Lems Drifter Grip & Lems Nine2Five V2

The Drifter Grip and Nine2Five 2 both bring Lems’ signature wide toe box, zero-drop platform, and premium leather materials to two distinct styles: one built for laid-back casual wear and the other for professional settings. If you're deciding between these two, this review will help break down the key differences and find the best fit for your lifestyle.

Notes from Lems

Drifter Grip: Slide into comfort with the Drifter Grip slip-ons. Crafted from high-quality full-grain leather, these shoes are versatile enough to dress up or down, seamlessly fitting into any wardrobe while incorporating all the minimalist features you know and love.

Nine2Five V2: Introducing the Nine2Five V2 - a refined version of our original classic designed to elevate your workday comfort and style. We've taken the timeless design and enhanced it with premium materials and thoughtful updates, ensuring you look sharp and feel great from 9 to 5 and beyond.

Design & Aesthetics

The Drifter Grip takes the original Drifter silhouette and upgrades it with leather and a heavier-duty full rubber outsole for improved traction and durability. Designed as a versatile slip-on, it features an easy-going, no-laces build with elastic gores on the sides for convenience. The full-grain leather upper provides a refined look, making it more polished than traditional slip-on sneakers while remaining distinctly casual. The original Drifter were among my favorite minimalist shoes, ever, for their simplicity, relatively flexible sole, and ease of use. The new Drifter Grip grows up the Drifter a bit and adds some more sophisticated touches with the leather construction and the more substantial sole. While this is indeed a part of the Drifter family, I believe that the leather construction and new sole basically make this its own this and a new model.

Nine2Five 2 – An update to the original Nine2Five
The Nine2Five V2 is an update to the 10 year old original Nine2Five that Justin reviewed on birthdayshoes.com! The Nine2Five has always been billed as Lems' answer to the traditional dress shoe dilemma—offering a polished, professional aesthetic without the cramped toe boxes and elevated heels found in conventional office footwear. The lace-up design and premium full-grain leather upper allow it to blend seamlessly into business casual and formal environments. The new Nine2Five ditches the prior Nine2Five's horizontal stitch along the top of the shoe an lower profile for something decidedly more premium and upscale. The Nine2Five 2 doesn’t look out of place with slacks or a suit, making it a professional-looking barefoot-friendly option.

For its sole, the Nine2Five V2 uses the tried-and-true Lems Injection Blown Rubber (IBR) sole, which is one of my favorite minimalist soles. It is on the thicker side of minimlist, but it's lightweight and flexible because of the mix of air and rubber in its construction. This is the same sole as the original Lems Drifter, as opposed to the more aggressive IBR sole of the Primal 3, which has a wider stand, and more aggressive lugs.

Sole & Ground Feel

​When evaluating the sole and ground feel of the Lems Drifter Grip and the Lems Nine2Five 2, it's essential to understand how each design influences flexibility, sensory feedback, and overall comfort.​

The Drifter Grip is equipped with a full rubber outsole, enhancing durability and providing a sturdier platform. This design results in reduced flexibility, leading to a firmer underfoot experience. Consequently, wearers may notice a diminished connection to the ground, which can impact proprioception—the body's ability to sense its position in space. However, the trade-off is a robust sole capable of withstanding varied terrains and offering reliable traction, making it suitable for those prioritizing longevity and support in their footwear.​

The Full Rubber Grip (FBR) sole that is used in all grip versions of Lems shoes, including the Boulder, Chillum, Chukka, Kourt, and Drifter. Its lugs are marketly inspired by te IBR soles of the past, but with a full rubber composition. Its lugs are less agressive than the one found in the Boulder Summit, Trailhead, and Trail Blazer shoes.

The FBR Sole has a relatively high stack height of 13mm. This sole is less flexible than the IBR sole found in the original Drifter and the Nine2Five V2. At 13mm, it is the second thickest sole in the Lems lineup, being shorter than the 16mm Summit Full Rubber Sole. This sole really does change the feel of the Drifter Grip from the original Drifter, making it a more substantial and less flexible shoe. If you are used to the original Drifter, the Drifter Grip will certainly feel like you have "more shoe" than before. If you are coming from thicker shoes or a lack a minimalist/barefoot background, you will still find the sole to be thinner than many of your other shoes, but 13mm does feel a little thick for what is still supposed to be a casual shoe. I feel that 10mm was kind of a nice sweet spot that most folks would enjoy in the original Drifter.

In contrast, the Nine2Five V2 features an outsole crafted from Injection Blown Rubber (IBR), a material known for its lightweight and flexible properties.

This rubber and air composition allows the sole to move more naturally with the foot, providing an enhanced ground feel that minimalist shoe enthusiasts often seek. The increased flexibility not only promotes a more natural walking experience but also encourages foot strengthening by engaging muscles that might remain underutilized in more rigid footwear. While the IBR sole may not offer the same level of durability as the Drifter Grip's full rubber outsole, it compensates by delivering a comfortable and responsive ride, particularly suited for professional settings where prolonged standing or walking is common.​

While the Nine2Five V2 still allows for some natural foot movement, it doesn’t offer the same high level of ground feel that more minimalist shoes provide (but still more the the Grip sole in the Drifter Grip). The traction pattern is functional for casual wear but isn’t designed for aggressive grip. Compared to other Lems models, the Nine2Five V2 IBR sole balances sturdiness and flexibility, while not quite providing barefoot-style responsiveness.

