Introduction:
After making a huge splash in the barefoot community in 2019 -- Feelgrounds continues to make noticeable strides, by providing their customers with a range of ever-evolving and stylish barefoot shoes, at a competitive price. Owning much of their success due to their excellent online marketing approach - they've successfully crowdfunded $250,000 to assist with production, released their much loved "Original" model, followed by the "Highrise", the Droptop and their fourth; the Patrol.
I was super excited to try the Original Mesh in All White. I had been looking for a barefoot classic white sneaker to replace my adidas style sneakers for every day wear and for casual/non-friction sport. When I saw the Original Mesh I just knew this was the one.
The Original Mesh is your casual barefoot shoe made for everyday use. Its unique sole resembles regular sneakers while being super soft and flexible for maximum barefoot feeling and comfort. Perfect for spring and summer thanks to its extra breathable upper.
The Original Mesh is Unisex and available in Women's US 5-7,7.5,8-11,11.5. and Men's US 8-12,12.5,13-15 in a variety of colors. They are priced at $109.
Click Here to access the Feelgrounds website.
Disclaimer: These shoes were given to me to review, however my opinion is my own. By purchasing from an affiliate link, I will receive a small commission which doesn't cost you anything.
Company Overview:
"We are a young team of innovators. Our mission is to make barefoot shoes available and appealing to more people.
We launched our first sneakers model in April 2019 on Indiegogo and raised over $250,000 due to the massive support of our amazing backers. Feelgrounds™ was funded within 48 hours.
We're planning to expand our range of models and styles in the future, while continually striving to build better footwear."
Manufacturing and Sustainability:
"At Feelgrounds, we believe that footwear manufacturing can be done responsibly, so we decided to use mainly recycled materials. Our shoes are also 100% animal-free. Our goal is to create shoes that are better for your feet and better for the environment than traditional shoes.
Feelgrounds shoes are manufactured under fair conditions in Vietnam. All workers are of age and benefit from social, medical, and accident insurance. The workers' salary is above the regional average. Sustainability, fairness, and transparency are important values to us.
All materials, used for Feelgrounds, are responsibly sourced. The upper and laces fabric comes from recycled PET bottles. We use a special footwear TPE material for the outsole. This material is extremely flexible, durable, and fully recyclable."
Shipping and Returns:
Ships to various countries around the world for a set fee.
No additional customs fees or taxes for shipments within the EU
"If you're not 100% satisfied with your purchase, we're happy to let you know that you may apply for a refund/exchange within our return policy of 30 days. The shoes have to be clean and undamaged to be eligible for a return. Shoes that were worn outside are not eligible for a refund/exchange. Any returned item not in its original condition or packaging, damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error may be applicable only for a partial refund."
First Impressions:
Something about the Feelground's shoes feel like they just always hit the spot and I especially felt this with the Original Mesh. First off, the style is impeccable and the quality is . They managed to create a toe box shape that is super flattering and the ground feel is absolutely one of the best out there. The shoe is just so comfortable from the first moment, without requiring any break-in time. They are airy, flexible, and just so so light. I have only ever worn them without socks and they did not cause any chafing or sweating. The mesh upper allows for great breathability and thus no smelly feet. The All White is quite a bright white and really pops with every outfit. The lace up is simple to use and can be easily replaced with a elastic laces.
Sizing and Fit:
**My foot is 25cm long and 9.5cm width. I generally wear a US 8 / EU 39. My biggest toe is the longest**
In my opinion, I feel like the Feelgrounds are true to size and quite generous with space. I tried the US W8 and the length is 25.4cm and width is 10cm giving me a comfortable amount of wiggle room. Generally speaking, if you wear a certain size in Vivo, or Groundies, it "should" be the same size in Feelgrounds. One other thing to note, is that the Original feels as though its wider, and certainly has more volume than most Vivobarefoot I've tried.
According to the size chart they recommend to add an additional 0.5 - 1.2 cm (0.2 - 0.5 inches) to the total length of your foot to give your toes enough wiggle room. They have a printable size guide on their site for more accuracy.
