about barefoot shoes is their versatility. You can wear the same pair to the gym, out for a walk, and even for a run.

But walking and running actually have some pretty different demands on our feet.

When walking, we typically make contact with the ground through our heel, transfer our weight forward through the foot, and eventually push off through our toes.

Running involves a different gait pattern, different loading forces, and often different points of initial contact with the ground.

Xero took these differences into consideration when designing the Pacer Lite.

Instead of simply adding a massive amount of cushioning, they focused on the areas of the shoe that experience the most pressure during walking.

The larger outsole lugs provide additional rubber where it's needed most, while the smaller lugs through the middle help keep the shoe lightweight and flexible.

The PORON crash pad provides a little extra protection at the heel, where most people naturally make contact with the ground when walking.

And that's what makes this shoe interesting.

They're not trying to change how your feet move or reinvent barefoot footwear. They're simply making a few thoughtful adjustments to accommodate the demands of walking.

Do I think everyone needs a dedicated walking shoe? Absolutely not!

But after spending so much time walking around New York in these, I can certainly appreciate why Xero decided to make one.

Conclusion

One of the things I appreciate most about barefoot shoes is their simplicity.

We don't need a dozen different shoes for a dozen different activities, and I still believe that most barefoot shoes can handle just about anything we throw at them.

But I also appreciate innovation, especially when a brand does something a little different.

And that's exactly what Xero has done with the Pacer Lite.

They've taken their classic barefoot shoe design and made a few clever adjustments specifically for walking, without sacrificing the wide toe box, zero drop, and natural flexibility we all love.

The fit worked great for my 10 cm wide feet, they were comfortable both with and without socks, and even though the black color wasn't particularly exciting, they made an excellent everyday walking shoe.

After spending a week walking around NYC in these, I can confidently say they're extremely comfortable and a great option for anyone who spends a lot of time on their feet.

Would I still happily walk around all day in my other barefoot shoes? Of course!

But would I choose the Pacer Lite again for a week of exploring a new city?

Absolutely!

Well done, Xero!

You can find find Xero Shoes here.