Feelgrounds leaves you looking cool AND feeling free in your barefoot shoes – what’s not to love? Check out this full review of these knit and mesh Original pairs. I bought them myself and love how they feel like almost nothing on your feet – just barefoot freedom in some of the best-looking minimalist footwear.
Disclaimer: I bought both of these pairs myself, but I am an affiliate of Feelgrounds. If you use any of the links on this page to make a purchase it will cost you nothing extra, but a small portion will be returned to me to support what I do here on the blog and social media.
*After the release of the new sole models, Feelgrounds sent me Original Mesh in Pink to review. You can find that FULL review of the new model here*
**temporary note: starting June 8th and lasting this week only, you can save 13% on non-discounted (NEW) Feelgrounds models using the code SUMMER2021** Check out my initial comparison between new and old soles here, another look at Original here, and new Highrise video here
Previous Feelgrounds reviews are below. Note that all of these are the currently available (and deeply discounted, except Patrol) versions. Some time this month Feelgrounds will be releasing an updated version of everything but Patrol with the same reshaped toe box that features in Patrol. Until then, you can get really amazing prices on Highrise, Droptop, and Original.
Before I dig in, and I know this isn’t really relevant, but life has been WILD the last few weeks. I’ve not had time to blog. I’ve been busy with work, and life, and so much. This review, as I try to get back into the groove, is very me – fun and sometimes goofy, stream of conciousness, at times overly detailed, sometimes forgetting something, and every image has something I’d make better – from a weird shadow on my legs making them look bruised, to a rogue pinky toe, to me mistakenly showing the paper I use to make sure the shoe holds it’s shape while I photograph details like the heels. It’s always there in the blog photographs of these less-structured barefoot shoes we love, but you usually don’t see it.
This review is imperfect, and real, and I’m letting it stand. This is life. Sometimes we’re a bit off our perfect mark, but we keep going, we learn, and we remember that perfection is not real. Life is a little bit crazy.
Technical specifications for both knit and mesh versions:
- Upper: Recycled PET
- Sole: Recyclable TPE
- Lining: Recycled PET / Heel Lining: Microfiber
- Insole: (no removable insole)
- Stack Height: 5 mm
- Color options: 6 in Knit and 7 in Mesh. The upcoming revamp will feature the same colors.
- The Mesh model is about 25% lighter than the Knit version.
Company:
Feelgrounds is run by a fun, forward-thinking group and doesn’t stop with improving their models or adding new versions. They help us all stay light on our feet and under the radar (if that matters to you – me, I’m loud and proud in my wide toe boxes!) in barefoot shoes that don’t automatically say “I’m different.”
Appearance:
The Original model from Feelgrounds is an understated street shoe. They come in tons of colors and slide right into your wardrobe with pants, shorts, dresses, skirts, sweats, whatever. You can literally wear them with just about anything.
Here is my Original Mesh pair. It’s an early version with a more muted red than it became. The Mesh side of the Original model is where you can go pretty fun on colors, with pink, blue, and this red sole:
A couple of asides about this image: You never see my shades here, but I live in them. They’re prescription, and awesome, and they rarely leave my face when I leave the house. Also, it looks like my left pinky toe (smaller foot) is trying to escape in this image, but it really isn’t. I think I was just being really way too-cool-for-school with that foot. Sorry! I promise, that foot is happy and sassy in these shoes and yours can be too.
And here is the knit version:
Knit has a tighter weave, so looks more formal than the casual mesh model. The colors on this version are also more neutral and can be dressed up more easily. I love color, but I’m definitely a fan of this look too, and the treatment they add to the knit version that makes it water repellant. More about that below.
Fit:
Feelgrounds is revamping their Original model to improve the toe box, with the expected release dropping this very month (hence the big sale mentioned above). You can get still get a great barefoot shoes experience in the current models, but you can see that the toe box is pretty streamlined (not really our goal in barefoot, foot-healthy shoes) in the current version:
However, most people will be just fine in them and be able to enjoy them without a problem. For me, with a high-volume and wide foot, it was best to size up to have instep room in most models and, in this particular one, toe room. In my sized up 44, there is plenty of instep room, but just the minimum I need in toe splay width.
Sizing:
Feelgrounds has detailed sizing information on their site on every product page, including this size chart:
I measured with a Plus12 device and get the exact length for my size. It always helps to know that you can trust the exact numbers listed and this measure-and-compare method is always how I recommend sizing your barefoot shoes. There is research to suggest 12 mm extra is ideal, and up to 17 mm is within acceptable limits. Check out this link for a highlight of the research, and this post for how to measure your feet, if you’re new to it.
As with all my current Feelgrounds models, I’m sized up by 1 from my normal 43 to the 44 model, which puts me right at 17 extra mms. However, this puts me only at a basic acceptable level for toe splay. If you have a more sloped presentation on your toes, you will likely have the best experience here, but I don’t think most people should only buy the shape that’s ‘perfect’ for their feet. My approach is that most shoes are fine for most people, but you should compare your shape to the shape of the shoes to see if you need to adjust your sizing accordingly. The main exception to this rule is very square-shaped feet. And never wear a shoe that’s too narrow, y’all. Love your feet and give them an even foundation, even as we aim to make it as thin as possible under there.
How do they feel?
Light, soft, warm – these are the first adjectives that come to mind. Add highly flexible and you’ve got a no-fuss, good-looking addition to your barefoot shoes wardrobe.
I know, I know, your feet don’t do that. But it’s still a good baseline comparison of flexibility. If you see that, you know you’re feet will be free to be feet, without restriction on how they flex, push, and angle when you walk. Feelgrounds delivers on this again and again.
My personal, high-volume rule with Feelgrounds has been to size up again and again. I’m pretty high on the high volume scale, so most people won’t do this. However, the Original version is the model with the least available volume, and especially the least available toe splay. Over the instep I’m great here, but the toe box leaves me just at ‘okay’ level. They’re going to be best for medium everything – volume, splay, and width..
Lastly, I say this ever time I’m reviewing manufactured vegan materials: go sockless at your own risk. I always wear socks to avoid the problem of moisture and bacteria getting into the material, which tends to be less breathable. Wear socks (I love the super-short hidden socks), and don’t worry about it.
Cleaning and Care:
Every product page on the Feelgrounds website includes care instructions, and they are different for Knit and Mesh. You can actually toss the Mesh into the washer, but should not machine dry it. The Knit should be handwashed and you should periodically renew the treatment that makes them water-repellant. My favorite treatment is Nikwax.
Purchasing and Returns:
Feelgrounds has full information about Shipping and Returns on every product page (I love how thorough they are!). Currently, everything but Patrol is on a deep 30% discount and that will last as long as the stock does. Once these models are gone, they won’t return. Same for Droptop and Highrise.
Final thoughts:
I struggled to pick a favorite between the materials when I reviewed Droptop, and I feel the same here. The Mesh pair is great for kicking around in any situation, while the neutral, tighter weave Knit slots right in for a bit more upscale wear. I don’t think you can go wrong with either, and at the current price they’re an absolute steal.
Want more reviews?
Check out All the Barefoot Shoe Reviews for more in-depth looks.
Love color or need a specific type of shoe?
Check out the BIG lists here.
