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FYF Free Your Feet Barefoot Company Dyneema Socks Review

Super Speedy Summary Review

Its very hard to describe exactly WHAT these are. They are socks, but they are also like barefoot sneakers in a way. These toe socks are made from Dyneema which means the fabric feels like any good synthetic breathable sports sock (which it is) but the fabric is also very resistant to tears or breakage so you can feel pretty secure running or walking in these on trails (I even walked on broken glass on the beach to test them). The fabric also has a very smooth finish which means they are unlikely to give you blisters. The underside has a grippy silicon like dotted surface so they grip incredibly well too.

Although a bit fiddly to put on these socks are great for those days you are outdoors and climbing in and out of canoes or boats, having an easy walk on a trail or even a short trail run. They wash up well provided you wash them as instructed. I’ve had these a year and love them for the times you want to feel ‘free’ when outside but want a bit of added security on your feet just in case.

These socks are also part of my bigger ‘Best Socks for Trail Running Guide’ here.

Nothing gets me more excited about new types of running gear than space age fabrics. In the past I’ve had nerdgasms over indestructible kevlar hoodies, ceramic coated clothing and even glow in the dark rain jackets. Now I’ve found out about The Barefoot Company making socks out of Dyneema so I had to give them a try. Are these the ultimate superhero socks and can you really go trail running in them WITHOUT SHOES?!

FYF Free Your Feet Barefoot Company Dyneema Socks Review

The concept behind these socks is simple. To use a high technology fabric that is 15 times stronger than steel to create socks that remove the need to have running shoes, and instead give you the comfort and barefoot feeling for running and sports, but without the fear of cutting your feet on glass or rocks.

FYF Free Your Feet Barefoot Company Dyneema Socks Review

Dyneema has a number of characteristics that make the Free Your Feet FYF socks a perfect addition to a weekend of adventures. They are strong and highly resistant to abrasion, wick sweat away well, have a very low coefficient of friction that means the chances of getting blisters are low. 

FYF Free Your Feet Barefoot Company Dyneema Socks Review

Trying them on 

Putting them on can be a bit tricky. After some trial and error I suggest rolling them right down inside out until you get to the individual toes then putting this ‘toe hat’ on to your toes and then rolling the sock up to your ankles. Try putting the big toe in first also help.  The company opt for a sock with individual toes to probably increase the natural feel and grip, but I would be interested to see what a standard sock shape would also be like.

FYF Free Your Feet Barefoot Company Dyneema Socks Review

Once on the socks have small micro silicon like dots on the underside to give you LOADS of grip and they also come in two ankle variants, a low rise anklet and a full height ankle sock. I took them for a run along a rocky beach coastline in New Haven in Connecticut to give them a good test on a few running surfaces. 

I found the socks had good thermal qualities keeping your feet not too cool or hot or clammy, and I would suggest as a rule of thumb these socks are used in temperatures that you would normally consider appropriate for wearing flip flops. Despite this I went for a run on cold November and it was still fine for about an hour.

Trail Running Test

On grass and sand/ shingle these socks are in the their absolute element and running in them is a joy. I was surprised at just how much fun it was.  On pavement these are ok for walking but for running your feet rapidly get pounded too hard and you get excessive heat build up from friction so where possible I would avoid running on tarmac in them.

FYF Free Your Feet Barefoot Company Dyneema Socks Review

 I deliberately got these socks wet in the surf of the beach in a cold windy November day and my feet didn’t get too cold, and better still the socks dried quickly when they did get wet. I ran over glass, rocks, sharp stones and rocks on the beach and was very surprised at how comfortable it was. 

They need to be machine washed cold and looked after like any waterproof and breathable fabric but after a few washes show now sign of wear or tear. 

FYF Free Your Feet Barefoot Company Dyneema Socks Review

Verdict

These socks are superb for fun short distance runs in unusual places like a rocky shoreline or open fields. I can see them also being great for rock climbing and yoga. I would also use these on something like a multi day jungle ultra with a pair of slightly larger than normal shoes. 

With no cushioning I would avoid doing any long distance running in these socks, and very wet muddy conditions would probably prove too much  for the grip on the soles.