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, sizing & fit, and all the resources you need to answer your questions about kids barefoot shoes and feet. Let’s dive in.
Why Should Kids Wear Barefoot Shoes?
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 choose shoes that allow their feet to develop normally. That means they only wear barefoot kids shoes.
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 body into an unnatural position.
By contrast, barefoot kids shoes let their feet move naturally! 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. There are healthy footwear options for everyday, school, winter, summer, and even dressy occasions. Because kids shoes shouldn’t be slowing them down!
And if you need a little help deciding on a size, here is my guide to measuring your child’s feet.
Vivobarefoot
Vegan & Leather Options | Sizes US 3C-6Y | Retailers Around the World
Use code ARVIVO20 for 20% off. Click here to find a Vivobarefoot retailer near you.
Pros:
- Offers shoes in all sizes (first walker to big kis)
- Has the most practical options for active kids: waterproof, sports, hiking, water shoes, etc
- Uniform options
- 100 day guarantee
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 are practical, but still very thin and flexible – my preference for growing feet. 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 sneakers and Lumi boots annually for my oldest son. He just doesn’t like to wear anything else if he can help it! This brand is a little more pricey than others, but my children are hard on their shoes so we appreciate the durability.
We do have a consistent stinkiness issue with our Vivo sneakers. This is best avoided by wearing socks, but my kids like to go barefoot in their shoes so we end up hand washing them occasionally with baking soda and vinegar. 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
Vegan & Leather Options | Sizes EU 20-40 | Ships from EU
Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off Be Lenka purchases.
Pros:
- Extra wide toe box
- Lots of colorful & stylish options
- Uniform options
- Practical boots for winter & cold weather
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, while still retaining a lot of flexibility – 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
Wildling Shoes
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.
Shapen Barefoot
Leather | Winter options | Sizes EU 25-35 | Ships from EU
Use code ANYA5 for 5% off.
Pros:
- Adorable
- Sturdy
- Universal fit (wide at the toes, secure in the midfoot & heel)
Cons:
- Pricey
- Not super flexible
- No returns from outside the EU
Shapen’s barefoot kids shoes are adorable, sturdy, and have lots of toe room. They also come with removable insoles, and we’ve found that they have a solid fit that works well on many kids’ feet. They’re also freaking cute, and the color and even the glitter have held up well for our testers (I had a bunch of samples I shared with neighbors and friends to test for me).
Besides being on the pricier end, my only real complaint is that the sole isn’t as flexible as I prefer for young children (6 and below) whose bones are still developing. They’re great as a durable school shoe, but I prefer them for older kids.
Sizing & Fit:
- True to size
- Wide to extra wide toe box, but secure elsewhere so can fit a lot of foot shapes
- Fits all foot volumes because of velcro and removable insole.
Mukishoes
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.
Zeazoo
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
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
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 cheaper canvas or more durable knit
- Accessibility friendly
Cons:
- Color on Explore can fade
- Explore 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. Our kids’ favorite is the Dash model, which has a cool look, good fit, and is durable. Splay also sells the Explore model which has a cheaper price point, but the canvas doesn’t hold up as well.
When my kids were younger the Explore was our go to, because their feet were growing and they trashed their shoes anyways, so we didn’t mind! But now that they’re a little pickier about style, the Dash is what they prefer.
Sizing & Fit Type:
- Runs slightly small, but true to the size chart.
- Wide toe box, but slim through the midfoot.
- Medium volume fit, but has adjustable velcro and a removable insole for different volumes.
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 this brand.
Saguaro
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
Over time Saguaro has become one of my kids’ favorite brands. The knit sneakers (above right) are really soft, comfortable, breathable, and have a generous toe box. For the price, we get a lot out of these shoes. They’ve also been adding more “cool” sneaker options over time that we’ve had pretty good luck with, but the velcro straps tend to fail while the rest of the shoe still has a lot of life left in them.
The materials are not as high quality as other brands’ listed here, but they’ve worked well for our needs and are a good balance between function and affordable.
Sizing & Fit:
- True to size.
- Wide fit.
- Work for most foot volumes because of removable insole and adjustable straps/laces.
Origo Shoes
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:
- Canvas models are 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 on the canvas models when brand new and can take a little breaking in to get soft. Otherwise, they fit and functional well and hold up too!
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
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.
