Best Hiking Boots? Xero Shoes Daylite Hiker Fusion Review

Are the new Xero Shoes Daylite Hiker Fusions the best hiking boots available, right now? Well, in certain instances, I believe they are the best.

Xero Shoes Review

I have been a fan of Xero Shoes since they began. A little backstory.

I injured my ankle in a motorcycle accident in 1993. Since then, I’ve found that the closer I am to barefoot, the less pain I have in my bad ankle. This keeps me on a continual search for shoes that get me as close to barefoot as possible.

This search brought me to Xero Shoes. I’ve also worn Unshoes, Vibram Five Fingers, and a few others. However, I’ve always come back to Xero Shoes. I own probably a dozen pair or more. They’re innovative and constantly coming out with new styles to satisfy my needs for various conditions and situations.

Original Daylite Hiker Hiking Boots

One of the dozen pair of Xero Shoes that I’ve used for years is the Daylite Hiker hiking boot. I love this boot so much that I don’t even bring camp shoes with me on backpacking trips. I used it for a 12 day trip to Philmont Scout Reservation where I hiked over 100 miles in 12 days. No blisters. Very little foot pain. And, they stood up well enough that I’m still using them almost 2 years later.

The Daylite Hikers have zero drop and a very wide toe box (as do all Xero Shoes). This allows me to really feel the terrain on which I’m hiking. It also allows my feet to work the way they were intended to work.

Best Hiking Boots? New Daylite Hiker Fusion Review

Xero Shoes recently came out with an updated version of the Daylite Hikers called the Daylite Hiker Fusion. Xero Shoes was kind enough to send me a pair to review.

I immediately used them for a weekend section hike of the Florida Trail. As expected, they performed as well or better than my old Daylite Hikers. Xero Shoes made several improvements to this latest model and I’ll spell out a couple that I really appreciate.

First, they’ve moved the classic Xero shoes strap system inside the boot. This was something that created some consternation with my old Daylite Hikers, as I would catch the straps on rocks and bushes. Once, I even tore the plastic piece on the sole that held the straps in place. It was easily fixed with some super glue, but it’s still an annoyance. Now, they’re inside the boot and I have no worries about catching them on the terrain.

Next, Xero Shoes added some toe protection. It’s not a ton, but it will definitely improve the life of my hiking boots.

Lastly, Xero Shoes added a more aggressive tread to the Daylite Hiker Fusions. I’m pretty sure they did this in the second iteration of the boots, but I had the first edition and the tread was minimal. Of course, they’re meant to be minimalist, barefoot-like boots, so I understand the less tread direction. I never had any issues with the lack of tread, even in rainy conditions, however, it’s nice to have a little more grip on the terrain. It’s not overbearing and doesn’t bump the Fusions out of the “minimalist” category. Just enough to give you a little more grab.

Conclusions – Best Hiking Boots?

If you’re looking for a minimalist hiking boot with zero drop and a wide toe box, the Xero Shoes Daylite Hiker Fusions offer you the best hiking boots available. Amazing comfort, attractive styling, and supremely functional.

Pros

• Wide toe box
• Zero drop sole
• Moved straps to the inside of the boot
• Better, more aggressive tread design
• Added toe protection
• New loop on heel for putting them on

Cons

• These may not be the boots for you if you need arch support
• Minimalist shoes and hiking boots require some physical conditioning. Don’t use them for the first time on a long hike.