Freet Mudee
$148.50
Barefoot in the wild, Mudee is a weatherproof, all year round boot suitable for hiking and leisure.
- Description
- Sizing & Fitting
- Care
- Reviews (26)
- Additional information
Description
Mudee features our second generation of Microfibre upper material performing similar to the highest grade of leather but quicker drying. The fit is a little more generous than our older Freet styles, but you still are likely to need to go a size larger than your ‘normal’ size for other brands
- Breathable, durable, water resistant upper made from our advanced hydrophobic micro fibre material – MicroF2. This upper is breathable, durable and water resistant as well as quick drying. Unlike leather which tends to absorb water, our MicroF microfibre sheds water (hydrophobic)
- Water resistant and breathable lining
- Freet 5in1 asymmetric forefoot for natural foot shape allowing toes to spread naturally
- ConnectComfort removable 2.5/3mm OrthoLite insole aids shock absorption whilst ensuring excellent ground connectivity. There is a 5/6mm OrthoLite insole and RockPlate available to purchase if you want more shock absorption and/or further protection from sharp rocks
- Conventional lace
- GripPus performance outsole ideal for light trail or mixed trail/urban use. If worn purely on tarmac/concrete, this outsole will wear more quickly than our MultiGrip, but provides more grip on the trail than MultiGrip
- Black or Tan Brown
- Vegan
- Stack height: 7mm (4mm without insole)
AYR Series (All Year Round)
These products feature MicroF (our hydrophobic microfibre) and or water resistant lining and are suitable for everyday & colder, wetter conditions
Sizes 35-48 Mudee is a little more generous than our other Freet styles but you are likely to need to go to the next larger size.
Wt. 664 grams pair size 42
Although a little more generous than our older styles, in general people still go one EU size larger than their ‘average’ shoe size.
The length and width of the insole of this shoe is as below. Remember the shoe has good volume in the forefoot so the actual comfortable width of this shoe will be a few mm greater than this ‘flat’ measurement. Fit is personal, but most people will prefer to have at least 4 or 5mm spare room in front of your largest toe(s). USA sizing is below the European:
Europe/Rest of World Sizing (metric mms):
Size 37/233mm length, 92mm width, Size 38/240mm length, 94mm width, Size 39/246mm length, 96mm width, Size 40/252mm length, 99mm width, Size 41/258mm length, 101mm width, Size 42/264mm length, 103mm width, Size 43/271mm length, 105mm width, Size 44/278mm length, 107mm width, Size 45/285mm length, 109mm width, Size 46/291mm length, 110mm width, Size 47/300mm length, 112mm width, Size 48/307mm length, 114mm width
Length and width measurements taken as follows:
USA Sizing (Inches):
Size 37 (USA w6.5)/9 1/4 inch length, 3 5/8 inches width, Size 38(USA w7)/9 1/2 inch length, 3 3/4 inch width, Size 39 (USA w8)/9 3/4 inch length, 96mm 3 3/4 inch width, Size 40 (USA w8.5)/10 inch length, 3 7/8 inch width, Size 41 (USA w9.5)/10 1/4 inch length, 3 7/8 inch width, Size 42 (USA mUSA 8.5)/10 3/8 inch length, 3 7/7 inch width, Size 43 (USA m9.5)/10 5/8 inch length, 4 inch width, Size 44 (USA m10.5)/10 7/8 length, 4 inch width, Size 45 (USA m11.5)/11 1/8 inch length, 4 1/8 inch width, Size 46 (USA m12)/11 1/2 inch length, 4 1/8 inch width, Size 47 (USA m13)/11 7/8 inch length, 4 1/4 inch width, Size 48 (USA m14)/12 1/8 inch length, 4 1/2 inch width
Length and width measurements taken as follows:
Hand wash with luke warm water and mild detergent. Air dry. Freet MicroF microfibre upper material can benefit from a high quality treatment to ‘condition’, maintain ‘suppleness’ and water resistance.
Reviews
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Additional information
| Size | 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48 |
|---|---|
| Colour | Black, Tan Brown |
harri (verified owner) –
I’ve just finished 4 days walking on a coast path and my Mudees stood up perfectly to rain, rock, mud and more…. The sole manages to be comfortable & springy, and at the same time to give excellent ground feel – my feet got quite a massage travelling over pebbles and roots! They’re super light and flexible, the ‘rubber’ front gives good toe protection, and they’re grippy on wet surfaces too.
