Xero Shoes Aqua Cloud Review | A Runner's Review

Summary

The video offers an in-depth review of Xero Shoes Aqua Cloud sandals, focusing on their suitability for running, hiking, and wet conditions. The reviewer highlights the sandals' lightweight, flexible design, excellent traction, and cloud-like comfort due to the BareFoam footbed. While the sandals perform well in various terrains and weather, their loose fit and slapping noise on pavement may be a downside. The video also touches on potential durability issues and concludes that these sandals are a good choice for barefoot running beginners and those seeking natural, minimal footwear for adventure activities.

Takeaways

• 👟 The Zero Shoes Aqua Cloud is designed for adventure running and wet conditions, aiming to be minimal and cloud-like.
• 🏃‍♂️ Nick, the reviewer, is an enthusiast of sandal running and minimal style running, providing a personal perspective on the product.
• 🌿 The Aqua Cloud features a Feel True outsole for excellent grip, a Bare Foam footbed for comfort, and polyester paracord laces for secure fitting.
• ⚖️ Weighing 5.1 ounces for a men's size 10, the sandals are lightweight and have a stack height of 6.5 millimeters, aligning with minimalism.
• 🌱 The outsole is highly flexible, which can be both an advantage for a natural feel and a disadvantage due to potential slapping noise on pavement.
• 🧗‍♂️ The sandals performed well on various surfaces, including grass, dirt, gravel, and water, showcasing their versatility.
• 👣 The toe end of the sandal can catch on elevation changes, posing a tripping hazard that requires careful running form.
• 👉 The silhouette feels wider than a true foot shape, which might not suit all runners, and the laces are prone to wear and tear.
• 💧 The Bare Foam footbed is grippy in both wet and dry conditions, providing good traction and a cushioned feel.
• 🔗 The laces, while comfortable and easy to adjust, do not offer a super secure feeling and may feel loose, especially for those seeking a locked-in sensation.
• 👍 Despite some drawbacks, the Aqua Cloud is recommended for those interested in sandal running, needing a sandal for wet conditions, or wanting a different feel for hiking.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of the Zero Shoes Aqua Cloud sandals?

The Zero Shoes Aqua Cloud sandals are designed for adventure, running, and wet, harsh conditions, while aiming to provide a minimal, cloud-like feel.

How does the traction of the Aqua Cloud sandals perform in various environments?

The Aqua Cloud sandals perform well in both wet and dry environments. They provide strong traction on surfaces like grass, dirt, gravel, rivers, and even wet pavement, thanks to the Chevron-style pattern on the outsole.

What is the standout feature of the Aqua Cloud’s footbed?

The standout feature of the Aqua Cloud’s footbed is its bare foam construction, which provides a cloud-like cushion while also offering good grip in both wet and dry conditions.

What potential issues may arise from the flexibility of the sandals?

The extreme flexibility of the sandals can cause a slapping noise on pavement, and there’s a risk of tripping, especially when the toe catches on elevation changes due to the loose fit of the upper part.

How does the Aqua Cloud’s lacing system contribute to the overall fit?

The polyester paracord lacing system is soft, adjustable, and keeps the foot secure on the sandal, but it doesn't provide a locked-in feeling, making the sandals feel looser than other types of footwear.

What durability concerns are mentioned regarding the Aqua Cloud sandals?

There are reports from some users of quality control issues, particularly with the toe plug breaking. Additionally, the bare foam may show wear over time, especially in high-strike areas like the heel and ball of the foot.

How does the barefoot ground feel compare to other sandals?

The Aqua Cloud sandals offer excellent ground feel, especially in the flatter sections between the outsole’s Chevron patterns. Despite the foam cushioning, users can still feel the texture of the ground, like gravel.

What are the main advantages of the Aqua Cloud sandals according to the reviewer?

The main advantages include strong traction, comfort in wet and dry conditions, lightweight design, flexibility, and affordability compared to other similar sandals on the market.

