Xero Shoes 360 Review | Best Barefoot Cross-Training Shoe?

Xero Shoes create a variety of barefoot and minimalist footwear. Their latest model, the Xero Shoes 360 is designed to tackle and be better suited for cross-training style workouts. Compared to other training-focused Xero Shoes like the Prio and HFS, the 360 has a reworked upper construction and sole to increase long-term durability.

As someone heavily invested in the world of cross-training shoes and pushing models to their limits, I was curious, are the Xero Shoes 360 really that much better for cross-training? My main curiosity with the Xero Shoes 360 was if this model could actually work as an athlete’s main cross-training shoe.

In my Xero Shoes 360 review, we’ll talk about all of the essential details that you need to know about this model to decide if it’s a good fit for you.

• Who Should Buy the Xero Shoes 360?
• Xero Shoes 360 Pros
• Xero Shoes 360 Cons
• Xero Shoes 360 Performance
• Xero Shoes 360 Sizing
• Price
• Construction Details
• Xero Shoes 360 FAQs

If you love cross-training shoes, make sure you try out the That Fit Friend Training Shoe Finder to see which models match your needs best!

 

Who Should Buy the Xero Shoes 360?

The Xero Shoes 360 have proven to be a great option for cross-training for those that love barefoot shoes are want to experiment more with this style of footwear. They were stable under heavy loading and didn’t wince or compress whatsoever when I deadlifted over 500 lbs in them.

Plus, with their reworked upper construction, I really think they could be a very viable option for the dedicated cross-training athlete that is concerned with break down from things like rope climbs and toe dragging movements like burpees. If you’re into cross-training and want to get more into barefoot shoes, then I think the Xero Shoes 360 are a really good option.

 

Xero Shoes 360 Pros

For training and daily wear, I’ve found a handful of pros that I really like about the Xero Shoes 360.

• Upper Construction and Price
• Reworked Sole
• Removable Insole
• Wide Toe Box

The first pro with the Xero Shoes 360 is their reworked and more durable upper construction. The Prio and HFS both feature a lighter mesh upper, so to combat friction in the 360, this model features synthetic rubber layers over the toe box and a thicker upper throughout.

This feature is to prolong this shoe’s life with rope climbs and other activities that can create friction on the upper. Thus far, I haven’t noticed any breakdown issues yet which is a good sign for this shoe’s long-term lifespan and their price point. At a price of $109.99 USD and $87.99 on sale, this is a solid budget-friendly barefoot cross-training shoe.

Another positive about this shoe is the reworked sole which features tread for multiple-directional activity. If you’re planning to do lateral movements or activities like plyometrics where tread can be really important, this model’s sole does a good job at promoting overall traction.

Like most training-focused Xero Shoes, the insole in the 360 also comes out. This is great for folks like myself who want the absolute minimal amount of material separating their foot from the ground when doing things like deadlift, squats, and other lower body movements when gripping the floor is essential.

The last Xero Shoes 360 pro is the wider toe box. If you love having room for your to splay and feel the ground, then you’ll like how wide this shoe’s toe box is. This is a pretty standard feature in barefoot shoes, but in the context of cross-training shoes, the 360 has quickly become one of the widest toe boxes in this product category.

Xero Shoes 360 Cons

Overall, there aren’t a ton of glaring cons with the Xero Shoes 360 and the cons below are fairly niche in nature.

1. Take Time to Acclimate To
2. Avoid Concrete On the Front Mesh

The first consideration to keep in mind the Xero Shoes 360 is that if you’re not used to wearing barefoot and minimalist shoes, then you’ll need to acclimate to them. They may feel a little uncomfortable if you’ve been used to shoes with a ton of midsole and support, so keep this in mind as you acclimate and ease into the process.

This isn’t so much a con, but a heads up for anyone who might be new to barefoot shoes and plan to run, jump, and train in these. You will want to ease into them slowly and give your feet time to strengthen and adjust.

Suggested Read: Training Shoes Vs Barefoot Shoes | How to Implement and Use Both

Another potential durability cons that I have with this model is the front mesh can scuff pretty fast on concrete. I played pickleball in these and drug my toes saving a few shots and the mesh scuffed pretty bad. This isn’t a huge concern for many by any means because concrete friction is very rare, but it’s still food for thought for anyone training outside.

In regard to lateral movement, this shoe has been stellar and it’s only been the direct toe dragging that has caused the minimal scuffing of the toe’s mesh layer.

Xero Shoes 360 Performance

To better discuss how the Xero Shoes 360 perform across the board, I’m going to discuss their performance in a lifting, plyometric and agility, and running setting.

