Looking for the best barefoot shoes for your kids? Look no further! In this blog, we will review some of the most popular minimalist kids shoes on the market and give you our top picks. Barefoot shoes are a great alternative to traditional barefoot shoes / minimalist kids shoes, and they offer many benefits for growing children. They promote natural foot movement and help strengthen the muscles and bones in the feet. They also allow kids to feel the ground beneath their feet, which is great for sensory development. So, if you're looking for a way to help your child have a healthier and more enjoyable childhood, consider investing in a pair of barefoot shoes!
Why Are Proper Shoes So Important For Developing Feet?
My take on developing feet is two fold, healthy anatomy (the boney and muscly bit) and healthy nervous system (would you make your kids wear big thick gloves all day long and expect them to be good at catching, writing, etc?
The anatomical side - the bones in a growing child's feet are constantly changing and growing as they put weight on them. Kids in some countries don't wear shoes and it is thought that walking barefoot from this early age encourages natural movement, an improved walking gait and healthy foot development. If we look at populations that don't routinely use shoes or have minimalist shoes their feet look stronger, and wider and have larger gaps between their toes. (see diagram).
The nervous system - the thin sole and a flexible sole gives the brain the necessary feedback it requires to develop balance, feeling and proprioception. Something that rigid shoes don't do as well.
Natural Feet Don't Mean Ugly Feet
Now you probably don't want your kids feet to look like this because we have been conditioned to think flat feet cause problems and wide feet are ugly but non of this is true!
So what goes wrong if a child doesn't wear good shoes? I guess the bones can grow in an abnormal way leading to long-term problems with their feet. Long term problems don't mean flat feet by the way as there is no concrete evidence people with flat feet get feet problems!
Is there any scientific evidence that having flexible soles and a wide toe box ie barefoot kids shoes prevents long-term problems? Well, I can't find any evidence but I do know that around 10% of the population has plantar fasciitis (read my other blog) yet in countries that aren't as developed, they have a much better foot health record!
My take is therefore that wearing barefoot shoes means I'm minimising the risk of my kids developing foot problems in the future.
My short story....it is relevant.
A very long time I was introduced to a chiropractor in the UK by the name of Peter Olson. He didn't come across as a hippy or a wacky sort of guy, in fact quite normal, except he always had these funky shoes (turns out they ended up being my favorite barefoot shoe brand). These funky shoes were barefoot trainers (vivobarefoot to be exact) and so I researched them and the rest as they say is history. Fast forward to now and I've had around 9 pairs of barefoot trainers, 1 boot and smart shoes (I call these adult shoes!). I think you can tell I like buying new shoes. :)
A word of warning I wore my first minimalist shoe on a hike for many hours and couldn't walk afterwards for days. When you make the switch do it gradually!
Recently I was tasked with getting some new shoes for my youngest and hadn't realised it wasn't that easy to find alternative barefoot shoes for kids as my favourite brand was always out of stock. However, there are a growing number of barefoot shoe companies now so I wrote this blog to help you find kids minimalist footwear that will hopefully meet your eye, and budget and help your kids develop healthy footwear habits!
Introducing Barefoot Shoes
If you are on this page you already know Barefoot shoes are a great alternative to the traditional shoe line up. You may be motivated by fashion, looking for healthy footwear or you have figured out that having stiff soles and a non natural shape - like your adult shoes isn't good for our kids foot health!
Barefoot shoes offer many benefits for growing children, including promoting natural foot movement and strengthening the muscles and bones in the feet and they aren't forcing a growing foot into an unnatural shape. They also allow kids to feel the ground beneath their feet, which is great for sensory development.
If you're looking for a way to help your child have a healthier and more enjoyable childhood, consider investing in a pair of barefoot shoes!
Keep reading to learn more!
What Does a Barefoot Shoe Look Like?
Did I say minimalist shoes and barefoot shoes are the same thing? No, well they are.