What type of user would benefit most from the Aqua Cloud sandals?

The Aqua Cloud sandals are ideal for users interested in barefoot running, hiking, kayaking, or anyone needing a versatile sandal for wet environments or outdoor activities.

What feedback does the reviewer provide regarding the sandals' appearance and versatility?

The reviewer feels that the Aqua Cloud sandals might not be the best choice for blending into everyday outfits, as they look more suited for trail or adventure use. They may not appeal to users seeking a more stylish, everyday sandal.

Outlines

00:00

🏃‍♂️ Introduction to Xero Shoes Aqua Cloud Sandals

Nick introduces the Xero Shoes Aqua Cloud sandals, designed for running in wet and tough conditions while maintaining a minimal and cloud-like feel. He discusses his personal interest in minimalist sandal running and states that this review is based on his own purchase. He briefly outlines the sandal’s features, including a grippy outsole, polyester laces, and a lightweight build, before diving into a surface-level overview.

05:01

🦶 Exploring the Outsole and Flexibility

Nick highlights the feel and performance of the Xero Shoes’ outsole, emphasizing its exceptional grip due to the chevron pattern and rubber compound. He shares his experience using them in different terrains, noting the sandal’s flexibility but pointing out that this flexibility can cause slapping noises on pavement. He also mentions the risk of toe-catching on uneven surfaces and the slightly less foot-shaped design of the sandal, which could lead to tripping.

10:03

☁️ Bare Foam Footbed Review: Cloud-Like Comfort

The bare foam footbed stands out for its comfort, providing a cushiony, cloud-like feel that performs well in both wet and dry conditions. Nick explains that the foam molds to the foot, offering excellent grip and resetting with each step. He discusses minor wear and tear, noting a potential hotspot but no major discomfort. Ground feel is preserved despite the cushion, though he mentions feeling tender after running on rough terrain.

🧵 The Laces: Comfort and Adjustability

Nick examines the polyester laces, praising their softness and ease of adjustment. While they are comfortable and avoid hot spots, they provide a looser fit, which can lead to a less secure feeling during use. He notes that the laces feel bouncy initially, though this improves with time. The reflectivity of the laces adds style, though not necessarily function. Nick also briefly touches on user concerns from Reddit about the sandal’s quality control, specifically around the toe post.

👍 Pros, Cons, and Final Thoughts

Nick summarizes the pros and cons of the Aqua Cloud sandals. He highlights their traction, flexibility, comfort, and affordable price, making them a great entry point for those curious about barefoot running. On the downside, he points out the loose feel of the laces and the sandal’s aesthetics, which may not appeal to everyone. Despite minor concerns, Nick recommends the sandals, especially for wet environments, hiking, or minimalist running, while advising caution regarding potential quality control issues.

Keywords

💡Zero Shoes Aqua Cloud

The Zero Shoes Aqua Cloud is a minimalist sandal designed for running and wet conditions. In the video, the speaker reviews its performance during activities like hiking, running, and even water-based activities. The sandal aims to offer a lightweight and flexible design, providing a 'barefoot' feel while still maintaining grip and comfort.

💡Minimalist Running

Minimalist running refers to running in shoes with little to no cushioning or support, designed to mimic barefoot running. The video emphasizes how the Zero Shoes Aqua Cloud fits into this style by offering a natural, minimalistic feel, allowing the wearer to experience more ground contact and flexibility during runs.

💡FeelTrue Outsole

The FeelTrue outsole is a type of rubber sole used in Zero Shoes products, known for its flexibility and grip. The video highlights its durability and performance on various surfaces such as wet pavement, dirt, gravel, and grass, making it ideal for outdoor and adventurous activities.

💡BareFoam Footbed

The BareFoam footbed is the cushioning layer on the sandal, designed to provide a 'cloud-like' comfort while maintaining a thin, minimal profile. The reviewer discusses how this footbed feels softer compared to other sandals, offering a slight cushioning without sacrificing the barefoot sensation or ground feel.

