Swale

Sale price $65.00 Regular price $115.00

58 reviews

Ultra-light breathable trail shoe built for travel and everyday adventures with flexible all-day comfort.

LIGHTWEIGHT | COMFORT | ULTRA-BREATHABLE
Fit
Rating of 1 means Small.
Middle rating means True to size.
Rating of 5 means Large.
The rating of this product for "" is 4.
Size
Color:
Ships from the USA
Dispatched from our US warehouse
Easy Returns
30 Days
Customers Love
Breathable trail protection

Suitable For:

Hiking

Key Features

Breathable BottleYarn Upper + TrailGrip Outsole

Sustainability

Upper 60% recycled (BottleYarn)

Freet Fit

Wide Toe Box, Zero Drop, Flexible

Swale

Grip

Stitched TrailGrip: 3.0 mm tread for good grip and durability on a variety of trail surfaces with sidewall stitching for extra durability.

Waterproofness:

Not waterproof, highly breathable and quick drying. Use a waterproof sock for cold / wet conditions.

Swale

Upper

BottleYarn - open weave: breathable, durable, moisture moving mesh, made from recycled plastic bottles.

Lining:

Unlined for complete breathability.

Swale

Connection & Comfort

Insole:

AirMax: 3.0 mm cooler and quicker drying with good ground feel and a little shock absorption.

Midsole:

SoftFlex: fully flexible for maximum foot movement.

PRODUCT DETAILS

About Swale
  • Ultra light, breathable bootee protects on the trail
  • Wear everyday and enjoy its casual good looks
  • Ultimate travel and adventure shoe

Stack Height:

9.5 mm with insole: 6 mm without insole.

Weight:

435 grams pair size 42.

SUSTAINABILITY
  • Upper: 65% recycled (BottleYarn)
  • Laces: 70% recycled (BottleYarn)
  • Midsole: 70% recycled (BottleYarn)
  • Insole: 60% recycled
  • Outsole: 60% natural rubber 
  • Packaging: box/wrapping recycled and recyclable card & paper
  • Outer packaging: recycled and recyclable plastic or card/paper packet
SIZE & FIT

Customers say fits large, you may consider going down a size.

CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Hand wash with luke warm water and mild detergent. Air dry.

We do not recommend putting your Freets in the washing machine or dryer.

SHIPPING & RETURNS

Answer

  • 5 stars: 51 (88%)
  • 4 stars: 7 (12%)
  • 3 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 2 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 1 star: 0 (0%)
K
Kathryn Eng
Truly Barefoot Shaped Shoe

First ordering was easy and they came right away. Second these are the most perfectly wide toe box, truly barefoot shaped shoes ever! I love how they fit right out of the box! They are freaking exactly what I wanted - something I can play outside in, breathable and with a cool quality "alt" vibe. I'm so excited that they're not the moderate sort of barefoot but the kind of barefoot I could put my toe spacers in!! My feet are 24.2 cm long and 9.8 cm wide and the 38s fit like a dream. Freet would be my fantasy footwear company if all their shoes fit like this, or they were to add a "primal fit" even to a select few models.

a
accentoftruth
Freet Swale – Perfect Hiking Boots from the First Step

I ordered the Swale together with the Keld, and both arrived today. The Swale impressed me right away — super light, comfortable, and with exactly the space my feet need. It only took about five minutes to get used to them.

Usually I don’t like boot-style shoes, but this is my first pair and they’re perfect. They will be my main shoes for hiking, with the Keld in my backpack as a spare in case my feet need a change.

I normally wear UK 11.5 in other brands but went for UK 11 in the Swale. The fit is absolutely perfect — brilliant from the first step.

Thanks Freet, for another pair of perfect shoes.

R
Ruth
This is my second pair of Swale

This is my second pair of Swale, in case they stop making them, not because my first pair is wearing out! They are so cool and breathable for summer whilst keeping the sand out ~I walk my dogs across the huge sand dunes called towans here on the Cornish coast most days. I love the grippy non slip soles for walking across the rocks here too.. I already have 6 different pairs of Freet shoes /boots because they suit my feet perfectly, and are super light.