I like to wear them quite loose, and they are so comfy that I was walking around 12 miles a day, up hill & down dale, with no socks – and NO chaffing or blisters either! Unlike on previous trips wearing more traditional ‘protective’ walking boots/another make of so-called ‘barefoot boots (+ walking socks) when I ended up with both, plus sore points on my little toes from where they had curled under due to pressure from the sides of my boots. Freet footwear gives room for my gnomey feet to spread as they want (even in toe socks) – no squashed piggies, no curling under, no blisters!
‘Pleather’ uppers? I wan’t too sure when I ordered, so was pleasantly suprised to find that they’re virtually indistinguishable from leather to look at, and just as flexible and breathable. I also reckon the synthetic material is more waterproof – previous leather ‘waterproof’ boots have started to soak up water after a few months, whereable these Mudees are still repelling water after a couple of years of wear, including when walking through streams and long, wet grass, and working on the farm.
That said, my first pair developed a small split between the upper and the sole that let in water. The folk at Freet said there had been a problem with the bonding process, but that this that been remedied. So, I took a chance on a second (discounted) pair, and they’ve been perfect, so it looks like that issue has been sorted.
Anything not perfect about them?? Well, ground insulation is not great – although I appreciate that’s always going to be the case with any proper minimalist footwear. My job sometimes means standing outside all day, and when it was icy in the winter my feet were getting numb with cold, even with the Freet insoles and wool socks. I’ve got myself some lambswool thermal liners, and they’ve been a great help. (Tip: buy several sizes too big and cut down, in order to get enough width! Also, Ultra Balm (like Tiger Balm) works like magic to prevent chillblains).
The laces kept slipping undone all the time – but this was easily remedied with some cheap dark brown plactic lace locks.
Also – though hardly worth mentioning – the soles are strangely noisy when walking on tarmac … clickety-clack!
So overall I’m pretty chuffed with my Mudees! The very best barefoot waterproof walking/work boot that I’ve worn.
PS: Be aware that the sizing is quite random, as with other Freet styles, and you’ll need to order at least one size larger than usual. I’m a 5 in length, often need a 6 for width – and my Mudees are ‘6.5’!
Sara Khan (verified owner) –
I have had my muddees since November 19. Costumer service are super nice! Really love that!
I’m overall happy with my muddees but not thrilled.
The flap on the back (fabric thingie to take your shoe on and off) disintegrated within 1 1/2 months of wear, gentle wear may I add. I had to cut off the remaining threads. I would expect they last longer? Impractical without them to get the shoes on and off.
I wore from November till April here in Norway. And I must say the grip on the sole is not that good. Especially on mud! Even though they are called muddees😆 I’m happy they are waterproof! And VERY happy they are wide as well.
I wish so badly freet would make more of a winter boot for us Northerners… which is a bit taller on the leg with the same water proof features, wide fit but a thicker outer sole for more padding and a way better grip on real snow and ice. Cheers!
freetadmin –
Thanks for the feedback, Sara – all noted. We’re developing that new very grippy outsole and higher leg boot (launching March, 20) but it will not be so good on harder, smoother trails 😔
Noémie Clémenceau (verified owner) –
I’m really enjoying the comfort of the Mudees and I love their design. However, when wearing them today for the third time only, the little tab/flap at the back of the shoe that helps to pull it up broke – and I didn’t pull very hard. I’m disappointed. The cost of returning them is too high for a small defect like that, so I guess I’ll have to haphazardly sew the tab back on the shoe. For the price, I was expecting more durability, so it doesn’t give me a good impression for my first purchase here. I would be worried to order again in the future, this type of damage shouldn’t happen that early.
Jessica Kolbe (verified owner) –
Those are my second pair of freet shoes.
I love them!
The first pair I ordered was a bit to tight, so I sent them back. They arrived quickly after.
I feel very safe in them. They have a really good grip and just out of curiousity I tried them in the river nearby: they are waterproof!
Even long hikes are easy. Those are the first shoes I never got any blisters while going for a hike.
Just amazing.
