As a family we’ve tested hundreds of barefoot shoes for kids to bring you the best for every season. Whether you’re looking for barefoot shoes to fit your infants, toddlers, small children, or big kids, this article shows you the all-time best barefoot shoes for kids that we love and keep coming back to!
But that’s not all. We also cover the best budget options and all the resources you need to answer your questions about kids barefoot shoes and feet. Let’s dive in.
Why Barefoot Shoes for Kids?
After my run-in with a chronic foot issue, I learned that the shoes we wear have a big impact on how our bodies feel. I’d like my children to avoid the issues I had, so we only choose shoes that allow their feet to develop normally. That means they only wear barefoot kids shoes.
Psst, we use the terms barefoot and minimalist shoes interchangeably here!
What Are Barefoot Kids Shoes?
“Barefoot” shoes are so-called because they let your feet move as if barefoot. Most shoes, even kids shoes, inhibit foot function with stiff soles, cramped toe-boxes, and heels that push your weight forward into an unnatural position.
By contrast, barefoot kids shoes let their feet move naturally inside shoes! This is especially important while their bodies are growing and developing. And don’t worry if your child has flat feet – this is normal and usually corrects itself over time if they continue using their foot muscles!
As a general rule, kids barefoot shoes are:
- Foot shaped, with a wide toe box (won’t squish their toes)
- Zero drop, or completely flat (for natural alignment)
- Flexible enough to roll into a ball (so foot muscles stay strong and supple).
Learn more about the benefits of barefoot shoes for kids AND adults in this article.
Unfortunately most shoes you find in stores do not meet this criteria. But that doesn’t mean they don’t exist! There are dozens of kids barefoot shoe brands that offer options for every season and price range.
The All Time Best Barefoot Shoes for Kids
The following are my top picks for the best kids barefoot shoe brands that carry a variety of healthy footwear options for everyday, school, winter, summer, and even dress. Because kids shoes shouldn’t be slowing them down!
Keep in mind that depending on your child’s foot type, preferences, and lifestyle some brands will be better for them than others. There is no one-size-fits-all option! To that end, you can learn more about the fit type terms we use here in this article.
Vivobarefoot
$75+ | Vegan Options | Sizes US 5C-6Y | Retailers Around the World
Get 10% off with code ANYA25VB for 25% off everything but Sensus sandals, and Gobi sneakers. You can use code ARVIVO20 20% off those.
Click here to find a Vivobarefoot retailer near you.
Pros:
- Offers shoes in all kid sizes (no baby sizes tho)
- Has the most practical options for active kids: waterproof, sports, hiking, water shoes, etc
- Uniform options
- 100 day guarantee
- Repair service
Cons:
- Seasonal items aren’t available year round
- Can get stinky
- Laces don’t last as long as shoes
Vivobarefoot offers the most comprehensive and practical selection of barefoot kids shoes. They come in the full range of sizes – from infant to big kids – and they offer every type of style (vegan options too). As an added bonus, they have a 100 day money back guarantee even if you’ve worn them outside. We get Vivobarefoot Primus Trail annually for hiking/sports and the Lumi for snow. This brand is a little more pricey than others, but my children are hard on their shoes so we appreciate the durability.
Re: the stinkiness – this is best avoided by wearing socks, but my kids go barefoot in all their shoes, so we hand wash our Vivobarefoot sneakers occasionally with baking soda and vinegar then put them on a vent dryer. Scrub the insoles for the best results! For the lace issue, we tie new knots if the laces break or we replace them ourselves with thin elastic laces from Amazon (Vivo knows this is an issue! I hope they rectify it soon).
Sizing & Fit Type:
- True to size
- Toddlers/Kids fit wide
- Juniors Fit medium width (best for slimmer feet)
- Low to medium volume
If your child has an extra wide or thick foot, check out Be Lenka kids barefoot shoes below.
Be Lenka Barefoot
$59-$139 | Vegan Options | Sizes EU 25-35 | Ships from EU
Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off Be Lenka purchases.
Pros:
- Extra wide toe box
- Lots of colorful options
- Durable outsoles
- Practical options for winter & play
Cons:
- Returns only accepted on EU or US purchases
- Limited sport & dressy options
Be Lenka is where you can find the best colorful kids barefoot shoes! They also have an extra wide toe box and durable outsoles – these are shoes that kids and parents can get excited about. While Be Lenka lacks some of the practical outdoor options that you get from Vivobarefoot, they make up for it with their pizazz and high quality shoes.
