Article by Sam Winebaum
Craft Xplor Pro ($170)
Pros:
Impeccable and secure upper hold: new fit and last for all 2025 Craft
Broad platform, particularly at the rear and midfoot, makes them very stable
Plentiful deep cushion that is leg friendly, moderately firm and bouncy responsive
Versatile, grippy mountain bike tire inspired Vittoria rubber outsole
Expected strong all around top to bottom durability
Stunning cheery fun look, as always with Craft!
Cons:
For ultra distances or heat toe box length may be short, see next Con
Strange size labeling: size up a half size plus US or use your EU size, see below in Upper
On the heavy side: due to foam, very robust upper, stack height, and broad platform
Clearly a heavy duty trail shoe and less a gravel shoe as Craft says, but fine on road and gravel as well.
Stats
Men's Sample Weight:
10.4 oz / 297g US9 / EU40.75- strange sizing in EU, A US9 is usually at least EU42)
Stack Height: 41mm heel / 35mm forefoot, 6mm drop
Platform Width:100 mm heel / 85 mm midfoot / 110 mm forefoot
Most comparable shoes
Craft Xplor 2
La Sportiva Prodigo Max
Merrell MTL Adapt Matryx
S/Lab Ultra Glide and Genesis
First Impressions, Fit and Upper
As with all 2025 Craft we have all new more secure last and fits. About time!
The upper is woven with TPU yarns in the mix. The upper is single layer with extensive inner underlays and is quite pliable and very breathable. The underlays extend around the foot and also create an inner protective and supportive rand above the midsole but, as they are pliable, they play well with wrapping the foot.
The heel counter is semi rigid and along with the ankle collars deeply padded. Heel hold is very solid.
The tongue is a very thin, very stretchy knit with a thicker knit down its center.
The stretch knit tongue also is a gusset and extends through the toe box to become an inner lining. As it stretches and is not glued to the outer mesh, upfront vertical volume is accommodating, yet at the same time the foot is well held by the non-stretch outer mesh.
The toe bumper extends far back and is moderately pliable. Width upfront is not the widest but should accommodate narrow to medium volume feet well.
Length is on the short side so those considering the Pro for ultras, have wide feet, prefer thick socks and for very warm conditions should also consider sizing up a half size US.
I would note in our review by John Tribbia of the regular Xplor 2 he found his feet swimming in the toe box due to the lighter softer mesh in that shoe. Zero such issues for me in the Pro which is essentially a more trail worthy upper on the same shoe.
While I was concerned they were too short (over the big toe), after a first 6 mile run they stretched and packed in so I am true to size in EU sizing of my sample with thin socks and without issues.
Note strange size labeling. My sample is labeled US9 / EU 40 3/4. A US9 is usually at least EU42 and in almost all shoes I am a US8.5 / EU 41 ⅔-42)
Midsole & Platform
The Xplor Pro’s Px Foam midsole is made of supercritical expanded TPE beads. Craft claims this foam provides superior energy return (about 70%) while being 20% lighter than traditional EVA. In 2025 no shoe should have EVA, I say.
Craft says the foam provides “responsive comfort” and I agree. The foam feel is similar to Saucony PWRRUN + as well as Saucony Pb (expanded PEBA beads) and is slightly bouncier and softer than Pb.
The platform is notably broad at the heel at 100mm and moderately broad midfoot at 85mm and is fairly standard for its stack height and most trail shoes upfront at 110mm giving it some agility on toe offs and climbs.
The midsole is very well cushioned, stable, and has some moderate pleasant bounce. The stack height at 41mm heel / 35mm forefoot is in the more maximal category with the weight at 10.4 oz / 297g US9 not the lightest in its class but OK.
Outsole
The outsole is from well respected bike tire brand Vitorria and has a Terreno mountain bike inspired pattern.
It is somewhat unusual in having 4mm lugs around its outer perimeter and essentially a flat central pattern with about 2mm height rubber .
On pavement and hard packed gravel where the outer lugs do not dig in, the contrast between high lugs on the outer edges and essentially a depression down the center was noticeable as a rim of rubber, if you will.
On any softer surface the lugs dug in and things smoothed out. Grip on any loose surface was very good with noticeable bite.
I would also highlight that the outsole is rounded up the entire perimeter of the shoe. This essentially creating a mini bathtub of support for the midsole which I think assists in stabilizing the midsole above and helping deliver a smooth roll off the heel and at toe off.
Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations
The Xplor Pro combines a broad, stable, and platform and an especially secure upper with a forgiving and responsive midsole and stout outsole. Its ride and fit lean more towards a pure trail runner than hybrid road to trail or “gravel” shoe. That said it is fine on road and gravel as well.
It is not the lightest at 10.5 oz / 297g in essentially a US8.5 due to the TPE beads foam and upper. I wish it was lighter even at its well cushioned 41/35 stack height.
If you want lighter and springier in Craft also consider the Nordlite Ultra Pro which checks in about 28g lighter at about the same stack height as it swaps Px foam for a 25% PEBA Cr foam. I finding it springier and slightly less stable at the rear than the Xplor Pro and is comparable to LaSportiva Prodigio Pro whereas the Xplor Pro is more comparable to the Prodigio Max. Review soon of the Ultra Pro.
If you are seeking a versatile more technical trails focused shoe for longer distances, that can also cross over to gravel the Xplor Pro is a solid option. It is also an excellent walking and hiking shoe.
Sam’s Initial Score: 8.9 / 10
Deductions: pricing on the high side at $170, weight and tricky size labeling.
Detailed comparisons and full multi tester review soon.
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Tester Profile
Sam is the Editor and Founder of Road Trail Run. He is in his 60’s with 2025 Sam’s 54th year of running roads and trails. He has a decades old 2:28 marathon PR. These days he runs halves in the just sub 1:43 range if he gets very, very lucky. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week mostly at moderate paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah be it on the run, hiking or on nordic skis. He is 5’9” tall and weighs about 160 lbs, if he is not enjoying too many fine New England IPA’s.
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