Best barefoot shoes for toddlers that are stylish & healthy

I first encountered the idea of barefoot footwear when looking for my son’s first shoes. But what are barefoot shoes for toddlers (also called minimal shoes)?

It’s a footwear designed to mimic the natural feeling and movement of the joints of the foot when walking barefoot; at the same time, it provides protection. Experts believe barefoot footwear can positively affect a child’s overall joint and back development. They let the children grow up how they are supposed to. Until age five, foot muscles and joints rapidly develop, so this period is crucial.

However, minimal shoes are also sought by adults suffering from various joint pains and foot issues (but switching requires a transition period). Modern shoes, with their thick, stiff soles and narrow toe boxes, can cause various health problems and malformations.

For babies starting to walk, barefoot is the best. But very often, that’s impossible because of cold weather or the need for protection, and most daycares also require a shoe. We started our son’s walking journey with soft-soled, genuine leather moccasins. Once he became more comfortable walking, after careful research of the best barefoot shoes for toddlers, we switched to Ten Little sneakers, and our minimalist shoe journey started.

Barefoot shoe characteristics

For a shoe to be considered barefoot or minimalist, it needs to meet specific criteria:

1. Have zero-drop sole. Drop is the thickness of the sole under the heel compared to under the toe. Zero-drop means flat.
2. Have a protective and flexible sole. If you can fold it in half, that’s great.
3. Feature wide toe box. The wide toe box allows toes to spread out comfortably, avoiding any crowding.
4. Be lightweight. That means they won’t interfere with a natural movement.

Minimal footwear for small children must also have adjustable straps for comfort and safety and to encourage independence. And it’s just so much easier to put on and take off.

I found this information incredibly helpful. Initially, I bought my son adorable mini versions of popular brands that my husband and I wear. But they didn’t fit his chunky feet. I’ve also seen many moms recommend Crocs for toddlers and little kids. While I won’t comment on the aesthetic of this shoe style, the experts agree they disrupt normal foot development and can even cause injuries.

Healthy & beautiful

Although barefoot toddler shoes are still somewhat of a niche, the number of brands on the market is steadily growing. My only issue with some of them is that while I want my son’s shoes to be healthy, I don’t want them to look too…earthy/crunchy. I want a minimal, versatile design that effortlessly matches most of his daily outfits. Kids’ shoes (especially barefoot) can be pretty expensive for something that is used for a very short time, so I only buy one pair every few months. I plan to use those shoes for the next child, so I’m always looking for gender-neutral designs that also work for a girl.

Another reason barefoot shoes have become our go-to is because they better accommodate my son’s wide and chunky (high instep) feet. I’ve searched the internet for a good-looking shoe that I would like to buy. And while there are many great brands out there, these are the ones that checked the boxes for stylish, high-quality, and accessible in the US. And most of them aren’t exactly affordable.

I wish there were more reasonably priced, good-looking options, as I believe healthy foot development should be attainable for any family. I know many simple, inexpensive water shoes serve as a summer-friendly barefoot option, but things get a bit more complicated for other seasons. Buying used in good condition is also a good idea, as unlike regular shoes, barefoot shoes have no cushioned sole that will get molded to the original owner’s foot shape.

1. Ten Little

The brand doesn’t call their shoes barefoot, but they fit the minimalist characteristics. They only offer a few styles but are simple, good-looking, versatile, and fit many outfits. They hold up well and are easy to clean. Most of the colors are gender-neutral as well. The shoes fit my son perfectly; he never complains about wearing them. The sole bends in half but is slightly stiffer than most barefoot shoes. My only complaint is that they only offer a vegan leather version, and I would love to see a natural, soft-grain leather one as well. Compared to other options, they are also reasonably priced.

TEN LITTLE EVERYDAY ORIGINAL, $44.00
https://tenlittle.com/
Sizing: US 4+ (3-6 first walker in offer)
Materials: vegan leather
Price: $$

2. Jack and Lily

This Canadian brand focuses on flexible soles and offers a few adorable styles. Their Mary Janes are perfect for little girls. The canvas sneakers and woven fabric are stylish, but I wish they also offered a vegan leather option for boys. Jack and Lily are one of the most affordable brands on this list.

JACK AND LILY CANVAS SNEAKER, $24.99
https://jackandlily.com/
Sizing: US 3+
Materials: canvas
Price: $

3. Vivobarefoot

Vivobarefoot is a highly regarded brand in the barefoot shoe community. They have many styles for all age groups, including training and running shoes. But they are a bit pricy. I don’t mind spending $100-$200 for a shoe I will wear for many years, but the toddler shoe price feels a bit steep for something that kids grow out of quickly.

VIVOBAREFOOT PRIMUS SPORT III TODDLERS, $74.00
https://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/
Sizing: US 5+
Materials: synthetic
Price: $$$

4. Reima

This Finnish brand focuses on outdoor gear, but they have a few barefoot styles in their lineup.

REIMA LIGHTWEIGHT BREATHABLE BAREFOOT SHOES ASTELU, $64.95
https://www.reima.com/en
Sizing: US 6+
Materials: textile
Price: $$$

5. Origo

I love the minimal Origo leather sneakers design, but their toddler sizing starts only at 8.

ORIGO THE EASY HOOK & LOOP LEATHER SNEAKER, $69.00
https://origoshoes.com/
Sizing: US 8+
Materials: natural leather
Price: $$$

6. Be Lenka

Be Lenka shoes are highly regarded and offer a variety of modern colors, materials, and styles. They are a great option. And while their toddler shoe silhouette follows foot anatomy and makes perfect sense, I find it looking slightly…quirky.

BE LENKA BOUNCE LEATHER SNEAKER, $79.00
https://www.belenka.com/
Sizing: US 8.5+
Materials: natural leather
Price: $$$

7. LIVIE & LUCA

The brand offers plenty of styles that use recycled materials. I find the confetti sole adorable. I wish they had a few more sleek sneaker options in leather.

LIVIE & LUCA RAKE ECO SNEAKER, $58.00
https://www.livieandluca.com/
Sizing: US 6+
Materials: textile
Price: $$$

8. camper peu line

While Camper has many shoes in its offering, only the Peu line is designed using barefoot footwear principles (but experts recommend removing the cushioned insole).

CAMPER PEU LEATHER SNEAKER, $90.00
https://www.camper.com/en_US/content/peu-icons
Sizing: US 5+
Materials: natural leather
Price: $$$$

9. feelgrounds

Feelgrounds offer some really sleek, minimalist yet fashionable options. I love that I don’t have to choose between looks and healthy foot. They are a bit pricy though, so I would like to see natural leather options as well.

FEELGROUNDS HIGHRISE LUXE KIDS, $89.00
https://www.feelgrounds.com/
Sizing: US 6+
Materials: vegan leather
Price: $$$$

10. LITTLE LOVE BUG

Adorable and (relatively) affordable shoe options for kids. Their shoes are handmade out of natural leather, but I also really like the newest addition of the Play Perfect sole, which adds a layer of protection to the foot, and gives the shoes a modern look.

LITTLE LOVE BUG PLAY PERFECT BONE LOW TOP, $59.99
https://www.littlelovebugcompany.com/
Sizing: US 2+ (soft sole) US 5+ (play perfect sole)
Materials: natural leather
Price: $$

Summary

I’m thrilled to see the knowledge of healthy toddler development reflected in products available on the market. The barefoot shoe aesthetic is also getting more stylish and can appeal to a broader range of parents, helping to spread awareness. My only wish is for the minimal shoes to become less expensive, as the best toddler shoe that parents can give to their children is the one they can afford.

References

https://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/blog/barefoot-research