This is another brand we purchase at least one pair of annually! We also carry a selection of kids Be Lenka shoes at Anya’s Shop!
Sizing & Fit Type:
- True to size
- Wide toe box
- Medium to high volume
You can read a more in-depth review of this brand in my Be Lenka Kids Barefoot Shoes Review.
Reima
$60-$80 | Vegan Options | Waterproof Options | Sizes EU 22-40 | Ships from US
Use code ANYA20 for 20% off your first Reima purchase
Pros:
- Thin & Flexible, but durable
- Soft and stretchy knit
- Sustainably made
- Affordable
Cons:
- Stock varies frequently
- Not suitable for extra wide feet
- Only 3 styles (nothing for winter)
Reima sneakers and sandals are excellent for the price. They have a really great fit and feel, they’re durable, and my kids love them. All while still being quite a bit cheaper than many brands!
Especially the Astelu has been the perfect everyday shoe for us. They are soft and breathable (no stinky feet issues even when worn without socks), they pull on with elastic laces, and they have held up really well for us. We adjusted the knot on the elastic lace to tighten them a bit, and they’ve been perfect for my younger son who is constantly on the go.
Sizing & Fit Type:
- Average width
- Low volume
- Runs slightly long
We found our Reima shoes to run on the longer side and to be most suited for average to slightly wide feet. They are straight cut, so I wouldn’t recommend them for kids with extra wide fan-shaped feet. The Astelu sneakers have a wider fit than the Rantaan sandals – the sandals are average to slim in width.
Wildling Shoes
$69-$119 | Vegan Options | Waterproof Options | Sizes EU 18-35 | Ships from EU
Use code AWN_ANYA_S for a one-time free shipping offer
Pros:
- Most genuine barefoot feel
- Extremely light & comfortable
- Water resistant options
- Sustainably made
Cons:
- Less durable
- No sport shoes
- Winter models are difficult to dry when wet
Wildling Shoes are the most unique barefoot shoe for kids that I have come across, and they really feel like being barefoot because of the uniquely flexibly sole. We particularly love the Nittugo with a wool insole as a breathable non-stinky option – perfect for kiddos who won’t wear socks. The winter models are made with wool and are surprisingly warm for how light and thin they are (get an additional felt insole for max warmth).
But there are limits to the water resistance – they will get soaked if you stay in water long enough and then can be difficult to dry (I swear by my vent dryer!). And if used for rough play the sole can start to come undone and develop holes in the fabric upper over time – but they last much long than you would think for how light and flexible they are.
We love Wildling best for comfort and casual use, in that domain they are hard to beat.
Sizing & Fit Type:
- Fits long (on purpose)
- Width varies by model
- Typically fits high volume
Wildling works for a variety of foot types because the sole flattens out and molds to your foot shape. They’re also designed to leave plenty of space in front of the foot so your toes never touch. Wildling makes some of the best barefoot shoes for infants and toddlers.
Keep in mind that the fit varies by model, and models change seasonally so always read the sizing & fit description on Wildling’s website before purchasing. In general this brand fits medium width and high volume, so we usually get the extra insole for my son with low volume feet.
Read all the Wildling reviews I’ve written here.
Magical Shoes
$43-$95 | Vegan Options | Waterproof Options | Sizes EU 18-35 | Ships from Poland
Use code ANYA for 10% off your purchase.
Pros:
- Extremely flexible & soft
- Comes in baby to big kid sizes
- Winter, summer, & everyday options
- Easy on with velcro/elastic
Cons:
- Slightly less durable than Vivo/Be Lenka
- No sport options
Magical shoes are light, soft, and seriously flexible with no break-in time required. They have a barefoot feel that approaches Wildling Shoes, but with slightly more durable uppers and a more mainstream design. They have loads of baby and toddler barefoot shoe options in fun colors for all seasons, and nice sneakers and boots for bigger kids.
Sizing & Fit Type:
- True to size (in kids models, adult shoes run small)
- Extra wide, straight fit
- High volume
Magical shoes is a good brand for kids with extra thick feet who like extra soft shoes.
Read our Magical Barefoot Shoes for kids reviews here!
Mukishoes
€60-€77 | Vegan Options | Waterproof Options | Sizes EU 24-35 | Ships from EU
Use code ANYAMUKI for 10% off.
