NOTE: I reviewed the original LEMs Shoes Nine2Five over a decade ago. I also wore it for multiple European vacations over the course of two years since then and put over 500+ miles on them. It was my favorite travel casual minimalist shoe, period.
So, when I heard about the next version over a decade later, I was super excited. And it did not disappoint.
The New LEMs Shoes Nine2Five V2 (TL;DR)
The LEMs Shoes Nine2Five V2 is a minimalist dress shoe designed for comfort and style. The shoe features a full-grain leather upper with a captivating cap toe design, giving it a sleek and professional look. The open lacing system with four eyelets adds to its classic appearance.
The shoe boasts a wide toe box, allowing your toes to spread naturally. This design, combined with the zero-drop sole, makes your feet feel instantly at home. This updated version is more flexible and even more comfortable than its predecessor, thanks to the improved leather uppers and denser outsole.
Nine2Five V2 Barefoot-Inspired Design
The LEMs Shoes Nine2Five V2 continued with these barefoot shoe principles:
- Zero Drop: The heel and forefoot are at the same height, promoting a natural foot position.
- Lightweight: Each shoe weighs less than 10 ounces (for US Men’s Size 10), making them incredibly light for dress or business casual shoes.
- Flexible Sole: The 9mm thick sole (air-injection rubber) is highly flexible in all directions, allowing for natural foot movement.
Nine2Five V2 Materials and Construction
The Nine2Five V2 features upgraded materials compared to the original:
- Premium Leather: Made from full-grain, polishable high-quality leather, the uppers offer extra softness and smoothness. Also provide enhanced longevity.
- Improved Outsole: The new outsole is slightly denser, providing more durability and a bit more cushioning.
- Removable Insole: It comes with a 3mm removable moisture-wicking insole for added comfort and hygiene.
Nine2Five V2 Attire Versatility
While designed as a business casual shoe, the LEMs Shoes Nine2Five V2 is versatile enough for various occasions:
- Business Casual: Perfect for everyday office wear.
- Formal Attire: Wear with a business suit for formal settings.
- Casual Wear: Wear it with jeans as well.
Nine2Five V2 Improvements
Based on our wear testing, we’ve noticed some major improvements from the original Nine2Five version.
- Toe Box Shape – Less of a ‘clown shoe’ first impression (as my wife puts it) in the new Nine2Five V2. A refined, cleaner plain toe Oxford design that is minimalist looking but less business casual and more casual in the eyes of some buyers – I consider it more formal. I have not been a fan of the Brown colorway as I prefer a White outsole from the Coffee & Cream colorway.
- Improved Leather Quality – Softer and smoother full-grain leather. Feel more comfortable right out of the box, requiring less (or no) break-in time compared to the original. It is also has a pebbled texture for a more subdued shine.
- Outsole – More durable and flexible. The original outsole (ten years old) is outdated and brought to the new existing offering. LEMs Shoes introduced an upgraded outsole a few years after our original version.
- Insole Cushioning – The upgraded insole in the V2 offers more cushioning without losing the minimalist feel. The collar is also a lot more cushioned than the previous version.
Recommendations
If you’re looking for a shoe that looks professional but feels as comfortable as a sneaker, the LEMs Shoes Nine2Five V2 is an excellent choice. It offers the benefits of minimalist footwear—like natural movement and posture support—while maintaining the appearance of a classic dress shoe. It’s perfect for people who want the best of both worlds without compromising on style or health. I personally think it’s the best LEMs Shoes model/style ever created!
If you liked the original Nine2Five for its comfort and minimalist design but wanted more flexibility and a sleeker style, the new Nine2Five V2 is a clear upgrade. It retains all the things you loved about the original—zero-drop sole, wide toe box, and minimalist philosophy—while improving on comfort, flexibility, and durability. The new Nine2Five V2 is better suited for those looking for a more refined, barefoot-friendly shoe with fewer compromises on style and comfort.
Where To Buy
Available now in 2 colorways: Coffee & Cream and Black.
Caring For Your Leather Shoes
The founder Andrew R. from LEMs Shoes introduced me to Otter Wax over a decade ago. The Otter Wax Leather Care Kit includes the complete, all-natural 3-step system to clean, condition, and shine/protect your genuine leather products. Apply it to your Nine2five’s and any of your other leather products including shoes and bags.
Step 1 – Clean: Saddle Soap
Use the saddle soap to gently clean your leather and remove stains. Use a rag with the saddle soap and some water and use a circular motion to build soapy foam. Wipe off the white residue and let air dry.
Step 2 – Condition: Leather Salve
Use the leather salve to moisturize your leather. It will restore oils, revive suppleness, and repair cracking from dehydration. Wipe it into the leather just as you would when moisturizing your own skin. A white waxy residue may form, this means the leather has successfully absorbed the moisturizer. Then use a horsehair brush (or a rag) to buff the white waxy residue to a shine.
Step 3A – Shine: Leather Oil
As a last step, use the leather oil to revive the natural shine and to give it that nice, polished look. Pour some leather oil onto a rag and rub into the leather. Use leather oil several times per year. Use saddle soap and salve once or twice per year.
Step 3B – Protect: Boot Wax
If you’re looking for waterproofing or stain resistant treatment, the boot wax may be your last step instead of leather oil. Use boot wax for any shoes that you would like to finish with a waterproof seal that goes on thick. It contains beeswax to naturally repel water, and the lanolin oil which comes from the wool of sheep. In the same way that lanolin protects sheep from the harsh effects of the environment, it helps protect leather by sealing in moisture and repelling water and stains. Because the boot wax goes on thick, please assess first in a small area to make sure you’ll be happy with the desired result.
