Xero Shoes Scrambler Low EV review: Our new favourite barefoot trainer

If you're looking for a pair of minimalist trail running shoes but feel wary of bruised heels and wrecked arches, the Xero Scrambler Low EV is an excellent place to start.

Designed to bridge the gap between true barefoot feel and everyday trail practicality, this shoe arrives with a thin, removable insole that adds a subtle layer of cushioning for those transitioning from more traditional footwear.

I kept mine in for the first couple of weeks before finally embracing the full ground contact experience and my feet thanked me for the slow introduction.

With a zero-drop sole, a wide toe box, and an ultra-flexible Michelin outsole, the Scrambler Low EV is Xero’s most refined off-road shoe to date. It's built for speed, agility, and lands in that “barefoot but not brutal” sweet spot that I'm always looking for – because I am a wimp.

Upper

The upper is a lightweight blend of abrasion-resistant mesh and supportive TPU overlays, striking a confident balance between airflow and structure.

The mesh itself is extremely open – more so than many competitors – which gives the shoe a real sense of breathability.

I’ve come back from dry, dusty woodland runs with my socks patterned in a perfect micro-map of my local trails. Dirt gets in, sure, but that’s kind of the point. If you’re drawn to barefoot shoes, you probably don’t mind being a bit closer to the earth.

The supportive elements around the midfoot and ankle provide a surprisingly locked-in feel, without ever feeling stiff or overbuilt.

That said, don’t be misled by the promise of a “reinforced toe box” – this thing folds faster than a page of ropey dialogue in the hands of a frustrated writer. Protection up front is minimal, so you’ll need to mind your footing on rocky ground, and punt anything.

The overall feel is impressively sock-like. It moves naturally with your foot and never chafes. If I had one gripe, it would be the laces – thick, slick, and slightly fiddly, they don’t match the otherwise fine-tuned nature of the shoe.

Midsole

What midsole?

Seriously though, this shoe doesn’t have a traditional midsole at all – and that’s the point. Instead, you get a layer of TrailFoam™ embedded above the outsole, providing just enough shock absorption for longer runs without dulling the sensation of the trail beneath you. It’s minimalist by design, but not punishing.

Outsole

This is where the Scrambler Low EV really shines. The outsole is made using Michelin Fiberlite rubber, which is both lightweight and impressively flexible.

It's topped with a pattern of tightly packed, multi-directional chevron lugs, about 3–4mm deep, that offer excellent grip on dry dirt and loose trail surfaces.

Compared to Xero’s previous Mesa Trail outsole, the Scrambler’s tread design feels more deliberate. It adds a little extra separation between you and hard ground, while still allowing for the kind of proprioceptive feedback that barefoot runners crave.

That combination – of grip, flex, and ground feel – makes for a seriously confident ride over technical terrain. The only thing that detracts from this confidence is the fit.

This shoe insists on a large toebox, which does nicely accommodate splay and swelling, but it also means your forefoot strikes aren't quite as precise as you may want. I ordered my usual size and they do run quite large, so this may not be an issue if you size down and get the right fit.

On wet, smooth surfaces, however, the outsole reveals its limits. The Michelin rubber compound is virtually textureless and doesn’t provide much friction on slick rocks or soaked logs. You’ll need to rely on good technique and the shoe’s natural feedback to stay upright when conditions get greasy.

One area where the Scrambler really surprised me was its toe flexibility. On steep climbs, I could feel the front of the shoe curling and gripping the ground, allowing me to dig in and really activate the muscles through my foot and lower leg.

It’s a deeply satisfying feeling if you like your shoes to work with your body, not just around it.

Price and competition

The Xero Scrambler Low EV retails at around £135 / $130, placing it in the mid-to-premium barefoot trail shoe category.

Compared to the Merrell Vapor Glove 6, the Scrambler offers vastly better performance on technical terrain. The Merrell is more versatile for everyday urban use, but it lacks the lug depth and foot-hugging security you need on rugged trails.

Meanwhile, something like the Vibram FiveFingers V-Trail 2.0 arguably has even better grip, but it falls short on comfort – especially over long distances or multi-hour hikes.

Where the Scrambler EV really scores is versatility. It’s minimal enough for serious barefoot fans, but comfortable and capable enough to double as a lightweight hiking shoe. For anyone wanting one pair to cover fast summer trail runs and casual hillwalking alike, it’s a very strong contender.

Verdict

The Xero Shoes Scrambler Low EV is a minimalist shoe that doesn’t compromise on comfort, durability, or technical performance. It’s an ideal first barefoot trail runner, thanks to its removable insole and protective-yet-flexible outsole, and it continues to impress as your form improves and your feet adapt.

It’s best suited to warm, dry conditions and challenging ground, where its breathable upper and razor-sharp ground feel come into their own. If you want to feel every contour of the trail – without sacrificing traction or long-run comfort – the Scrambler EV is an outstanding piece of kit.

About the author

Milo Wilson is our resident running guru and full-time tester. He just celebrated his two-year anniversary here at LFTO, during which time he's destroyed more trail running shoes than most people buy in their lifetime. Every night, he prays for forgiveness for his blight upon the Earth's ecosystem.