Freet Mooch Review: The £37 Barefoot Shoe That Actually Works
By Alin Ciocan | September 26, 2025
The Freet Mooch is a vegan, zero-drop slip-on with a wide toe box, recycled nubuck upper, and ultra-flexible sole. Lightweight, durable, and comfy, it feels like slippers yet works for everyday wear, errands, and light trails.
Barefoot Comfort
4.5/5
PRICE / VALUE
5/5
Style / Design
4/5
durability
4.5/5
The Freet Mooch costs £37.50 (currently!) and solves the two problems that kill most barefoot shoe purchases: they’re either too expensive to risk trying, or too minimal and your feet hurt for weeks. This does neither.
After wearing these daily for three months, I’ve learned exactly what they’re good at and what they’re not. Here’s what actually matters.
Use code BARETREAD10 for an extra 10% off at checkout.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Slip On & Go – No laces, no bending, no faff. Beginner-friendly by design.
Actually Green – 80% recycled bottles in the upper. Not greenwashing.
Beginner-Safe Cushioning – 9.5mm protects newbies. Remove insole for hardcore feel.
Won’t Fall Apart – Stitched AND glued sole. Most barefoot shoes just use glue.
Very Affordable – €37.50 in EU/UK is borderline theft. Even $58 US is solid.
Cons
House Slipper Look – Casual aesthetic won’t win style awards. Function over fashion, accept this.
Not Waterproof – Fine in drizzle, soaked in rain. Takes a couple of hours to dry.
Walking Only – Slip-on design won’t secure feet for running or sports.
Hot in Summer – Gets sweaty above 20°C. Not ideal for warm weather – ignore this if in the UK.
Sizing Runs Large – Most people need to go down one size. Order two sizes if unsure.
What You’re Getting
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Why the 9.5mm Stack Works
Most people quit barefoot shoes because ultra-thin soles (3-4mm) hurt. Your feet aren’t ready for that shock. The Mooch’s 9.5mm cushioning (6.5mm without the removable insole) sits in the sweet spot – zero drop for natural posture, but enough padding that gravel paths don’t make you wince.
Remove the insole later if you want more ground feel. Or leave it in. Both work. See our barefoot shoe science guide for why zero drop matters.
Stack Height Options
More cushioning, zero drop. Comfortable on hard surfaces all day.
More ground feel, still zero drop. Better proprioception.
How They’re Built
The upper is 80% recycled plastic bottles (BottleYarn) with a nubuck texture. After three months of dog walks through mud and rain, a damp cloth cleans them. No tears, no fraying. The only visible wear is slight fading where sunlight hits.
The critical part: the sole is both stitched and glued. Most barefoot shoes just use glue, which eventually separates. After 300+ miles, zero separation on the Mooch. This is why it lasts.
How They Perform
Daily Dog Walks
No laces means no bending down when the dog is pulling at the door. Slip them on in 5 seconds. The sole handles wet grass and mud without slipping. Everything wipes clean. After 200+ walks, they’re holding up.
Long Days on Hard Floors
Tested on several 10-12 hour days standing. The 9.5mm cushioning prevents foot fatigue. The zero-drop sole improves posture – my lower back feels noticeably better than in regular shoes. Healthcare workers report similar results. See how barefoot shoes affect posture.
What They Can’t Do
Running – the slip-on design doesn’t lock your foot in place. Heavy rain – they soak through in about 10 minutes. Hot weather over 25°C – they get warm. For running, see our barefoot running guide.
My Testing vs Common Reports
My experience: Comfortable immediately, true-to-size fit (UK 9), no heel rubbing, 300+ miles without issues.
What others mention: Some get heel rubbing for a week. The wide toe box feels large to people with narrow feet. Gets warm in hot weather.
Getting the Sizing Right
Freet recommends sizing down. That’s only half true. My UK 9 fits perfectly at true size. The issue is the wide toe box makes narrow-footed people think they’re too big.
How to Size These
- Measure your feet in millimeters
- Use Freet’s size chart (ignore UK/US sizes, use mm)
- Wide feet: order your normal size
- Narrow feet: the toe box will feel roomy – you might size down or you might not
If unsure: Order both sizes. Freet does UK returns. Cheaper than guessing wrong.
More on barefoot shoe fitting in our complete fitting guide.
Who Should Buy These
First Barefoot Shoes
Enough cushioning that your feet don’t rebel. Low price means low risk. Remove the insole later if you want more ground feel. Beginner’s guide →
Elderly Users
No bending to tie laces. Wide toe box fits swollen feet. Zero drop improves balance without extreme minimalism. Looks normal. More details →
Long Shifts
Tested on 12-hour days. The cushioning prevents foot fatigue. Zero drop reduces back pain. Easy to clean between shifts. See alternatives →
Quick Errands
Dog walks, school runs, quick shops. On in 5 seconds. Handles wet surfaces. Wipes clean. More walking shoes →
Not Suitable For:
- Running – slip-on design lacks lockdown (running options)
- Heavy rain – not waterproof, soaks through in 10 minutes
- Hot climates – gets warm above 25°C
- Ultra-minimalists – if you want 3mm soles (minimal options)
Long-Term Durability
After three months of daily wear:
- Upper: Minor UV fading, no tears, no fraying
- Sole: 90% tread remaining, zero separation
- Insole: Some compression at heel and ball of foot
- Projection: 12-18 months at current wear rate
At £37.50, that’s about £2-3 per month for daily use. Compare that to why most barefoot shoes cost £100+.
How They Compare
The Mooch sits between aggressive minimal shoes like Xero or Vivobarefoot and cushioned options like Lems. At this price, it’s the cheapest decent barefoot shoe you can buy. More budget options in our affordable barefoot shoes guide.
Common Questions
Depends on your foot shape. Wide feet: order normal size. Narrow feet: the wide toe box might feel large – some size down, some don’t. Measure your feet in mm and use Freet’s chart. Order both sizes if unsure – free UK returns.
The 9.5mm cushioning prevents the foot pain that makes people quit barefoot shoes. The zero drop strengthens your feet without the shock of going too minimal too fast. Most people find them comfortable immediately.
No. The slip-on design doesn’t lock your foot down. They’re for walking, standing, casual use. For running, see our barefoot running shoe guide.
No. Light drizzle is fine. Heavy rain soaks through in 10 minutes. They dry in 3-4 hours.
Based on 3 months daily use: 12-18 months projected. The stitched sole prevents the separation issues common in barefoot shoes. At £37.50, that’s £2-3 per month.
Barefoot shoes can help by strengthening foot muscles and improving arch support naturally. The zero drop reduces strain on the plantar fascia. The 9.5mm cushioning is gentler than ultra-minimal options. See our plantar fasciitis guide for more details.
The Verdict
Bottom Line
The Freet Mooch works because it removes every reason people quit barefoot shoes: price, pain, and looking weird. It’s the barefoot shoe people actually keep wearing.
Buy If:
- • First barefoot shoes
- • Want all-day comfort
- • Need slip-on convenience
- • Price matters (£37.50)
- • Value sustainability
Skip If:
- • Want ultra-minimal feel
- • Need running shoes
- • Live in wet climate
- • Hot weather (25°C+)
- • Want premium looks
After 300+ miles, these have become my default casual shoe. At £37.50 with proven durability and sustainable materials, they remove the barriers to trying barefoot shoes.
Current Pricing
50% off at £37.50 (usually £75)
Extra 10% off with code BARETREAD10
Free UK shipping • Free returns • 4.7/5 Trustpilot
Related: Barefoot Shoes for Elderly | Beginner’s Guide | More Slip-Ons | All-Day Wear
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