💡Traction

Traction refers to the grip and stability of the sandal on various surfaces, especially in wet or slippery conditions. The speaker praises the Aqua Cloud's traction, mentioning its performance on wet and dry surfaces, including rivers, splash pads, and gravel, making it versatile for different terrains.

💡Flexibility

Flexibility is a core feature of the Zero Shoes Aqua Cloud, allowing the sandal to move naturally with the foot. The video describes how the extreme flexibility enhances the 'natural feel' of the shoe, though it can also result in minor downsides, such as a slapping noise when running on hard surfaces like pavement.

💡Polyester Paracord Laces

These are the laces that secure the foot in the sandal, made from durable polyester material. The video discusses their effectiveness in locking down the foot, while also noting the occasional discomfort when adjusting them too tightly or the long length of the laces, which may feel loose or cumbersome.

💡Ground Feel

Ground feel is the sensation of feeling the texture and variations of the terrain beneath the foot while running or walking. In the video, the speaker emphasizes how the thin design of the Aqua Cloud allows for an enhanced ground feel, especially in natural environments like gravel paths, where each step provides tactile feedback.

💡Cushioning

Cushioning in this context refers to the light padding provided by the BareFoam footbed. Despite being a minimalist shoe, the speaker notes that the Aqua Cloud offers a surprising amount of cushioning, creating a softer experience compared to other sandals in the same category without sacrificing the overall minimalist design.

💡Quality Control

Quality control refers to the consistency and reliability of the product's manufacturing standards. The speaker brings up quality control concerns from other users, such as issues with the toe post breaking and inconsistent durability. While the speaker personally hasn't experienced these problems, they acknowledge that others have encountered them.

Highlights

Zero Shoes Aqua Cloud sandals are designed for adventure and running in wet and challenging conditions.

The sandals aim to provide a cloud-like and minimal feel.

Nick, the reviewer, is an enthusiast of sandal running and minimal style running.

The Aqua Cloud features a grippy zero shoes feel true outsole for superior traction.

The footbed is made of zero shoes bare foam, offering a comfortable and cloud-like experience.

The sandals use polyester paracord-style laces for securing the foot.

Weighing 5.1 ounces, the Aqua Cloud is lightweight and suitable for minimal running.

The stack height is a minimal 6.5 millimeters, contributing to the shoe's lightweight feel.

The outsole's Chevron pattern enhances grip on various surfaces, including grass, dirt, and gravel.

The sandals performed well in wet conditions, providing good traction on wet and dry pavement.

The flexibility of the sandals is both an advantage for a natural feel and a potential downside due to slapping noise.

The toe end design may cause tripping hazards during elevation changes.

The silhouette feels wider than a true foot shape, which might not suit all runners.

The bare foam footbed is praised for its cushion and grip in both wet and dry conditions.

The laces are made of polyester material that is soft and comfortable, without causing hot spots.

The laces are adjustable and secure, but do not provide an extremely locked-down feeling.

Some users have reported quality control issues with the toe post and customer support.

The Aqua Cloud is recommended for those interested in sandal running, hiking, or needing footwear for wet conditions.

The sandals are priced affordably, making them accessible for a wide range of users.

Nick plans to compare the Aqua Cloud with the Xero Shoes Z-Clouds in a future video.

