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Weight
4.59 oz/ 130g for men’s US9
Stack height
11.5mm total stack height (3mm lugs)
Zero Drop
Made for
Soft ground trails
Longer distance Barefoot training
Fit
High volume
Average wide midfoot
Average Wide Toe box
True to size
Feel
Moderatly flexible
Mix of ground feel and protection
Long distance comfort
Pros & Cons
+ Updated upper durability
+ Decent outsole
– Price is high for Xero Shoes
Last year, I ran a 100 km race, and choosing which shoes to wear was tricky.
It would be wet and muddy, but I wanted to ensure I wouldn’t encounter blisters or hot spots.
Because of this, the original Xero Shoes Scrambler Low came to the top of my list. And it proved to be a perfect choice.
Now, Xero Shoes has come back with a Scrambler Low update! The Scrambler Low EV. It’s only minor, but it fixed the 1 issue I had with the original.
So keep reading to find out what that update is and if the Scrambler Low EV is for you!
Most Xero Shoes models fit the same. On the average side of wide, a little deep, with an average wide toe box. And the Scrambler Low EV is no different.
If you wore the original Scrambler, the sizing here is no different. Just order true to size, and you’ll be good.
More generally, Xero Shoe isn’t the widest brand in the barefoot scene, but for many of us, that’s okay. We don’t all need super wide shoes.
Which minimal running shoe is for you?
Take a quick 5-question quiz to identify the perfect minimal running shoe for your feet! You'll get both road and trail options based on your answers!
Xero Shoes are high-volume shoes in the midfoot and toe box. This means you won’t scrape your toes on the top of the toe box, but you’ll need to tie them tightly for a good fit. If you have shallow feet or have experienced an uncomfortable bunching of material on top of your shoes in the past, the Scrambler Low EV’s may not be the best choice for you. However, if you often find shoes too tight over the top of your foot, consider trying Xero Shoes!
I said they’re not too wide, but they’ll suit average-width toe splays or less. Take a look at your bare feet. Do your toes naturally spread wider than your midfoot, resembling a fan shape? If so, consider trying a different brand. However, most people find the area just behind their toes slightly wider, which means the Scrambler Low EV will be a suitable choice for you.
The upper material provides a balance between comfort and security. If you’ve ever tried the original Altra Lone Peak models, you’ll understand what I mean when I say the Scrambler Low EV has the feel of a skater shoe. It is soft and flexible, but it’s more secure and locked down than the original Scrambler Low.
There’s plenty of room in the heel, too. The absence of a supportive heel cup (a positive feature) and the flexible material create a comfortable fit for the heel and ankle. This design is ideal for individuals who find traditional shoes too tight around the ankles or have difficulty with shoes that sit too high.
Xero Shoes Scrambler Low EV
Here’s where things get interesting.
If I’m completely honest, the Scrambler Low EV isn’t entirely barefoot. However, that’s not necessarily a bad thing for such an aggressive shoe.
There is forefoot flexibility, and it’s possible to twist the shoe torsionally, but the heel is stiff. While it might be a bit extreme to say that this isn’t a barefoot shoe, it is definitely more flexible than most available options, and it still provides a good ground feel. However, it feels somewhat bulkier than the Xero Shoes Mesa Trail II. I noticed that the sole is particularly stiff towards the heel.
For an aggressive trail shoe, the thicker stack height comes in handy. The stack height of the shoe is approximately 10mm. Combined with the more rigid outsole made from Michelin rubber, this design ensures you won’t experience bruised feet again! I’ve done my share of trail running in super thin, barefoot shoes, and let me tell you, hitting a rock can be quite painful. That’s why a bit of stack height is necessary. The Scrambler Low EV achieves this without going overboard.
The grippy outsole works is top notch. When I first tried these shoes, I immediately thought I had finally found a minimal trail shoe suitable for the UK, especially in wet and muddy conditions. The shoes feature 4mm lugs arranged in a pattern resembling a bike tire, making it easy to navigate uphill and downhill terrain. This outsole is much better than any other Xero Shoes I’ve tried, and it’s even superior to Altras!
The Xero Shoes website mentions cushion, but I wouldn’t let that put you off. The insole actually provides more cushioning than the midsole. Most of the stack height is due to the rubber material. The shoe feels very responsive, and the cushioning beneath your foot doesn’t feel unnatural. Remember that if you remove the insoles, which is possible with all Xero Shoes, the shoes will be quite deep, making it difficult to achieve a secure fit.
The toecap is soft, but the outsole rubber rounds up nicely. How often have you kicked a rock on the trail while running in minimal shoes? It can hurt, can’t it? The Scrambler Low EV addresses this issue not with a toe cap but by extending the sole a few millimeters beyond the front of the shoe. This way, when you kick a rock, the durable rubber makes contact first, protecting your toes!
Xero Shoes Scrambler Low EV
This is where I usually talk about Xero Shoes 5000-mile outsole guarantee.
But this time, I don’t even think it’s worth talking about.
Whereas the Michelin rubber may last a while, the lugs will not. The lugs may wear down over time, but that’s the nature of an aggressive shoe. No one will likely test the 5,000-mile outsole guarantee; maybe they’ll even attach the sole to a different shoe! 🙂
The upper has improved over the previous Scrambler Low. The best point about the update is that the upper material is now a more resilient plastic weave. And considering this was the first point my old Scrambler Lows started to break down, this is great news! We now have an upper that can last as long as the outsoles!
The laces are thick and old school, and the eyelets are simple. I mentioned that you need to tighten these laces well, and it’s reassuring that they use a substantial amount of material! The construction appears robust, making a lacing malfunction unlikely.
In the past, the Xero Shoes insoles have worn through quicker than I would have liked. If you find yourself in that situation, there are several options available. I often replace my insoles with Altra insoles because they are thicker and fit well in the depth of Xero Shoes. You can also use Vivobarefoot insoles, which can be purchased online and last for thousands of miles. Alternatively, you can contact customer support, who are usually happy to assist.
Xero Shoes Scrambler Low EV
When compared to the old Scrambler Low, there is little difference.
But that small change of the upper material has made them a solid choice for a mild cushioned aggressive trail shoe.
Because of that, I will want to run races in them again and trust them for more than 100km race next time! 🙂
I was pleasantly surprised, and I think you will be too!
Xero Shoes Scrambler Low EV
