An example article includes a composite free layer and a conductive channel. The composite free layer includes a high-anisotropy ferromagnetic layer, a non-magnetic transition metal layer adjacent to the high anisotropy ferromagnetic layer, and an ultra-low damping magnetic insulator. The non-magnetic transition metal layer is between the ultra-low damping magnetic insulator and the high-anisotropy ferromagnetic layer. An example spin-orbit torque (SOT) stack may include the example article. Techniques for forming and switching example articles and SOT stacks are described.