Have you heard about barefoot shoes? Maybe you’ve tried them yourself or spotted them on the shelves for little ones and wondered whether they’re the right choice. After all, don’t growing feet need structure and support?
There’s a growing body of research, and an even faster-growing community of parents, who are rethinking what we’ve been told about footwear and what to put on our children’s feet… with good reason.
What Are Barefoot Shoes?
Barefoot shoes are designed to mimic the natural movement of walking barefoot, allowing the foot and ankle to function as nature intended. They don’t try to mould or support the foot in the way traditional shoes often do, they simply protect it while letting it move freely.
Leonardo da Vinci once called the foot “a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art.” Our feet are built to move, balance and support us, they don’t need shoes to perform these tasks, but they do need protection in our modern environment. That’s where barefoot shoes come into their own.
What Makes a Shoe ‘Barefoot’?
Not all barefoot shoes are created equal, and some mainstream brands incorporate barefoot-friendly features without using the label. So instead of focusing on the name, here’s what to look for:
- Zero Drop: a completely flat sole from heel to toe, with no shaping or arch support, which encourages natural posture and alignment.
- Thin Sole: to allow for sensory feedback. The soles of our feet contain thousands of nerve endings, helping us balance and respond to our surroundings.
- Lightweight and Flexible: so the shoe moves with the foot, not against it, essential for little ones learning to walk and run.
- Wide Toe Box: feet should be widest at the toes. Ample room around the toes gives them space to spread and flex, building strength and stability.
Why It Matters for Growing Feet
Children’s feet are not just smaller versions of adult feet, they’re softer, more malleable and still forming well into their teens. In fact, the bones don’t fully harden until their late teens or early twenties. That means the shoes we put them in can significantly influence how their feet develop.
Rigid or poorly fitting shoes can lead to long-term issues, from weak muscles to misaligned joints to poor posture. While barefoot styles encourage natural movement, helping muscles grow stronger, arches to develop correctly and balance to improve over time.
One of the biggest flaws in modern shoe design, for both children and adults, is the narrowing of the toe box. Most conventional shoes taper towards the front, forcing the toes inward and limiting their natural ability to spread and flex. This not only affects balance and posture but also affects how we walk, making our movement less efficient. Over time, this unnatural positioning can contribute to a host of problems, including bunions, a deformity often assumed to be hereditary but most frequently caused or worsened by years of wearing poorly shaped footwear.
And it’s not just about foot health either. Because our feet are the foundation for our entire body, the way they function affects everything from posture and gait to joint alignment and core strength.
Fit Always Comes First
Whether barefoot or not, the right fit is essential. Shoes that are too tight, too loose or the wrong shape will compromise even the most foot-friendly design.
That’s where expert shoe fitting makes all the difference. A qualified fitter will assess your child’s foot shape and stage of development, guide you through your options, and ensure a comfortable, healthy fit, now and as they grow.
What About Adults?
If you’re intrigued by barefoot shoes yourself, transitioning can be hugely beneficial, but take it slowly. Your feet have likely adapted to decades of conventional footwear, so a sudden change can lead to discomfort. Start by strengthening your feet with exercises, then introduce barefoot shoes gradually, increasing wear time over weeks or even months.
Many people report improved posture, reduced foot pain and a stronger connection to the ground once they’ve made the transition.
Final Thoughts
Barefoot shoes aren’t just a trend, they’re a return to how feet are meant to move. For children, who are building lifelong foundations with every step, they can offer long-term benefits that go far beyond the feet.
About CeCe & Me
Sam Chetwood is the founder of CeCe & Me, a mobile children’s shoe fitting service that’s transforming the way parents shop for shoes for their little ones. Her journey began as a frustrated mum, struggling to feel confident about buying shoes for her toddlers. Determined to make the process easier for other parents, she launched CeCe & Me to take the stress and guesswork out of shoe shopping for young children, with a focus on promoting long-term foot health.
What started as a personal mission has grown into a thriving business with seven franchise territories across the UK. Sam has developed a comprehensive CPD-accredited training programme to equip franchisees with the knowledge and skills to provide an expert fitting service to families in their local community and help educate parents on the vital role of properly fitted shoes in early childhood development.