XTEP 160X 8.0 Pro Review

Key Stats

• Weight: 205g in my UK size 9

• Stack Height: approximately 39mm heel / 35mm forefoot

• Drop: 4mm

• Foam: Dual-density PEBA setup, including XTEP ACE foam

• Plate: GT700 carbon plate

• Category: Carbon-plated super shoe

• Best For: 5K to marathon racing, intervals, threshold work and marathon-pace sessions

The low 4mm drop is noticeable. This is very much a shoe designed to get you forward onto the midfoot and forefoot.

Upper – 5/5

The upper is a relatively structured race mesh. It isn't ultra-transparent or paper-thin, but it wraps the foot extremely well.

The booty-style construction gives the shoe a secure, sock-like feel, while the thin sawtooth-style laces allow you to get a really good lockdown. There is also enough padding around the collar to keep things comfortable without making the shoe feel bulky.

Once my foot was inside, the fit was excellent. During the 5K I had:

• No forward movement

• No heel lifting

• No ankle slippage

• No obvious pressure points

I used a runner's knot, although there is also an additional upper eyelet if you prefer to cinch the shoe down conventionally.

The only negative is getting the shoe on. The booty construction makes it slightly more difficult than a traditional racing upper, so I wouldn't choose it for something like a triathlon transition.

Once it's on, though, it disappears on foot.

Upper score: 5/5

Outsole – 5/5

The outsole uses a CPU-style rubber configuration and looks very similar to the setup found on some of the Feidian racing shoes.

Grip during my dry-weather test was excellent.

I haven't tested it properly in the wet yet, so that remains one question mark, but based on the rubber and my experience with similar Chinese racing shoes, I don't expect grip to be a major problem.

You can also clearly see the plate through the outsole cutout. That gives you a good visual indication of just how dramatically the GT700 plate curves through the shoe.

Outsole score: 5/5

Midsole – 5/5

This is where the XTEP 160X 8.0 Pro becomes really interesting.

The midsole uses a dual-density PEBA construction. The upper layer is softer and more compliant, while the lower layer is firmer and more stable.

There is also proportionally more of the softer foam as you move toward the forefoot.

That means forefoot runners get:

• More compression

• More bounce

• Greater energy return

• Stronger interaction with the carbon plate

Below that softer layer sits the firmer PEBA foam, which gives the shoe some much-needed structure and prevents the whole platform from becoming overly unstable.

Then there is the GT700 carbon plate.

The plate scoops down before curving aggressively upwards toward the front of the shoe. Combined with the rocker geometry, this creates a very pronounced toe spring.

When you increase your pace and put more force through the shoe, the foam compresses, rebounds and works with that plate to drive you forward.

The harder I ran, the better the shoe felt.

That's exactly what you want from a racing shoe.

Midsole score: 5/5

Ride

The closest comparison is probably somewhere between the Feidian 6 Elite and Feidian 6 Ultra.

The XTEP feels:

• Firmer than the Elite

• Less excessively bouncy than the Elite

• Softer than the Ultra

• Slightly more forgiving than the Ultra

• More aggressive than many traditional super shoes

There is also some Puma Fast-R DNA in the way it encourages you to attack the ground and roll quickly through your stride.

The XTEP doesn't necessarily feel insanely fast while you're running.

That's actually one of its best qualities.

You can settle into what feels like a controlled rhythm, glance at your watch and realise you're moving considerably quicker than expected.

Stability – 4/5

Despite the relatively high stack and soft PEBA foam, stability was surprisingly good.

Burgess Park includes enough turns to expose a genuinely unstable racing shoe, and I had no problems cornering.

The firmer lower foam seems to do a lot of the work here.

There is also a reasonably wide forefoot landing platform.

Forefoot and midfoot runners should therefore find the shoe fairly secure.

Heel strikers may have a slightly different experience because the platform narrows further back, so the shoe could feel less stable if you're consistently landing toward the rear.

It isn't as inherently stable as something like the Topo Specter Elite, but for a lightweight super shoe it's impressive.

Stability score: 4/5

Speed – 5/5

This is the headline feature.

The XTEP 160X 8.0 Pro is rapid.

It sits right alongside some genuinely elite racing shoes.

Compared with the Feidian models, I would describe it as sitting between the Elite and Ultra.

The Elite is softer and more playful.

The Ultra feels slightly more aggressive.

The XTEP manages to combine elements of both.

I also think it compares extremely favourably with shoes such as:

• Skechers Aero Elite

• Runzify Flare Elite

• Hoka Cielo X1 3.0

• Topo Specter Elite

And it gets surprisingly close to the sensation I get from the Puma Fast-R.

The more force you put into the platform, the more you get back.

For midfoot and forefoot runners in particular, this is an absolute weapon.

Speed score: 5/5

What Is It Good For?

The XTEP has enough range to cover almost every road-racing distance.

5K

Excellent.

The aggressive rocker, carbon plate and energetic forefoot make it ideal for fast 5K racing.

10K

Possibly one of its strongest distances.

You get the aggressiveness needed for speed without the shoe feeling excessively harsh.

Half Marathon

Also very well suited.

It has enough cushioning to settle into sustained race pace while still feeling fast.

Marathon

I think it can absolutely work as a marathon shoe.

There's enough cushioning, stability and protection.

The only potential issue is the aggressive toe spring.

Your toes sit in a fairly pronounced upward position, and some runners may find that uncomfortable after several hours.

I've successfully raced shoes with similar geometry over the marathon distance, but it's something worth considering before committing to 26.2 miles.

Value – 3/5

This isn't one of those incredibly cheap Chinese super shoes.

I paid roughly £170, and delivery took around three weeks.

That puts it in an interesting position.

It is still competitive compared with many premium Western super shoes, and significantly cheaper than some alternatives, but the value equation becomes more difficult when shoes such as the Feidian 6 Elite are discounted.

Performance-wise, I think the XTEP justifies the money.

But at around £150, it would become a much easier recommendation.

Value score: 3/5

Final Thoughts

The XTEP 160X 8.0 Pro is one of the strongest racing shoes I've tested recently.

It combines a genuinely excellent dual-density PEBA midsole with an aggressive carbon plate, strong rocker geometry and a secure upper.

Most importantly, it is fast without constantly feeling demanding.

You can settle into pace, let the shoe work underneath you and suddenly realise you're running considerably faster than expected.

It sits somewhere between the Feidian 6 Elite and Ultra in character, with some of the aggressive efficiency of the Puma Fast-R thrown into the mix.

If you're a midfoot or forefoot runner looking for something different from the usual Nike, Adidas, ASICS or Puma options, the XTEP deserves serious consideration.

Scores

Category Score

Upper5/5

Outsole5/5

Midsole5/5

Stability4/5

Speed5/5

Value3/5

Overall: this is an absolute contender — and one of XTEP's most convincing super shoes yet.