Connect 4

My first pair of zero drop shoes. I've had them for about three months now. I like them a lot. They felt a bit odd to start with, but I soon got used to them. Now, it feels odder, for longer, to go back to normal shoes.

I use them for day to day kicking around in, walking, cycling (on flat pedals) and hang gliding. They are good for all of those. On longer walks in the Lake District (or the local park) it felt strange to be able to feel the stones under my feet, but no longer. The soles are very flexible compared with normal shoes but still protect my feet from bruising.

I don't think they are completely waterproof ("water resistant" with "waterproof" lining, says Freet) but I admit I haven't tested this properly. The fairly high rubber rand around the sides means that you don't get wet too soon. They are made of plastic, however ("recycled plastic bottles", actually) so they don't remain as fresh as leather shoes, but I guess on the other hand I can chuck them in the washing machine.

The sole is brilliant, really grippy but very flexible. I don't quite understand the reviews which describe them as "stiff". Maybe other barefoot shoes are even more flexible; I don't know. They seem pretty durable, too, not yet showing much wear.

The laces are way too long! I have to tie a triple bow to avoid tripping over them.

They are very good for travelling, because they pack down small and light.

Conclusion: recommended. I will probably buy them again when these wear out. But I would prefer the same design in brown leather, with shorter laces!

I know freet shoes for several years, and I love them really much. but the new ones are really exciting because they are waterproof and still deliver the amazing barefoot feeling. I can warmly recommend this shoes. beside the high quality of the shoes the whole process from ordering to delivering was uncomplicated and fast. Again high recommendation.

Scarpe comode numero 41 perfetto. Calzabilita semplice sembrano robuste. Proveremo l impermeabilità sotto la pioggia

Size is too small. I bought one size larger than usual and they were still too small.

Wonderfully wide and instantly comfy shoe - even from the first wear. The waterproof material is perfect for autumn/winter/spring walks when there is dew on the grass but you don't want to get wet feet!

Had to give away my Topo shoes as my feet even got wider. With the freet my toes are again very comfortable- they're free!
Will use them for hiking, not sure how they'll be i rain.

The size is too small, I would strongly recommend buying one size larger, almost all my shoes are EU 43 and those ones were way too small.

Delivery was very slow over two weeks and did not arrive on day it was out for delivery.
Fitting /size is very tight. I take 45 but these at 45 toes feel squashed.

Very comfortable, although I have not fully tested them yet I can see improvements over my old pair, in regard the strength around the flexing areas for the foot.

Der erste Eindruck vom Connect 4 ist sehr gut. Den Punktabzug habe ich gemacht, weil der Schuh für einen Barfußschuh sehr steif ist. Alles weitere wird sich noch im Gebrauch zeigen.
Die Sohle ist sehr gut und auch der Gripp. Die Wasserdichtigkeit konnte ich noch nicht testen.

Der Schuh fällt jedoch sehr klein aus. Ich musste 1 Nummer größer nehmen und auch dann passt er gerade so.

Got them in the sale and wish I'd bought them ages ago. Ideal everyday shoe for me - super comfy fit, wide toebox, just like my Mudee 2s, but more of a trainer style. Not tried them in wet grass yet, but have been on dog walks over mixed terrain and they have good grip and just the right amount of flexibility.

Only minor gripes so far: the ankle part flares out a little when they are not pulled tight, so hoping that won't let water in, and I have to agree about the laces being too long.

Will definitely buy again when these have worn out (or if not connect, something with the same shape and sole).

Not as well fitting as several other pairs of Freet shoes that I have, just a little bit under-sized, but stretching out quite nicely. Should beO.K.in a few weeks.

So far so good , they are what I expected , hopefully they will be as good as Freet Feldom .

Althoughthe shoes were described as normal fit, they were too small. So I had to send them back and purchase the same pair one size larger than usual

Feels solid and safe

I normally wear EU 37 in Freet Tanga and Tanga 2 (236 mm insole), which fits me very well. Based on the size chart, Connect 4 in EU 37 has the same listed insole length as the Tanga 2, so I ordered the same size.

Despite identical measurements on paper, the Connect 4 felt shorter in use. The toe area is more structured, so perhaps there is less usable space at the front?

The overall feel of the shoe is also noticeably more structured and firm. The upper is stiffer, and it feels hard in general. This may be great for durability and protection, but it gives a very different experience from the flexible, almost sock-like feel of Tanga.

I also have a high instep/high arch. To keep my foot from sliding forward, I needed to tighten the laces (even using a runner’s loop). However, tightening created pressure across the top of my foot. If I loosened the laces to relieve that pressure, my foot would move slightly, which led to heel rubbing and blisters.

So for me it felt like a trade-off:
Tight enough = pressure and discomfort on the top
Loose enough = movement and heel irritation

The shoe feels solid and well made, but it is not as forgiving as softer Freet models. If you have a higher-volume foot or prefer a very flexible, minimal feel, this is something to be aware of.

Bought these for my son who has huge feet (UK 12.5). He said they are comfortable and light. They are also definitely waterproof, which was the main reason for buying them. He wishes there was a plain black version of these. I hope Freet do bigger sizes, as my son's feet are still growing.

I really liked the original Connect so was keen to give these a go. Originally bought a size 44 but that was too snug so had to swap for a 45. Fits nicely though feels a little heavy (perhaps more than I’d usually like for a running rather than walking shoe). Generally pretty comfortable. My only issue is that the shoe is a bit stiff and niggles the outside of my ankle. A bit more padding or a fit lower on the ankle and it would be a brilliant shoe for me. As it is I’m hoping it will soften a bit through use but it might be a painful process!

A perfect balance of barefoot comfort and sturdy tough shoe. Nice and warm for winter, but still very breathable if it's warmer. This is a great balance since any of the fully waterproof boots are not very breathable and get very hot in summer. These are waterproof enough for a bit of rain or wet grass. Look great, very comfortable. Stiffer than something lighter of course, but not overly.

I've now had the last 3 iterations of this model and each has been better than the last; this being no exception. The more aggressive tread and reinforced upper have been fantastic on very boggy ultramarathons with no water penetration, zero hotspots or blisters and all still with the freedom of barefoot movement I've come to expect from Freet.

I wouldn’t use these for heavy rain. My only experience in that respect was quite disappointing, as I had to wait longer than two days for the inside of the shoes to dry completely, which forced me to use a different pair of trainers. There’s also a niggling friction of the shoe on my right ankle that could be due to the design of the trainers, but I’m over it now, thanks to wearing a plaster. Apart from that, they’re pretty comfortable and very sturdy trainers, and the sole is thick enough so my feet are protected from the occasional stone digging in the heel. No more unexpected “Ouch!” moments. I can see myself running my next half provided that it doesn’t rain on the day of the event. All in all a well-made, Zero-drop running shoe that’s not perfect but it ticks most points.