Transcripts

the zero shoes Aqua Cloud our sandal

built for adventure and running and wet

nasty conditions they also try and be

cloud-like and minimal and is that even

possible stick around to find out hi my

name is Nick I am into sandal running

minimal style running and we are

stopping here mid-run to talk about the

zero shoes Aqua Cloud if you're

interested in more content on running

sandals comparisons please like comment

subscribe all the YouTube thing hit that

Bell notification we'll try and grow

this tiny Channel

it is greatly appreciated oh and a quick

disclaimer zero shoes did not send me

these sandals these opinions are my own

and I purchased these with my own money

okay so we're gonna get into this we're

gonna go surface level to start we have

these zero shoes feel true outsole on

the outside very grippy

on top where your foot's sitting is

going to be the zero shoes bare foam

footbed which definitely feels

cloud-like and locking your foot in is

going to be these polyester paracord

style laces

all this comes together in my men's size

10 at 5.1 ounces and we have a stack

height of 6.5 millimeters so definitely

minimal very thin very light and a lot

of fun to run in

next we're just going to break down each

of the components talk about them a

little bit more in depth to see if these

are the sandals right for you and we're

going to start with this feel true

outsole I can definitely tell you this

is extremely grippy it feels really good

zero shoes whatever rubber compound they

have going on here combined with this

Chevron style pattern so these little

arrows hopefully you can see that right

here it feels so good compared to all

the sandals I've tried these definitely

feel like they have the most traction I

recently took these on a trip to

Tennessee these were 100 the sandals the

shoes even that I wore the entire time

so grass dirt gravel splash pads Going

Through Rivers everything I threw at

them wet pavement dry pavement they

performed really well and I felt like I

always had a lot of traction very happy

with that they are also extremely

flexible hopefully that's coming up

there too and probably the most flexible

sandals I have which is a upside if you

want that natural feel but also it can

be a downside because there's times

where these feel too flexible to the

point where there's a slapping noise

when you're running and walking on

pavement I didn't notice it as much on

natural surfaces like on dirt and gravel

that kind of thing but definitely

pavement and it it is annoying people

will know you're coming up on from

behind them also the toe end here if

you're doing an elevation change so

going from lower to Higher Ground I got

one video clip of it just briefly but I

would catch my toe a lot on these just

it's just so loose up top that it's

definitely a tripping Hazard so can you

adjust your running stride and just be a

little more careful yeah but it's

something to note I'll also say two for

this this silhouette so this shape here

it to me it feels more like a wide shoe

than a true foot shape I just would have

liked this to be a little bit squattier

and maybe a little wider in the toe box

a little a little bit narrower through

the midfoot as we're working our way

back to the Sandal here I'll also

mention around the midfoot we have two

the outsole the extension of that is

where the laces go through and that is

definitely secure enough for what it is

if you're just doing hiking no issues

there I will say just make sure when you

lace it you're pulling straight through

the eyelet and not up against it the

previous model I had I actually broke

that because I was pulling up and not

through I fix it with some Gorilla Glue

and it's definitely working now but it's

something to note

also there is a heel cup I'm not sure if

that does much for retention or making

me feel like I'm more in the sandal or

anything but anytime you're going down a

hill maybe you're going to slide against

a rock maybe you catch a stair or

something like that it does offer a

little bit of protection but I don't

know if it's anything really to write

home about

next we're going to talk about this bare

foam footbed so this is going to be

another big win for the zero shoes it

feels really good it's definitely cloud

like when I first put these on I was a

little bit Blown Away about how good it

really felt it definitely felt like it

had more cushion than the other sandals

I have and then also maybe even some

shoes and it's thin I mean we're only

talking a couple millimeters but it's

definitely enough to make a big

difference

it's also extremely grippy wet and dry

conditions these do work good in wet

conditions so when I was on splash pads

Going Through Rivers use them as shower

shoes that camp that kind of thing they

worked great the bare foam dries quickly

it dries faster than the laces I will

say when they first get wet there's a

little bit of slickness there but it

definitely goes away once they're fully

wetted through that's probably a little

bit better traction and I really do

think this bare foam is partially why

these sandals feel so good and why they

have so much traction because like other

sandals that are more firm you're