Reima
Vegan Options | Waterproof Options | Sizes EU 18-41 | 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
- Limited styles (nothing for winter)
Reima sneakers and sandals are excellent for the price. They have a good fit and feel, they’re durable, and my kids love them. All while still being quite a bit cheaper than many brands! Just note that they are on the slimmer side, so best for long thin feet and not wide feet.
If that’s your kid’s foto type, the Astelu is the perfect everyday shoe. 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. The Astelu sneakers have a wider fit than the Rantaan sandals – the sandals are average to slim in width.
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 of the kids barefoot shoe brands listed in this post meet my requirements for healthy footwear, but here you can see a loose organization of them from narrowest to widest (emphasis on loose, because width can be interpreted different ways and varies between models).
In my experience, the brands with the widest toe box are:
- Shapen Barefoot
- Be Lenka Barefoot
- Mukishoes
- Magical Shoes
- Softstar Shoes
- Saguaro Shoes
- Freet Barefoot
- Whitin Shoes
More Options We Like
PaperKrane (AU) – The funnest and funkiest barefoot shoes around! These fit average to slightly wide feet best, and are typically high volume.
Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off
Zuna (US) – These are a good option for older kids (size 12-4Y) that we found work for a wide variety of foot types. They also hold up well!
Freet Barefoot – Freet shoes have a great extra wide toe box, with a slimmer heel for kids with “fan shaped feet”. The uppers haven’t been as durable as other brands, but otherwise they fit and functional really well.
Use code AnyaFreet for 10% off
If you live outside the US, shop Freet here.
Feelgrounds – These kids shoes have a pretty generous fit with a wide toe box. They’ve been a little too roomy in the midfoot and heel for my own kiddos, but are good for thick-footed littles. Some cute colors and styles too.
Use code ANYA5 for 5% off your first order
Lang S. by Tikki Shoes (EU) – High quality, chrome-free leather sandals, sneakers, and boots
Use ANYALANG for 10% off
Magical Shoes (EU) – Magical shoes are light, soft, and seriously flexible with no break-in time required. Best for wide, straight, high volume feet.
Use code ANYA for 10% off
Softstar Shoes (US) – Softstar shoes are all handmade in the US, and you can customize them with tons of different colors.
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 my resources for some of the most common questions regarding barefoot kids shoes.
- Barefoot School Uniform Shoes
- The Best Kids Barefoot Sandals
- The Best Kids Barefoot Winter Boots
- Baby & Toddler Shoes
- How To Measure Your Child’s Feet
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!
139 thoughts on “The Best Barefoot Shoes for Kids – Every Season & Budget”
I notice no one has mentioned baby bogs (for toddlers). I’ve read they are considered barefoot for rain boots, so we bought them. Are they actual barefoot?
http://www.bogsfootwear.com/shop/style/72608I.html
Yes, as far as I know they are! I’ve seen them in purpose once and they were pretty darn flexible.
I love your blog and am so grateful for all the knowledge you share! We are just getting started on our barefoot shoe journey! I’m curious if you know any places that sell a nice church/dress shoe for girls? We have looked at Softstar for their Mary Janes but it’s just a steep price and I would love to look at other options before I take the plunge. Thank you!
Hey! You should check out the Barefoot Shoe Finder! If you click women’s/girls’ dress and then the size you are looking for you can then filter from there for the cheaper options (or just visually scan, since there’s a little icon that shows how expensive they are). I am not super familiar with girls’ dress shoes myself, so all the ones I would rattle off would be from the Barefoot Shoe Finder.
https://barefootshoefinder.com/
Hey there! I have been searching (for what feels like endlessly) for girls “church” shoes. I’d be happy with a simple nicer sandal but I’m having a hard time swallowing the prices. Any shops you could recommend for some more fancy children’s shoes? Mainly child sizes and not toddlers. Thanks!
Hi! Have you seen Little Love Bug? They’re pretty fancy and cheap. I don’t know off the top of my head how large they go. But I would check out the Barefoot Shoe Finder to see what else there is, you can specify the size you need, girl’s dress shoes, and cheapest options.
https://barefootshoefinder.com/
Vivobarefoot (the company) seems like some pseudo-activist nonsense, honestly. Maybe the shoes are comfy, but they really don’t have to pretend they are saving the planet with an injection-molded EVA shoe made in China.
Haha, they do hit you over the head with it don’t they? I think some of their initiatives are genuinely good and I’d still purchase from them over Amazon any day, but I also feel like I have a hard time knowing what is actually sustainable and what’s just rhetoric…
Do you have a recommendation for a kids winter hiking shoe? Thank you.