G
Gary
I wore a pair of these to walk land send to John O'Groats last year and they were fantastic

I wore a pair of these to walk land send to John O'Groats last year and they were fantastic. They are comfortable, grounded and most importantly for a thru hike, very quick drying. The only downside it the sole wore more rapidly that the upper which is still as new after 1100 miles with a pack. In fairness, I did quite a lot of road walking which would wear most soles. Anyway, If I were to walk the route again, I would wear these without hesitation.

N
Nevil
One year's usage review

This is review of Freet Swales that I've now worn every day for 1 year. Originally purchased in the sale for £60 in July 2024, I've now purchased a couple more pairs for a sale price of £70 in 2025. I think the sale price is a good one, whereas full price of £90 is stretching it a bit in terms of value for money.
My 'normal' shoe size was length UK 9.5 with an extra wide width fitting (size '2V'). The Swale size UK9.5/EU44 has been ideal fit.
In very hot weather, your feet don't get sweaty at all. In cold weather, the shoes are so minimal and breathable on the uppers, that I found wearing an extra pair of woollen socks kept things warm.
I also found that putting a pair of Vivobarefoot's Thermal Insoles (size EU 44) was the ideal enhancement for both warmth and underfoot comfort. If Freet offered comparable thermal insoles for their shoes, I'd be very interested in seeing what price they might sell them for.
In the attached pictures, you can see what one year's wear and tear walking around a home and on urban pavements has done. They have just started to fail and thus now water gets in through the soles if you step in a puddle (see the crack in the moulded pattern in the second picture). The uppers and laces are still in as good a condition as they were when originally bought.
All in all, I would recommend these shoes.
If I had a wish, I wonder if the soles could have been made of a more durable compound to withstand more than 1 years' walking on tough urban surfaces.

G
Gary
Great boots

I wore these boots for my recent 1100 mile walk from Lands End to John O'Groats. They were very comfortable, very quick drying and breathable and could be worn with waterproof socks when needed. The only issue for me was that the latter part of my walk meant too much road walking which wore out the soles. The uppers looked as good as new see picture- very robust.

With a tougher sole - these would be the perfect long distance boot for me.

A
Aishlinn

I am super happy with my Freet barefoot shoes, they are so comfortable and supportive. I have worn them everyday since I received them.

M
Mikael Nord
Very comfortable and looks

Very comfortable and looks nice!

m
magdalena Knapp-Menzl
bestens

bestens

R
Rik Stevens
Great comfy pair of shoes

Great comfy pair of shoes.I'velost love with Vivo but love barefoot shoes.

I have found a brand I Like.

These were my tester for the leather pair for the winter👍

K
Kongandra Thimaya
Great fit, so good that I ordered a second pair

I was looking for a pair of 'everyday' barefoot shoes for wearing around the house, dog walking and general day to day wear. Came across Freet through searching on Copilot and investigated. The Swale is a discontinued line but exactly what I wanted and so priced at a discount (£45, a bargain). The sizing advice (get one size smaller) was perfect. My experience is that it fits like a second sock, has a half boot, great wide toe box (so proper barefootand exactly what I was looking for), thin sole so you feel the ground but also ridged for grip. And great environmental credentials made out of recycled bottles. As you can tell, I'm very pleased with this. So pleased that I ordered a second pair!

R
R.B.
Summer Hiking

I bought the Swale fo summer hiking and so far they've not disappointed. The soles are thin enough to feel the ground you are walking on yet sturdy and grippy enough to not let you down even on slippery trails. Excellent ventilation and fast drying in wet conditions.

A
Anonymous
Toller Schuh für warmes und trockenes Wetter

Toller Schuh, leicht, flexibel, dennoch genügend Grip. Für warme Temperaturen und trockenes Wetter. Der Schuh fällt groß aus, daher locker eine Nummer kleiner bestellen. Würde den Schuh jederzeit wieder kaufen.