waiting for your foot print to wear into

the sandal and you get a little bit more

grip whereas with these this foam is

resetting so each step you're sinking in

a little bit so no matter what angle

you're at you're getting a little bit of

purchase into the sandal so it feels

like you're in the sandal not on top of

it and we're talking millimeters here so

it's very thin and I do know that but I

feel like that's part of the reason

these feel so good I did have a little

bit of a hot spot underneath my foot

nothing too bad no blisters ever form

nothing to the point where I had to take

the sandals off I actually just kept

wearing them and they worked fine I have

a little bit of wear going on in the

heel and the ball of the foot where most

of the Striking is going down the foam

definitely gives there and it feels like

it's not doing much anymore but the

other areas of this handle feel good on

my right foot here I will say that it

looks like the bare foam is starting to

peel out a little bit nothing too bad

and probably nothing that some Gorilla

Glue

or something else you know some other

kind of glue can't fix but it's

definitely something to know and also a

quick note Grandma feel there's a lot of

ground feel on these they feel really

good don't let that cushion scare you

off you still get a good ground feel so

there was a run where I was going

through a really Gravelly section and my

feet were Tender by the end of it I was

surprised I thought I felt a little more

protected with the foam just running

around and then I thought so I thought I

would try a more intense section and I

definitely felt it so something to note

and I think that's probably because in

between these arrows it's flat and so

I'm wondering if in between the arrows

you're getting more ground feel in those

flat sections where it's a little bit

thinner

but they definitely work really well all

right last section and the one part

about these sandals that to me felt a

little bit short and that is the laces

but let's talk about the things I like

first first this polyester material that

they have it feels really good it's

really soft no hot spots or anything

like that no matter how tight I even put

these I never felt like they were

rubbing which was really nice

in between my toes in the beginning I

had a little bit of an irritation but

again I never had to stop wearing the

sandals and I just kept wearing them and

they worked fine and eventually that

feeling went away this piece down here

that's solid is replaceable and then on

the back here we have a little bit of

reflective material that runs through it

is very reflective I don't think it does

anything for safety but it looks cool so

that's a thing

they're very easy to adjust so we can

pull these tabs on the back there's some

plastic buckles

we have also another adjustment point

right here this knot slides up and down

the sandal that is all super easy to use

very intuitive you can also tighten the

laces by pulling them through the

eyelets on either side the inside or the

outside on the back this is where we

have a little bit of a different

material here we have a webbing I'm not

sure what this is but it also has a

rubber material on it so some more

arrows on there and that's just for some

traction I again no issues with hot

spots there was one run I did that had

some pretty pretty dirty grimy Dusty and

there's a little bit of irritation there

but nothing that you can't just wipe

away run some water on it and you should

be good to go so overall this these

laces work they keep your foot on the

sandal and that's an important note they

keep you on the sandal not in the sandal

so if you're looking for super locked

down feeling an extension of your foot

like just an extra layer that's not

these These Are A much looser ride

compared to other sandals or probably

even in some shoes that you've tried and

that was something that was a little

strange in the beginning so when I first

put these on they these laces felt so

bouncy so if my hands my foot here it

almost felt like I would pull up and

there was a lag and then the sandal

would come up to meet my foot now this

has gone away is it because I'm used to

it is it because the laces are stretched

out maybe they're adjusted better

um or a little bit of everything I'm not

sure but it's not an issue now but

definitely something I noticed in the

beginning and even something now

switching between different brands and

the comparing it to like webbing

materials and things like that these

just don't feel as secure they work they

feel great and they're probably going to

be good for about 99 of what people are

doing with these sandals you can really

push them

but it's something to note

for sure on the end these laces I feel

like they're really long and this

plastic bit definitely wants to tuck

itself underneath just because of how

tight I have to lace them you can't pop

this plastic bit off you could cut the

laces and try and reattach it I don't

think I could get it back on I did pop

it off once just to see what it was like

and underneath here the laces are much

more compressed down and if I were to do

that at any other point on the laces I

