The Best Barefoot Shoes for Children (+15 Health Benefits)

Barefoot shoes have been around for a while but have began gaining traction in the last few years. People are recognizing the benefits associated with proper foot structure and health. They can be especially beneficial if children begin with barefoot shoes from the start.  Kids can experience many health benefits from barefoot shoes due to normal foot structure development. Having healthy foot structure can create a cascade of good health benefits throughout the body. There are so many options these days from foot type to style. This guide will help you recognize 15 of the most prominent health benefits associated with wearing barefoot shoes and the best brands for children.

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Why Choose Barefoot Shoes for Children?

When you provide barefoot shoes for children in their earliest years, you can reap the benefits of proper foot structure and muscle strength from the very beginning. This is ideal when compared to adults who require re-training and correction of their feet later on in life. Many of us have been walking in shoes that do not allow for proper muscle building. We may have compromised our foot splay by wearing shoes that are too narrow our entire lives. This has a compounding effect on the body. When feet aren’t able to develop properly we can experience a shift in our entire body. Our feet are what hold most of our weight all day and provide stability to the rest of our body. If our foot structure is compromised, this can create a domino effect for the rest of our body.

Adults require some time to adjust to barefoot shoes if accustomed to conventional shoe design.  This can mean an adjustment period, only wearing them for an hour each day and increasing wear over time. Children who begin with barefoot shoes will only ever known this type of footwear. Their foot muscles will develop as nature intended with no constriction. Older children are also able to adapt quickly if they’ve only worn conventional shoes for a short time. It is ideal to begin with barefoot shoes for children.

 

15 Health Benefits of Barefoot Shoes for Children

Barefoot shoes comes with a wide range of health benefits. When worn by children from the beginning, they can create the best foundation for physical health. Here are some health benefits associated with wearing barefoot shoes. These benefits apply to both adults and children:

1. Improved foot strength and arch function.
2. Enhanced balance and proprioception.
3. Reduced risk of injury.
4. Better running efficiency.
5. Increased ground feel and adaptability.
6. Supports natural toe spacing to prevent bunions and hammer toes.
7. Promotes better posture and forefoot striking.
8. Strengthens muscles in your feet.
9. Greater range of motion.
10. Better blood circulation.
11. Better natural gait and running form.
12. Higher calorie burn.
13. Less stress on joints.
14. Less pain in feet, legs and lower back.
15. Improved balance and posture.

 

The Best Barefoot Shoes for Children: My Favorite Brands

 

When it comes to choosing the right barefoot shoes for children there are actually a number of brands nowadays. There is a wider range of styles and types of shoes offered. We now have access to choices that may have not been available 10 years ago. This boom in popularity has brought new brands out of the woodwork. You can now find a good selection of different running shoes, casual shoes, dress shoes and winter boots. This makes it much easier to stay on track with foot structure and development. The following brands are some of my favorite options for style and shoe type when it comes to barefoot shoes for children:

• Saguaro Shoes – Discount code: HOLISTICVANITY
• Xero Shoes
• Lex Shoes – Discount code: HOLISTICVANITY
• HobiBear Shoes
• Feelgrounds Shoes – Discount code: HOLISTICVANITY

 

1. Saguaro Barefoot Shoes

Great for Style & Color Selection

Saguaro shoes are offer a wide range of shoe options and styles for both Adults and Children. They probably have the largest selection for children compared to other brands. They are also very affordable compared to other brands. They carry running shoes, casual everyday shoes, winter boots and rain boots in a wide range of styles and colors for kids to choose from. They have options in both waterproof and splash proof footwear. Here are a few of my favorite styles from Saguaro below.

If you want to check out their entire kids selection, you can shop the Saguaro website HERE

Discount code: HOLISTICVANITY saves you 10%

 

2. Xero Shoes

Great for Everyday Shoes

Xero shoes is another great barefoot shoe brand for children. They make barefoot shoes for both adults and children,. Their selection only offers two styles of running shoes and one everyday casual slip on shoe. They come in a variety of colors. Xero is a well establish barefoot brand and while they cater mostly to adults, their children shoes are quality and provide some extra style options for kids to choose from. Here are a few of my favorite styles from Xero below.

If you want to check out their entire selection of colors, you can shop the Xero website HERE.

 

3. Lex Shoes

Great for Early Walkers, Toddlers, Young Kids

Lex Shoes are a great options for children’s footwear. Their line specializes and caters specifically to children. They offer some of the sweetest styles for casual everyday barefoot shoes. They are perfect shoes for toddlers all the way up to kids. Their shoes begin at sizes for babies who are just beginning to walk. They are great affordable shoes for toddlers to run around the park in. Here are some of my favorite styles from Lex footwear below.

If you want to check out their entire line of colors, you can shop the Lex website HERE

Discount code: HOLISTICVANITY saves $5 per pair

 

4. Hobibear

Great for Affordable Options

Hobibear is a footwear brand that caters to both adults and children. They offer barefoot shoes, clogs and wide toe shoes. If you are looking for their barefoot options, be sure to specify this on the drop down menu as some of their shoes are not 100% barefoot construction. All of their shoes are made to cater to a wider toe box whether they are barefoot or not so they still provide room for a natural toe splay. The Hobibear brand is an affordable option for barefoot footwear and they have a fair selection of styles, shoe type and color options. Here are some of my favorite styles from Lex footwear below.

If you want to check out their entire line of colors and styles, you can shop the Hobibear website HERE.

 

5. Feelgrounds

Great for Older Kids & Youth – Trending Styles

Feelgrounds is another great brand that creates beautiful barefoot shoes for both adults and kids. My Daughter loves this brand as they tend to stay on top of current trends with their footwear. This brand will have styles like the Chelsea boot or high top sneakers whereas other brands may not carry these types of trending styles. I find this brand to be a great option for older kids who want a certain aesthetic and love to pick their own shoes. Feelgrounds is one of my personal favorites for adults styles as well. Here are some of my favorite childrens shoe styles from Feelgrounds below.

If you want to check out their entire line of shoe types, styles and color selections, you can shop the Feelgrounds website HERE

Discount code: HOLISTICVANITY

You’re sure to find a great pair or two of barefoot shoes or boots for your kids from one of these incredible companies. With more brands popping up and options available, it is becoming so much easier to swap out conventional shoes for barefoot shoes. Doing so for your children from the beginning can help kickstart healthy physical development starting with proper foot structure. Not only are these shoes a healthy option for your family, but they’re cute too! I will continue to add to this list as I find more companies that provide good quality barefoot shoes for kids. You can save this post by pinning the image below to one of your Pinterest boards or bookmarking it in your tabs.

Happy (and healthy) walking!

 

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