As parents, we think carefully about what our children eat, how they sleep and how much screen time they get, but have you ever stopped to think about their shoes?

Most of us grew up believing that children’s shoes need to be cushioned, supportive and structured to “protect” little feet. One of the most overlooked, but important, decisions you can make for your child’s development is choosing the right footwear. Increasingly, research tells a very different story: that less really is more when it comes to what your child wears on their feet.

Welcome to the world of barefoot shoes – flexible, flat and foot-shaped footwear designed to let feet move, grow and function as nature intended.

Here’s why switching to barefoot shoes may be one of the best decisions you make for your child’s health.

The Natural Development of Little Feet 

A child’s foot is a complex structure with 26 bones, 33 joints and over 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments all developing rapidly during early childhood. At birth, many of these bones are still cartilage and the muscles are far from fully developed.

Children are born with flexible feet. Their bones, arches and joints are still developing well into their teens. This means that any restriction placed on their feet during these critical years can influence how their feet form and function later in life.

Traditional footwear, especially with narrow toe boxes, raised heels and stiff soles, can interrupt this natural development. Instead of supporting the foot, such shoes can restrict movement, weaken muscles and alter natural gait mechanics.

In contrast, barefoot shoes allow children’s feet to develop naturally, without the interference of rigid soles or raised heels. Unlike traditional shoes, barefoot shoes have:

• Zero drop – no elevated heel
• Wide toe boxes – to allow toes to splay naturally
• Thin, flexible soles – to promote sensory feedback, movement and balance
• Minimal padding – to avoid interfering with foot mechanics

According to a 2021 study published in Frontiers in Pediatrics, children who habitually go barefoot or wear minimalist footwear have greater foot strength and arch development compared to those who wear conventional shoes (Hollander et al., 2021). The researchers suggest that natural foot movement during childhood may help prevent flat feet and musculoskeletal issues later on.

Developing Strength, Balance & Coordination from the Ground Up

Toddlers are learning more than just how to walk, they’re building the foundation for their entire motor system. This is where proprioception, or the body’s awareness of movement and position, comes into play.

A study published in Scientific Reports (Zech et al., 2022) found that children who regularly wore barefoot shoes showed improved balance, jumping ability and motor control compared to their peers in conventional shoes. Why? Barefoot shoes stimulate the nerves on the soles of the feet, helping children fine-tune their posture and spatial awareness.

When kids can feel the ground, they adapt better to it – just like nature intended.

Foot Development Is Brain Development

The feet are packed with nerve endings and sensory receptors that send constant feedback to the brain. This feedback is essential for developing healthy movement patterns, coordination and even brain-body integration.

Poor footwear choices can lead to long-term consequences such as bunions, collapsed arches, tight calves and knee problems. Traditional shoes with thick soles or narrow toe boxes may not only hinder natural movement but also increase the risk of developing musculoskeletal issues over time (Razeghi & Batt, 2002). (Gibson et al., 2020)

On the other hand, encouraging barefoot activity or barefoot shoe use from an early age supports natural gait and posture, potentially reducing the risk of injury both in childhood and adulthood.

Think of it this way: when we over-pad our children’s feet, we are not just dulling sensation, we are dulling learning opportunities.

What to Look for in a Barefoot Shoe

If your child has been wearing traditional shoes, it’s important to transition to barefoot shoes gradually. Start with short periods of wear, allow their feet to adapt to the new movement, and make sure the shoes truly meet barefoot criteria (many brands use the term “barefoot” loosely).

Make sure you look for:

• Zero heel-to-toe drop
• Flexible soles that bend and twist easily
• Wide toe box – especially compared to the heel
• Thin sole – ideally 4–8 mm to allow ground feel

Here are a few brands that are well-respected for barefoot children’s footwear:

• Vivobarefoot Kids
• BeLenka
• Groundies
• BGreater
• Feelgrounds
• Xero Shoes
• Froddo Barefoot
• Saguaro
• Zeazoo
• Freet Barefoot

And of course, nothing beats time truly barefoot indoors or outdoors.

A Final Thought for Parents

Barefoot shoes support a child’s natural development by giving their feet the freedom to move, grow and connect with the world. With increasing research pointing toward the long-term benefits of barefoot-style footwear, it’s worth reconsidering those cute but clunky shoes. Giving your child the gift of strong, healthy feet is something that will support them for life.

References

• Gibson, J. L., Forth, K., Halligan, S. L., & Tennant, R. (2020). How the environment shapes child development: Evidence from a UK cohort. Early Child Development and Care, 190(9), 1374–1391. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2018.1528212
• Hollander, K., van der Zwaard, B. C., de Villiers, J. E., Braumann, K. M., Venter, R., & Zech, A. (2021). The effects of being habitually barefoot on foot mechanics and motor performance in children and adolescents: A one-year intervention study. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 9, 670631. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2021.670631
• Zech, A., Brummel, L. E., Brüggemann, G. P., & Gollhofer, A. (2022). Long-term use of barefoot shoes is associated with improved balance and motor performance in children. Scientific Reports, 12(1), 1981. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-05830-y
• Razeghi, M., & Batt, M. E. (2002). Foot type classification: A critical review of current methods. Gait & Posture, 15(3), 282–291. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0966-6362(01)00151-5