Seaside by Feelgrounds
On September 27, 2021 by NoeliaAre you ready for a trendy pair of barefoot sandals?
It’s about time we get the versatility the Seaside provide! Not only they are extremely comfortable, but you can create any look you want. I’ve worn them to work, walks, casual outings, and more formal occasions. I’ve become obsessed with them and I know you will too.
I choose the Stone Grey color and I’m eyeing the Burgundy Red. I wasn’t sure I needed these sandals, but once I got them, I don’t know how I lived without them! The Seaside will become one of your most beloved pair of barefoot sandals.
I received these Seaside Sandals for review. My opinion is my own.
Company
Feelgrounds was founded in April 2019 with the goal of making vegan barefoot shoes that appeal to more people.
Feelgrounds pride themselves of being an ethical company, which means they care about worker protection at every stage of the shoe production. On their website, Feelgrounds is very open about the factory they use in Vietnam, which is part of the initiative “Better Work Vietnam.” It focuses on improving worker-management relationships and promoting fair working conditions. But Feelgrounds does not provide information about the production of their raw materials. How are they sourced? How are they produced and dyed? I wish Feelgrounds would tell us more about that. In other words, the production of the shoes is ethical once the materials arrive at the factory. But we don’t know if the materials are sourced or produced ethically.
I do appreciate that Feelgrounds have independent testing institutes, like SGS, regularly test and approve the safety of their products.
All of their shoes are 100% vegan, which are difficult to find, especially in the barefoot world.
Materials
Cotton: The uppers are super soft to the touch and feel comfortable from the first time you put them on. I am impressed with how beautiful this material looks.
Cork: 3 mm footbed. To be honest, I was not excited about this material. The only time I tried a cork footbed was on my Unshoes Saffron and they are really hard. I am happy to report that the Seaside are softer and therefore more flexible from the beginning. After a few times of wearing them, the cork had my footprint molded on it.
Rubber: 3 mm sole. It is perfect for any surface. It provides great grip and ground feel.
Design
- Zero drop: 6 mm total stack
- Wide: 10.5 cm at the widest point (size 39)
- Foot shaped toe box: It is rounder, which means it fits more foot shapes.
- Flexible: I really like the combination of the cork and rubber. The cork molds to my feet while the rubber provides good grip on any surface. It is thin enough that allows movement in all directions.
The Seaside have a classic look, pretty similar to the Birkenstock Gizeh, except they have a thin sole, an ankle strap, are flexible, and without arch support.
The Seaside are versatile, and uniquely cute, no matter what your normal style preferences are, you can create a wide range of cute and contemporary looks.
Sizing
I ordered my traditional size for sandals: European 39 and they fit perfectly! They are 25 cm in length, just like all my other sandals. Just FYI: I have low volume feet with long toes.
Things to know:
- They work best for low to medium volume feet. If you have high volume, you can order a size up to accommodate the need of extra space.
- You can adjust the strap on the back of your ankle, but not the top one.
- If you have short toes, you might need extra space in the back, which you can get when ordering one size up.
Opinion
I have worn these sandals a lot!
They look beautiful with any outfit. They can be dressed up or down. They look mainstream and I receive compliments everywhere I go!
I chose not to wear these Seaside for outdoor adventures as I want to wear them for dressy occasions only, but I do believe they can take you on a hike.
Overall, I am impressed and happy with the Seaside. They have become a staple in my closet.
You can follow me on Insta to get ideas on how to style them or follow #stylingmybarefootshoes.
If you want to check out Feelgrounds, here is their website.