Why We’re Choosing Barefoot Shoes for Our Toddler’s First Steps
Our little girl is right on the brink of walking, and let me tell you - she knows it. She’s furniture cruising across the apartment like she owns the place, pulling herself up with our fingers, wobbly and determined like a baby deer on a mission. She’s even tried stairs (with our help, of course), and watching her explore the world with this wild sense of independence has been one of the most awe-inspiring parts of parenting so far.
With all this movement, I knew it was time to start thinking about shoes. Up until now, she’s been our barefoot baby - climbing through the grass, crawling in the flower beds, and delighting in the feel of the earth beneath her toes. But when she ventured onto our gravel driveway? Different story. That surface is basically nature’s version of Legos, and she made it very clear it was not her jam.
So, we took her to a local family shoe store to get properly sized, and we walked out with a tiny pair of sneakers and a little pair of Tevas for water adventures in Maine this fall. But deep down, I knew I still wanted to explore barefoot shoes, especially after reading about how they support natural development and healthy movement in growing bodies.
So what exactly are barefoot shoes? And why should you consider them for your little explorer?
What Are Barefoot Shoes?
Barefoot shoes are designed to mimic the experience of being barefoot while still offering protection from sharp rocks, hot pavement, and (in our case) gravel driveways. Unlike conventional shoes, barefoot shoes allow your feet to move, flex, and feel the ground beneath them. The key features of barefoot shoes usually include:
Thin, flexible soles so your littles can feel the ground
A wide toe box for toe splay and natural foot shape
Zero drop (meaning no raised heel, which helps maintain natural posture and alignment)
Lightweight materials that allow natural movement
These shoes aren’t just a minimalist trend; they’re rooted in science and child development research.
Why Barefoot Is Best for Kids
A 2023 study investigated the impact of footwear on young children’s gait and foot development. It found that wearing shoes changes how kids move, specifically increasing rear-foot striking and limiting natural muscle use in the foot and lower legs.
Why does that matter? Babies and toddlers naturally walk with a forefoot strike - they land on the balls of their feet and use their toes for balance and grip. When shoes interfere with this, it can affect posture, coordination, and muscle development.
Here’s what barefoot shoes do encourage:
Improved balance and coordination
Strengthened foot and leg muscles
Better sensory input from the ground
More stable posture and movement
Think of it like giving your child the freedom to move how they were meant to move.
The Importance of Proper Sizing
Something I didn’t know until our shoe store visit: toddlers should be professionally sized every 3–4 months. Their feet grow quickly, and wearing the wrong size can cause lasting problems, like flat feet, poor gait, imbalanc, and more.
Getting fitted properly ensures that:
There’s enough room for toes to spread
Shoes aren’t too tight at the heel or instep
Growth is supported, not restricted
Shoes aren’t too big which can cause additional imbalance and coordination issues
Even if you’re shopping online, measure your child’s foot with a printable size guide and check the brand’s size chart carefully. And don’t forget the socks! Look for grippy, well-fitting socks that support foot movement when shoes aren’t needed. Little Yoga Socks has a great explanation of how sock fit matters, too.
Pros and Cons of Barefoot Shoes
Pros
Promotes natural movement and muscle development
Encourages balance and coordination
Comfortable for wide feet and growing toes
May prevent foot deformities from tight, narrow shoes
Lightweight and breathable
Cons
Can be harder to find in very small sizes
Tend to be pricier than conventional shoes
Less insulation in cold climates
Not always available in brick-and-mortar stores
Our Barefoot Picks: Best Brands for Toddlers
After lots of research (and a few “sold out” frustrations), here are some of the best barefoot shoes for toddlers, many starting around size 3 or 4 U
Wildling Shoes
Sizes: Begin at EU 18 (around US toddler 3)
Price: ~$60+
Why We Love Them: Sustainably made in Europe, with a strong barefoot philosophy and incredibly soft, foot-hugging designs.
They are often sold out of the smaller sizes
Magical Shoes
Start Size: EU18 (~3-5)
Price: ~$50–$60
Why We Love Them: One of the few truly barefoot brands that starts in smaller toddler sizes. Ultra-lightweight, highly flexible soles, and crafted in Poland. The ZiuZiu line is especially great for new walkers.
They are often sold out of the smaller sizes as well so check back reguarly
Splay Shoes
Sizes: Start at toddler 5
Price: ~$55
Why We Love Them: Canvas sneakers with a wide toe box and zero-drop design. Best for older toddlers and active kids. I haven’t seen any Splay Shoes for younger toddlers.
Vivobarefoot
Sizes: Begin at toddler 5
Price: ~$65–$75
Why We Love Them: Durable, ultra-flexible, with a wide toe box and breathable materials. Great for active little feet and outdoor play.
Be Lenka
Start Size: EU18 (~US 3)
Price: $55–$65
Why We Love Them: Stylish, zero-drop, and thoughtfully designed to let little feet move freely and grow naturally
What If You Can’t Find Her Size?
We ran into this! Many barefoot brands don’t start until toddler size 4 or even 5. In our case, we got flexible sneakers and Tevas for protection, but we’ll transition to barefoot shoes as soon as she fits. In the meantime, I let her be barefoot as much as possible at home and outside, and use socks with grip when shoes aren’t needed.
A Note on Grounding and Going Barefoot (Even for Grownups)
I’ll write a full post on this soon, but walking barefoot isn’t just good for little ones - it’s good for us too. Walking barefoot helps realign our gait, reduce pain, and build balance. There’s also the practice of grounding, where we intentionally connect with the earth’s surface while barefoot. Some studies link grounding with reduced inflammation, stress, and even improved sleep.
Even if you don’t buy into all of that, one thing is clear: being outside, moving freely, and letting our feet do what they were designed to do is deeply good for our health.
Final Thoughts
Whether your baby is already walking or just testing out those wobbly first steps, supporting their natural development starts from the ground up, literally! While barefoot is best when possible, barefoot shoes offer the next best thing: protection without restriction.
Our little girl will still be my barefoot flower-bed crawler and water-loving explorer. But when we need that extra protection, I’ll be turning to barefoot shoes - because I want her to walk freely, grow strong, and run wild.
And I’ll be right there next to her, maybe barefoot too.
Do you have a favorite barefoot brand or tips for finding small sizes? Drop them in the comments—I’d love to hear what worked for your family!