For me minimalist shoes have a wide toe box. In real terms that means the toes should be able to breathe, have space and rattle around in the wide toe box. (see photo of the wide toe box)
photo of barefoot shoes for kids - nice wide toe box
Narrow shoes, ie most shoes have a narrow toe box that pinches the feet. If you look at most fashion shoes you will note the toe box is small, there may even be an unnatural arch support (true minimal shoes never have shaped arch support).
kids barefoot shoes should generally be a soft soled shoe that allows flexibility as in the photo.
photo of barefoot shoes for kids - you can scrunch them up
How I Chose The Best Barefoot Shoes For Your Kids
You want to find the best barefoot shoes for your kids, but you don't know where to start.
There are a lot of different types of barefoot shoes on the market, and it can be hard to figure out which one is right for your child.
I've done the research for you. I've looked at the plethora of barefoot shoes for kids, and figured out if they have an adequately wide toe box, if they are classed as zero drop shoes or if they are just pretenders and most importantly I've tried to find the ones that provide natural foot development like the ones I've chosen for my own kids in the past!
What I haven't done is worked out if those beautiful butter-soft leather shoes that you fall in love with will last for your own children.
My list of the best barefoot shoes for kids includes options for every type of activity, from running and hiking to swimming and the great outdoors.
Note: Please note the section on the sizing of your kids shoes under FAQ's
When I wrote this blog I've thought about the shoes I needed for my kds, school shoes, an everyday kick about sort of shoe, something a bit rufty tufty for the winter and perhaps something summery for the beach and holidays.
The X best Kids Barefoot Shoes are as follows
Barefoot Toddler Shoes
In this blog I haven't reviewed barefoot toddler shoes but the same barefoot footwear rules apply to flexible toddler shoes as to older kids. ie wearing flat shoes with flexible soles and a wide toe box are a must for heathly developemnt.
Best Kids Barefoot School Shoe
I found the hardest barefoot shoe to choose is barefoot school shoes. They need to tick so many boxes, they need to meet the schools' requirements and be smart and black, the kids don't want to look weird and I want shoes that don't squish their toes or feet and also give sensory feedback to help their nervous systems develop.
Word of warning though if your child plays football AKA soccer at lunchtime these shoes won't work!
The spec at a glance
Velcro strap , vegan leather , flexible sole, go from a size 4UK to a 13UK so should do as big kid shoes too.
These are simply the best for school and get loads of great feedback, they look normal but have a wide toe box and flexible sole as us minimalist shoe lovers insist! But like everything in life there is one draw back though, they are difficult for very small people to put on without help as they are quite snug around the ankle.
Best Barefoot EveryDay Shoes
What a choice! Here it really depends on your personal taste. The Vivobarefoot primus sport II have a proven track record and loads of good reviews on Amazon and really are a big-selling minimalist shoe but how about something a little different (and a bit more expensive) the Wildling North Wolf are gorgeous on so many levels and have a lovely mother-earth feel to them as they employ natural materials where possible.
The Spec at a glance
Vivo vegan leather, lace up and stylish. I'd say they are exactly what you'd expect from a very popular kids brand with a successful barefoot shoe line.
Best Barefoot Outside Ruffian Shoe
The shoes mentioned above are great kids shoes but sometimes you need something more outdoorsey, warmer, slightly thicker sole, maybe more useful for dirty hiking.
If you fancy something robust and looks cool go for a super belenka panda winter boot that is available in so many colors (yellow, pink, black, blue and red), this truly is a great range in barefoot winter boots!
The Spec at a glance
Velcro fasteners, insulated lining, flexible 6mm sole reflective elements on the toe and heel for safety.
This is bound to be a favourite as it has cosy warm inner and tough outer and designed to be easy to put on.
The vivobarefoot lumi reminds me of moon boots or snow boots and the kids love the warmth they offer and the chunkier sole. Friends love them because they are vegan and still have the important flexible sole. They are a close second to the Be Lena Kids Winter Boot.
The Spec at a glance
Thermal insole, 2mm to 3mm sole, rubber sole, toe protection, vegan materials, recycled materials in places, waterproof membrane.
Best Barefoot Sandal or Summer Shoe.
Not normally available at Amazon so you'll need to go directly to the manufacturer for this one.
