Swiss Barefoot Company's glove-like socks are made from material stronger than Kevlar
This footwear from the Swiss Barefoot Company is designed to protect wearers' feet by wrapping them in Dyneema – a fabric stronger than steel and Kevlar (+ slideshow).
![Dyneema Free Your Feet socks by the Swiss Barefoot Company](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/08/Dyneema-Free-Your-Feet-socks-by-the-Swiss-Barefoot-Company_dezeen_468_3.jpg)
Created for use during activities that would usually require participants to be barefoot, the Free Your Feet (FYF) shoes are designed to prevent cuts and bruises.
They feature glove-like pockets for each toe and are woven from what the Swiss Barefoot Company claims is "the world's strongest fibre".
![Dyneema Free Your Feet socks by the Swiss Barefoot Company](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/08/Dyneema-Free-Your-Feet-socks-by-the-Swiss-Barefoot-Company_dezeen_sqa.jpg)
The fabric is woven from Dyneema fibre – a type of polyethylene with a high molecular mass – which its manufacturer DSM claims is stronger than Kevlar, and 15 times stronger than steel.
![Dyneema Free Your Feet socks by the Swiss Barefoot Company](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/08/Dyneema-Free-Your-Feet-socks-by-the-Swiss-Barefoot-Company_dezeen_468_4.jpg)
The material repels water, and the dot-patterned sole helps maintain a secure grip on slippery surfaces such as on a surfboard.
![Dyneema Free Your Feet socks by the Swiss Barefoot Company](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/08/Dyneema-Free-Your-Feet-socks-by-the-Swiss-Barefoot-Company_dezeen_468_5.jpg)
Available in standard and low-cut designs for men and women, the FYF shoes fit more like socks – intended to be easy to put on and take off.
![Dyneema Free Your Feet socks by the Swiss Barefoot Company](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/08/Dyneema-Free-Your-Feet-socks-by-the-Swiss-Barefoot-Company_dezeen_468_2.jpg)
"We wanted to create a product that helps athletes regain a natural barefoot feeling within their favourite sport," founder Dieter Hesch said in a statement.
Hesch is a dedicated kiteboarder and it was his own experience of injuries received while boarding that prompted him to design footwear that would replicate the barefoot feeling.
![Dyneema Free Your Feet socks by the Swiss Barefoot Company](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/08/Dyneema-Free-Your-Feet-socks-by-the-Swiss-Barefoot-Company_dezeen_468_7.jpg)
"FYF increases your performance safely, and with a new sense of security," Hesch said.
![Dyneema Free Your Feet socks by the Swiss Barefoot Company](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/08/Dyneema-Free-Your-Feet-socks-by-the-Swiss-Barefoot-Company_dezeen_468_8.jpg)
The shoes met their initial funding target of $10,000 (£6,400) on Kickstarter shortly after their launch and had surpassed $170,000 (£110,000) at the time of publishing – with 17 days of the campaign still left.
![Dyneema Free Your Feet socks by the Swiss Barefoot Company](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/08/Dyneema-Free-Your-Feet-socks-by-the-Swiss-Barefoot-Company_dezeen_468_1.jpg)
Over 2,000 people have already pledged their support, and the company claims this makes it one of the fastest-funded clothing products in Kickstarter history.
![Dyneema Free Your Feet socks by the Swiss Barefoot Company](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/08/Dyneema-Free-Your-Feet-socks-by-the-Swiss-Barefoot-Company_dezeen_468_6.jpg)
Similarly, sportswear brand Adidas recently launched a prototype shoe designed by Alexander Taylor with an upper made entirely from yarns and filaments, produced using plastic salvaged from the ocean.