Groundies barefoot shoes are pretty much always cool, but they cemented that status when they added Universe to their minimalist footwear lineup. They introduced a new sole, and a classic upper that anyone can love.
And then they added more colors! And Paramount! And… they just keep going, bringing different patterns and pairings for whatever you want in barefoot shoes.
But how do they feel on your feet? Are they right for you? Read on to find out.
Disclaimer: Groundies sent these to me for review, but all thoughts are my own. I bought the Sydney model myself, which appears in some comparisons below. The mentioned discount and all links to Groundies site are non-affiliate. I’ve also previously reviewed the Odessa model here.
Note: In June of 2021 Groundies announced that Universe is also available in a ‘Regular’ fit. This fit is NOT barefoot at all. It has a narrow toe box that does not follow barefoot shoes practices and should be avoided. I cannot even recommend it as a transitional option because a narrow toe box that pushes the big toe out of alignment with a soft, flexible sole and no arch support is worse than a narrow toe box with a hard sole and arch support. Everything in this review refers to their original GS1 fit, which they are calling Barefoot.
Sections
Company Information
Groundies is seriously committed to healthy footwear and natural movement with minimalist designs and materials to give us the protection we need and nothing more. Their shoes are made entirely in the EU (Germany and Portugal) under ethical conditions and with quality materials. You can read about their focus on “Simplicity and Freedom” here.
Technical Specifications
- Upper: Cowhide leather
- Lining: 100% microfiber
- Sole: GS1 with 3 mm base and 3.9 mm tread
- Sizes 36-48
Appearance
The Universe model from Groundies brings classic 80s shoes like Adidas and Reebok right into the modern age. You get all the best barefoot shoes qualities of flexibility, a great toe box, and no drop, in a great-looking package that doesn’t immediately say your shoes are different.
This particular version of Universe, the original model, goes with anything. White shoes are classic in their own right (check out a BIG list of them here) and in leather you can easily dress them up or down.
I favor sneakers with dresses, like this pairing with my favorite blue dress:
But I also put them with a lot of pants while testing them out:
Fit
The Upper on Universe includes a wide toe box with good height and room for splay. They’re medium/high on the instep.
Comparing with the similar Sydney model below, you can see that the upper is more spacious in Universe, meaning high volume feet and wide splays are best served with Universe.
However, the narrower heel with the walled sole means that particularly wide-heeled feet should stick with the non-GS1 models. This is the case for me. At the back of my arch I walk on the sole instead of in it, and that doesn’t work. If I had a lower volume foot I could potentially put in an insole to bring myself higher than the arch, but is not a valid option for me and would reduce ground feel noticeably.
Another look at the toe boxes, feet-free:
And one more look, since I’ve compared these shoes a lotttttttt, with Universe next to VIVO Geo Court II (Men’s):
Sizing
Groundies splits their models into men’s and women’s, with some overlap, but there is no difference in how they are sized. If you are inside that overlap, you can order either version fine.
Women’s Size Chart:
Men’s Size Chart:
The numbers run a hair longer than some other brands, which circles back to the best way to size: measure and compare. Measure your feet, add necessary space for good toe movement, and compare to the sizing chart. If your feet are a different shape from the Groundies toe box, you may consider going up or down.
Getting a good fit for those of you with lower volume does not seem to be a problem with Groundies, especially in a laced model like this, but if you have really narrow heels you might find them extra-generous and need something like a heel pad for extra security. But that’s more likely in a boot than something like this, which can be pretty well secured, including with some special lacing techniques like these.
With all that said, you’re generally going to be in your normal size here and I find the Plus 12 internal measurement to exactly match what’s listed on the chart.
How do they feel?
Universe is wearable immediately, with no breaking in. The leather is a good thickness where it feels sturdy and like it will last, but it’s not so thick that it pushes on your feet anywhere. There is padding at the collar (ankle) and zero rubbing.
The sole has the appearance like it would be thick and inflexible, but that’s not the case. It is completely flexible in the way your foot will roll and move inside it. It’s only 0.6 mm thicker than the original Groundies sole:
Where it is less flexible is side to side, and this means both if you’re holding it and squeezing inward, or your foot is in it and trying to push outward. For almost everyone, this is not a problem. However, if you have a wide heel, you may find the sole is not wide enough for you. This is the case for me. My larger foot lands on the sole at the back of the arch and the very sturdy wall does not give. If you get these and find you are doing the same, then they’re not the shoes for you and you’d be better served with any model in the other sole.
Other than this, I found them lovely shoes. Comfortable to wear everywhere else and a very cool aesthetic I’d love to have in my wardrobe all the time.
Cleaning and Care
Smooth leather uppers are generally quite easy to care for, including wiping off most stains or dirt with a wet cloth. It’s a good idea to protect leather from penetration with a product made for the particular type of leather (smooth, vs a napped leather like suede or nubuck) which not only helps with water but with stains as well. Here’s a list of options. Don’t machine wash or dry.
I normally try to take pictures right away now, before I wear them, but I received these a few months ago and was still learning that. I’m kinda glad though, in this case, because you can clearly see the one cleaning area that might bug you (and therefore make one of the non-white models more attractive) is that the edging on the wall is textured, and it holds on to dirt easily.
Purchasing, Shipping, and Returns
Universe can be bought directly from Groundies in a range of colors, along with its sister shoes Earth and Paramount. Groundies now has a UPS shipping option to replace their former paid choice, which took only 11 days from order to arrival for US shipping. The current cost of Universe is 129,00 € at time of writing.
In the US, some Groundies can be bought on Amazon (affiliate link) with free returns, which is a great way to see if they’re right for you. The stock changes and at the time of writing the Earth model is available in both men’s and women’s sizes. Sizing is listed differently from the main Groundies site and, for reference, my 43s are 11.5 wide on the women’s side of the Amazon listings.
Final Thoughts
I love the style, the splay, and the construction, but I can’t personally wear them. This is solely (is that a pun?) an issue with a wide heel and the walled construction. It’s probably good that I can’t, because Groundies so good at coming out with amazing takes on each design, like the off-white and pink version of Universe, that I’d want them all. Love the look and can recommend it to others, as long as you make sure to avoid the Regular (not healthy) toe box.
Want more reviews?
Check out All the Barefoot Shoe Reviews for more in-depth looks.
Want to check out other lists, such as color and type break-downs?
Check out all the BIG lists here.