The shoe requires no break-in time at all and zero chaffing occurred even without socks. The 5mm sole is completely flat, super flexible and the shoes just feels so natural and one with your foot. The upper is extremely soft, supple and breathable. There is no creasing or bumps, it just retains its great shape. You never feel the urge to want to take off your shoes while wearing these.
Performance:
The shoe is a classic casual/sporty shoe, and isn't intended for sports that cause a lot of friction, but I found it great for sports like skateboarding. Its aesthetics look just as good on my board as Vans do, and moreover its functionality, flexibility, and ground feel allowed me to maximize performance on my skateboard while keeping my foot protected. It's wide throughout and has excellent ground-feel. In addition, the upper is very supple, so no pinching or abrasion occurs.
Upper and Lining:
Breathable mesh upper
Impeccable quality that doesn't compromise its flexibility and movement
Generous wide toe box allows for toes to splay and move
Didn't experience any sweating even without socks, however the footbed does look a bit dirty after a couple of wears
No hard materials or abrasive stitching so no rubbing or chafing occurs
The shoe is medium-high volume and can be adjusted with tightening or loosening the laces
Machine washable
Vegan
Recycled PET (upper, laces, lining)
Microfiber (heel lining) makes it feel super soft and comfortable and again no chaffing
Sole:
5mm zero drop, has excellent ground feel
Extremely lightweight
Beginner barefooters can purchase a separate insole for added thickness
The sole is flat and completely free of any contours - allows your foot to move naturally without any restriction
The sole is rubber and has a decent amount of grip
Recyclable TPE
Weight and Movement:
Extremely lightweight 218 grams or 7.7oz
Very natural feel
No movement restriction
Feels one with your foot
Technical Specifications:
Upper: 100% Recycled PET mesh
Lining: 100% Recycled PET mesh and microfiber heel lining
Stack Height: 5mm
Sole: TPE (recyclable)
Drop: Zero drop
Weight: 218g / 7.7 oz (Size US W11.5)
Available sizes: US W/M 5-15
Price: $109
Care Instructions:
To clean your Original Mesh remove all loose dirt with a soft shoe brush. If necessary, go in with a clean, soft brush to apply some lukewarm water and a mild cleaning solution. Wipe any excess product with a moist cloth. Air dry at room temperature after cleaning or when the shoes got wet.
For removing more stubborn stains, you can also throw your Original Mesh in the washing machine. You can wash your shoes by themselves in a mesh laundry bag on a gentle cycle with cold water. Let them air dry afterwards. Please be aware that machine washing can put a strain on colors and materials. So don’t wash your shoes like you wash your underwear!
Note: The shoes are not suitable for activities that cause a lot of friction on the sole, as this can damage the soft sole.
Where and How to Wear:
The Original Mesh is the perfect shoes for casual every day wear and can definitely be dressed up for a casual smart look. It can also be worn for non-friction sport such as skateboarding, gym training, bike riding etc. Can be worn with or without socks and looks super cute with a dress, jeans, or shorts. It honestly just looks great with everything. I enjoyed wearing it without socks for a clean look and the best part is my feet were not sweaty or smelly due to its breathable mesh upper and lining.
Future Improvements:
Literally none. I give these a big 10/10
Conclusion:
This shoe definitely surpassed all my expectations. As a hairdresser I am on my feet for many hours in a day and these shoes have made working such a pleasant experience. The Original mesh has such a natural feel, I never feel restricted or chafing in any movement and my feet can breath and toes can splay. It is very aesthetically pleasing and the shape of the toe box is wide yet so flattering. I love how the white is so bright and pops with every outfit. The range of color options lend to such a great variety and is definitely a shoe you will fall in love with. I'm so thrilled it's machine washable since it will definitely get a bit soiled due to the light coloring, but so far its holding up great. The quality and durability as an every day casual shoe is very impressive. Overall this shoe is literally perfection. I absolutely love it and recommend it.
Can purchase Feelgrounds Here.
Sara And Trevor ( The bunny)