In summary, the Drifter Grip prioritizes durability and support with its full rubber sole, resulting in a firmer feel and reduced ground sensitivity as well as a relatively heavier shoe compared to the original Drifter. Conversely, the Nine2Five 2 emphasizes flexibility and natural foot movement, offering a softer, more responsive experience that aligns with the principles of minimalist footwear, while still providing some height for leisurely use and more casual wear.

Comfort and Fit

​When considering the comfort and fit of the Lems Drifter Grip and the Lems Nine2Five 2, both models embody Lems' commitment to natural foot movement and all-day comfort, yet they cater to different preferences and settings.​

Both shoes feature removable anti-bacterial cork insoles, which can enhance comfort and provide a personalized feel. If your fit is a little loose you can add the insole to decrease the interior height for a snugger fit and vice-versa. I will always remove the insoles whenever possible, but the choice is yours!

The Drifter Grip is designed as a versatile slip-on, featuring elastic sections on the sides that facilitate easy on-and-off wear. This design offers a relaxed fit, making it ideal for casual, everyday use--which is why the original Drifter were my favorite casual shoe of all time!

Additionally, the Drifter Grip boasts a zero-drop platform, promoting natural alignment and posture. The inclusion of a wide toe box allows toes to splay naturally, reducing pressure points and accommodating various foot shapes. It's a nice wide toebox that accommodates my feet pretty nicely. However, due to its slip-on nature, the Drifter Grip may offer a slightly looser fit compared to lace-up designs, which could result in minor foot movement within the shoe during extended wear.​ This is not an issue for me, but if you really like being locked down, then the slip on style may not be for you. There is a nicely padded collar, which provides comfort around the ankle and reducing potential irritation during prolonged use.

In contrast, the Nine2Five 2 is tailored for casual-to-professional use, combining minimalist design with a polished aesthetic. This model features a lace-up closure, enabling a customizable and secure fit that adapts to individual foot contours. Like the Drifter Grip, it maintains a zero-drop sole and a wide toe box, ensuring natural foot positioning and ample space for toe movement. The Nine2Five 2 also includes a cushioned collar that is similar to the Drifter Grip, but the perforated tongue is also slightly cushioned. The lace-up design not only provides a snug fit but also enhances stability, making it suitable for long hours in professional settings where both comfort and appearance are paramount.​

In summary, both the Drifter Grip and the Nine2Five 2 prioritize comfort through features like zero-drop platforms and wide toe boxes. The Drifter Grip offers a relaxed, easy-to-wear slip-on style, perfect for casual outings, while the Nine2Five 2 provides a more tailored fit with its lace-up design, catering to those seeking a professional look without compromising on natural foot movement.

Durability and Materials

When assessing the durability and materials of the Lems Drifter Grip and the Lems Nine2Five 2, both models showcase Lems' dedication to quality craftsmanship and the use of premium materials.​

The Drifter Grip features a full-grain leather upper, renowned for its robustness and ability to develop a rich patina over time, enhancing its aesthetic appeal. This leather choice not only offers a refined look but also ensures longevity with proper care. The shoe's full rubber outsole is designed for durability, providing reliable traction and stability across various surfaces.

Similarly, the Nine2Five 2 is constructed with full-grain, polishable leather, offering a durable finish and pebbled texture that enhances its longevity while maintaining a sleek, sophisticated appearance.

In terms of the leather, full grain has many benefits, including being able to bring new life into it with leather oil or wax, which will give it some weather resistance and will also hide microscratches. Despite this, I did manage to scuff up the tongue of the Nine2Five V2 to a point where it tore a little bit, so you still want to be a little careful with this full grain upper in both shoes. It is not the thickest application of full grain that I have seen–other Lems models have thicker, heavier, and more characteristic leather–which may have been a weight-saving choice.

In summary, both the Drifter Grip and the Nine2Five 2 utilize good quality materials to ensure durability and comfort. Lems are consistently well-made shoes and these casual shoes are no exception, but their leather is slightly thinner than the heavier duty models, so you want to be more careful with how you use them.

Future Improvements

While both the Lems Drifter Grip and Lems Nine2Five 2 offer exceptional comfort, durability, and foot-friendly designs, there are a few potential improvements that could further refine these models and cater to an even broader range of wearers.

For the Drifter Grip, one notable update could be the introduction of an Injection Blown Rubber (IBR) sole option. While the full rubber outsole provides excellent durability and traction, it does come at the cost of flexibility and groundfeel. An IBR version would reduce weight and enhance flexibility, making the Drifter Grip even more comfortable for all-day wear while still maintaining its easy slip-on convenience. Additionally, introducing an alternative leather version of the original Drifter (without the Grip’s full rubber outsole) could provide a lighter, more flexible slip-on that retains the premium feel of leather while improving overall comfort.

For the Nine2Five 2, while the cushioned collar and lace-up design enhance fit and support, some wearers may prefer a more breathable version for warmer climates. A perforated leather option or even a version incorporating mesh or other lightweight materials could offer better ventilation for all-day wear in hot environments. Additionally, while the current wide toe box accommodates natural foot movement, offering an extra-wide option could make the Nine2Five 2 even more accessible for individuals with especially broad feet.

Both models excel in different ways, and these potential refinements could help them reach an even larger audience while maintaining Lems’ signature blend of minimalist design, comfort, and functionality.

Conclusion

The Lems Drifter were my favorite casual shoe and I am glad that Lems came out with a more premium model with leather and better traction as well as an update to their classic Nine2Five!

While there’s some room for refinement, such as a more flexible sole option for the Drifter Grip or enhanced breathability in the Nine2Five 2, both models remain excellent choices in their respective categories.