Joe Kemp

This article marks the start of an exciting new project we are launching: Freet Stories! We really love hearing from fellow Freet Barefoot lovers about what they use their Freets for & why they love them. This marks the start of a campaign that will look beyond what we have to say about our barefoot shoes, listening to and amplifying the voices of our cherished customers.

Why do you love your Freets?

I love the feeling of freedom they give me. They fit me perfectly, they don’t constrict my foot movement and I’m able to be agile and responsive to technical terrain when moving in the mountains, moorland or running on trails.

What do you use your Freets for?

Mainly summer mountaineering, hill walking, trail running, and for errands on my bicycle.

What is a Freet fuelled memory you have?

My favourites have to be the 1-day adventure up Rysy (2,500m) in Poland, and then a 2-day journey up and down Mt Olympus (2,917m) in Greece, both in the summer of 2023. I wore the Freet Feldom’s, they performed very well, lots of confidence moving over the dry rock and on the steep descents. Light and super breathable for hiking in + 30°c.

What do you particularly like about your Freets?

The breathability, grip tread pattern, the lightness, the flexibility and the way they sit on my feet, I find I don’t need to sinch them down too much to get a secure and responsive fit.

What are 3 words to sum up your Freets?

Freedom, Airy, Joyous!

Which Freets do you have, which are your favourite?

Freet Feldom & Pace. I enjoy both, but it’s hard to beat the Feldom.

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

Just that you guys have done a great job creating some super wearable and affordable models. As a fellow Yorkshireman I’m really happy to support a Yorkshire based company.

My plans for this year? Amongst many weekly ventures in the Pennines, the lakes, Wales and Scotland, I’m planning on tackling Prisojnik ( 2,546 m – Julian Alps, Slovenia, mainly a long Via Ferrata ) and the Alta Via 1, high route in the Dolomites this summer, again in the same shoes. I feel confident in their abilities to take them up into the high mountains for an extended time.