a men’s size 9 is only 12.4 ounces (very lightweight despite carrying all the features of a heavy, protective boot) 5.5mm sole and a 3.5mm lugged dual chevron tread that has been redesigned for more grip and control (traction is never an issue no matter what surface you’e on) a flexible, protective sole (makes for a highly functional and versatile shoe ready for almost any situation) low-to-the-ground design (promotes better balance and agility) a non-elevated “zero drop” heel (allows for proper posture and hip alignment) – wide toe box (lets the toes spread out and generate strength to form an arch) Let’s get into exactly why these boots are good for so many different uses with the features of them. Doing dirty jobs like cleaning buildings, trucks, and industrial areas was no problem with these because they were flexible enough and protective enough with the high-top outer sole it provides.Įven walking in and shoveling snow with these boots I found to be totally fine, as long as the snow isn’t too high. I think the more interesting parts are the ways I use these boots other than hiking.įor example, going for long distance walks felt like no problem because the boots are so lightweight. Also, the outer sole is thick and protective and the outer part of the toe is protected by rubber as well. The sole is flexible so the pressure your foot puts on the shoe will press down the sole into the uneven terrain and it will form around that ground it is on better than a traditional shoe which doesn’t bend. What I found is that these were pretty ideal as the bottom of the shoe has rubber nubs protruding from the sole, making it easier to gain traction. As I’ve talked about on this blog before, I am a big fan of getting on rough, uneven terrain and advocate that everyone else do the same, so naturally, I’ve tested these on exactly that. The DayLite Hiker is a minimalist boot made by Xero Shoes that I’ve probably been wearing for about 2 years now.īecause of this, I’ve been able to test it in quite a few scenarios that I’m excited to share about because as is often the case with Xero, the shoes are capable of more than you think.Īlthough the DayLite Hikers (DLHs) are described as a “non-technical” hiking boot, they would be a very capable one in my opinion.

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Xero daylite hiker