The Guiding Philosophy

Behind Free Form Shoes

For a lot of barefoot shoe long time lovers, our Toebox and heel drops might seem like a sell out to mainstream fashion.  But while many of those around us stand scornfully proud in defiance that big and wide is beautiful, I find myself not able to sing along wholeheartedly.

It’s not that I find it ugly for them, it’s just not for me.  We are talking about shoes, not people after all.  And we are allowed to have opinions on things that are more rigid than people.  So I prefer to have my cake and eat it too.  I want a barefoot shoe with style, and I think we will win over more mainstream people that way as well.  Some shoes also are never going to make it to full barefoot, but that doesn’t’ mean we shouldn’t strive for improvement.  An all or nothing approach isn’t my thing.  I am able to concede battles to win wars.  A stiletto for example…good luck making that fully barefoot, but that’s why there are flats.

So when i started Free Form Shoes I had certain criteria that were non-negotiable; and a few that I was hopeful for but willing to be swayed.  Let’s start with what I would stand firm on.  1) A barefoot Toebox.  This was actually harder than the next things to convince manufacturers to go with. 2) quality materials.  I wanted something that would be worth the money people spent on it.  Not because of a brand name, or because it’s “healthy”; but because the value is inherently in the product.  3) traditionally made, to not stick out as a shoe that is different for the sake of barefoot, but for it’s quality.  4) A low drop, and eventually a zero drop.  I was convinced to make the plunge to zero drop through feedback during my failed Kickstarter campaign.  This might give you a big pause at this point, why would he not do zero drop from the get go? Why does he say he’s been barefoot for a long time?  Here’s the short version. I like the way a heel looks on dress shoes and there was no literature to support 4mm vs 0mm effects on gait or posture.  But I am glad I listened, and if you’re a customer I hope that means something to you.  I want Free Form Shoes to be a brand that listens to it’s customers.

The whole philosophy or ethos can really be boiled down to a shoe that looks like other dress shoes; but is made better.  Made better through materials and better through design.  A shoe that lasts and gives peace of mind.

You can reach comfortably into your closet and know it fits you well, you’ll be comfortable in it all day and night, and it’s going to be around for a long time.