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

Groundies vs Shapen

Two barefoot brands compared on fit, ground feel, durability and best use case. Groundies is better for urban barefoot style, office, everyday, while Shapen is better for dressy women's barefoot, ballet flats, boots.

Groundies = urban barefoot style, office, everyday. Shapen = dressy women's barefoot, ballet flats, boots.
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
Slovakia · Dress barefoot

Shapen

Slovak women-first barefoot. The pick for elegant flats and boots that still respect your toes.

Ground feel8.0
Toe-box width9.0
Durability8.0
Style9.0
Value8.0
Overall8.4

Specs

GroundiesShapen
CountryGermanySlovakia
CategoryBarefootDress barefoot
Drop0 mm0 mm
Toe boxWide anatomicalWide anatomical
Best forUrban barefoot style, office, everydayDressy women's barefoot, ballet flats, boots
Price tier$$$$
Family-testedYesYes

Winner by category

Ground feelShapen
Toe-box widthShapen
DurabilityTie
StyleTie
ValueTie
OverallShapen

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 Shapen if: You want dressy women's barefoot, ballet flats, boots from a dress barefoot brand. Women wanting barefoot ballet flats and boots that look like real shoes.

Our take

Shapen edges out overall (8.4 vs 8.0) on the categories above. Groundies is still the better pick if you specifically want urban barefoot style, office, everyday. Bottom line: choose Groundies for urban barefoot style, office, everyday, choose Shapen for dressy women's barefoot, ballet flats, boots.

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 Shapen

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