Trail Tested: Real-World Adventures in the Calver 2 & Feldom 2

At Freet, we love hearing how our shoes perform in the wild and this in-depth review from long-time barefoot enthusiast, Ed, is a perfect example of what makes our Calver 2 and Feldom 2 so versatile. From mountain scrambles to muddy trail runs and even a paragliding take off, these shoes have been put through their paces and passed with confidence.

A Journey Through Barefoot Footwear

Ed has been using minimalist shoes since the early 2000s, in many different forms and across several brands. As someone with extensive experience - even testing Inov8's Evoskin - he turned to Freet after noticing other brands narrowing their toe boxes.

"I’m really enjoying the Freets so far... I moved to Freet and bought Calver 2 after other brands were getting too narrow in the toe box and focusing too much on fashion."

First Impressions: Built for Performance

Both the Calver 2 and Feldom 2 made a strong first impression straight out of the box.

"They looked great, appeared well made, light and flexible. The soles were very aggressive... reminds me of the original Inov8 shoes."

Despite having a low-volume foot, he found a solid fit in both pairs, even with thin socks, and appreciated the adjustability of the lacing.

"I’ve added quick laces to both pairs as I prefer that style... it makes easier getting them on and off when muddy."
"The Feldom has slightly lower midfoot volume and gives a very nice fit for me."

Toe Box: "The Best I’ve Tried"

The standout feature? Our wide toe box.

"Toe box shape and width is the most important factor in a minimalist shoe and these are a very good shape. It's probably the best shaped toe box I’ve tried... it’s substantially better than Vivo, Merrell, or Xero. The inboard edge along the big toe is very straight... allows sufficient space for toe splay."

Ground Feel & Grip That Works Everywhere

From boggy trails to rocky scrambles, the grip and flexibility of the sole impressed.

"My first run [with Calver 2] was 10 miles through a bog, it has great grip, drains well, and doesn’t clog."
"I used both pairs on grade 1 and 2/3 scrambles and they were great. The rubber sticks well to rock even in damp conditions which makes them feel very reassuring."
"The Calver performed very well at the OMM Lite a few weekends ago in some very wet conditions... gripped well on grass and rocky climbs."

He also took the Feldom 2 to new heights—literally.

"I used the Feldom to paraglide off the Old Man of Coniston—great grip for takeoff and landing."

A Few Observations & Long-Term Durability

Some notes came up on how the Calver handles underfoot.

"The sole can feel a little unstable laterally due to the curved sides but this was less noticeable on the Feldom."
"I noticed slight delamination on the Feldom where it creases, but I think it’s just a function of minimalist shoes since they are so flexible. It’s only very small and they are still working well!"

Still, durability is holding up well, with small scuffs and early signs of wear on high-use areas but no impact on performance.

"The Calver received a small scuff when scrambling... but they both seem like they’ll last well."
"Pricing is excellent - half the price of equivalent Vivos and great value for money."

Race Day Ready: Mont Blanc Marathon

Most recently, Ed even used the Calver 2 for the 24km Marathon du Mont Blanc in hot, technical conditions.

"It was a hard course—very hot, lots of climbing, rocky trails. One guy even commented how hard it was to do in minimalist shoes!"

Looking Ahead

"These have been my favourite minimalist shoes so far. I’ve just ordered a pair of Keld to try too as I like a knit upper."

It’s safe to say we’re thrilled the Calver and Feldom models are becoming go-to shoes for serious mountain movers. If Ed's story got you feeling inspired to tackle a trail this weekend, shop our running range here - https://freetbarefoot.com/collections/running