About Freet
We make 2 styles of shoes, 4+1 ‘split-toe’ and 5in1 ‘toes together’. Our 4+1 split toe shoes have a separate pocket for the big toe which gives a little more ‘glove-like’ feel, whilst our 5in1 shoes have all toes together, like traditional shoes. Both styles will achieve the same ‘barefoot-like’ result and tend to be worn interchangeably. Largely it’s a matter of personal preference!
Sometimes we might want or need to move on a harder suface or for a longer time/distance and for this we use a thin layer of advanced shock absorbing material such as PORON or ORTHOLITE. This does not affect the ‘barefoot-like’ nature of the shoe, but can prevent the foot soreness which you can get with such harder use.
We are a small but fast growing niche footwear business based in North Yorkshire, UK. We made our first shoes in 2011.
Background
Our shoes have ‘less shoe’ in them. Deliberately. We combine the best materials, components and design though, to make your experience the best balance we can between natural movement and fitness for the job you’re on – whether hurtling along a hill trail or practising yoga. Different shoes for different purposes but always ‘less shoe’ …
People have been around for many thousands of years but most people have only been wearing shoes for hundreds of years. If you look around at small children, who often take their shoes off at every opportunity, you will realise that it is unnatural for our feet to be overly cushioned from the world.
We complain of knee injuries and problems with our feet but we are effectively strangling the astonishing network of muscles, ligaments and nerves which were designed to respond to our movement requirements. We spend most of our lives in shoes with our feet unable to flex and move naturally.
Developed by experts in footwear to allow feet to operate naturally
Freet Footwear is founded by a team experienced in the development of performance sports footwear and biomechanics. Its mission is to allow feet to operate naturally whilst we go about all our activities – sport, leisure and everyday.
Free your feet from the confines of unyielding shoes – put them back in touch with the world around us. Allow your muscles, ligaments, tendons, bones and joints to function naturally rather than adapting to the shoe. Feel your toes, feet, ankle and leg muscles coming back to life as they flex and strengthen as nature intended.
Our shoes, the 4+1 pure barefoot and 5in1 classic-styled barefoot, will help to bring your feet back to life, unlocking their potential.
Wear them before, during and after your activity. Wear them all day… Wherever you are… Whatever you’re doing.
Business Ethics
We hate unfairness, intolerance, pomposity, lack of integrity as well as any wasted use of our shared resources. We design and develop all our products in the UK and work very closely with our Chinese manufacturing partners. We have as tight an operation and supply chain as we can, but continually work to improve. We have long term relationships with smaller, family run factories where we can discuss and agree what is acceptable in terms of quality, cost and worker terms and conditions. We pay a little more but try to ensure every ‘stakeholder’ has a little more than ‘average’ in terms of pay and conditions such as time off. We will not work in the more cost-driven, ‘sweat-shop’ environments where no one cares except the big boss and his wallet.
Reasons to wear your Freet Barefoot shoes
- Experience barefoot for stronger, healthier feet.
- Ideal for fitness/running/trekking/water/travel or day-to-day activity.
- The 4+1 separate toe pocket and minimal 5in1 design enables the shoe to move naturally with the foot for greater all day comfort.
- The 4+1 ‘mitten glove’ design allows the big toe to move independently as nature intended, whilst the 5in1 looks more conventional but offers similar natural movement.
- The 4+1 separate big toe and flexible four-toe pockets promote dexterity, stability, power, comfort and overall performance of your movement.
- Shoes are quick and easy to put on and take off.
- Our shoes can be worn in ‘pure’ barefoot form with or without socks, the 4+1with a half insole for greater cushioning and support or when getting used to ‘barefoot’ activity.
- High performance materials – breathable and stretch fabrics with water resistance on the Mudgrip shoe – all for complete comfort – whatever the weather.
- Sticky, durable outsoles for great grip
- Minimal weight – from 320grams per pair (size 42).
