Behind the Design - MILO | An interview with Freet Founder Andrew Jackson and gym expert Angus Logan

MILO is Freet's first specialist performance shoe, designed specifically to meet the demands of intense gym use — ideal for strength, power and CrossFit training.

In this in-depth conversation, Freet founder Andrew Jackson and gym owner Angus Logan dive into the evolution of barefoot performance footwear, and how the MILO was developed to meet the needs of modern strength training. 

Watch the full interview below to hear the story behind MILO in Andrew and Angus' own words: 

Where It All Began... 

Angus has always had wide feet, which led him to try barefoot shoes to find something that fit naturally. While searching for a pair of barefoot trainers, he discovered Freet — and bought the Flex, his first pair.

Since starting his barefoot journey, Angus has seen a dramatic improvement in his foot health: 
“My feet always feel good. I don’t really get injuries around the feet. I walk miles, run — and I’m not exactly light. But I land softly. People are surprised. I’ve just got good mechanics now.”

When Andrew visited Angus' gym in Scotland wearing a prototype of the Freet Vibe, the connection was instant. That meeting sparked the idea: a barefoot shoe designed specifically for strength and power training.

Why Barefoot In The Gym? 

Angus explains that many of the best lifting performances are done barefoot: 

“You’ve got great ground contact and stability. But there’s still the risk of stubbing your toe or dropping a weight — so shoes are essential.” 

The MILO offers that protection while preserving the barefoot benefits. Angus found it protective from day one, having already had two near misses in the gym where the reinforced toe came in handy.

Key Features for Gym Performance

• Roomy forefoot: Allows for natural toe spread and strong ground contact 
  — crucial for generating power.
• Flat, stable sole: Unlike spongy insoles in mainstream shoes, the Flexile Nano insole gives a solid, stable platform.
• Lateral strap: Keeps your foot securely in place, especially during dynamic movements.
• Flat laces: Inspired by Angus' son — they reduce pressure on the top of the foot.
• Reinforced toe cap: Protects against knocks and dropped equipment.

Andrew on finding the right balance:

“We wanted it to be specialist — to offer gym-specific support without losing the lightness and flexibility of a barefoot shoe.”

One Shoe for the Whole Workout 

Angus wanted a shoe that could do it all: 

“With traditional gym shoes, you’re always swapping. I don’t want that. I want one pair to take me from home to the gym, through my whole session.” 

He believes the MILO fills that gap.

“If you’re training 4 hours a week and only wear these in the gym — they could last you years. Maybe even a lifetime.”

Who is the MILO for? 

“This is more than just for barefoot fans. Every gym user could benefit. I think people will be shocked by how much stronger and more stable they feel. Whether it’s Hyrox, CrossFit, Strongman, or just everyday training — this shoe has serious utility.”

Materials, Sustainability and Durability:

The Story Behind The Name - 

The name “Milo” came from Angus — inspired by the legendary strongman Milo of Croton, who famously carried a calf every day until it grew into a bull. “Milo is the father of progressive overload — the core principle of strength training,” Angus says.

Andrew’s reaction? 
“I looked at Sarah and said — that’s it. Angus has nailed it.”

Looking Ahead

Any functional updates will come with real-world testing. For now, suggestions have been cosmetic — like a black shoe with a gum sole. 

Andrew is clear:

“There’s no such thing as the final product. We believe in continuous improvement. The moment we think a shoe is ‘perfect’, it’s probably time to hand over the reins.”

Final thoughts... 

“We all have to love it. Not just like it — love it. And we do. You helped bring this to life, Angus.” – Andrew 

“These are just magic. We’re not adding features you don’t need. We’re just giving your foot what it actually needs — structure, stability, and the freedom to work as it should.” – Angus