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Overview

The DayLite Hiker is a minimalist boot made by Xero Shoes that I’ve probably been wearing for about 2 years now.

Because of this, I’ve been able to test it in quite a few scenarios that I’m excited to share about because as is often the case with Xero, the shoes are capable of more than you think.

Although the DayLite Hikers (DLHs) are described as a “non-technical” hiking boot, they would be a very capable one in my opinion. As I’ve talked about on this blog before, I am a big fan of getting on rough, uneven terrain and advocate that everyone else do the same, so naturally, I’ve tested these on exactly that.

What I found is that these were pretty ideal as the bottom of the shoe has rubber nubs protruding from the sole, making it easier to gain traction. The sole is flexible so the pressure your foot puts on the shoe will press down the sole into the uneven terrain and it will form around that ground it is on better than a traditional shoe which doesn’t bend. Also, the outer sole is thick and protective and the outer part of the toe is protected by rubber as well. 

I think the more interesting parts are the ways I use these boots other than hiking.

For example, going for long distance walks felt like no problem because the boots are so lightweight. Doing dirty jobs like cleaning buildings, trucks, and industrial areas was no problem with these because they were flexible enough and protective enough with the high-top outer sole it provides.

Even walking in and shoveling snow with these boots I found to be totally fine, as long as the snow isn’t too high.

Let’s get into exactly why these boots are good for so many different uses with the features of them.

Features

–wide toe box (lets the toes spread out and generate strength to form an arch)

-a non-elevated “zero drop” heel (allows for proper posture and hip alignment)

-low-to-the-ground design (promotes better balance and agility)

-a flexible, protective sole (makes for a highly functional and versatile shoe ready for almost any situation)

-5.5mm sole and a 3.5mm lugged dual chevron tread that has been redesigned for more grip and control (traction is never an issue no matter what surface you’e on)

-a men’s size 9 is only 12.4 ounces (very lightweight despite carrying all the features of a heavy, protective boot)

Before These Boots

I used to wear super heavy winter boots and have separate shoes for other occasions. The DLHs allowed me to slim down my shoe wardrobe to one pair of boots for multiple purposes.

As I have mentioned elsewhere, I have used Xero Shoes to help me get more function out of having less shoes, so I can achieve a more minimalist wardrobe while still getting all the benefits I used to have.

The DLHs helped me a lot in this process because they became my hiking, rough terrain, cold weather, and work boots all in one. I was able to ditch my old winter boots which were way too heavy and narrow and I was able to get rid of shoes that I used for messy or rough terrain just because I didn’t care much for them. 

Positives

Through my extensive research into minimalist footwear, I have come to find that Xero Shoes delivers the best bang for your buck. As I’ve mentioned in another review, minimalist shoes can get very expensive and the features that you get with each one varies.

For what I look for in a shoe (refer back to the features section), the price point here is not bad at all.

In addition, Xero is ALWAYS updating their shoes. The pair of DLHs that I currently wear are actually now an older model. The ones on the website now are even more durable and more streamlined for all of life’s purposes. This is one of the things that makes them a great company.

As well as having all the “minimalist” features that I want with a fair price point, these boots are water-resistant, lightweight, and look sleek enough to wear with casual clothes. I have been asked several times in public where I got my boots and I always find that to be a nice compliment. 

Negatives

If I was to be picky, I would say what stands out to me is that the toe box is not quite as wide as I would like it to be. I’m a person with a very wide foot, however, so consider your own foot when thinking about this.

I’m not sure I’ve ever found a shoe that is exactly wide enough for me, that’s why I aim for shoes that claim to have a wide toe box and are also flexible in the outer material so if I am pushing against the sides, the shoe will have some give to it. Luckily, this is exactly what you get with Xero Shoes and the DLHs. 

Another slight critique would be the fact that these shoes do have a toe spring, which is the upward lifting of the toe box on the end of the shoe. That being said, it’s almost impossible to find a shoe that doesn’t have this feature so while I consider it a negative, that’s mostly me being idealistic.

Wrap Up

If you want to know more about the DayLite Hikers, check out their official page with all the necessary details.

If you want to know more about Xero Shoes as a whole, check out their site and learn why minimalist shoes can make all the difference for you.

For a casual shoe with similar features, check out my review of the Hana from Xero Shoes.