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Ascent Gen 2
Ascent Gen 2
Ascent Gen 2
Ascent Gen 2
Ascent Gen 2
Ascent Gen 2
Ascent Gen 2
Ascent Gen 2
Ascent Gen 2
Ascent Gen 2
Ascent Gen 2
Ascent Gen 2
Ascent Gen 2
Ascent Gen 2
Ascent Gen 2

Ascent Gen 2

Regular price $144.99
Unit price  per 

SHIPPING DELAY - Due to high order volume, it will take 2-3 weeks to ship your order

What's different for Gen 2?

Sizing: We are switching to a Unisex sizing approach, starting from Women's US 6 through Men's US 14, including half sizes. Our updated sizes will be slightly wider and should fit true to size compared to our initial release, which were about 1/2 size too big. Please reference the sizing guide before purchasing, or message us using the chat feature!

Lace loop: You spoke and we listened! Based on feedback that the tongue wouldn't stay in place and fell to the side of the shoe: we added a lace loop. This will secure the tongue in the center of the shoe and prevent it falling to the side.

Leather: Although we used a premium full-grain leather for the initial production, we sourced an even higher grade of full-grain leather which should be even more durable, and decrease the likelihood of cuts and scuffs. The intent is to help extend the lifespan of the shoes.

Paint finish: We are improving the paint finish of the leather to make the paint more durable and resistant to wear. This will help the brand new-look last longer.

Insoles: 

  • We increased the density of the 3mm zero-drop insole. It will be less flimsy and more durable.
  • We changed the flat 4mm insole to a more durable, cup-sole design. This 3-dimensional structure will be more durable, secure, and won't roll-up under your heel like the original 4mm insole. The density of this insole was also increased.
  • We decreased the thick 5-11mm insole to be 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.

Your order includes:

  • 1 pair of Ascent (gen 2) shoes - Our minimalist version of the classic sneaker: a premium, full-grain leather upper, featuring padded ankle and tongue, which has been glued, pressed, and stitched to our 5mm, zero-drop, high-traction rubber outsoles. They feature a spacious toe-box to allow toe-splay, all-day comfort, and are podiatrist-approved.

  • 2 pairs of shoelaces - In addition to the laces that come installed in the shoes, each order will include an extra set of shoelaces in a different color, allowing you to change your look! The black shoes will include black/gold laces (not pictured) and the white shoes will include maroon laces (not pictured).

  • 3 pairs of insoles - Each package will include: 3mm insoles (zero-drop), 4mm insoles (zero-drop), 4-9mm insoles (not zero-drop). You can swap insoles to change the level of cushion to match your activity and personal preference.

  • 1 pair of toe spacers - We include a pair of our 30 Mike Mike toe spacers which can be used to help spread your toes into natural alignment. These can be used separately for foot mobility and during foot strengthening exercises, or while wearing the shoes. 

  • 1 pre-paid return mailer (US orders only) - Each package include a pre-paid return mailer; you just place the shoes inside, peel and seal the adhesive strip, and drop off at your local US Post Office. This can be used for both returns or exchanges. International customers have to arrange/pay for return shipping.

  • 100% Satisfaction Guarantee - We stand behind our product. If you don't feel like the shoes you received are worth what you paid for them, send them back in the pre-paid mailer and we will gladly refund your money, no matter how long it's been or what condition they are in. This doesn't mean our shoes will last forever (they won't), but you should never regret buying them.

Note: the photos below are of sample shoes - the production models may differ slightly in color/design: the red logo on the sole may be a darker shade of red - the gold logo on the tongue may be smaller.

International Orders: You may be charged import duty fees by your country. Check our FAQ Page to see estimated import fees by country

Customer Reviews

Based on 153 reviews
89%
(136)
9%
(14)
1%
(2)
0%
(0)
1%
(1)
J
James France
James France Cornwall England

Wonderful shoes very stylish in black leather for barefoot style shoes.
Great customer service from Andrew and the team
If you’re looking for barefoot shoes you will be very happy with these.Keep up the great work guys.

J
Jack Morton
long term review. almost a perfect barefoot sneaker

I bought a pair of these right when the gen 2 game out. ive worn them a lot ever since.
they are super comfortable and at the time fit me great since they were my first barefoot shoe and the multiple insoles were really nice as I was transitioning to more minimal footwear. the toe spacers were nice but they are a kinda sticky material that gets dirty really easy.
shoes are very warm, not the best in hotter climates like where I live but would be nice in a place where its always pretty chilly.
they got pretty scuffed up at the beginning but it hasnt gotten any worse, the scuffing was entirely my fault so if you just dont use them for stupid stuff like rock climbing then it would be very easy to keep them clean for a very long time. overall durability has been amazing, the 3mm insole looks flimsy when you first feel it but it hasn't shown any wear over the last almost year or so. the logos are very cool looking and overall these are the best looking shoes I own even with my goofy scuff marks.
im a very big fan of the heel padding to keep it in place as this works super well for people with smaller heels like me but I imagine since its just padding even people with larger heels would be just fine.
overall pros:
super comfortable
very minimal
durable
high quality materials
easy point of entry to minimal footwear
very stylish
nice heel padding

