Belinda Simpson

This is the second instalment of our exciting new project: Freet Stories! We really love hearing from fellow Freet Barefoot lovers about what they use their Freets for & why they love them. This campaign will look beyond what we have to say about our barefoot shoes, listening to and amplifying the voices of our cherished customers, and hearing about their interesting stories featuring their Freets! Our next story is a conversation with Belinda Simpson from the UK.

I’m lucky to be a retiree in my mid 50’s – loving life and the outdoors. We have a small campervan that allows us freedom to get out and about but we also like to fly to do a further afield adventure every year. I have a labradoodle that is happy to walk for 10 minutes or 10 miles in our ‘backyard’ of the Yorkshire Dales. Gardening is a passion and I’m trying to get better at tennis too.

Why do you love your Freets?

I love the freedom and comfort my Freet give, no ‘wearing in’ and a real connection with the ground. I started wearing them due to inheriting the familial bunion. I was sceptical, partly because I have a really skinny ankle/heel and wasn’t sure how they’d fit, but no regrets. Since wearing them my foot health has improved and, surprisingly to me, my knee pain diminished. The fact they’re designed and tested in North Yorkshire by a small, passionate, really helpful team also appeals.

What do you use your Freets for?

I wear Freet all the time! Apart from playing tennis and clip in cycling. I’ll confess to having a competitors ‘casual trainer’ in a nice pale blue, that I got before Freet started introducing great colours and a more mainstream look. They’re (let’s just call them V’s) not as roomy in the toe box or as comfortable though!

What is a Freet fuelled memory you have?

We’ve been lucky enough to do a fair bit of walking abroad and are now quite used to guides asking us where our ‘proper’ walking boots are! Mudees got me up Mt Toubkhal and around the Atlas Mountains admirably, and Tundra the Manasalu circuit in the Himalayas at 5,200m. Even though there was plenty of snow and ice around, crampons can be worn on barefoot boots. Mountain guides have always been very impressed at the connection, balance and grippyness of our boots and ‘eaten their words’ having seen them in action!

So muddy North Yorkshire, boggy Lake-district, Sandy South West Coast path, Scottish Islands, sunny Montenegro, hot Atlas Mountains, challenging Himalayas, popping to the shops or pottering in the garden… Freet are my go to!

What are 3 words to sum up your Freets?

Comfort, Connection, Freedom!

Which Freets do you have? Which are your favourite?

I currently have Ibex and Tundra for walking, Howgill for every day, Connect 3 (that are nearly worn out), Kidepo as a summer boot and ‘going out’ shoe, and Talus that I use as a slipper and yoga shoe. Oh, and the sandal Zennor. I couldn’t pick a favourite overall but am particularly happy with my Kidepo and Howgills at the moment.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?

I’m excited about the more ‘mainstream’ casual shoe look and love the new colours that are coming out. More please! My only criticism, why are the laces always so long?!