Check out my video review above of the Freet barefoot shoe brand! I have 8 different pairs of Freet shoes in my house, and hundreds of other barefoot shoes that I’ve tested and reviewed. So you are getting the real real in this Freet review!
For the written version of the review, read on. And don’t forget that you can use code AnyaFreet for 10% off any Freet purchase.
Freet Barefoot Shoes Review
Freet is a UK based barefoot shoe brand that specializes in functional footwear for outdoor activities. All their models are unisex in sizes EU 30-48, they carry a wide range of vegan options, AND they tend to be lower priced than other barefoot shoe brands.
You will also find at Freet a consistently wide forefoot to allow for natural foot splay. I recommend Freet barefoot shoes to people with an extra wide and/or more square shaped foot. If you’ve tried barefoot shoes in the past and found them too narrow or squishy on your outer toes, Freet might be the brand for you!
Check out this article for more on foot type + finding the right shoe for you.
A couple more features of Freet barefoot shoes are that they are very lightweight, even the boots are lighter than most other barefoot options. And they are all built on a 4mm base sole and come with an extra insole you can use if you want a little more cushion. Most Freet shoes come with an insole that is 2.5mm thick, but the Freet Pace comes with a 6mm Ortholite insole (making the shoe a total of 10mm thick with insole).
You can buy both types of insoles separately depending on your needs, which makes Freet a good brand both for people who want a real barefoot feel and those who want a little more cushion. Justin prefers a little more cushion and has been wearing his Freet Pace constantly for the past year and a half – they were the perfect beginner barefoot shoe for him.
Freet Barefoot Outsole Type
You can find 3 different outsole types on Freet shoes:
- MultiGrip – minimal tread, can be used for everyday wear, pavement running & walking, and light hiking
- GripPlus – Designed to be grippier than the MultiGrip, but still comfortable on pavement.
- HillGrip – Deeper tread for muddy and rocky trails.
I don’t experience a huge difference between the GripPlus outsole and the MultiGrip, but the HillGrip is definitely a more rugged sole for deep mud or slippery rocks.
Freet Barefoot Sizing
While the shoe shape is consistent with Freet, the sizing is not. So make sure you always read their “Sizing & Fitting” guide on each product listing before ordering. You can see below 3 different models all in a size 37 – each is a different length!
*Freet has notified me that the Tanga sizing has been fixed*
I have learned over the years that sizing is tricky to make consistent, because the way the upper is attached and the lining can make shoes fit differently. Hopefully my experiences here can help you pick the correct size with Freet.
Now let’s review each of the 8 models I have! Below you’ll find a snippet on my top barefoot shoe picks from Freet.
Freet Everyday Walking & Running Shoes
Freet Pace (vegan) – These sneakers come with the 6mm Ortholite insole, making them either 4 or 10mm thick (depending on if you use the insole or not). This makes them a great transitional shoe, or if you just need a little cushion. Justin has been wearing his almost daily for a year and a half – they’re like slippers! Made with the MultiGrip Outsole.
Freet Tanga (vegan) – This shoe has elastic laces and a sock-like upper. They can function as an athletic, water, or everyday shoe. I like how easy they are to put on, but be ware that they run small. I wish I had sized up one. Made with the MultiGrip Outsole.
*Freet has notified me that the Tanga sizing has been fixed*
Freet Trail & Hiking Shoes
Freet Feldom (vegan) – These shoes are freaking comfortable. They run a little big, but that’s ok because I can wear warm socks in them in my normal size. They’re so lightweight, breathable, and flexible. They really function as both trail and pavement shoes, I’ve used them both ways. Made with the HillGrip outsole for extra traction.
Freet Tundra & Ibex (waterproof) – The Tundra is vegan, and the Ibex is leather. Justin and I sized up in these based on Freet’s advice which was a good idea because there is internal padding. They are really light for a waterproof hiking boot (the Tundra is the lighter of the two). The upper is a little stiff around the ankle at first, but breaks in over time. Made with the HillGrip outsole for extra traction.
Freet Mudee – (Vegan & Waterproof) This lower cut hiking boot is light and flexible but not very breathable in warm weather. They fit close around the ankle for a secure fit, and are a favorite because they have a low price point. Made on the GripPlus outsole.
Freet Dressy Shoes
While these shoes can pass as a traditional dress shoe, they are also practical for everyday wear.
Freet Richmond (leather) – This is a classic desert boot style with an attached tongue. They fit true to size and work well for high volume feet (though I fit in them fine if I cinch the laces tight). The leather took a little breaking in, but they’re really comfortable now.
Freet Citee (vegan) – This is one of only a few vegan barefoot dress shoes. Beware that they run small, and I suggest sizing up one in them.
How Freet Compares to other Barefoot Shoe Brands
Freet is one of the widest barefoot shoe brands out there. Check out where they fall compared to other shoes in this comparison of 38 barefoot shoe brands.
Freet Barefoot Shoes Review Conclusion
Freet is a barefoot shoe brand that stays true to its ideals – sustainable manufacturing, quality shoes, and barefoot features for healthy and comfortable feet. If you are looking for practical shoes for outdoor activities, or you have an extra wide foot, Freet Barefoot is a great place to look.
And don’t forget, code AnyaFreet gets you 10% off your purchase!
46 thoughts on “Freet Barefoot Shoes Review – Everything You Need To Know”
Hi Anya, thanks for your informative post. I would like to ask a question about the Freet Feldom’s outsole shape, if you don’t mind.
As a background: I had once bought Lems Primal 2 online, and when I first wore it, I observed it had a tendency to wobble side-to-side (lateral instablity). This was because the sole was curved (boat-shaped) especially at the heel. (Lems sought to improve this with its new version 3.)
However, I’m more interested in Feldom because of its reputed grip and robustness. But I also noticed in pictures (especially on the Freet site) that it has a suspicious-looking curved sole, and I want to clear my doubts about this. So my question is: when standing still on flat ground (concrete or indoors), do the Feldoms wobble from side-to-side even a bit? Or is it perfectly stable?
Thank you for reading!
I have never noticed that with the Feldom! It feels totally flat without wobble.
Sadly, Freet have “improved” their last recently, and now the shoes are way narrower than before.
And the new size charts (even on old models) are so narrow (like, over 0.5cm less width in the Connect 3 in size 40, for example), it doesn’t make any sense. I can’t even guess how they measure their insoles.
Freet has always been a very good option for wide feet, and now this seems to be history. I’m so sad about it.
I have several new Freet models from this summer when they last launched shoes and they don’t seem at all narrower. Just as wide and spacious as before. What I heard is that they slimmed down the heel area so they fit more securely on people. Not sure about the different size charts, but those are often confusing because the width can be taken from the insole or from the last used to mold the shoe. And it can be taken from different points in the toe box. My guess is that they just changed the parameters of the size chart so it appears different.
Yeah, the toe box is the same, but the mid foot area is narrower than before (Andrew, the owner of Freet, told me this himself), to give a “better fit”. But this means us high volume chunky footers are losing a brand that was always a safe bet. I can’t wear the new ones anymore because the edge of the outsole will squish my mid foot and cause pain.
I got a pair of the Feldom 2’s (my first pair of freet shoes) and unfortunately they pinch my outer toes – a lot! I have moderate-severe bunions and I was hoping freet was a good choice for a running shoe. I think I’ll return them for the freet pace, they are mesh all the way so hopefully I won’t have the same issue.