Justin Hill (verified owner) –
This is the 2nd pair of Mudees I’ve bought and as I said in my first review they’re awesome! Bombproof moccasins! Comfort straight out of the box, good grip on most terrains, fantastic build quality. If you want to connect your feet to the ground, improve your posture, agility and movement across technical ground these are for you. I cannot fault them. I put a sheep’s wool insole in mine and they’re perfect! Thanks Freet!
Hanna Luiga (verified owner) –
After about 6 months of daily wear & several longer walks I’m totally in LOVE with my Mudees! Being vegan, environmentally conscious when it comes to buying new things, having problems with pronating and hallux valgus and only wearing barefoot shoes, buying shoes isn’t the easiest thing to do. But your Mudees fits all my requirements and my feet perfectly!
I’ve read some people here complaining about the sole of the shoes not lasting long enough for the price one pays, to that I can only say that when it comes to barefoot shoes that’s kind of the price one haves to pay. Especially people walking many miles on tarmac, theres only so many miles a very soft sole with amazing grip can handle. But on the other hand when one mostly uses them in the outdoors and live on the countryside like I do the wear after these 6 months are minimal! Also want to praise the waterproofness! I have stepped in, getting the boot completely soaked in water and walked many days in pouring rain without my feet getting even a little bit wet!
Harry (verified owner) –
As a vegan with high volume, wide-toed duckfeet I have searched in vain for years for my ‘unicorn’ walking boots. My requirements: synthetic material, zero or low drop, thin but grippy sole, wide toebox, at least somewhat waterproof and preferably durable. Despite barefoot/wide toebox shoes gaining popularity in recent years, this is still a market that’s criminally undercatered. My search is now over though, because the Mudees tick all the boxes and do it with style!
The sales page advised to size up, and having already had to return a pair of too-tight Chukkas in 45 for 46 I went ahead and ordered the Mudees in 46. Sadly, upon arrival the Mudees were missing a metal lace loop on one boot – they looked like a return that someone hadn’t spotted the defect on, as they were also missing tags. Customer service offered to send a new loop for a cobbler to fix, but in the end I realised the 46 were also too long and so I returned them for 45s.
The 45s are a little tight height-wise for my feet with the supplied inner soles, but fit perfectly with them removed. No biggie for me, as I like more groundfeel.
Be aware that Freet’s soles are very thin, particularly if you remove the inner sole, and you’ll feel every stone and lump as you traverse rocky terrain; some people might hate this, but I love it as it makes me feel really connected and stable. The soles have excellent traction and the sensation of walking on smooth stone in Freets is a bit like driving a racing car. You really feel them gripping in a reassuring way! Walking in Chukkas and Mudees has really improved my confidence when walking on slippery surfaces.
I’ve already worn the Mudees for two 8+ mile walks on Dartmoor and they’ve been excellent! Teamed with a pair of eVent gaiters, my feet were totally dry despite the very muddy conditions after weeks of stormy weather.
My only small criticism of the design of the Mudees would be that the tongue isn’t fully gusseted, so any water reaching the mid level of the boots would come in over the gusset at that point. However, this is a minor niggle and I always wear gaiters if I’m expecting a lot of wetness underfoot.
I’ll definitely be back for a second pair of Mudees in black at some stage!
Amy Warren (verified owner) –
These are well-designed and comfortable. Good balance of cushion and ground feel and plenty of toe room – work well with correct toes. Hopefully the synthetic fabric wears as well as leather. With Collonil waterproofing they have been impervious so far. Awesome traction on slippery surfaces. Zero break in time. Runs small – I’m normally a 38 and ordered a 39, which is perfect. Now I just need a taller, insulated version for Michigan winters – these are too low for walking in snow and my feet get cold. Please make a winter version Freet and I’ll buy them!
freetadmin –
Dear Amy, thanks for the feedback. Noted about a higher leg and maybe warmer version. We are working on a style a little higher as a start! All the best, Andrew
Martina –
The Mudees is a must have! I wear them in the autumn and winter. They are 100% waterproof and they’re warm and trustable.
Roomy, soft outsole, very good at ice and snow – not at all as slippery as other brands! Started with the black ones and now I have the brown too.
My biggest foot is 26,1 cm and when I wear size 42 it’s a snuggle fit. I think I could have chosen size 43 too, but I prefer it more snuggle.
Mudee is vegan and in the future I hope they will do Mudee in children’s size and with a velcro.