Pros:
- Adorable
- Sustainably made
- Extremely flexible
- Extra wide toe box
- Colorful options
Cons:
- Seasonal items aren’t available year-round
- Less durable than Vivobarefoot/Be Lenka
Mukishoes is a slow fashion barefoot shoe brand that makes adorable kids barefoot shoes with extremely flexible outsoles – and bonus they are sustainably made. They have lots of vegan options and some lined boots in the fall & winter. We’ve never had them fall completely apart, but the thinner uppers take more of a beating than the more durable barefoot kids brands listed here. My kids still love them because they’re so comfy!
Another challenge with Mukishoes is that inventory changes seasonally and it can be hard to plan ahead. They do small batch production, often using limited quantity of materials, so you never know exactly what they’ll have available. Mini Moss is a perennial model and boots come back every fall, otherwise things change each season.
Sizing & Fit Type:
- True to size
- Extra wide
- High Volume
If your child has low volume feet I would consider adding an additional insole and opting for models with velcro or laces.
Read my in-depth Mukishoes reviews here.
Softstar Shoes
$50-$180 | Leather | Sizes US 7C-4Y | Ships from USA
Pros:
- Customizable shoes
- Free US Shipping & Returns
- Resolable
- Super warm winter boots
Cons:
- Styles are not mainstream or “trendy”
Softstar shoes are all hand made in the US, and you can customize them with tons of different colors. They also have dress shoe options and extra warm sheepskin boots. We love the quality of Softstar shoes, in particular the warm boots – they’re the best quality sheepskin we’ve seen yet! They are also our top pick for babies and toddlers.
But the styles cater more to a younger audience and don’t look as mainstream as some of the other brands in this article. My boys are getting particular about having shoes that look like their peers’ and right now that means sneakers. But depending on your child’s preferences, that may not be an issue!
Sizing & Fit Type:
- Mostly true to size, but refer to each product’s description
- Wide straight fit
- High Volume
Zuna Shoes
Vegan | $69 | Sizes US 12K – 4Y | Free Shipping + Returns in USA
This brand is only available in the US at this time
Pros:
- Fits almost all foot types
- Durable
- Washable
Cons:
- Limited style options
- Only casual sneakers available
My boys each got a pair of Zuna shoes one summer and wore them nearly every single day until they grew out of them. They absolutely loved them. This was surprising because one of my boys has thin feet and the other has thick feet – they usually prefer different brands. So it was really awesome to see how well they worked for a variety of foot types – Samantha’s family also loves their pairs! And they also stood up to their intense playing for a full year.
Even though this brand only has a handful of sneaker options, we had to include them because they were such a home run with our families. When your kids love to wear them, they last, AND they are good for feet you come back to that kids barefoot shoe brand again and again.
Sizing & Fit Type:
- True to size
- Works for most foot types
Read my full Zuna shoes review here
Zeazoo
25€-120€ | Leather & Vegan | Sizes EU 16-46 | Ships from Bulgaria
Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off the EU shop. We also carry select Zeazoo models in the US at Anya’s Shop.
Pros:
- Chrome-free, vegetable tanned leather
- Styles for all seasons
- Customized options – lots of fun colors
- Vegan options
Cons:
- Shipping to the USA is expensive
Zeazoo has a great selection of styles for kids of all ages. Everything from super minimal moccasin style indoor shoes, to functional winter boots can be found at Zeazoo. They primarily use vegetable tanned leather, but in 2023 started offering a vegan option made from microfiber. Unlike most kids brands, Zeazoo offers a lot of customizations! Choose your own colors, cut outs, appliques, and even send some measurements to help get the best fit with straps.
The Dingo Boots & the sandals are both favorites and we stock them at Anya’s Shop seasonally!
Sizing & Fit Type:
- True to size
- Wide straight fit
- All volumes – can customize volume
Tikki Shoes
40€-75 € | Leather & Vegan | Sizes EU 18-44 | Ships from Romania
Use ANYALANG for 10% off
Pros:
- Styles for all seasons
- Vegan options
- Chrome-free leather
- Lots of color options
Cons:
- Shipping to the USA is expensive
- Different size guides for different models
Tikki Shoes is a solid brand with a lot to offer! In addition to their really popular women’s sandals, Tikki makes great kids shoes all the way from early walkers to big kids. They are committed to using only high quality, chrome-free leather so you don’t have to worry about what is next to your kiddo’s skin. The sneaker soles are flexible and grippy, and the Nido sandal soles are really minimal (but will wear out quickly from rough play). They also have indoor shoes/slippers if your kiddo is required to wear “house shoes” for school or daycare. For fall and winter, you can find cozy wool lined boots!
