Have you ever noticed how much toddlers hate wearing shoes? That’s because, even before they’re old enough to fully communicate, they realize how constricting traditional shoes can be. If you’re looking for barefoot shoes for the whole family, where can you find minimalist footwear that fits toddlers too?
Here are the best barefoot shoes for toddlers:
- Vivobarefoot Primus Sport II Toddlers
- Wildling Flying Fox
- Feelmax Lokka 3
- Skinners for Kids
- Softstar Baby Scout
- Tadeevo Toddler Minimalist Shoes
- Vivobarefoot Primus Knit II Toddlers
The following 7 pairs of minimalist shoes are formulated for the very small, growing feet of toddlers. Keep reading for information such as shoe materials, colors, and more. We’ll also talk about what to look for in a pair of barefoot toddler shoes.
7 of the Top Barefoot Toddler Shoes
We’ve always found it so striking how baby shoes are styled like barefoot shoes with thin, flexible soles that let a baby play and explore. Then, once a baby grows a little bigger, they’re saddled with heavy shoes that have a narrow toe box and a thicker sole.
Not anymore! These 7 sets of barefoot toddler shoes will allow your child to feel the world with their feet as well as their hands.
Vivobarefoot Primus Sport II Toddlers
The Vivobarefoot name is one of the most beloved in barefoot shoes. Their Primus line of barefoot shoes exemplifies why. If you own the adult version of these shoes, then treat your child to the toddler version. Now you can match barefoot shoes with your child!
The Primus II Sport toddler shoes are designed to help tikes find their balance as they begin walking for the first time. The sole is as thin as ever and puncture-resistant to boot.
Since the Vivobarefoot shoe doesn’t shape itself around your toddler’s feet, these shoes are easily regifted once your toddler inevitably grows out of them.
The collar fits like a sock so your picky toddler won’t be tearing at their feet, eager to get their shoes off like they usually are. The elastic toggle fastening is easy for kids and adults alike to use so these shoes stay secure.
The Vivobarefoot Primus Sport II toddler shoes come in, Indigo-Blue, Gold and Obsidian black with a white outsole.
Wildling Flying Fox
German brand Wilding states that 98 percent of children start with healthy feet but just 20 percent of them maintain foot health into adulthood. The reason? Their choice of shoes, of course.
Support the growth of your toddler’s foot muscles in a pair of barefoot shoes for tiny feet such as the Flying Fox shoes.
Like all Wilding shoes, the Flying Fox minimalist shoes are handmade. The natural material used for the upper is an appealing combination of certified organic cotton, flax, and hemp in timeless black.
The Flying Fox insole can regulate both moisture and temperature so your toddler can wear these shoes in the autumn and well into the summer.
Microfiber padding is soft and comfortable while adding more protection to little feet. The membrane within the shoes breathes to resist odors.
The outsole is 50 percent recycled, including 20 percent black cork and 80 percent synthetic rubber.
Feelmax Lokka 3
You know what toddlers and kids love? Velcro! That’s why we couldn’t help but recommend the Feelmax Lokka 3 shoes with their Velcro straps.
Feelmax is a Finland-based minimalist shoe company that specializes in footwear for children. The Lokka 3 shoes are the latest in the Lokka Series and a clear upgrade from the best-selling Lokka 2s.
The Lokka 3 barefoot shoes feature a NatuRun triple-density thin outsole that’s vulcanized so it doesn’t need glue. Even better, the material is recycled. An Ecorubber compound on the outsole is melted to the upper keeps this shoe as flexible as can be.
Feelmax states that in wearing barefoot shoes like the Lokka 3s, your toddler will have a more natural foot shape and stronger tendons and muscles.
The mesh/microfiber outer is light, breathable, and vegan. These shoes are available in a bright color scheme of black, white, and purple that kids will love.
Does your toddler wear their socks with no problem but cry and protest when you try to make them put on shoes? Skinners are like wearing socks, but they’re barefoot shoes.
The StretchKnit fibers in these shoes combine natural and artificial fibers for a perfect fit. Further, StretchKnit technology makes these barefoot shoes more durable while also wicking moisture.
All fibers used in Skinners are sourced from Italy while the anti-abrasive polymers are from Sweden.
These barefoot toddler shoes are so flexible that you can take one and roll it into a ball on itself, then stash the shoes in your carrying bag or backpack.
Of course, toddlers are going to be toddlers, which means their shoes will get dirty quickly. Skinners’ shoes are machine-washable so you can save time.
Does your toddler have a favorite color? The Skinners’ barefoot shoes for kids come in hues such as Olive Green, Ocean Blue (teal), and Candy Pink (electric pink).
The cuddly softness of moccasins cradles your toddler’s feet when you buy them the Softstar Baby Scout shoes.