M
Matthew Bertram
These are really comfortable but really big! I have the Kidepo shoes in a 43 and these are the

These are really comfortable but really big! I have the Kidepo shoes in a 43 and these are the same length, but as they are not padded inside they feel bigger. Luckily I do have wide feet and a high arch, so with an orthotic insole and bootie style, they are fine. If there had been a 40 available, I would have chosen those.

M
Maxence Cuingnet
Best ever shoes

Best ever shoes : light, strong and great design. I thank the previous users who advised ordering a size down; they're absolutely right. My shoe size is 42, and I bought a 41, and it fits perfectly.

P
Paul
Great blend of comfort

Great blend of comfort, feel andprotection.

G
Giuseppe
very good shoes

This is my first pair of Freet and they are absolutely comfortable, it's like my feet came to life. I like materials and how they fit. The shoes seems to be very well made and breathable. My size is EU 46, following size advice I opted for 45 and they wear very well for me.

M
Milius
Kupujte Freety číslo menší!

Skutečně je třeba kupovat tyto jinak výborné boty o číslo menší! Budou lépe sedět. Ale dá se zvyknout i na tyto větší. Jinak jen samá chvála, jsou příjemné a pohodlné na každodenní nošení pokud není vlhké počasí.
Mám zkušenosti s Vivobarefoot, ty jsou zatím top ale za top cenu! Swale mi hodně připomínají mé velmi oblíbené Xero Oswego, mám od Xera také více modelů.
Doufám, že se u Freet příště lépe trefím, taky se mi líbí více typů.
Jinou obuv než barefoot již roky nenosím, už bych to nedal, míval jsem s nohami problémy. Hodně jsem nosil služební boty a módně sportovní značky jako Adidas, Puma a podobné, dnes bych to už nekoupil. Ať se daří!

J
Jessica Ellis
My Son's Go-To Shoe (that I also love)

My son has super wide feet, and one of his autism needs is high-top shoes with laces to provide support for his ankles. But high tops in the summer create problems. We found the Swale two years ago and they are now my son's only shoes from March through October - breatheable, comfortable, lightweight, washable, and with the ever-important high top and laces. I have an older pair he's grown out of and I - who also has super wide feet - love them as well!

I
I Buckley
Comfortable!

This shoe is so comfortable, just like the Howgill. I bought my usual size in Freet of 37 (my feet measure 23 cm) and they are perfect. Always a happy Freet customer.

M
Matt Henderson
Exactly what I have been looking for

I don't know where to start: insoles taken out, and worn with wool socks, this is exactly how shoes are meant to be. In all weather, these shoes are warm, breathable, and give me full tactile contact with the ground. Even when I come to remove a damp sock, I haven't noticed until removing the shoes.

They take the stab out of sharp rocks, and allows full natural movement of the ankle and foot. On pavement it's like I'm walking barefoot in a carpeted room, and running feels more effortless than usual - I couldn't help but jog almost everywhere on the first day, the fit was so liberating.

If they perform anywhere close to this after 12 months, you'll have a customer for life. Thank you.

G
Gillon

Fast delivery and item as described.

K
Keith Mason
Yes

Yes, agree glad I choose a size down, as reviews advised. They fit lovely, so comfy.
Time will tell if wear as good as the freet walking boots, I have worn over the years.

A
Anonymous
One of the most comfortable shoes I've ever tried

One of the most comfortable shoes I've ever tried.
Do get a number smaller though.

A
Anonymous
Tried on when they arrived

Tried on when they arrived.. look perfect but haven’t worn yet as bought for summer.

A
Alexander Macheras
exellent

exellent

A
Anonymous
Bought a second pair

Like another, I bought a second pair in case they stop making them. I also sized down. These are some of the comfiest shoes I own and I love the style.