The only downside to Tikki Shoes is that the shipping to the USA is expensive. Ordering multiple pairs can make it more worthwhile, but the cost is calculated by weight so it does increase as you order more pairs. To make it easier, we are carrying one kids model in Anya’s Shop in the US.
Sizing & Fit Type:
- True to size, but check the size chart for each model
- Wide width
- Medium volume
Read my Tikki Shoes Reviews here
Best Budget Kids Barefoot Shoes
One of the challenges of choosing better footwear for your family is the cost. Here are our favorite barefoot kids shoes at affordable prices.
Splay Shoes
$42-$66 | Vegan | Sizes US 8C-US Men’s 13 | Ships from USA
Code ANYASREVIEWS for an additional 10% off!
Pros:
- Trendy design
- Lots of color options
- Choose from laces, slip on, or velcro
- Accessibility friendly
Cons:
- Color can fade
- Canvas needs some breaking in
- They can shrink/fade after washing (cold water only!)
We love Splay because they meet all barefoot shoe requirements, are affordable, easy to get on and off, and lightweight. You can get them in a velcro version, a lace up and a slip-on. And bonus, they go all the way up to a US men’s 13, so the whole family can wear Splay shoes! We’ve been a Splay fan since they first debuted with a crowdfunding campaign about 5 years ago.
The biggest drawbacks are that the colors can fade with wear and you have to wash them carefully. We don’t really mind this in an affordable barefoot kids shoe! All my boys’ shoes get trashed no matter what.
But it is important to know that if yours get dirty you should only use cold water to clean them. I recommend against using a machine because so many can be quite rough (I do mine in the machine, but it has a good delicate cycle that I trust).
Sizing & Fit Type:
- Runs on the smaller side
- Wide toe box, but narrow in the midfoot
- Medium to low volume fit
They have a generous toe box shape that should work for most average to wide toes, but they do narrow at the arch a little (they are shaped like a V). That means this brand could be problematic if your child has extra thick, high volume feet.
Read my Splay Freestyle review for more detailed information on the Splay Shoes brand.
Saguaro
$26-$58 | Vegan | Sizes US 7.5 toddler – W15/M13.5 | Ships from China, or other locations via Amazon
Code ANYASREVIEWS for 15% off
Pros:
- Best shoe for the price
- Wide toe box
- Comes in all kids sizes
- Washable
- Retailers around the world
Cons:
- Not all shoes are the same width
- Sneaker material is very thin
The Saguaro athletic kids sneakers are the best kids barefoot shoe at the cheapest price. They have a wide anatomical shape and thin, flexible soles. Plus they come in the full range of kids sizes! But because the upper material is so thin and airy it doesn’t offer much protection against cold or scuffing, so might not be the right shoe for all situations (although the outsole lasts).
Besides the athletic styles, the only other Saguaro kids shoe I recommend is the Defender. It is built on the same outsole as the sneakers so has good barefoot feel and a wide toe box. Excellent affordable warm boot! But be warned, the microfiber is not very breathable and ours got pretty stinky – thankfully we were able to wash them easily.
The kids water shoes and casual sneaker from Saguaro have a more tapered toe box and I personally don’t feel it’s wide enough.
Origo Shoes
$54 | Vegan Options | Sizes US 8K-4Y | Ships from USA
Code ANYA for 10% off
Pros:
- Toe guard for extra durability
- Mainstream style
- Universal fit
Cons:
- Slightly stiff at first
Origo kids shoes have an on-trend design and a rubber toe guard to keep shoes looking nice. Really the only drawback to them is that the upper feels stiff when brand new and they take a little breaking in to get soft.
Sizing & Fit Type:
- True to size
- Medium to wide width
- High volume (but velcro is adjustable, so we have good luck with them on all foot volumes)
Whitin
$37 | Mesh | Sizes US 11-5 | Ships from USA via Amazon
Pros:
- Available on Amazon for easy shipping/returns
- Easy on/off with velcro
- Up to size EU 37/US 5Y
- Lightly reinforced toe
Cons:
- Toe spring
- Velcro only, no tie option
Whitin, a really popular affordable adult option, now has a great inexpensive option in kids sizes! They are very roomy, have a nice grippy outsole, and a soft mesh upper. The heel collar is padded for comfort and the double velcro closures provides a secure fit. The only downside to these and that they do have a bit of toe spring.
