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Field Report Vol. 04 - Mountain Running Series Now Live
Head-to-Head

Groundies vs Joe Nimble

Two natural-footwear brands compared on fit, ground feel, durability and best use case. Groundies is better for urban barefoot style, office, everyday, while Joe Nimble is better for foot-function, recovery, therapy use.

Groundies = urban barefoot style, office, everyday. Joe Nimble = foot-function, recovery, therapy use.
Germany · Barefoot

Groundies

German urban barefoot. The polished pick for office, city wear and dress occasions.

Ground feel7.0
Toe-box width8.0
Durability8.0
Style9.0
Value8.0
Overall8.0
Germany · Foot-function minimalist

Joe Nimble

German foot-function pedigree. The clinical end of foot-shape minimalist, built around toe splay and biomechanics.

Ground feel7.0
Toe-box width9.0
Durability9.0
Style7.0
Value7.0
Overall7.8

Specs

GroundiesJoe Nimble
CountryGermanyGermany
CategoryBarefootFoot-function minimalist
Drop0 mm0 mm
Toe box / Natural fitWide anatomicalWide anatomical last, light cushion
Best forUrban barefoot style, office, everydayFoot-function, recovery, therapy use
Price tier$$$$$
Family-testedYesEditorial

Winner by category

Ground feelTie
Toe-box widthJoe Nimble
DurabilityJoe Nimble
StyleGroundies
ValueGroundies
OverallGroundies

Which should you buy?

Buy Groundies if: You want urban barefoot style, office, everyday from a barefoot brand. Office workers who need one barefoot brand for everything.

Buy Joe Nimble if: You want foot-function, recovery, therapy use from a foot-function minimalist brand. Foot-health-first buyers, recovering injuries.

Our take

Groundies edges out overall (8.0 vs 7.8) on the categories above. Joe Nimble is still the better pick if you specifically want foot-function, recovery, therapy use. Bottom line: choose Groundies for urban barefoot style, office, everyday, choose Joe Nimble for foot-function, recovery, therapy use.

Where to buy
Visit Groundies

Affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. See our disclosure.

Where to buy
Visit Joe Nimble

Affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. See our disclosure.