Love to all your shoes!
Kevan Palmer –
Exactly one year ago I received my @freetfootwear Mudee boots. My intention was to thoroughly beast them and also see how they performed in the woods as a “bushcraft” boot.
Well I can safely say I think I’ve achieved my goals. Since they arrived I have walked over 2250 miles of which I reckon 1800 were in the Mudees for a lot of the UK population,is 2-3 years continual use. They have been in snow, rain, mud, rock and pounded a few pavements. They have been in the Tatra mountains, the Alps, the Dinarian Alps and the Dolomites. From the battle sites of the Somme and the countryside of Brittany to the forests of Croatia.
More importantly they have been out in the woods around the campfire repeatedly going from cold and wet to hot and dry…a test for any boot.
So how have they performed?
They were comfortable straight out of the box, and fitted fine. They got a good test just a few days later on a walk with the local Long Distance Walkers Association, 15 miles in the pouring rain and thick mud. They gripped perfectly in the slippery conditions and my feet stayed dry and warm.
Most leather boots start to crack after repeated going from wet to dry around the fire, but the synthetic Mudees seem impervious.
So one year on. I’ve gone through 3 sets of laces and 4 insoles. The tread is now pretty much gone on the heels but hardly surprising on a barefoot shoe with minimal sole and tread. The uppers are still in pristine condition with no sign of wear or cracking …..vastly superior to leather, plus no cleaning or maintenance required. Always a bonus!
After a few months the glue holding the sole to the uppers started to break down and needed re gluing but this is true of many boots I’ve had especially when worn around the fire and it is certainly a problem with other makes of barefoot shoes that cost a lot more. It seems only boots with stitched soles don’t seem to have this problem.
All in all, I’d say they’re a winner…. I’ll certainly be getting another pair.
Magdalene –
I made it up to the summit of Snowdon in my mudees, and they were so very comfortable. Not even a hint of a blister, my feet were perfectly warm, never cold, never too hot, in a mixture of warm sunshine and freezing ice and snow. My feet were very happy!
Sophie –
I just wanted to thank you for my alternative pair. They are perfect! I am so impressed with them, I never expected to find a pair so suited to my needs. Fantastic quality and so warm and comfortable. I’ve not taken them off! I’ll definitely be looking to buy another style for warmer weather on the strength of these.
Thank you also for such a fantastic buying experience. I found all the info you provided really useful and ensured I got what I needed style wise and size first time. Outstanding customer service ??
Michael –
I’ve recently completed the Long Mynd hike in the Shropshire hills in my Freet Mudee boots. 50 miles is a long way to walk in barefoot shoes! The weather Saturday night was also horrendous! There’s nearly 3000m of up and down on the hike so plenty of very wet and muddy steep accents and descents to tackle. For the most part my boots helped me get up and down the hills, though I did have quite a few falls. My boots soles are probably about 3/4 worn and most of the falls we’re on the last (very very steep grassy and mossy) down after ~48 miles and 21hrs of walking! In very testing conditions they did quite well.
I also had dry feet throughout with only slight dampness from sweat. Others in my group with waterproof shoes and boots had soaking wet feet and so blisters thanks to either sweat or water ingress.
My feet are sore but have fared much better than my legs 🙂
admin –
Thank you for your comments Michael and we hope your legs have recovered!!
John Ward (verified owner) –
Love the comfort of these shoes. Right from the start, they were comfortable, water resistant, which I occasionally need. However, after 6 months of 6000 steps of light walking on concrete 5 days a week, the big toes developed holes in the soles. Not long lasting enough for the cost. Otherwise, I would have called them my favorite boot.
admin –
Hello John,
Many thanks for the review and sorry you have been disappointed with durability. We use a slightly softer but more expensive rubber compound than the really cheap hard, inflexible hiking outsoles in order to get the complete flexibility we require to ensure we are impacting on biomechanics as little as possible. The downside is the ouitsole will wear more quickly on concrete/tarmac. I’m not sure if the office have sorted you with a discount code to try to make up for your disappointment a little (should you wish to try another Freet), but if not please do.