Sizing & Fit Type:
- Wide to extra wide width
- Medium to high volume
- Slope, but it’s gradual so most foot types will fit.
Find even more affordable kids barefoot shoe options for families on a budget at the link below:
Which Barefoot Kids Shoes Are The Widest?
You can be confident that all 10 of the kids barefoot shoe brands listed in this post meet my requirements for healthy footwear, but here is a comparison of their shape and width.
When talking about width it’s important to know that width can be measured at any point in the shoe. Some of these brands are wide throughout (Softstar), some are wide in the toe box but narrower in the midfoot (Splay). And there can be variations between models from a particular brand. So use this as a guide, knowing that how your child experiences the shoes may be different.
All Your Kids Barefoot Shoe Questions Answered!
While these are our all time favorite barefoot shoes for kids, there are lots more questions you might have!
If you’re unable to find what you’re looking for in the resources here or you have a specific requirement, you can find everything else you need to know about kids barefoot shoes in the links below. These tools are especially useful if you’re outside the US:
- The Barefoot Shoe Finder – take the quiz or use the many filters to find exactly what you’re looking for (including region specific brands)!
- All the kids barefoot shoe reviews we’ve written over the years! Also filterable by shoe type.
- The Barefoot Kids Shoe FAQ – find all the common questions about kids’ feet and shoes in one place.
In the meantime, here are answers to some of the most common questions regarding barefoot kids shoes.
Kids Barefoot Sandals and Water Shoes
Summer activities often call for barefoot kids shoes that can get wet and go on easily. Barefoot sandals for kids keep their feet free, protected from hot pavement and stinging insects, AND are practical for summer fun.
Below you’ll find a list of barefoot sandals for kids of all ages! It includes affordable options, and brands from all over the world.
Kids Barefoot Winter Boots
Even when it’s freezing out we can keep our feet both comfortable and protected! Thank goodness for warm barefoot winter boots that are warm, water resistant, and still flexible and foot shaped. Click the link below for our tried-and-true favorite barefoot boots for kids.
Barefoot Shoes for Babies & Toddlers
Babies and toddlers need extra soft, flexible shoes. Below you will find a list of my favorite barefoot shoe brands for the tiniest feet!
We also recommend checking out Bernie Landels’ book “Finding Their Feet” for new parents.
How to Measure Your Child’s Feet
When ordering kids barefoot shoes, you set yourself up for success by measuring your child’s feet before purchasing. Below you will find my instructions for how to get an accurate foot measurement so you can pick the correct size.
Barefoot Shoes for Kids is Usually Best
There are so many good barefoot kids shoes out there today, all around the world and in all price ranges. So if you need to buy your kids shoes anyways, consider the lifelong benefit they’ll get from wearing natural footwear instead of the restrictive shoes you usually find at the store. Barefoot shoes are often the best option for kids!
124 thoughts on “The 10 Best Barefoot Shoes for Kids – Every Season & Budget”
Hello 🙂
Are there barefoot kids shoes that would work for a sport like soccer? So many of the styles look like it’d be hard to kick a ball with 🙂 Thank you kindly for your help!
My kids have worn the Vivobarefoot Primus Trail for soccer for years, and this year they are wearing Naturathletics.
What’s the secret to finding kids barefoot shoes in stock? I just discovered barefoot shoes and it’s April so I’m looking for spring and summer shoes, but everything I find is out of stock in both my kids sizes, especially on sites like PedTerra (I’m in the US). Do I need to shop for sandals in winter? I like to wait until closer to the season I need them so I know my kids foot size at that time, but I feel like I already missed the boat on summer shoes. (ps I love the look of ZeaZoo sandals in your own store but the sizing starts too big for my 4yo).
PedTerra generally has low inventory, just because they are small and they tend to get their inventory in late in the season. But it is true that a lot of kids shoes sell out fast and then it’s tricky to try to watch for them to come back in. I think it’s worse for little littles. Have you checked out Ten Little (splash sandals are fab!) or Little Love Bug?
Love the comparison chart. Thanks so much!