The Best Barefoot Winter Boots for Kids That Play!

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A kid wearing Be Lenka Penguin Boots standing in very mucky mud
The best kids barefoot boots can withstand the elements.

For a long time we struggled to find kids winter boots that were both good for their foot development and practical for real winter weather. We did the research so you don’t have to!

Here are the best barefoot winter boots for kids that are practical for playing in seriously cold, muddy, and wet conditions. Read on for our personal favorites and a full list of kids barefoot boot options.

And if you’re looking for our favorite everyday barefoot kids shoes, check out this list of our all-time favorites.

Our Favorite Barefoot Winter Boots for Kids

The barefoot winter boots listed here work for kids of all ages between the toddler years and adult sizing. If you have a little little one, jump to the section on Toddler & Baby Winter Boots! And if your child has graduated to adult sizing, check out my main barefoot boot articles.

Vivobarefoot Lumi

Get 10% off any Vivobarefoot order with my code ANYA20 for 20% off

The Vivobarefoot Lumi is one barefoot kids boot that does it all: Rain, Snow, Cold Weather. I get them for my older boy every year (this is our 4th year in them) because they fit his long, thin feet really well and have some of the best functionality of any other barefoot kids winter boot we’ve tried.

We always take out the thermal insole that comes with our Vivobarefoot shoes and instead use a sheepskin or wool insole for more warmth. If you live in a cold climate I highly recommend doing the same, and the Vivo insoles just don’t cut it for us. After that adjustment the Lumi works as a one-and-done boot for us all season long.

These boots are sometimes not in stock in the summer, but they restock every year in different colors. They are also the only vegan option listed here.

Sizing & Fit: True to size, best for medium width/medium volume feet.


Be Lenka Snowfox & Panda

Leather & Textile | Waterproof | Sizes EU 25-35

Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off your Be Lenka purchase, but note that returns are only accepted from within the EU and USA. We also have them at Anya’s Shop in the US this year!

The Be Lenka Snowfox (above left) is a wonderful waterproof barefoot boot for kids. It is insulated with natural and synthetic wool and has lacing over the entire boot, which means you get a secure fit no matter your foot type. Alongside the Lumi, these are the most practical barefoot winter boot for kids I’ve tried, and they have a wide fit. So if you like the Lumi but need something for wider feet the Snowfox is where it’s at.

The Be Lenka Panda (above right) is another good kids barefoot boot option from Be Lenka. They are ankle height, so not great for deep snow, but easy on, durable, and super warm. For our climate, where it’s cold 6 months or more out of the year, these are a very practical shoe and can be worn daily to school. My son likes having something warm that he can play more easily in than a full snow boot, so we get good use out of them.

Sizing & Fit: Be Lenka boots are true to size and good for wide feet. They fit medium volume, and can be a bit snug over the top of the foot if you your child has high volume feet.


Softstar Phoenix

A pair of snowy softstar Phoenix barefoot boots for kids

Leather & Sheepskin | Custom Color Options | Sizes US 7C-4Y

The Softstar Phoenix is a supremely cozy sheepskin boot, handmade in Oregon. I wear the adult Phoenix myself, and the quality is unsurpassed. You can choose custom colors, which my son loved (of course he chose blue). The foot portion is smooth leather and naturally water resistant, but the upper half of the boot is suede and water can soak through. I recommend using a waterproofing product such as SnoSeal if you plan to use these in snow.

Another thing to note is that they have a side zipper but otherwise can’t be adjusted. My son liked to wear these barefoot, and after the boot broke in they were a little floppy on him. He walked right out of them into the snow once! I tried to get him to wear socks but he’s a purist. So while they are delightfully warm, they work better if you wear socks or have thick, high volume feet.

Sizing & Fit: They run very snug, so sizing up one is advised. Good for wide, high volume feet.


Wildling Shoes

Water Resistant | Wool | Sizes 3C-4Y (baby to big kid)

Oh Wildling Shoes, how we love your sock like feel and cozy warmth! These are another big favorite in our house because they are so lightweight and comfortable, but surprisingly warm and water resistant. I recommend choosing the models made entirely of wool for the most warmth for winter time, and adding on a wool insole to your order. This combo keep my kids and myself cozy and dry without weighing us down. You’ll be amazed at how practical a shoe this minimal can be! However they aren’t snow boots, so you can still get snow in the top and if you spend long hours in wet conditions some water gets through.

Sizing & Fit: These are true to size and have an average to wide fit. They tend to morph and adapt to the foot inside them, so often work for even extra wide feet. Generally we find them to fit high volume.

Read all my Wildling Shoes reviews here


Zeazoo Dingo/Yeti

Sheepskin | Waterproofable | Sizes EU 20-34

Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off.

Also available seasonally from Anya’s Shop.

Zeazoo also makes barefoot sheepskin boots for kids, and they are delightfully soft and light. While not quite as thick and warm as the Phoenix from Softstar, they are more flexible. If you’re looking for a simple pull on boot in the style of Uggs, the Zeazoo Dingo is it. But if you’d like something with more adjustability and security, I recommend the Yeti from Zeazoo.

My son wore them a full winter season and his feet stayed toasty warm and dry after we waterproofed them with Snoseal, even after being outdoors in below freezing temps for a long time. We did have to reapply the waterproofing treatment once and sew up a hole that formed at a seam, but for how comfortable and warm they were we were happy.

