**Feelgrounds updated their sole shape and all new models can be found here!**
The Feelgrounds Highrise is one of the coolest barefoot shoes around. I am a fan of all of Feelgrounds’ shoes (read all my Feelgrounds reviews here) because they are flat, flexible, wide, AND stylish.
Feelgrounds are all built on the same outsole, so you can expect to wear the same size (read the Original review for all the specs). But the way the Highrise is made feels more spacious in the toes. I discuss in my Original review how the functional width feels smaller than the actual measurements of the insole because of the way the outsole curves inward. In the Highrise there are no such issues. Whereas the Original felt a tiny bit wider than mainstream barefoot brands, the Highrise feels noticeably wider.
You can see more white outsole on the Original because it is curving in. A little hard to tell, but the Original on top is shallower.
Fit
Vivobarefoot, Groundies, Zaqq, and Muki are all close to the same width in a size 37. Feelgrounds feel wider than all of these, but not as wide as Belenka and Luks. The stretchy, soft upper of the Highrise gives my feet more room to wiggle than you’d expect. The Feelgrounds are most comparable to the width of Bohempia barefoot sneakers and Unshoes.
Feelgrounds and Vivobarefoot size 37 Feelgrounds and Mukishoes size 37
Feelgrounds and Zaqq size 37 Feelgrounds and Groundies size 37. The Groundies look to be about the same width, but the material is stiffer so feels more restrictive
The knit material that is used on the Highrise also has a sturdier feel than the mesh of the Original. The Original shoe is very lightweight and almost slippery. I need to tie the laces tightly to feel secure in it (like my foot would slide against the shoe if it were loose). The material of the Highrise is still super flexible and light, but does a better job keeping my foot in place. The highrise I can wear with an insole or not, and with thin or thick socks.
Even with my shallow feet the lacing is adjustable enough to get a secure fit. I did find that I need to keep the very top of it a little loose so that I can bend my ankle.
Care
The Highrise boasts a water repellent treatment that should allow you to wear these in wet conditions. I live in a pretty wet climate during the spring and so I have tested these out multiple times in different levels of wetness. I did not find the water treatment very effective at all and my feet got wet through the toes and heel in a matter of minutes. On the wettest day I was literally wringing water out of my socks afterward.
When testing the shoes under a faucet the water rolls off at the beginning, but it doesn’t take much for it to start sticking to the surface. I think that if you were to apply your own protectant as soon as you received the shoes it would be more effective. Spray protectants need to be reapplied every so often anyways, so it’s possible that this one got rubbed off in transit.
For my own purposes, I just won’t wear these in wet conditions rather than deal with spraying them regularly. I alerted Feelgrounds about my experience and they say they are looking into it. If you have these shoes let us know how water resistant they are for you, feedback like this can have a big impact a brand’s decision-making!
Feelgrounds states you can machine wash the Original, but to spot clean the Highrise. This is probably because of the water treatment. If my Highrise shoes got really dirty, I probably would just throw them in the wash (‘cuz I’m a rebel like that). But spot cleaning will be my first line of defense. Because these are made from recycled PET, I’m not concerned about them getting stained.
Style
Once again, the style is a huge selling point for the Highrise. These are legitimately cool shoes with a very mainstream look. The knit material is smooth and the overall design is classic and simple. They’ve got an edge to them, which is not something you find very often in barefoot shoes. Highschoolers would wear these shoes! I think. Or maybe I’m just old.
There are quite a few colourways, all of which are trendy and yet neutral. So you can let them blend in to your outfit or pop depending on how you choose to style them.
Conclusion
For the reluctant barefoot-er, these are the perfect gateway shoe. All the barefoot requirements are met in top-notch style. Want to wear healthy footwear without looking like a nerd? Feelgrounds is your brand.
*They’ve already shared their next style on Instagram and discussed their plans to do a winter boot!*
11 thoughts on “Feelgrounds Highrise Review”
Hi,
Thanks for the review of the feelgrounds highrise sneaker.
Stupid question… how breathable are these shoes since they are water repellent? Any issues with smelly/sweaty feet?
The water protectant doesn’t seem to affect the breathability at all, they are still nice and airy. No sweaty or smelly feet for me!
I just love that grey on grey colorway! After reading this review I’m gonna have to get a pair!
I love this style but am not sure if they fit. Can their toe space and widths be compared to Wildling shoes? For example Sabios or flying foxes?
They’re pretty similar in width to Wildling shoes, but Wildling has a square toe box so you have a little more space if you have long toes in Wildling.
Now that it’s been almost exactly a year since your initial review, how have the outsoles held up? Always a little skeptical about the durability of TPE. Thanks!
Hey there! No issues with wear at all, the sole is dirty but no wearing away. It’s important to note that I have a lot of shoes I rotate through so they don’t get as much wear as they would if I wore the same pair daily or several times a week.
Hi Anya! I have recently seen some review of Feelgrounds stating they are extremely slippery and wear out very quickly. Have you experienced something similar? I am about buying my first barefoot shoes, the price tags on them are very high for me, so I’d like to make sure they will be as durable as possible. Appreciate your updated opinion!
I definitely do not find them slippery, on the contrary I would describe the sole as grippy. As far as wear and tear, I think that if you’re hard on your shoes and plan to wear them a lot they are not the most durable. But I haven’t had an issue personally with them breaking.
HI Anya. I got the highrise. And I’m finding the extremely uncomfortable to wear as the edge on the top area of the boots that touches my ankle (Aquiles) is rubbing constantly while walking. Do you have any suggestions on what to do ? Cannot wear them at all .. other than that the toe box, breathability and fitting is great
Oh darn! My recommendations would be to put some moleskin on that rough part and maybe unlace the top couple eyelets so there’s less tension there. Keep it securely laced over the arch, but looser above the ankle.