All the best and keep in touch, Andrew
Justin Hill (verified owner) –
Had the Freet Mudees now for about a month. I live up in the Scottish Highlands and walk out every day at least 10 miles over varying terrain, tracks and trails to moorland and mountain paths. I’m very impressed with the Mudee boot. Comfortable straight from the box, they’ve coped with everything I’ve thrown at them including ridge walks in the snow! They’re holding up well too with no signs of wear and tear. Size as expected, perfect fit. Water resistance is good, not river crossed with them but certainly withstand heavy rain and long wet grass and scrub. Clean up easily too after with a wipe over with soapy water or nikwax products. Highly recommended!
Gordon –
I’ve been wearing my Leap 2 for awhile and just received my new Mudee’s and I have to compliment you on them.
Excellent shoes, they have help me a lot. I suffered a stroke a few years ago and the barefoot style shoes really help with gaining my movement back, by making me more aware of the ground, especially when walking the dogs over different terrain.
Jo –
Just thought you may appreciate some feedback!
I climbed Great Gable (mountain in the Lake District) yesterday, it’s a tough climb especially in wind and rain which there was plenty of! I wore my Freet Mudee boots with the waterproof socks, I can say they were excellent! Great grip so comfy and I returned with no blisters which is remarkable given the rough ground underfoot and challenging elements!!
So I give these boots 100% ! Thankyou Freet!!
Lawrence –
I just wanted to tell you about my experience of using the Freet Mudee on the Three Peaks Challenge.
Ben Nevis – rain, snow showers, 14 miles and 1300 metres. The grip was amazing, the rain and ground water stayed out. They were warm. They got me up and back in a confident 5.5hrs.
Scafell Pike – just awful. The stones were all smaller than my feet which meant I bruised my soles from the get go. I really needed the support of my walking pole on the return 3 miles of brutal terrain.
Snowden – the most ‘rock climbing’ experience. Feeling every nook and cranny of the rock was definitely reassuring. Much better than feeling-less walking boots. I was hampered only by the Scafell Pike injury the previous day.
Love the products. ?
Billy –
Don’t know If this interests you or not but I have had problems for many years with my feet, namely being I supinate extremely and have high arches. This caused me pain inside my knees and much discomfort in feet and ankles. I actually had to leave my job as it entailed standing all day. I have been to a few podiatrist’s over the years and paid for very expensive full contact insoles. The last pair I had been trying to break my feet into for the last 6 months, I could not wear any longer than 4 hrs and dreaded putting my feet in them in the morning. On waking my feet were painful to stand on. I had mentioned to the podiatrist about trying barefoot in which she replied it was a very bad idea! I was kind of at my wits end as to what to do and started to research barefoot shoes.
These are my first barefoot boots and I have been breaking myself in gently. I am pleased to report that already my knees have no pain. The comfort on the soles of my feet is great. The pain on standing in the mornings is sub-siding. My feet rotate naturally inwards allowing the ball of the big toe to have contact. I have had a little discomfort in my neck but have controlled this by swapping back and forth from mudee to regular trainers. That discomfort is now sub-siding and I am getting to a point I could wear them all the time.
Another interesting fact I have noted is in normal foot wear my shoes collapse to the outside very quickly. In barefoot the boots are remaining upright.
All in all I am blown away with how much making this transition has helped me! It is so simple and makes complete common sense that our feet are perfect without padded shoes and in fact all this foot wear we use must cause problems such as supination or pronation.
Thought if i share it may help people that suffer from similar problems as myself.
TAMSIN (verified owner) –
I am a Freet convert and so I was delighted to find that they now sell a weatherproof boot. As yet, mine have kept my feet very warm and dry and are easy to clean. The only downside is that the sole is very slippery in wet, icy or muddy conditions – as are all my Feet shoes. That said, I would not swap them for anything else, I just make sure I take care.
