Why We Still Love Our Original Barefoot Designs
We’ve always believed the best shoes are shaped not just by clever design—but by real places, real walks, and real lives. When we first set out to create our current designs, we didn’t just want lightweight, minimal shoes. We wanted each one to tell a story. Here’s why we’re still proud of our originals.
Keld – For Hills, Meadows, and Every Path In Between
Named after a local beauty spot with a big reputation, Keld was inspired by the varied walking terrain of the Yorkshire Dales. We’ve tested a lot of shoes in this part of the world, but there’s something about walking out of the village—over limestone slabs, across slippery stone bridges, and up into the hills—that stuck with us.
You need a shoe that can keep up: comfortable on tarmac and farm tracks, grippy on muddy meadows and uneven climbs, and quick-drying after inevitable splashy bits. That’s where the idea for Keld was born.
A hybrid between a sandal and a trainer, Keld is light, breathable, and built for mixed terrain. Whether you're tackling the Coast to Coast trail or just clocking a few evening miles up the valley, it’s made to handle it all.
“Very comfortable and breathable – these are my favourite pair of Freets so far.”
Zennor – Born on the Coastal Path
Zennor is more than just a pretty name. Developed during family trips to Cornwall, its story began on the rugged coastal path between St Ives and Zennor. It was here—scrambling over granite, ducking beneath twisted hawthorn, and watching seals in the surf—that Zennor took shape.
This proper coastal village, shaped by centuries of tide and time, gave us the inspiration to build a sandal that’s tough, flexible, and made for variety. Designed for everything from slippery harbour steps to hidden pebble coves, Zennor is a breathable but protective sandal—ideal for those places you can’t quite go barefoot in summer. Its close trail-grip outsole brings versatile grip where you need it most.
When asked about these first edition designs - Andrew was quick to highlight Zennor as his favourite. And our customers agree - with one saying Zennor are the "Best hiking sandals I've had. These are comfortable, supportive and easy to adjust."
Tanga – Versatile. Minimal. Effortless.
Some customers wanted more minimalism. Others wanted versatility. We listened—and made Tanga.
Designed to be our most stripped-back shoe, Tanga works across work, sport, and leisure. We chose a soft, single-layer flyknit upper made from recycled coffee grounds, with breathable holes for cooling comfort as the temperature rises. Light and unstructured, it moves with you whether you're heading into the office or out to the park.
These are a staff favourite in the Freet office - smart enough for work but comfortable enough for a quick trip into town afterwards.
“Still my favourite for everyday wear – it’s so light, you forget you’re wearing them.”
Vibe – Built for Gym and Everyday Life
We kept hearing the same thing: “Can I wear them to the gym... and also with jeans?”
Vibe is our answer. This gym-to-street trainer was our first to use a multi-grip outsole with 2mm lugs—just enough grip for pavements, light trails, and studio workouts. We chose a bottle yarn mesh upper that’s strong, breathable, and moisture-wicking, so you stay cool and dry through it all.
“Perfect for gym, running, and day-to-day. Look great, feel great.”
Feldom – For True Trail Freedom
Our community loves the trail—whether hiking or running—and Feldom was born from that passion. We wanted a simple, minimal trail shoe with serious grip and flexibility, capable of tackling everything from hard-packed paths to wet, steep trails.
Tested in our local testing ground of Swaledale, Feldom handles muddy meadows, steep climbs, and water crossings with ease. Lightweight, fast-drying, and free-draining, it delivers barefoot freedom and grounded traction in equal measure.
"The do-it-all trail shoe. A little mud, some rocks, streams. No problem." We couldn't have said it better ourselves!
Each of these original barefoot designs was born from lived experience, walked into being, step by step. They reflect our values: simplicity, versatility, and a deep love for the outdoors. That’s why we still love them. And why they’re still here.
Shop all first edition designs here - https://freetbarefoot.com/collections/offers