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Feelgrounds Droptop – Review

Droptop. Just what a barefoot community need. Each style from this brand is just another modern and stylish barefoot shoe. And this casual slip-on barefoot shoe and a third Feelgrounds model can be your perfect companion for spring and summer.

UPDATE: In Spring 2021 Feelgrounds updated all their models. Their sneakers now have a new toebox shape (wider and even more foot-shaped), slightly updated outsole for better durability and new size chart. Check my Feelgrounds Original review for more details.

I have a great honour that I’ve been able to test and review all three models Feelgrounds have bring out so far. I was also super excited when Feelgrounds announced the launch of their Droptop model. I always find slip-on shoes so practical and I wore this style of shoes a lot before I transitioned to barefoot shoes.

Now, when I wear mostly shoes with laces, I’m always excited to find a slip-on barefoot shoe which I can wear without making any compromises regarding my walk and my toe freedom.

Disclaimer: Feelgrounds sent these shoes to me for review, but as always, all opinions expressed here are my own. I want to give you an honest review, regardless if the product was sent to me to for free or I decided to buy them by my own. I’m also proud to be a Feelgrounds affiliate and I may receive small commission if you make a purchase through the links on my website.

1. General

  • Brand: Feelgrounds
  • Model: Droptop
  • Colour: All White
  • Tested on: woman, medium-wide feet, 26,3 cm long and 10 cm wide, low instep, skinny ankles

2. Material characteristics

2.1 Upper

Feelgrounds Droptop model is available in 7 different colours. The colours are the same as in their Original model which I already reviewed here.

My Original model is in Dusty Pink colour, but this time I decided to choose All White colour, which is so timeless and so easy to match with different spring and summer clothes I have.

The upper is made from extremely breathable mesh material made from 100% recycled PET. I find that this material has good breathability considering that is made from recycled PET. But if your feet are tended to sweat more, you can still sweat in them at higher temperatures.

Shoes are also machine washable on gentle cycle. This is pretty useful for this white colour, which can be super sensitive for staining.

As the shoe is a slip-on-model, there is no laces to fix the shoe on its place. But there is an inserted elastic part at the sides, which can accommodate slightly higher instep while not making them uncomfortable and tight on your feet.

As in all Feelgrounds shoes, the back part has an added strap with Feelgrounds brand name on it. It’s in the same colour as the upper and it blends nicely with the rest of the shoe.

2.2 Lining

Shoes have no extra lining or insole in them. The interior of the shoe is soft and pleasant for your toes and feet.

At the heel part a soft microfibre heel lining is added.

2.3 Sole

Droptop model has the same 5 mm thin outsole as their Original and Highrise model, made from slip-resistant recyclable ‘special footwear TPE’.

The sole is super lightweight and has a soft feel which I just love. And you will get a plenty of ground feel in those shoes.

I don’t have to mention again how easily Feelgrounds shoes can roll in any direction you want, right 🙂

No problems also for the other direction…

3. Sizing information

3.1 Length

Unisex Feelgrounds Droptop slip-on shoes are available in sizes 36-49. In my Droptop model I wear the same size as in my other Feelgrounds shoes, size 42.

The inside length of size 42 is 27,1 cm and the shoes are true to size. My feet are 26,3 cm long and 10 cm wide, which means I have 8 mm space in them left. This probably wouldn’t be enough for me if there were some other materials used (it is recommended to have 10-12 mm space in your shoes for a proper big toe movement).

But here this can still work for me as the material is so soft and also slightly stretchy that you almost don’t feel anything on my foot. I also wear shoes without socks. But ideally, I would need 2 mm more (I’m right between size 42 and 43).

If you are still unsure which size to get, print out their size guide. Don’t forget that the line where the size is written shows the inside length of the shoe. You need to take into consideration that you need some space to move in your shoes too.

3.2. Toebox shape & width

Droptop model has completely the same toebox shape as their Original and Highrise model which slightly tapers at the end. According to their size chart the internal width in size 42 is 10,2 cm, which is just slightly wider than my feet is. The width is perfect for my medium-wide feet.

As my feet are bean-shaped, my big toe is curved away from the others and it is touching the side of the shoe. But as the material is soft and the shoes allow getting some extra width with stretching to the sides, this is not disturbing. More about foot shapes you can read here.

3.3. Fit around the instep, heel and ankle

Droptop is a slip-on model, which means you don’t have a lot of options available to make them secure on your foot. I have shallow feet and I find them a little bit loose around my ankles and over the instep.

Therefore, I decided to add a 4 mm Wildling hemp insole in them, which I had at home and now they fit me much better. I still have some space left, but they stay securely on my feet now.

My Droptop model also tried three other people with a similar foot length. Two with normal instep and one with high. According to my experience the best fit had feet with normal instep, but my male tester with high instep find them a little bit tight over his high instep.

Here you can see how Droptop fit on my low instep and on men’s feet with high instep.

And here you can see a comparison with their Original model. Both shoes are made from exactly the same materials, toebox shape is the same, only the style and the fit over the instep and around the ankles is different.

For those with shallow feet I still recommend Original model as it can be adjusted better around the ankles and instep. But if you are willing to make some adjustments in them (with losing a little bit ground feeling and space for your toes in them), but get a benefit of a slip-on shoe, Droptops are worth a try.

3.4 Comfort

Like all Feelgrounds shoes, Droptop is extremely comfortable to wear. The upper is soft and it’s also appropriate for those who have bunions. No pressing or rubbing anywhere.

As they are a slip-on style, they are not only comfortable, but also really easy to put on. Great for those who don’t like laces and want to put on their shoes as quick as possible.

4. Comparison to different brands

Here you can see a comparison to two other slip-on models – Be Lenka Eazy and Luks Fuego moccasins.

Be Lenka and Luks are both wider than Feelgrounds and both work great for wide feet. Also, their toebox shape have more significant slope towards the little toe than Droptop, therefore they work the best for Egyptian foot shape. Feelgrounds toebox shape is more rounded and works better also for more square-shaped feet and Greek feet. Take in mind that my Luks moccasins have more rounded custom made toebox shape, which is not the same as in their original Fuego model.

All of them stay on my shallow foot great with no slipping (Droptop with an added insole), but the best fit around the instep I have in Be Lenka Eazy model. Also, Luks fit is similar. Feelgrounds suit the best to the feet with more volume and they also feel wider around the heels and ankles than Be Lenka or Luks.

5. How to wear them?

I prefer wearing my Droptop model with more casual clothes and I like to pair them with jeans and T-shirt on top.

They work great with sport clothes too. My black leggings are happy to get a new companion 🙂

6. Price & where to buy

Feelgrounds shoes can be bought from their official website. Full price for Droptop model is 109€.

7. Shipping info

Feelgrounds ship their shoes worldwide for free and they arrive in 2-5 business days for Europe and 3-9 business days for the rest of the world.

8. Where are they made?

Feelgrounds goal is to ‘use mainly recycled materials’ and their shoes are produced in Vietnam under fair working conditions. They want to ‘treat anyone involved in Feelgrounds™ well’. All their shoes are also animal-free and eco-friendly.

9. To sum up

If someone would ask me which model I prefer – Original or Droptop, the first day I got them I would probably say Original. But now I’m not so sure anymore. At the beginning I was a little bit unsure about the fit over the instep in Droptop model, but I found a solution that makes a good fit in them for me.

Both models have their best sides, but lately I grab my Droptop out of the closet more often than Original model just because of its simplicity and how quickly and easily they can be put on. At the end I just like both of them. But this answer probably won’t make your decision any easier, right 🙂


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