Ascent Gen 2
Description
The Ascent is our minimalist version of the classic court sneaker. Dress it up or dress it down. Wear it to work, wear it to the gym, wear it to dinner or the bar. Enjoy the comfort and health benefits of a barefoot shoe without getting weird looks or awkward comments from your date, friends, family, or coworkers. These will quickly become your go-to pair of barefoot shoes that seamlessly fit into your lifestyle.
100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE
If you're not completely satisfied with your purchase, we'll refund your money. The shoes won't last forever (nothing does) but we want you totally satisfied with your experience, and a repeat customer for life. There is absolutely zero risk in trying our shoes.
- Upper: The upper is constructed using a full-grain leather for unparalleled comfort, water-resistance, and breathability. The leather breaks-in with each wear, adopting the exact shape of your feet. Soft padding was strategically added to the tongue and ankle collar to ensure all-day comfort.
- Outsole: The outsole is thin, flexible, and zero-drop. At 5mm-thick, it's made using a mix-of natural and synthetic rubber to maximize both grip with durability. The sole features a full-length herringbone tread-pattern for glue-like grip in all directions, on all surfaces, wet or dry.
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Insoles: Each order comes with 3 sets of insoles:
- 3mm (zero-drop)
- 4mm (zero-drop)
- 4-9mm (5mm heel-toe drop)
- You can swap insoles to change the volume of the shoe and to change the level of cushion to match your activity and personal preference. 3mm offers the highest level of sensation, while 4mm gives you a little more cushion for long days on concrete. The thickest option with added heel cushion, 4-9mm, is best for those transitioning or with low foot volume. Our insoles also fit many other wide toebox shoe brands. You don't have to sacrifice cushion for a wide toebox - you can have both!
Sizing
Our shoes run true to size; if you already have a "usual" US shoe size - just order that instead of trying to re-measure.
If you don't know your US shoe size, please reference the sizing guide before purchasing, or message us using the chat feature! The "Recommended Foot Length" in the table below already includes 1.5cm of space in front of your toes, so the recommended numbers represent just your actual foot length (we did the math for you!)
What's Included?
1x pair of Ascent Gen 2 shoes
1x pair of 3mm (zero-drop) insoles
1x pair of 4mm (zero-drop) insoles
1x pair of 4-9mm (5mm drop) insoles
1x pre-paid return mailer (US orders only)
Gen 2 Improvements
You spoke and we listened! Here are the changes we made to the Gen 2 model based on your feedback on the Gen1:
Sizing: We switched to a Unisex sizing approach, starting from Women's US 6 through Men's US 14, including half sizes. Our updated sizes are slightly wider and fit true to size compared to our initial release, which were 1/2 size (or more!) too big.
Lace loop: We added a lace loop to secure the tongue and prevent it falling to the side.
Leather Finish: Although we used a premium full-grain leather for the initial production, we added a thin protective finishing coating to increase durability. This will decrease the likelihood of cuts and scuffs and extends the lifespan of the shoes.
Insoles:
- We increased the density of the 3mm zero-drop insole to be less flimsy and more durable.
- We changed the 4mm insole from die-cut (flat) to a more durable, secure molded design. This 3-dimensional structure will be more durable, secure, and won't roll-up under your heel like the original. The density of this insole was also increased.
- We decreased the thickness of the "high-cushion" insole from 5-11mm to 4-9mm. The thinner heel will be closer to zero-drop and also allow your foot to sit deeper in the shoe for a more secure fit. We also increased the density of this thick insole to provide the same amount of cushion in a smaller form factor.
Shipping
Domestic (USA) Orders:
Free shipping, returns, and exchanges. Each package includes prepaid return mailer.
International Orders:
Free shipping; you may be charged import duty fees by your country. Check our FAQ Page to see estimated import fees by country
You are responsible for arranging return shipping back to USA for either return or exchange.
Photo Gallery
Comfortable even without any of the additional inserts included, they look great and feel great, barefoot not restrictive, and stylish.
First time trying a pair of barefoot zero drop shoes and absolutely love them. Fit great, comfortable, and have great traction.
I had some questions and got a fast response time and helpful with my questions. Absolutely loved the service and truly digging the shoes.
Highly recommend, get yourself a pair!
I've been wearing barefoot shoes for years and can never go back to a narrow toe box!
The Icarus shoes are comfortable, wide toe box and look cool, and with the 4mm insoles the are just a little extra shock absorbing which is really nice for days on the concrete.
The leather softens up after just a few wears - I like them a lot!
A few cons/notes to be aware of:
1. The insole with the 5mm drop doesn't fit great in the shoe. I found my heel was close to pulling out at the back because of the stack height.
2. The logos on the insoles started rubbing off after barely one wear, which might make things complicated if you wanted to try them out indoors and return them.
3. I wish, instead of the inclined cushion option, that there was a zero drop 5mm insole, because I was specifically looking for extra cushion.
4. Would be cool if they sold insoles separately so they could be used in other barefoot shoes!
5. They are a little narrow on the overall spectrum of wide toe boxes. They are fine for me, but if you have a lot of spread, they might not work.
Overall, I'd recommend these shoes.
I recently purchased this shoe in black. I have tried several of the most popular barefoot brands. I think Icarus is making something the industry has been missing. A good looking shoe that feels amazing to wear all day. I got these to wear when I go into the office. They look great and feel even better. Looking forward to my next pair.
It is a great shoe but it’s not perfect. It has a wide toe box but I would have like the option of it being wider. The only other issue is that you almost need a shoe horn to put it on. It works for me but could be better.
