Freet Swale Review - Josh's Barefoot Shoes Reviews

[@NN-og4kj]

Josh...you know what? .....you're awesome...aloha from Hawai'i 🤙🏽

[@barefootshoejosh]

Aloha back! Mahalo for saying that LOL.. Glad you enjoyed the video. Shaka

[@vow9343]

Looks great. Wish they came in solid black, though.

[@barefootshoejosh]

Maybe submit the request to the company and cross your fingers!

[@cw4623]

Not bad. They could still use to be a little wider-- as Josh stated: his foot is wider than the shoe. And feet should have extra room in which to splay inside a shoe. All said: not too bad. Not a fan of the material, though.

[@barefootshoejosh]

My feet are literally only 1mm wider than the INSOLE (that's almost nothing at all). Due to the flexibility of the material on the uppers, the shoes are plenty wide for my feet to spread. There's more to shoe width than just the width measurement of the insole--it's an imperfect art. I do know maybe 5 brands that are wider, and in most cases, we're talking about 2 or 3mm wider. Only one or two companies I know really go all out on the width. Foot shape does have an impact on which brands fit best. I'm curious why you don't like the material on this model--have you tried them? I was shocked at how soft it was on my feet for having been made out of recycled plastic bottles.

[@mamabear9389]

Looks like a nice shoe. I have the Freet Pace and this looks similar except higher which would be nice for hiking.

[@barefootshoejosh]

Hi MamaBear.. Yes it's similar but higher as you mentioned, and this material is a little softer than the material on the Pace and Tanga, and also they have the more "hiking" soles/treads. Very nice, loving these!

[@maroulio2067]

Hi Josh, I am new to. your channel and will be binge-watching. I am female, wearing Soft Star the last ten years, my fave for width is the wide Primal Sawyer- I just watched your review before this one. Now want to use only vegan shoes so Soft Star is out, One q. about Freet Swale, does it make your feet sweaty? I have Raynaud's that kicks in if I have a shoe that causes sweating. Your channel is the best I've seen on wide barefoot shoes. Thanks!

[@barefootshoejosh]

Well hello and thank you for the compliments. I've worn the Swale maybe 10 times so far and they haven't been sweaty at all. However, keep in mind that it's winter as I write this. Of their recent models, these are supposed to be the most warm-weather friendly, breathable, etc. So far, so good. If you're used to Softstar Primals, it's possible you may be used to extra pinky-toe space. Freets do slope toward the outer edge, so you may wish to order a size up, but it's hard to say without knowing more about your feet. Other brands with extra wide width (wider than Primals) include Bohempia's wide width (reviewed on the channel here), Realfoot (also reviewed on the channel), and Wyde (which I have not had the opportunity to review yet). Beyond that, custom shoes, and I have another review coming within the next couple of months that is also very wide. Stay tuned!

[@jessievideos17]

Just curious how much stretch do they have given it’s been roughly 4 months since you uploaded this review? I’m a bit torn with the sizing , but this fabric looks like it gives some stretch? I’m based in Jamaica, so I’m looking for hiking shoes that are good for the climate here?

[@barefootshoejosh]

Yes the fabric has a good amount of stretch and breathability. These are designed for warm climates. Might be a great fit for you!

[@zackearthworm]

Hey Josh.. I want to get some Freet’s. Some of the shoes say to b ware of wetter conditions… I know this is an issue with my Tadeevo’s.. but the Freet’s look like they have higher stack… haven’t found this to be an issue?

[@zackearthworm]

For reference I’m thinking of pace or flex which have 5.5mm stack without insole, 8.5/11.5 with

[@barefootshoejosh]

It depends on what model you're getting. These Freet Swales are for dryer, warmer conditions. They're not waterproof or water resistant. Other models are water resistant, some have a membrane, etc.. It just depends on the model, make sure you read the details of the one you are interested in. I wear my Tundras for example, and my feet don't get wet in those.

[@zackearthworm]

@@barefootshoejoshanother q: I'm starting to love these tadeevos but i just need a higher stack for the light hiking i do - not because of water, just for the feel. The freet look like they are slightly better, when you take into account their insoles. Can you comment on this? Thx again.

[@barefootshoejosh]

@@zackearthworm Yes the Tadeevos are very thin. These Freets are 4mm, and Freet offers 2 different thicknesses of insoles, depending on how much padding you need. I would 100% rather hike in Freets than my Tadeevos.

[@mackjenkins7721]

Those are some nice barefoot 👣 shoes man. The prices are right there with all of the regular shoes prices too. For Christmas i went shoes shopping for my 6 boys Even though they hate shoes because they all have very wide feet 🦶 too & shoes was at $100.00 to $400.00 dollars for a pair of shoes. I will stay barefooted 👣 & pass on shoes. Barefooted 👣 don't costs money. But those are some nice looking barefoot shoes & i like the fax that they are wide too. P.S. you like to hear something funny Josh! I was at a Truck 🚛 stop & a guy walked by me & noticed that my feet 🦶 was very very extremely wide. I had my flip flops 🩴 on & the guy said to me man you got some very wide feet 🦶 man? I laughed & said yes i do. He said Wow you got some very fat wide toes & your toes are straight across? I laughed again & said yes I do. He said I never seen toes that fat & straight across like your before. I said Yeah it's funny looking. He said I think it's the most Coolest looking feet 🦶 i have ever seen. I said thanks you i really do appreciate that. He said if you don't mind me asking how wide is your feet 🦶? I said they are 6 1/2 inches wide from my big toe to my lil toe. He said WOW WOW WOW that is very very wide were do you get your shoes at? I laughed & said what shoes? I Pointed down at my feet 🦶 and said these are my shoes. My foot outgrow shoes , socks , & boots when I was young. He said Wow you can't wear shoes at all that wild man. He said I think you have the most cool looking feet 🦶 sir. I said thanks you so much for that i really do appreciate that. & we went are way. I just Thought I said that would you because I Thought about what you said we all have different shape and size feet 🦶. Good video buddy thanks you for sharing this.

[@barefootshoejosh]

You should get yourself a custom pair of shoes to fit your feet, Mack. Maybe just for special occasions or something.

[@mackjenkins7721]

@@barefootshoejosh I am going to look into it because when it gets really cold like 20° & 30° Degrees outside & I am wearing flip flops 🩴 my feet 🦶 hurt me if I'm outside for a very long time which a lot of times I am not Except for when i'm at work & that depends on what going on at work. Truck 🚛 stop is were am outside the longest.

[@barefootshoejosh]

@@mackjenkins7721 I'll be posting a review for one pretty soon that might fit your feet, and they do customs too.

[@mackjenkins7721]

@barefootshoejosh OK that's cool man I will be keeping an eye out for that. Thanks you for the heads-up on that.

[@zackearthworm]

Hi Josh, I wanted to buy Freet’s but most don’t come any larger than 48. That might still be worth trying. But I noticed most Freet’s have a low upper not much vertical room around toes. Have you noticed this? Also have you tried the flex? Bc they come in 49. Thx

[@barefootshoejosh]

Hi Zack.. my apologies for the delay, I never got a notification about your comment, which happens from time to time for some reason. I haven't noticed them having not much vertical room in the toe area. Maybe if you have very tall toes, or toes which dramatically curve upward? Mine are all great. And no, I haven't tried the Flex but I'm sure they're great!