Freet USA
Freet EU
Fabian Gartland
Which Freets are you currently wearing?
The Feldom 2s.
Why do you love them?
These were my first ever pair of barefoot shoes. I've experimented with zero drop shoes before but I never found a pair of shoes that fit so well until I tried these. They feel like an extension of my foot, my soles, ankles and calves have strengthened dramatically thanks to barefoot hiking and I feel invincible with them on. I love to feel the earth beneath my feet, I love their versatility for on and off trail activities and I LOVE the green.
Which features do you particularly love?
The pure functionality of them is my first thought. They've come with me through near-knee deep mud, sandy beaches, rocky scrambles and serious ups and downs and I've never felt unsure in my footing.
What do you use your Freets for?
These have been my main shoe for my 1800 mile thru-hike around the UK! They also quickly became my day-to-day shoes now.
What is a Freet-fuelled memory that you have?
In May I found myself scrambling around a long and rocky path to St Ives in Cornwall. I'd been warned that it was tricky underfoot with rocks at funny angles that mean it's a very slow, unrewarding and tricky ascent and guess what? The sheer manoeuvrability of my foot, flexibility of the shoes and grip that sticks to rocks like barnacles made the whole journey not only not slow or particularly tricky, but fun! I've been wearing Feldom 2s for over 1100 miles through the South West Coast Path, Offa's Dyke, the North Cheshire way, Pennine Way, Dales Way, Coast to Coast and up through Northumberland and I've loved every second.
What are 3 words to sum up your Freets?
Versatile, lightweight, robust.
Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?
I'm excited to see where my barefoot adventure takes me! Once this trip is finished I think it's time for a rest but the shoes will stay firmly on. I'm eyeing up some European trails for next year and they'll definitely be coming with me. I'm excited to try out some trail running in the autumn and find out if there's anything they CAN'T do. I doubt it!