The Bloom is a bit like a croc except I think it is better - they are true water shoes but with a barefoot sole! It is most definitely a summer shoe with the nice fact that is made from Bloom foam " which takes harmful algae blooms out of waterways, reversing the effects of water pollution". It's just a great versatile shoe for being on the beach in, jumping into rock pools or just being a naughty kid in!
The Spec at a glance
Vegan, no insole at all, made in china. Made from BLOOM® foam (5% algae)future goal to make from more algae and fully bio-based and circular for re-use and/or compostable footwear in the future.
If you want something a bit more sandal-ie then the unshoes are a must (and for adults too). Great at everything but I still prefer a covered toe for my kids as they are always kicking balls and walls!
The Spec at a glance
EU 21 to 35, custom sizes are available for some products too. Black, Red, Blue or Pink Colours available, Handmade in the USA.
Sizing
Before we go into the common FAQ's for kids barefoot shoes, sizing is mega important. Watch this video to help get the correct sizes.
FAQ's
What are barefoot shoes?
Barefoot shoes are supposed to allow the natural movement of the foot when moving.
Is wearing Barefoot Shoes good for you?
There is no definitive answer to this question since there is still relatively little scientific research on the topic. However, many experts believe that going barefoot can be beneficial for your health in a number of ways. For example, walking and running without shoes can help strengthen your feet and improve your balance and agility. Additionally, being barefoot allows you to connect with the ground beneath you, which can provide some grounding or electrical stimulation benefits. And finally, going barefoot helps to increase your exposure to sunlight and fresh air, both of which are important for overall health.
Can you wear barefoot shoes everyday ?
It is possible to wear barefoot shoes everyday but it is not recommended. Barefoot shoes are designed to allow your feet to move and flex in a natural way, which is why they are often recommended for people with foot problems or injuries. Wearing them everyday can help to improve your foot health, but they may not be suitable for everyone.
If you do decide to wear barefoot shoes everyday, make sure you start slowly and gradually build up the amount of time you spend wearing them. This will help your feet get used to the new movement and stress patterns. Also, be sure to alternate between different types of barefoot shoes (e.g., boots, sandals, etc.) in order to give your feet a variety
Is there any science behind barefoot shoes?
Vivobarefoot, one of the popular minimalist shoe brands has a body of research at https://www.vivobarefoot.com/uk/blog/barefoot-research
How do I start wearing zero drop and minimalist shoes?
Zero drop shoes is simply another word for minimalist shoes and you should start wearing them in small doses to get used to them.
Can you get rain boots in a minimalist shoe style?
I couldn't find rain boots exactly but outside and hiking barefoot shoes for kids are available.
What are the best minimalist shoes for kids?
This blog shows there isn't one such title but there are many minimalist shoes for kids that are just brilliant. Read the blog!
Are there extra wide-width shoes for wide feet?
When choosing shoes for kids a zero drop platform is perfect as it resembles that barefoot feel. This barefoot feel is achieved by giving wide fittings so your wide-footed child should have no problems! However, you still need to measure the child's feet correctly before ordering your shoes for kids.
Other brands of barefoot kids shoes
The shoes for kids described in this blog are a small sample as the shoe line up in the world of minimalist shoes / zero drop / barefoot is ever-expanding.
Softstar shoes, handmade in the USA using soft leather and flexible zero drop soles and flat sole. Ship worldwide.
Ten Little Shoes, foot-shaped toe box, flexible soles, vegan materials, nice shoes for kids.
Splay Shoes. Splay shoes offer flexible and grippy soles, natural materials, splay shoes produce a good priced barefoot shoe.
Xero shoes. Xero shoes offer a large range of barefoot shoes with a flat sole, made in the uk, boots and sandals available.
Tikki. Tikki produce lovely barefoot shoes , kind off funky and some have a velcro strap too!.
Conclusion on Kids Minimalist Footwear.
I've tried to keep this barefoot shoes review impartial but failed - vivos really are my favorite minimalist kids shoe brand but I think that is only because my family has had so many pairs of their barefoot shoes and they are largely available the same week and other makes come from Europe or the USA.
Further work on the best minimalist shoes
I intend to write some further blogs on the best minimalist shoes for different scenarios and if the science catches up i'll cover foot development too. So please come back soon!