cons
easy to scuff
THE TOEBOX
so when I got these shoes I was new to bare footware and my toes had not splayed at all yet, however after just a few months of wearing these and a pair of lems primal 2's I started to notice how squished my toes felt in these shoes. this problem has only worsened over time. I love these shoes and absolutely love the comfort they provide but I simply can not wear them anymore as the toe box is far too narrow for a true barefoot shoe like lems or vivobarefoot.
the quality of construction and general fashion and comfort of this shoe is unmatched in my eyes so it truly pains me that its too narrow, they either need to come out with a version with a wider toe or just make the ascent gen 3 have a much wider toe in order for me to recommend this to people anymore. I truly love this shoe and if not for the narrow toebox it would be perfect.
keep in mind the toebox is not so crazy narrow, I just have very wide toes, however for a shoe that claims to be barefoot I should not be feeling my toes get squished no matter how wide they are.

C
Christopher Menking
Black Version

The upper and soles were a little stiff, but like the letter said, it loosened up by the third wear. I have the minimal insole in and it feels great!

J
Jennifer Ho
Awesome shoes

The shoes are true to size. I'm a size 8 and the size 39 fit perfectly. Shoes are high quality, stylish, and super comfortable. I appreciate that it comes with different insoles. It's difficult finding a shoe with a true wide toe box, but has a bit of cushioning.

K
KB2
Nice

TTS, seem like good quality, comes with multiple insoles and some toe spacers. Good value!

Customer Reviews

Based on 153 reviews
89%
(136)
9%
(14)
1%
(2)
0%
(0)
1%
(1)
J
James France
James France Cornwall England

Wonderful shoes very stylish in black leather for barefoot style shoes.
Great customer service from Andrew and the team
If you’re looking for barefoot shoes you will be very happy with these.Keep up the great work guys.

J
Jack Morton
long term review. almost a perfect barefoot sneaker

I bought a pair of these right when the gen 2 game out. ive worn them a lot ever since.
they are super comfortable and at the time fit me great since they were my first barefoot shoe and the multiple insoles were really nice as I was transitioning to more minimal footwear. the toe spacers were nice but they are a kinda sticky material that gets dirty really easy.
shoes are very warm, not the best in hotter climates like where I live but would be nice in a place where its always pretty chilly.
they got pretty scuffed up at the beginning but it hasnt gotten any worse, the scuffing was entirely my fault so if you just dont use them for stupid stuff like rock climbing then it would be very easy to keep them clean for a very long time. overall durability has been amazing, the 3mm insole looks flimsy when you first feel it but it hasn't shown any wear over the last almost year or so. the logos are very cool looking and overall these are the best looking shoes I own even with my goofy scuff marks.
im a very big fan of the heel padding to keep it in place as this works super well for people with smaller heels like me but I imagine since its just padding even people with larger heels would be just fine.
overall pros:
super comfortable
very minimal
durable
high quality materials
easy point of entry to minimal footwear
very stylish
nice heel padding

cons
easy to scuff
THE TOEBOX
so when I got these shoes I was new to bare footware and my toes had not splayed at all yet, however after just a few months of wearing these and a pair of lems primal 2's I started to notice how squished my toes felt in these shoes. this problem has only worsened over time. I love these shoes and absolutely love the comfort they provide but I simply can not wear them anymore as the toe box is far too narrow for a true barefoot shoe like lems or vivobarefoot.
the quality of construction and general fashion and comfort of this shoe is unmatched in my eyes so it truly pains me that its too narrow, they either need to come out with a version with a wider toe or just make the ascent gen 3 have a much wider toe in order for me to recommend this to people anymore. I truly love this shoe and if not for the narrow toebox it would be perfect.
keep in mind the toebox is not so crazy narrow, I just have very wide toes, however for a shoe that claims to be barefoot I should not be feeling my toes get squished no matter how wide they are.

C
Christopher Menking
Black Version

The upper and soles were a little stiff, but like the letter said, it loosened up by the third wear. I have the minimal insole in and it feels great!

J
Jennifer Ho
Awesome shoes

The shoes are true to size. I'm a size 8 and the size 39 fit perfectly. Shoes are high quality, stylish, and super comfortable. I appreciate that it comes with different insoles. It's difficult finding a shoe with a true wide toe box, but has a bit of cushioning.

K
KB2
Nice

TTS, seem like good quality, comes with multiple insoles and some toe spacers. Good value!