“This was my first pair of barefoot shoes. I am a young adult and was looking for a chic, versatile barefoot sneaker that I could wear to replace my standard white leather shoe that I wore with everything - from a slightly athletic when I'm out exploring the city to dressing up a little. I live in NYC and walk everywhere. I liked this brand and design the best for the pricepoint that I was looking at. I read the reviews on the European Groundies website and followed the sizing instructions before ordering, and somehow the initial pair I ordered was still too small. I returned them for a size up and had an issue with my order, but the customer service team resolved the issue superbly, which made me want to write this review! Rarely do I find good customer service and a company that takes pride in their product these days. The size I have now is great. I'm a size 7.5/8 US and the 39 fit me great. And now that I've been wearing these daily, I actually now wear a size 8/8.5 in standard shoe to be comfortable! The only two negative things to note:
1. I have the beige/pink color, and the colors are not quite accurate in the photo - the leathers do not match each other. The toe box is more of a grey and the upper is more of a beige and neither match the white rubber sole. I wish the leathers matched each other or one of them matched the toe box. That was slightly disappointing.
2. The insoles slip around quite a bit, especially around the heel. My solution has been to flip them upside down and switch them with each other, but they've begun to slide around again. I will probably try to superglue them.
They definitely have a bit of an odor inside because they are leather, which I can't fault them for, but you should be aware. As far as durability, I've worn these in New York City almost every day since I've gotten them (from September to March, minus the heavy winter weeks because they are not warm enough and I don't want them getting wet from snow). The sole on the ball of my foot and the heel edge of the shoe are starting to wear down, but that happens with all my shoes based on how I walk. They are significantly dirty, especially on the suede-looking material on the toe box and heel, so I need to find out how to clean them because this is no longer a cute "white sneaker" look lol. I'm hoping they'll last me a full year of every day use before they truly are worn out. As far as comfort, I have nothing to compare them too for barefoot shoes, but they definitely make me feel barefoot without being too thin (I've stepped on plenty of glass and rocks with nothing cutting through or causing insane discomfort)!
If I can figure out how to clean them and they stay at the same price point (around $100), I will probably purchase these again or a similar design for my next pair.”
Thanks for taking the time to share such a detailed review.
It’s great to hear how well the shoes have fit into your everyday life in NYC and that you found the right size in the end. We also really appreciate your kind words about our customer service.
At the same time, thank you for pointing out the color differences – we’ll take a closer look at this, as consistency in materials is important to us. The feedback on the insoles is also noted. They’re optional and only in US-Shop, and we’re already working on improving how they stay in place.
For care, since this model is made from fine nubuck leather in lighter tones, gentle cleaning works best. A soft brush can remove dry dirt, and a suitable nubuck cleaner can help with deeper spots. It’s best to avoid too much moisture to protect the material.
Your notes on long-term wear are also very helpful. Daily use in a city environment naturally leaves its marks, but insights like yours help us better understand how the shoes perform over time.
Thanks again for sharing your experience.
All the best
Your Groundies Team
