The Story Behind a True Barefoot Footwear Pioneer
At Happy Little Soles, we’re passionate about connecting our customers with brands that share our dedication to healthy feet and natural movement — and Freet is a shining example. With a focus on performance barefoot shoes for adults and children, Freet has been crafting footwear that lets feet move as nature intended since 2010. But where did it all start? Here's a deeper look into the inspiring story and values behind this much-loved barefoot brand.
From Frustration to Innovation: How Freet Began
Freet was founded in 2010 by husband-and-wife team Andrew and Sarah Jackson, driven by their shared passion for natural foot function and better footwear.
Sarah & Andrew Jackson who together, founded the brand Freet.
Andrew, with a background in outdoor and sports footwear, had grown increasingly concerned about how traditional shoes and boots caused discomfort and low leg injuries. He was inspired by a simple but powerful idea:
"What if you didn’t feel desperate to take off your shoes after a long day hiking?"
Meanwhile, Sarah, a primary school teacher, was fascinated by the natural way young feet move when not restricted by stiff, conventional shoes — and wanted to preserve that freedom in children's footwear.
Together, they set out to create a brand that would challenge the norms of the shoe industry.
The First Step: Freet's Original Barefoot Shoe
Freet’s journey began with a bold choice — launching a split-toe barefoot shoe (known as the 4+1 toe shoe) in a limited run of 800 pairs, all in black. Though it took two years to sell through, all but one tiny pair (which now lives in the "Freet Museum"!) found homes. It was a humble beginning that paved the way for greater things.
The original Freet 4+1 toe shoe.
Key Milestones on the Freet Journey
- Since that first product, Freet has reached some incredible milestones:
- Taking the leap with their first production run, investing all their savings.
- Finding funds for subsequent production runs, even when it wasn’t easy.
- Developing their first custom outsole moulds — a huge step in creating truly barefoot soles.
- Opening European and US warehouses, expanding access to their shoes internationally.
- Reaching £1 million in sales, all while keeping a small, family-run feel.
- Staying true to their mission and, most importantly, still having fun 15 years later!
What Makes Freet Different?
From day one, Freet has focused on creating high-performance barefoot shoes for real life — outdoor adventures, sports, and everyday use. Here’s what sets them apart:
Core Values
- Integrity, authenticity, and respect — values that extend across their supply chain and customer relationships.
- A commitment to getting better, not just bigger, with daily improvements in all areas of the business (Design, Development, Manufacture, Operation, Marketing, Sales, Customer Service and Finance).
Barefoot Innovation
Freet designs shoes that meet all the key barefoot principles — from wide toe boxes to zero drop soles — to encourage natural, healthy foot development for all ages.
They also use unique, sustainable materials like CoffeeYarn, made from recycled coffee grounds, and incorporate premium rubber and stitched outsoles for durability and performance.
From coffee grounds to barefoot shoes.
Sustainability and Ethics
Every Freet product is developed with sustainability in mind — whether it’s through eco-friendly materials or designs that stand the test of time.
Challenges and Resilience
Building Freet hasn’t always been easy. Andrew and Sarah funded everything themselves, without external investment, while juggling multiple day jobs to keep things moving.
They also faced early challenges with manufacturing quality, but overcame these by building close relationships with their factory partners, with daily dialogue and regular time on-site to ensure the highest standards.
Freet Today: Staying Close to Customers and Industry
One of the keys to Freet’s success is staying deeply connected to their customers — including partners like Happy Little Soles — and valuing their supply chain partners in Asia. Together, they form a global community working toward better footwear options.
What’s Next for Freet?
Looking ahead, Freet is all about refining and improving what they do best:
"Better, not bigger" — with ongoing innovation in design, production, and customer service.
Freet Juniors Hoppee Trainers Grey Lace
New summer range has just launched, packed with exciting updates.
Coming soon: a refreshed winter range, including brand-new winter boots and updated versions of beloved classics like Mudee and Arken, launching August this year.
And, as Andrew says, most importantly:
"To have MASSIVE fun with everybody whilst we do this!"
Final Thoughts: Why We Love Freet
At Happy Little Soles, we’re proud to stock Freet because they truly care about feet, the planet, and the people who wear their shoes. Whether you’re shopping for children's barefoot shoes or high-performance options for adults, Freet offers something special — footwear that lets you move naturally and comfortably, every step of the way.
Explore our full range of Freet barefoot shoes and join us in supporting a brand that’s redefining what footwear should be.
