Xero shoes are minimalist, very minimalist. If you've never worn a minimalist shoe before, it takes time to get used to it. Be patient. Z Trek is very good. Slim and comfortable, with Z-braces similar to those used by Chacos. I give it four stars because the straps that connect to the sandals are a bit flimsy. They can break if too much pressure is applied to them. Xero Shoes has had quality issues in the past, but things seem to have improved. Z-Treks are usually about a half size. So I recommend downsizing. I first bought a size 10 which is my usual size and there was too much room in front of my toes. My feet also slipped a little. When I bought the second pair in size 9 it was day and night. The fit is absolutely perfect and the Z-strap sits properly in front of the toes, not on top of them (and hides the pinky). The fit works best when the toe strap is fairly loose, with a tighter fit around the heel and ankle.