don't think it would go back so if you

do go that route which I'm not brave

enough you're probably cutting them

burning the ends tying them off

something like that the heel stays on

not a lot of slippage there so that's

nice

and overall they work but definitely not

a very super secure feeling oh

underneath the toe plug here just a

plastic material no issues there but

this is something I do want to highlight

that I was on the barefoot running page

on Reddit and someone was posting about

the zero shoes and some of the quality

control issues they were having where

this piece uh the where the toe post is

that connects to the toe plug that was

breaking on them and they were having

issues with the customer support I

haven't had an issue with that for the

bead right here nothing rubbing nothing

feeling like it's going to break but it

was something that some people were

having an issue with and it seemed like

it from the comments either these

sandals were going to last you forever

or they were just going to last you a

couple weeks and then you'd have to go

through the return process and that kind

of thing

so I never had an issue with it but I

just

I never had an issue with it but

something I wanted to highlight all

right we're gonna wrap up this video

here talking about Pros cons who is this

sandal for and would I recommend them

we'll start out with the pros Pros

there's a lot of traction here they feel

really good they work in wet and dry

conditions and I think they're a lot of

fun to run in and hike in that very

natural feel especially especially

with how flexible they are another note

here too I think the accessibility and

the price these are about half the price

of other sandals on the market which is

really nice and you can order them from

Amazon and you can get them at REI you

might even be able to try these on

before you buy them which is really nice

and not a lot of the other companies

offer that they're just smaller and

that's okay but I could see if you were

newer and interested in running in

sandals wanting to give it a shot first

these would be definitely a good option

to start out with and they're going to

take you for miles and miles when it

comes to cons the big one is just going

to be the feel if you're looking for

that locked in feeling this is not them

they feel a lot looser there's some

cushioning here if you want a more firm

ride that's not going to be these

um

I think

looks is probably gonna be another one

this is totally subjective but if you're

looking for something that looks good on

a trail and then also maybe you can

blend into your normal everyday outfit I

don't think this is going to be them

compared to something that looks maybe

more like a flip-flop the laces are

really long and loose feeling and in

general you're gonna try and tighten

this down as much as you can but it's

definitely not going to feel as secure

as you probably want or what you are

hoping for in your mind not saying that

it's bad and not saying that you can't

take these and run a lot and I still

intend to run in these but it's

something to know who do I think these

are for definitely if you're interested

in trying out barefoot running or

running in sandals I think these are a

great option to start if you need

something to go kayaking hang out at the

lake or you need something where you

know you might get wet hanging on it

with the kids at the splash pad that

kind of thing great option if you're

looking for a new feeling hiking and you

want to ditch the boots and ditch your

Trail Runners for something with a lot

more ground feel great option and if you

are stranded on a vacation and and you

broke your flip-flops and you lost your

shoes and all they had were these pick

them up this is again a good option

and you can probably tell by how I'm

talking about them but would I recommend

them definitely I think you just need to

make sure that you know what you're

getting and know that these are going to

be a little bit looser feeling you're

probably not going to tighten them down

as much as you want and also

if we take into consideration the Reddit

post about some of the quality control

things that that might be an issue for

you depending on how hard you're using

them I still think these would be a

great option and definitely a great way

to get you into sandal running

and if you've already been running in

sandals and you need something for those

wet nasty days or if you needed

something maybe with a little bit of

cushion just to feel something different

I think these would again be a good

option

if you stuck around this long thank you

I appreciate it again all the YouTube

things like comment subscribe tell me

have you tried the aqua clouds or maybe

the model before these the Z clouds I

think they were called

I'm interested do you agree with me do

you disagree did you have any issues

with zero shoes quality I'd love to hear

it down below right now my plan is to do

a comparison between these and the shama

warriors with ultra grip similar stack

height similar weight but very different

materials and I think that'd be a fun

comparison to do

so with that that's all I have today

thank you for spending some time with me

and happy trails