twizzle (verified owner) –
Ok. I’ve only had them a week, and I may well regret this, but I am IN LOVE! They’re warmer and cosier than my (vibram) slippers. Walking through a wet grassy field, my feet were not only warm and dry but I felt like I’d left my toes at home in front of the fire!!! Bit worried that they’ll give at the crease on front eventually but until then ❤️❤️❤️❤️
twizzle (verified owner) –
Update… MUDEE 2…..I loved my mudees, but after wearing them all winter one of them leaks. The new ones are different. The sole is more rubbery, which is nicer and hopefully more hard wearing, but it’s flat. I remember someone complaining that the toes went up slightly, well obviously Freet listened, coz now they don’t so you can’t move your toes up and down like before. The tongue is much bulkier too. I may get used to them but I so loved the originals. That said they are still cute, comfy, warm, have a good grip and hopefully waterproof
admin –
Hello Twizzle, thanks so much for taking the time to send the feedback. There is still a little toe spring and I think after a little wear the shoe should loosen a little, and you should be able to flex the toes up. They should still be as flexible as before. The change to the tongue is to raise the gusset a little to keep the water out of the shoe a little higher up. I will check a bit more though, if there’s a way we can improve for next production, but again it should ‘bed in’ ok after a little wear. If we use decent thickness materials here, there is going to be a little bulk.
Malin (verified owner) –
I’ve been a fan of Freet shoes for a while, owning several different pairs, and just as I was looking for a winter boot the new Mudee appeared like a gift from heaven, so I immeditely bought a pair (the brown ones). I’ve had them for a few weeks now and I’m very happy with them so far. I haven’t had the opportunity to test them in very wet conditions yet but I’m pretty sure I won’t be disappointed 🙂
Wildflower (verified owner) –
I’m thrilled with the Mudees. I work in an outdoor kindergarten so they’ve been put to the test all week in very wet and muddy conditions. My feet have stayed dry and warm! They are incredibly comfortable from the minute you put them on and I love feeling everything underfoot. I bought them at the same time as a hiking boot from another barefoot brand (which are nearly twice the price) in order to compare and the Mudees won outright on look and comfort. My only fear was that they wouldn’t be waterproof and now I know they are I couldn’t be happier. Just wish the 20% discount had been available when I bought them!
Richard –
In all the jumping and sploshing around I did, the Mudee’s remained perfectly warm and dry, with no water getting in at all. The rock plates have also done a very good job at keeping the pointy limestone rocks from jabbing my feet, with out affecting proprioception or feedback. The Mudee’s have been completely comfortable for the two walks I have done in them so far. I am really liking them, so thank you again
Jon –
My Mudees are doing great! I was right about thinking they would be grippier than my Xero Daylight Hikers, which was appreciated on the wet slab stones of the Pennine Way. They had a pretty tough first challenge but they were really excellent, being comfortable and warm. I did wear waterproof socks as a precaution like I always do, but there was no sign of water ingress in to the shoes anyway even with heavy rain and the occasional stream crossing.
Marie (verified owner) –
I’ve been wearing Urban Ayr and Bootee for over a year now. I’m a fan of the Freet brand.
I recently received the Mudee: they are perfect! They are all I needed for the winter: warm and waterproof shoes. Very comfortable!
I do not practice sports with my shoes, I always wear them for everyday life.
Before I still had very painful feet, now no more worries! I put my orthopedic insoles and everything is really perfect!
Thank you Freet, you changed my life.
Belinda –
Would I be disappointed? – after all, this is THE product I’d been waiting to be released.
As a reasonably recent convertee to the barefoot way of life I had been loathed to give up my sturdy, supportive,weatherproof walking boots- they are after all what most people rely on for longer walks.
Test week 1 – South West Coast Path in balmy sunshine.
Verdict. The barefoot experience I was used to but from a fantastic looking brown boot- even with shorts! Superbly comfortable, ‘snuggling’ to the ankle, giving support and holding the foot back on those downhills yet still allowing the freedom of movement. Incredibly grippy on all those hills, even the loose gravely surfaces. 7 days walking- 15 ish miles per day, no wearing in and my mudees were the most comfortable boot I’ve ever had.
Test week 2 – Rain, rain, rain ‘Up North’.
Verdict. Grip brilliant- I just love the way your feet relax and mould to the terrain giving you confidence and surefootedness ( is that even a word ?) like no other. BUT.. will they be weatherproof? I hadn’t cleaned or treated them in any way since taking them out of the box. Despite paddling through various streams, wet grass and muddy puddles my feet were always dry at the end of the day- pretty good for a boot that is described as ‘weatherproof’. Hubby was wearing boots from another ( more expensive) company and sadly had wet feet.
All in all a fairly perfect barefoot boot, and good looking enough to wear around town too- well worth waiting for. Just about to order two pairs in black – one for me and one to keep hubby’s feet dry.