Sizing & Fit: These boots are extra wide and high volume! They run true to size in kids (but big in adults).

Watch a waterproofing demonstration here!


Budget Kids Barefoot Winter Boots

Here are the most affordable barefoot winter boots for kids that still are good for growing feet.

Saguaro Will

A top down view of a row of Saguaro Will barefoot winter shoes in all sizes and different colors sitting on pavement, one pair being worn.

Synthetic Textile | Not Water Resistant | US Kids 8.5 – Youth 3.5

Use code ANYASREVIEWS to get 15% off Saguaro.

The Saguaro Will is a solid cheap winter option. They are soft, warm and come in at about $50 after my coupon code. BUT they are not water resistant and the materials are a synthetic fabric so get wet easily and can start to smell if not dried quickly.

The soles on my youngest’s are wearing down a bit and there is separation on the edges. But we are used to kids shoes being well-loved and they just keep wearing them! (Mine are fine, because I am not a destructo machine). While definitely not as practical as the above kids barefoot winter boots, they can get you by if you need a cheaper option.

Sizing & Fit: We find that Saguaro, in both kids and adult models, runs on the smaller side. I chose a size up from what they were wearing in other brands and they fit them perfectly.

a close up of a pair of well worn kids barefoot winter shoes from Saguaro called the Will in blue color

Check my FAQ on cleaning shoes for how to remove shoe funk.


Ten Little

Insulated Polyester | Water Resistant Membrane | Fleece Lining | Sizes US 6-13

New from Ten Little this year are these cute and functional snow boots for toddlers and little kids! The main body is an insulated polyester material that reminds me of a puffer jacket. They can cinch closed at the top with a elastic toggle strap and the entire boot shaft opens with a large velcro closure on the side. They’re easy enough for my 4 year to put on himself! I was delighted to discover the outsole on these has some grippy lugs, too.

The are $60 and only available up to size 13, but we have hope that Ten Little will expand the size range for these in the future.

Sizing & Fit: Average width, medium to high volume. I recommend sizing up one from your kiddo’s sneaker size.

Straight on view of Ten Little Snow Boot zero drop outsole

Now that I’ve shared my favorites with you, here are some more options by size range and type! Check out the kids barefoot boot options in little and big sizes, plus vegan and rain boots.

Barefoot Winter Boots for Toddler & Baby

Close up of Jan & Jul affordable stay-put winter booties for babies toddlers standing on snowy ground

We are even more particular about extra little feet! You can find our top recommended barefoot baby boots here.

Barefoot Winter Boots for Big Kids

Barefoot Rubber Rain Boots for Kids

Vegan Barefoot Winter Boots for Kids

Conclusion

We like to play hard through the winter, so having practical barefoot boots for kids is very important to us. These are our tried and true favorites, plus additional info so you can find what you need!

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Comments

34 thoughts on “The Best Barefoot Winter Boots for Kids That Play!”

  1. Stephanie Charrier

    Hello 🙂
    Thank you so much for this article.
    I would like to know, for the Lumi ou Snowfox, what’s the minimum temperature they can handle? I live in Quebec and it’s not rare it can feel -30 degrés Celsius. I would like for my 4yr old daughter to wear barefoot in the winter too, but I want to be sure she won’t freeze her toes! Once again, thank you very much.

  2. Hello,
    I’m curious what temperature your winters reach? I am interested in the Zeazoo Yeti. Is there any way to make them warmer like some of the other brands? Our winters get COLD.
    Thank you!

    1. My temps regularly reach -20 Fahrenheit in the winter, and in January and February it often stays below freezing all day and night. My son wore the Zeazoo Dingo in these subzero temps and always had warm feet! Of course he runs on the warmer side, I need an additional felt or sheepskin insole and warm socks to stay warm enough while walking outside and playing in the snow. But both the Yeti and the Dingo are quite warm boots.

  3. With your experience with the Saguaro Will in the winter—specifically for kids—did you feel the fit was true to size? And would you size up if wearing warm or thicker socks? Thanks!

    1. They fit on the smaller side compared to other brands my kids wear, so we sized up in them and they were perfect with some growing room. I can’t get my kids to wear socks most of the time, but they were able to fit socks. I wear mine with thick socks in the winter and definitely need a size up to be able to do that.

  4. We tried the Lumi boots and were disappointed with how tight the toe area is in terms of height. The boots are wide enough but the toes are squished in height. Especially for a winter boot, we need extra height for thicker socks. I’m surprised that Anya’s kids liked the for of these given how tight they are.

  5. We tried the Be Lenka Snowfox next, and they also were too tight in toe height. I was surprised because the Be Lenka shoes are my kid’s favorite shoes! We’re bummed that we can’t find any barefoot style winter boots that have enough volume in the toe. 😔

  6. Could you provide more details about which children’s models of Manitobah Mukluks are barefoot? We had them for my daughter last year and weren’t thrilled with the width of the boot, but we are unsure if maybe it stretches inside? They were 100% warm and dry though!

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Hi. I'm Anya.

Hi. I'm Anya.

I first discovered barefoot shoes after a long history of foot issues. By changing my footwear and strengthening my body I was able to completely transform my life. Anya’s Reviews is my way of sharing with the world that healthy feet are happy feet!

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