Hey Anya and team, two questions:
Suggestion for a first shoe for a confidently walking toddler? We used pediped grip n go for my oldest but the more I’ve learned from your blog, I want something more flexible and with more space in the toe box (although we still have them so I could potentially reuse them) for my second. I was considering the Starry Knight Mocs with the rubber sole but not sure if it has sufficient toe room?
Also, my preschooler has wide toe box but lower volume and narrow at the ankle, so we did use Vivobarefoot primus, but they took forever to fit in the ankle and weren’t super spacious in the toe box, but the sole flexibility was great. Alternative that is more snug around ankle but a little roomier around toes? Preferably leather or a natural material for both. Thank you so much!!!
Hey Anya, thanks for the helpful list! Just wanted to let you know Little Love Bug goes up to size 12 now 🙂
Hi Anya,
I was so delighted to find your site. We’ve been buying barefoot shoes for our eldest for many years now. He’s currently 8 but we always find it a bit hit and miss as he has a high arch so most brands we’ve tried don’t have the volume. We’ve tried Vivos (definite no go in recent years although their Velcro ones used to be ok), PaperKrane (beautiful shoes but Velcro has to be on loosest setting), Xeros (comfortable when loosened but don’t wear well) and Splays (current pairs that generally fit ok). He’s also been complaining recently that his Splays aren’t so comfortable for running and trail walking.
I would love to find some high volume shoes that he can use for running and some for some slightly rough trail walking. Do you have any suggestions? We’re in Australia.
Many thanks.
Hi! Be Lenka is a brand that’s good for high volume feet, as is Mukishoes. Those two are what my younger son wears who also doesn’t do well in Splay or Vivo wears. Mukishoes and Be Lenka both ship internationally, but for Be Lenka I would check out the Australian retailer Barefootwear (linked in this article):
https://anyasreviews.com/barefoot-shoe-brands-by-region/#australianz
Hi Anya,
I’m so glad to have found your site as I am looking for all-white barefoot shoes for my 7-year old boy who starts formal school next year.
I’ve went through all the all-white shoe brands you’ve listed above, and I think the only one that is really all-white (without any other colour) would be Splay Freestyle. However, they are in laces, rather than velco straps.
I did find this shoe from Decathlon and am wondering if you could advise on whether it may qualify as a barefoot shoe? It states that it’s “zero drop”….
https://www.decathlon.sg/p/at-easy-kid-s-athletics-shoes-white-kalenji-8563568.html
Hmm, a totally white shoe with velcro is a tough one. Did you see the Origo ones on this list? The Decathlon shoes you linked to here are not minimalist, so don’t meet the criteria of the other shoes I list out here. One option is to use white elastic laces on something like the Freestyle so they can still be pulled on and off.
Yes, the Origo ones have a coloured tab at the back unfortunately. The Freestyle seems to be my best bet now, and I love the hack of the white elastic laces, thanks!
Could you comment a bit more on why you would not consider the Decathlon shoes minimalist?
The Decathlon shoes you sent me seem to have a thick sole with a heel lift (so aren’t zero drop) and the toe box follows a traditional tapered shape. Decathlon sells one minimalist sandal that I’m aware of, but from what I can see from the listing that kids model is just your typical sneaker. One other tip my assistant thought of is to use leather or shoe paint on the back heel tab of the Origo!
The Decathlon shoes you sent me seem to have a thick sole with a heel lift (so aren’t zero drop) and the toe box follows a traditional tapered shape. Decathlon sells one minimalist sandal that I’m aware of, but from what I can see from the listing that kids model is just your typical sneaker.
Hey Anya, I love your site! Do you have a recommendation for a minimalist shoe (preferably made in EU) that is soft flexible on the top and sides (especially in the pinky toe area)? My baby boy has an extra wide pinky toe (birth defect!) and I’m trying to figure out shoes for him. Any thoughts are welcome!! Thanks!
Hi! There are fortunately quite a few options that meet the criteria in the EU. Tikki, Ursanina, Wildling, and Zeazoo are a few options. I just did a search on my Barefoot Shoe Finder for baby shoes that ship from Europe and found a bunch of options you can have a look at. Here are the quiz results:
https://barefootshoefinder.com/quizzes/6nWP4ekKqVElM8wYLNME/results?is_sent_from_same_continent_as_destination=1