Built for Business
The fashion is for gym shoes that are designed for cushioning. Freet Milo is designed for connection. It is a barefoot training shoe built specifically for the gym, and if your training involves any serious lifting, it is worth knowing about.
About Freet
Freet was founded in 2010 by husband and wife Andrew and Sarah Jackson in North Yorkshire, combining their passion for the outdoors with a conviction that footwear should support the way the human body is designed to move. Andrew had a background in the hiking boot industry and had grown increasingly frustrated with shoes that caused discomfort and injury. His question was simple: why were most shoes designed to restrict feet rather than work with them?
That question became Freet. Over fifteen years, the brand has grown from a first run of 800 split-toe shoes, all in black, to a full range of performance barefoot footwear for trail, training and everyday wear. Their philosophy has not changed: less shoe, more foot.
We have stocked Freet at Happy Little Soles for some time, and they remain one of our most trusted brands for adults who want genuine barefoot performance built into everything they do.
Meet Milo
The Milo is Freet's first specialist performance shoe, designed specifically for intense gym use. It is built for strength training, cross training, court sports and cycling, with a Tech Mesh upper made from BottleYarn recycled plastic bottles, a protective overlay over the high-wear forefoot area, and heel lateral support for improved power transfer.
The Flexile Nano insole gives minimal shock absorption and maximum surface feel, keeping you as close to the ground as possible while still offering a shoe with real-world gym protection. The sole is zero-drop and flat, the toe box is wide, and the whole thing is built to last through serious training without losing the barefoot feel.
It is, in short, a shoe designed for people who actually lift.
In the Gym: An Honest Review
Kate's gym trainer is Tess Turner, a former GB athlete who now works as a personal trainer and strength coach. Instagram @typeone.tess
Tess is also type one diabetic, and foot health is something she takes seriously, both professionally and personally. People living with diabetes are advised to pay particular attention to their footwear, as circulation and nerve sensitivity in the feet can be affected over time. A shoe that supports natural movement, fits well and avoids unnecessary pressure is not just a performance choice for Tess. It is an important one.
We asked her to put the Milo through its paces and share her honest thoughts. Here is what she said:
"I was immediately impressed by the width and toe room. They were comfortable straight away, unlike many traditional training shoes that need time to break in.
These are definitely going to be a new favourite for deadlifts and any movement that requires a stable midfoot drive. They felt great for posterior-chain focused exercises.
I particularly liked them for single-leg work such as single-leg deadlifts and Bulgarian split squats. The extra toe space allows your toes to function naturally, which really helps with stability. I also think this more natural foot positioning supports better stability through the ankles, knees and hips, allowing for improved form overall.
For squats, my experience differed slightly. For people with good ankle mobility, squatting in these shoes will not be an issue. However, many recreational lifters do have limitations here, and without any heel lift, achieving good depth without heels rising may be more challenging. That said, this is easily managed by using blocks or switching shoes for squats if needed.
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by how well these performed as general training shoes. They are a better option than running shoes for lifting weights. For general strength sessions and recreational lifters, they are a great choice. For Olympic lifting or CrossFit-style metcons, they may feel a little less stable, but for most strength work they are a solid option."
Why the Barefoot Difference Matters in the Gym
If you have ever wondered why serious lifters often train in socks or flat shoes, it comes down to ground contact. A cushioned running shoe places you on an elevated, unstable platform, which is the opposite of what you need when you are trying to drive force into the floor.
A flat, zero-drop sole keeps your foot in direct contact with the ground. Your whole foot is engaged, your toes can spread and grip, and your body can find its natural alignment through the ankle, knee and hip. The result is better stability, better form and, over time, stronger feet.
The Milo takes all of that and wraps it in a shoe that can handle the demands of a gym environment: reinforced where it needs to be, breathable where it matters, and durable enough to last.
Who Is the Milo For?
The Milo suits anyone who trains regularly and wants their footwear to work with their body rather than against it. It is especially good for strength-focused sessions involving deadlifts, hip hinges, split squats and any posterior-chain work where ground feel and stability matter.
It is also a strong choice for those who are new to barefoot footwear and want to start with something that feels genuinely supportive. The wide toe box and flat sole do their work without feeling extreme or unfamiliar.
One honest note: if your training is predominantly squat-heavy and your ankle mobility is a work in progress, the zero-drop design may take some adjustment. Using a small heel raise for squats while wearing the Milo for everything else is a perfectly sensible approach, and one our reviewer found worked well.
Sizing: The Milo fits true to size. We always recommend measuring your foot in centimetres and checking our size guide before ordering. We offer free returns, so if something does not feel right, sending it back is straightforward.
In Summary
Freet's Milo is a great gym shoe for people who take their training seriously. It is honest about what it is and what it does well. The wide toe box, flat sole and genuine ground feel make it one of the better barefoot training options available at this price point, and the real-world review above tells you more than any product description could.
You can explore the full Freet range, including Milo, at Happy Little Soles.
