Freet Buzz

In 2013 Freet released into the ultra-minimalist footwear market their very successful 4+1 shoe. Freet sent me a pair to test last winter and I loved them as a very comfy multi-use shoe. Their neoprene uppers and snug fit (albeit a bit too snug for their sizing) kept my bare feet warm in the winter months both indoors and out, both wet and dry.

It’s now Spring/Summer 2014 and Freet have produced a new model based on the 4+1 chassis. They call it The Buzz.

In many respects this is the same as the original 4+1, and I recommend that you read my review of them, but there are some nice changes in the Buzz.

Importantly they have rectified the sizing problem and the Buzz in your usual shoe size will fit just fine.

The neoprene of the original 4+1 has been replaced by a thinner, lighter-weight, more flexible mesh material. This comes with the advantage of the whole shoe being lighter (my size 45s weigh 190g as opposed to 200g), it dries a lot more quickly, and the tiny holes of the mesh let your feet get some air to them. During the summer months all of the above is very welcome. Although of course in the winter you would probably appreciate the thermal properties of the denser neoprene.

Which brings me to ponder the potential market for these shoes. I imagine that footwear of this genre will appeal to the more staunch barefooter who would spend the majority of the summer months, if not all year, actually barefooted rather than in barefoot shoes, and who might look for something ultra-minimalist to provide a bit of warmth and protection for the winter months; a niche served by the original 4+1. I guess the Buzz will appeal to those on the next rung down the barefoot ladder, who don’t necessarily insist on being fully barefoot as soon as the sun comes out.

The Buzz is built on the same split-big-toe chassis as the 4+1, allowing your big toe independence of movement and the ability to strengthen the whole of your foot as if truly barefooted. If you take them for an off-road run or walk you will find your big toe gets a decent work-out as it exercises its freedom to do the balancing and gripping that it was designed to do.

I have been told that the midsole of the Buzz is lighter density than that of the original, but to be honest the sole unit is so thin I really can’t tell the difference. You still get that near-barefoot proprioceptive feedback you’d expect from an ultra-minimalist shoe.

The sole’s sticky rubber offers good traction on most surfaces whether you’re running, walking, playing, or in the water, and although the embossed detail of the ‘tread’ texture will wear off quickly on hard surfaces, the 4mm rubber will take many many miles to wear through to your own sole.

This is a really good choice for an all-round summer barefoot shoe. If you bought a pair of the 4+1s, you can consider the Buzz as an upgrade for the summer. If you didn’t, and you’re looking for something a little bit different to kick around in this summer, I would recommend these over the originals. Maybe wait until it starts to get cold then decide if you like them enough to buy a pair of the originals as well to see you through the winter.