Barefoot boot recommendations

[Dave Budd]

My current walking boots are in need of being replaced very soon and I've been thinking about barefoot boots as an alternative. They will be used on a daily basis to walk to work (but not at work, that would be a health and safety nightmare! ). So in my case that means a mile of road walking followed by a treck through long wet grass and muddy woodland, all repeated in reverse on the way home, every day.

Being as we had 3" of snow here today they obviously need to be both warm and waterproof, I do NOT like cold wet feet! Boots not shoes, the grass is quite long and the mud deep if I miss the waffle boards

So then people. Any suggestions before I spend a lot of money on something useless?

TIA

 

[Stew]

I k ow it might sound odd Dave but, er, what size shoe are you?

I have a pair to move on that were too small so it might work out doable….

 

[Dave Budd]

I k ow it might sound odd Dave but, er, what size shoe are you?

I have a pair to move on that were too small so it might work out doable….

normally a 7 to 7 1/2 shoe. Am I right in thinking that barefoot shoes aren't always measured the same?

 

[Stew]

normally a 7 to 7 1/2 shoe. Am I right in thinking that barefoot shoes aren't always measured the same?

This pair will be too big.

Sizing is not too simple.

The toe box will be wider than a non barefoot shoe to allow your foot to spread. When starting you won’t need that extra space but now I couldn’t fit my feet in non-barefoot shoes.

 

[hughtrimble]

I rate Freet's wares. I have the Tundra (and several other models of theirs!) and rate them; they've been my go to walking boot for a few years now. They have a Black Friday sale on at the moment.

They have released several other models of walking boots since I bought mine so I'd suggest looking at what they have to offer that best suit your conditions. They're helpful on the phone too (small company based in Yorkshire, but I think made in the far East).

Shop All

Step naturally with barefoot shoes—where comfort meets the ground with every stride.

freetbarefoot.com

They have a YouTube channel where they talk through the various models too.

 

[Stew]

I use Freet but can't neccessarily recommend them.

The Muddee used to be the only sensibly priced waterproof boot they had but I've had 5 different pairs with all starting to split at the toe crease. Very very comfy but just not lasting more than six months, not great.

I've got some Vivobarefoot trackers that are double the cost but are heavier and clunkier so I don't wear them as much.

I've had Lems boulder boots (the waterproof ones) that were nice and lasted longer than the muddees but I wore throught the bottom eventually.

I'm currently gambling on Freet Bootee but I can't comment on longevity so don't recommend them yet. I've actually taken the view to limit boot use to really wet days to try stretch the life rather than wearing them every single day, averaging out to ~13,000 steps per day. One thing I would note is that the bootee can still leave you with a damp foot at the end of the day from the lack of breathability....

 

[hughtrimble]

I switch between the Kidepo (now discontinued) and the Tundra (owned for four years now) depending on conditions. They are not daily users though, I have other Freet models for running on/off road, and daily casual shoes are all Vivobarefoot.

No issues with the separation you're describing, but I can totally see it being possible. I think some of the models they've started stitching the sole to the upper, but not sure which ones.

 

[Dave Budd]

thanks guys

I think I'll end up with a pare of Freets by the look of it rather than risking the Vivo trackers first time out (dipping my toe so to speak!). Probably the Arken as they look warmer and I am a miserable sod with cold feet!

stew. Thanks for the offer of the boots, I did suspect my feet would be too small though. Leakage at the toe crease is where I always lose footware My most recent are a pair of Brasher leather boots (not had a pair for 20 years, now remember why) and they started leaking after 6 months too

 

[hughtrimble]

thanks guys

I think I'll end up with a pare of Freets by the look of it rather than risking the Vivo trackers first time out (dipping my toe so to speak!). Probably the Arken as they look warmer and I am a miserable sod with cold feet!

The Arken do look cosy. Revivo is a useful official site for cheaper refurbished Vivobarefoot models. Vinted is also incredibly good for second hand shoes, but you're at the mercy of the private seller (I've bought two pairs on there and they are great, but it's like eBay).

 

[Aristotle]

I rate Freet's wares. I have the Tundra (and several other models of theirs!) and rate them; they've been my go to walking boot for a few years now. They have a Black Friday sale on at the moment.

They have released several other models of walking boots since I bought mine so I'd suggest looking at what they have to offer that best suit your conditions. They're helpful on the phone too (small company based in Yorkshire, but I think made in the far East).

Shop All

Step naturally with barefoot shoes—where comfort meets the ground with every stride.

freetbarefoot.com

They have a YouTube channel where they talk through the various models too.

There are many models on the Freet site.
Which would be the best all-round boots?
I'd prefer a leather version.

I am also tempted by a pair of Jim Green Barefoot Ranger boots. They appear to be good quality and get good reviews.

 

[Stew]

There are many models on the Freet site.
Which would be the best all-round boots?
I'd prefer a leather version.

I am also tempted by a pair of Jim Green Barefoot Ranger boots. They appear to be good quality and get good reviews.

It depends on what you mean by all round.

The bootee M are fine enough for me. I’m wearing them at work or dog walking or would happily hike in them. It was the same for the muddee - actually the most comfy shoes I’ve ever worn!

They don’t have high ankle support but I have found that I don’t need that, just like I no longer need arch support.

On the leather front, just be aware that some of the models that look like leather aren’t - they use a ‘plastic leather’ on some. Not necessarily a problem but just to be aware.

 

[Aristotle]

It depends on what you mean by all round.

The bootee M are fine enough for me. I’m wearing them at work or dog walking or would happily hike in them. It was the same for the muddee - actually the most comfy shoes I’ve ever worn!

They don’t have high ankle support but I have found that I don’t need that, just like I no longer need arch support.

On the leather front, just be aware that some of the models that look like leather aren’t - they use a ‘plastic leather’ on some. Not necessarily a problem but just to be aware.

Thanks. I was thinking of general use rather than specifically mountain scrambling or moorland hiking.

Yes, I had noticed that most were microfibre rather than leather.

I too have flat feet. In the past I had instep supports from the NHS, but these days I wear flat shoes (and my work boots are also the flattest and lightest I could find) , run and walk more on the balls of my feet, do a broader range of strength training and no longer have the knee issues that I had in my 20s.

Related to that, I am hypermobile and even had ligament reconstruction on one ankle 15 years ago.

Due to training and practicing (and ageing?), my balance is now much better than it was, but a bit of extra ankle support is useful "off-road"