Lifting

For lifting, I personally love these shoes and think they may replace my Prio and HFS as my favorite barefoot training shoe. They provide the same wide toe box as those models but have the reworked upper construction to prolong their durability even longer.

I’ve deadlifted over 500 lbs in the Xero Shoes 360 comfortable with no stability issues and they’ve quickly become one of my go-to shoes for leg days. Another perk is that the insole removes and I’ll take that out for my deadlift and posterior-focused days to really decrease the amount of material between my feet and the floor.

Another perk that I’ve found with these shoes and lifting is the rubber outsole provides adequate traction on multiple surfaces. The Prio did slip at times which was somewhat of an annoyance and not so much a glaring problem I had with them overall. So, whether you’re in a CrossFit box or a big box gym, you should have no issues gripping the floor with this shoe.

Plyometrics, Agility, and HIIT

With this style of training, I can’t stress enough that you will need to acclimate to barefoot shoes if you’ve never worn them. The higher ground impact forces with jumping and HIIT can feel comfortable when starting out, but once you acclimate I really think you’ll like this shoe.

The insole and sole actually feel a bit more responsive than the HFS and Prio which somewhat surprised me. Maybe it’s a placebo, but I think the reworked sole actually gave this model a slightly more responsive and reactive feel when doing plyometric and athletic-focused training.

I took this model out for a few track workouts and when doing plyometrics in the gym, I really like how this model accommodated the tasks. Once you’re used to training in barefoot shoes, then I think this will be the front runner for your plyometric-focused barefoot work.

Running

For running, the Xero Shoes 360 feels pretty standard for most barefoot shoes, and they feel similar to the HFS. Their multi-directional sole gives them a nice little extra feeling of traction and the insole does provide a bit of a reactive cushioning for those who might want to start experimenting with shorter barefoot-style runs in their functional fitness workouts.

If you’re someone that wants to acclimate to barefoot-style running, then I think this model will be a good tool for doing so. They can support your cross-training workouts with ease and be a great tool for tackling the shorter runs that often accompany this style of training.

Xero Shoes 360 Sizing

For most athletes and lifters, you should be safe going true-to-size in the Xero Shoes 360. Their toe box is plenty wide for those with flatter feet and their length fits very true and snug.

Do note, barefoot shoes have less material for mid-foot support, but I do think that’s something most adapt to with acclimating to this style of footwear. This aspect is something to stay cognizant of when you’re purchasing barefoot shoes for the first time.

Xero Shoes 360 Price

For the Xero Shoes 360, you can expect to pay around $119.99 USD. Personally, I think this is a fair price point for what this shoe offers. It provides a similar versatile feel to most traditional cross-training shoes and most popular models are priced between $130-$150 USD.

The Xero Shoes 360 do go on sale fairly often and you also find them for a marked-down price of $87.99 USD when Xero Shoes is having seasonal sales and specials.

 

Xero Shoes 360 Construction Details

If you’re interested in the construction details of the Xero Shoes 360, I’ve pulled what I think are the most important for this model.

• Heel-to-Toe Drop: 0mm
• Weight: 10.2 oz (for a size 10 with the removable insole)
• Eyelets: 6 (one for lace-lock) 
• Huarache-Style Security
• External Rubber Upper Counters
• Wider Toe Box With Mesh Cover
• Multi-Directional Rubber Sole

If you have any additional questions about the construction in the Xero Shoes 360, feel free to reach out to me personally on Instagram (@jake_boly) or drop a comment below!

Xero Shoes 360 FAQs

I’ve had a few questions about the Xero Shoes 360 so far and I wanted to put together a small list of FAQs to help you out.

1. Can you do rope climbs in the Xero Shoes 360?

Yes! Compared to previous Xero Shoes models that would tear up with rope climbs, the 360’s upper is much more durable and the reinforced rubber counters actually help provide a little more grip for those who use rope-lock climbing techniques.

2. What is the weight of the Xero Shoes 360?

For my size 10 with removable insole still in them, this model had a weight of 10.2 oz.

3. Is the Prio, HFS, or 360 better for training?

If you’re not cross-training exclusively, then all of these models will support your lifting and training performance. The 360 does have a slight edge for cross-training though due to its reworked durable construction, so if you’re worried about durability and cross-train, then opt for the 360.

4. What is the drop in the Xero Shoes 360?

0mm! The Xero Shoes 360 have a drop of 0mm with or without their removable insole, so if you love zero drop shoes, then you’ll like this model’s fit and feel.

Takeaway Thoughts

The Xero Shoes 360 are quickly becoming one of my favorite barefoot training shoes. They’re plenty stable for my powerlifting-focused workouts and can also tackle the versatile cross-training sessions I implement on a weekly basis.

If you have any questions about this model, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally via Instagram (@jake_boly)!