Hello, my name’s Andrew, and these are the Freet Arken 2, a vegan barefoot boot with a waterproof upper and rugged sole for hiking and backpacking.

Features

Last year I reviewed the Freet Mudee, which is super tough barefoot boot for serious trekking, but in winter the mid-cut ankle doesn’t provide as much coverage from wind and snow.

So a three-quarter boot really hits the mark!

Upper/Lining

Because the Arken has a wide, foot-shaped toebox with a high-volume, fully waterproof microfibre upper, quick-cinch laces and top hooks for easy on/off, and gusseted tongue to keep out the elements.

Around back there’s a slanted ankle for better mobility, padded collar, and full fleece lining for insulation in colder weather.

Sole/Tread

Underneath you’ve got a medium thick 8mm zero-drop sole with good flexibility vertically and moderate resistance horizontally…

…as well as a set of beefy lugs that are wide enough to hand extreme rocky terrain, but spaced enough to grip on slippery trails.

In terms of fit the Freet Arken runs true to size, and for reference my feet are 10.5 in (26.67 cm), and the EU 44 worked well, although if you’re between sizes, you might want to go up to accommodate winter socks.

Testing

At around 1.5mm thicker than the original, the Arken 2 has definitely upgraded to a full-on barefoot trekking boot.

Walking

So going out for a walk on roads, the felt like overkill on urban terrain, although the upper was quite soft and not at all restrictive like some heavier barefoot pack boots can be.

Hiking

Obviously, the Arken’s were much more suited for heading off on trails, and the waterproof upper was perfect for skimming through cold, wet grass, and sloshing through puddles without getting damp inside…

…and the thicker toe guard was like having my own personal bulldozer, making it impossible to stub my toe and making easy work of even the sharpest sticks, stones, and thorns.

Backpacking

For backpacking on large shifting rocks, the Arken’s heavy duty tread kept my feet from getting beat up, while supporting a 20 lb pack…

…and yet the upper was so flexible that it still felt nice even bending to ninety degrees clawing my way up steep hills, which were no problem for lugs, since they were spaced far enough apart to grip well on soft ground.

That said, on warmer days the fleece wasn’t as breathable as natural fibers, so I’d definitely recommend using a wool felt insole and merino wool Injinji toe socks, which greatly improve airflow and moisture wicking.

Conclusion

Overall, the Freet Arken is a great pick for anyone who needs a rock solid barefoot boot for winter trekking that still feels soft and cozy up top.

Pros/Cons

Because the upper is wide and waterproof, the ankle feels both supportive and flexible for longer milage, and 8mm zero-drop sole is tough enough to handle even the most extreme terrain, while still providing a decent amount of ground feel in between the lugs.

However, the synthetic lining isn’t as breathable as wool or leather, the insulation can overheat in warmer weather, and the tread does feel like overkill for casual hikes and urban terrain.

Alternatives

In terms of similar barefoot hiking boots…

Resources

Finally, if you’d like to support the channel, you can shop with the referral links below, browse and filter more products with the shoe finder tool at my website barefootwear.org, or watch my zero-drop transition video to learn more about barefooting…

…and if you have a question about the Freet Arken, or about barefoot shoes in general, let me know in the comments.

Thanks for reading, catch ya next time. Peace!