Xero Ridgeway Chelsea Review

Ground Feedback

These slip-on boots have substantially less cushion than a typical Chelsea boot, especially compared to Blundstones, but they aren't that sensitive relative to other barefoot footwear. The Ridgeway Chelsea was easier for our testers, who were new to minimalist footwear, to transition to while still offering some ground feel.

Xero built the Ridgeway Chelsea with a slight midsole made with TrailFoam. When we spent more time on our feet, the foam was a nice (however slight) buffer, but there was just enough ground feedback to remind us we were in a barefoot shoe. The finest details of a trail or a gravel-y sidewalk were not felt, but we could sense sidewalk cracks, stick bundles, tree roots, and changes in the trail's pitch.

Stability

The Ridgeway Chelsea has a fairly wide design that allows your toes to splay naturally. While the sole is relatively thick for its footwear class, it's got zero drop for a nice stable platform, and the outsole edges are only minimally rounded, helping reduce the likelihood of an ankle roll.

Despite being a high-topped boot, the Ridgeway Chelsea has minimal ankle reinforcements. This is a common trait among other Chelsea boots, especially since there are no laces to tighten down the mid or upper foot. Fortunately, the combination of a wider last and a fairly flexible outsole allowed our feet and leg muscles to naturally keep us stable across public transit journeys and even performed well for more relaxed hikes.

Traction

Don't be fooled by the casual appearance of the Ridgeway Chelsea; these actually offer decent traction across mossy ground, gravel trails, and wet sidewalks. However, if you take these for scrambling or backpacking, they are less dependable due to reduced foot security on uneven ground, even though their outsoles might keep up.

The FeelTrue rubber used in the Ridgeway Chelsea is excellent, and we've seen it perform reliably across multiple Xero barefoot models. The tread pattern features decent lugs, but the outsole's overall profile is fairly flat for better on-pavement grip. The flat-ended lugs also increase overall surface area, with the added friction improving performance on wet ground. At the end of the day, the lack of laces will be the limiting factor for terrain when wearing the Ridgeway, not the outsole.

Weight

For an above-ankle boot, the Ridgeway Chelsea is very light, especially compared to a standard Chelsea Boot. Several below-ankle models scored lower on the scale, but this all-leather model stood out.

If low weight is a major factor in your needs, the Ridgeway Chelsea should be near the top of your contender list. A leather boot like this almost always lands in the heavyweight category, but we measured it at 23.9 ounces in a men's 10, which is excellent for a Chelsea boot.

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Durability

The full-grain leather construction of the Ridgeway Chelsea made them resilient against sharp pavement, sticks, and rocks. While the elastic at the ankles got a bit stretched over time, these were among the more durable models in the barefoot shoe lineup.

For urban environments and more casual hiking, the Ridgeway Chelsea is likely to offer you decent longevity. However, as you push these into more intense hikes or scrambles, the stitching and the elastic can lead to more wear and tear than other models meant for such terrain. Xero has a unique 5000-mile warranty on their FeelTrue rubber, so if you do ever manage to break down the outsole of the Ridgeway (which would be very hard to do), there's a decent chance Xero will help you replace or repair it.

Should You Buy the Xero Ridgeway Chelsea?

Put these boots in your shopping cart if urban style is a priority. These are not all-purpose barefoot shoes and are best suited to those who spend more time on pavement than on dirt trails, given their lack of laces. Compared to other Chelsea boots, the Ridgeway offers impressive sensitivity and a stable zero-drop platform, though it is not as thin as some minimalist options.

What Other Barefoot Shoes Should You Consider?