Softstar is a trusted name in minimalist and barefoot shoes. Their kids and adult shoes include everything from slippers to boots, moccasins, flats, and sandals.
The Baby Scout moccasins are perfect for those exciting days when your toddler is up and walking for the first time. The leather upper offers just the right amount of protection. A skinny sole made of tough suede stays flexible and won’t slip.
Softstar says the Baby Scout barefoot shoes are suitable mostly for indoors as well as some light outdoor use. Inner soles feature memory foam that molds to the delicate shape of your toddler’s feet. The foam will hold its shape for customized comfort with every step.
Like the Skinners barefoot shoes, the Baby Scout moccasins from Softstar come in bright colors your toddler will naturally gravitate towards. These include Aged Acorn (tan) and Latte (dark brown), Fuchsia and Shiny Platinum (shiny gold), Kiwi (bright green) and Flint (dark forest green), and Tahiti (dark blue) with Shiny Aqua.
Tadeevo Toddler Minimalist Shoes
The adorable Tadeevo toddler barefoot shoes will delight even the pickiest of toddlers. The shoes come in a range of colors. We linked you to the coral version, but you can also select from hues such as pale blue, pale green, red, orange, yellow and green color-blocked, and blue and brown color-blocked.
No matter the color, all Tadeevo toddler shoes feature the brand’s own Ultraflex rubber sole. The real natural leather for the upper is quality through and through.
Your kids won’t want to kick off their shoes when it doesn’t even feel like they’re wearing shoes in the first place. The Tadeevo toddler barefoot shoes weigh 2 ounces per shoe, which is approximately 60 grams.
Made without artificial stabilization, the zero-drop heel is anything but chunky. Instead, your toddler will enjoy greater groundfeel as they make their way around the house or step outside (with your supervision, of course). The sole is 4 millimeters.
The bending and torsion axes are ultra-flexible so these shoes move with your toddler’s feet like they have no shoes on at all.
Customize the Tadeevo shoes with a variety of badges; you can select one. The options include birds, cars, rocket ships, unicorns, cats, and elephants.
Vivobarefoot Primus Knit II Toddlers
Circling back around to Vivobarefoot, their Primus Knit II toddler shoes are the last pair of barefoot shoes on our list.
The WoolMark wool used to make the upper gives these shoes a texture and feel like socks. The wool is flexible yet snug so your toddler can’t kick off their shoes. Wool can retain heat in cold conditions or release it when too much heat begins accumulating.
Velcro tabs across the shoe make for easy wear and removal. The shape of the shoe is generously wide for that barefoot shoe feel, and the flexibility is excellent as well.
The Vivobarefoot Primus Knit II toddler shoes come in Midnight black with a tan sole.
What to Look for in a Pair of Barefoot Shoes for Toddlers
Now comes the difficult part, and that’s narrowing down your options for which pair of barefoot shoes will be the next you buy your toddler. Here are some considerations to help you in your decision.
Sizing
Fit is everything in a pair of barefoot shoes. To determine the correct size for your toddler’s minimalist footwear, place their foot on a piece of loose-leaf paper. Using a pencil or pen, outline your child’s foot on the paper.
Then you can use a ruler to measure their foot size based on the drawing. This allows you to get an accurate measurement without a fussy toddler!
Toddler vs. Kids
Lots of barefoot shoe brands make either baby shoes or kids’ shoes and nothing in between. If you buy baby shoes, your toddler will very soon outgrow them. Kids’ shoes might leave your toddler swimming in their barefoot sneakers or moccasins.
The 7 pairs of barefoot shoes we reviewed today are all designed for growing toddler feet, not children.
Comfort
To keep your toddler from screaming their head off each morning because you’re trying to make them wear shoes they don’t like, you must prioritize comfort in their next pair of footwear.
Fortunately, all the barefoot shoes we reviewed today are extraordinarily comfortable. The shoes feature soft liners, moisture-wicking, and flexibility so no uncomfortable materials are rubbing up against your toddler’s feet.
Some of the barefoot shoes are even wearable without socks!
Price
As a parent, you have a shoestring budget, especially if you’re raising a toddler. They grow out of their clothes as fast as they do their shoes, so you’d prefer not to spend too much money on either.
In our list of toddler shoes are pairs available at various price points. There should be something for every budget!
Conclusion
The jump from baby to child’s shoes is quite jarring, as children’s shoes become thicker, heavier, and more cumbersome to wear. It’s no wonder so many kids eschew footwear and would rather go barefoot!
Support the healthy growth and development of your toddler’s feet in a pair of barefoot shoes. The 7 pairs of minimalist shoes we discussed today are soft, flexible, zero-drop, and supportive. Your kids will love them, and you can rest assured that your child will grow up with healthier feet.