Quick Verdict
Higround has made a name for itself in the enthusiast mechanical keyboard market, mainly with its stylish collaborations and limited drops. The company’s business model can be compared to lifestyle trends like sneaker drops, appealing to those who seem to prefer style over function. The company recently shipped us its Trailhead 65 mechanical keyboard to review, and since I’m not exactly a keyboard enthusiast, I thought I could offer an interesting perspective on it.
As a quick verdict, I now understand the hype behind customizable mechanical keyboards, as the Higround Trailhead 65 is excellent to type with—I’m writing this review using it right now—and I didn’t notice any difference in performance when it comes to gaming compared to my Corsair K95, which I’ve been using for years. The biggest question mark I have is whether the Higround Trailhead 65 is worth its price tag, and ultimately, that’s for you to answer.
I wouldn’t consider myself a keyboard enthusiast; I jokingly tell my friends that the only things I have an emotional attachment to in life are my keyboard and mouse. They’re both tools that I use for over 12 hours each day, and once I get used to them, it takes me forever to acclimate to something new. It’s one of the main reasons I’ve been using the same keyboard since 2015, a Corsair K95 with macro keys. I’ve become accustomed to having a full-sized keyboard with 18 macro keys, and while I do find myself using them less these days, they come in handy when I need them. I know the keyboard market has changed significantly since 2015, with a plethora of switches to choose from compared to the handful a decade ago.
When I built my new PC for 2024, I strongly considered getting a new keyboard and mouse setup. However, I got overwhelmed when I started researching all the options available, and I ultimately decided to give up my search. After all, the Corsair K95 didn’t have any issues, and neither did my Scimitar. Coincidentally, Higround recently reached out to me asking if I would be interested in reviewing its Trailhead 65 mechanical keyboard. I had no reason to decline the offer, especially since I’ve been curious as to what all the hype is around the recent wave of mechanical keyboards.
I’ve seen 65 percent keyboards before, but I’ve never used one because of how familiar I am with the layout of a standard keyboard. I’m one of those rare people who still use the numpad and rely on the Home, End, and Delete keys every day. The first thing I noticed was the small footprint of the Higround Trailhead 65 keyboard, which doesn’t say much about the keyboard itself, but I wanted to provide context on my perspective before digging into the details. This review comes from the perspective of a lifelong PC gamer who stubbornly keeps his keyboards until they stop functioning. I received the Snowstone model, which has a stylish pattern on otherwise white keys along with a matching XL mouse pad. My initial impression was that the keyboard felt solid and included an assortment of accessories: a braided USB-C to USB-A cable, switch puller, keycap puller, and a pair of Higround stickers. Packaging was premium with easy access to everything, so no frustrations there.
Before plugging it into my PC, I took some time to admire the craftsmanship since it’s a far departure from my Corsair K95. My immediate thought when I pressed the keys was how much better it felt. I’ve been running Cherry MX Red switches on my current keyboard, and the Higround White Flame switches felt a lot more tactile and responsive. The ABS frame of the Higround Trailhead 65 felt noticeably less premium than the aluminum frame of the Corsair K95.
I then removed some of the keycaps and plugged in the keyboard to check out the switches and the RGB lighting. The lighting is fully customizable through software, but you can also cycle through the 19 onboard lighting effects using Fn + Tab. There are also keyboard shortcuts to change the lighting effect speed, lighting base colors, and more. I’m not a huge fan of RGB on my keyboards, but I can say that Higround’s lighting is very bright. The TTC Linear switches are pre-lubed, linear switches with an operating force rated at 45G, actuation point of 1.6mm, total travel of 3.8mm, and use a 23.5mm spring. The keyboard tips the scales at 1.35lbs.
The main thing I focused on while using this keyboard was how much better it feels to type on. The sound is satisfying, so I’d say the Higround Trailhead 65 passes the thocky test, at least in my eyes. I’m certain there are more premium keyboards that feel even better, but this is one of those scenarios where, unless you have a direct comparison, this feels good enough.
A big part of reviewing a keyboard, however, is its longevity. Some people will debate whether Corsair peripherals are high quality, but I’ve managed to use my K95 for nearly 10 years and haven’t had any issues. Unfortunately, we don’t have years to wait to see whether Higround’s Trailhead 65 keyboard holds up to heavy use. I’ll be sure to update this review if it fails anytime soon, but I will say the company’s policy that all sales are final seems a bit silly in such a competitive landscape. The keyboard does come with a one-year warranty, but Higround does not accept any returns or exchanges if you’re ordering directly from its website.
I recommend Higround keyboards for enthusiasts who love the company’s style, particularly its various collaborations. It’s clear Higround is targeting a specific market with all the offerings it provides, and if that appeals to you, it’s certainly worth a look. One thing’s for sure, evaluating the Higround Trailhead 65 mechanical keyboard might have opened up Pandora’s Box for me. I’m now more interested than ever to see what full-size keyboards are available in this new era of customization and switches.
This review is based on products provided to us from Higround and evaluated on PC. While FullCleared has affiliate partnerships, these do not influence our editorial content. We may, however, earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links.
Higround Trailhead 65 Keyboard
Recent Updates
October 14, 2024: In an earlier version of this article, the keyboard was incorrectly referred to as the Higround Base 65. The correct model is the Higround Trailhead 65. We apologize for any confusion.
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