Toe walking is relatively common in younger children, particularly for toddlers who are learning to walk. There are a variety of reasons for which toe walking can occur, and it’s not normally a major cause for concern.
This article runs through the effects of barefoot shoes on toe walking, including whether barefoot shoes help with toe walking, and how to safely transition a toe walking child into barefoot.
What toe walking actually is
Toe walking is a particular type of gait pattern in which an individual primarily/often walks on their toes or on the balls of their feet. It is most common in toddlers learning to walk, and regularly resolves itself on its own, but in some cases it can become a habit, or point to underlying medical conditions.
Do barefoot shoes help with toe walking?
Barefoot shoes won’t outright ‘fix’ toe walking by themselves, but they are recommended by many podiatrists who suggest that zero-drop soles encourage a more natural ‘heel-to-toe’ stride.
Understanding how barefoot shoes benefit children will help you to ensure you’re making the right choice regarding your child and their development.
Why standard kids shoes may make toe walking worse
Standard or ‘traditional’ kids shoes can make toe walking worse in a few different ways.
First, they can prevent the foot from interacting with the ground naturally because of thicker soles. This reduces sensory feedback, impacting the ability to learn to balance and move as nature intended.
Many standard kids' school shoes include slightly elevated heels for the purpose of providing support. However, they can actually force the toes into a pointed position, which can contribute to toe walking.
Also, narrow toe boxes squeeze the toes together, restricting natural splay and reducing balance, causing children to rely on their toes for stability.
Features of barefoot shoes that help reduce toe walking
Barefoot shoes incorporate many features which can help reduce toe walking in children:
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Flat, zero-drop soles - Raised heels can encourage forefoot loading, tightening the calf muscles and promoting toe walking. Completely flat soles keep the feet comfortably level with the ground, making it easier and more natural to walk with the heels down first.
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Wide toe boxes - Wider toe boxes encourage toe splay. This creates a broader and more stable support base from the toes, each of which can move independently and interact with the ground and the environment much more naturally.
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Flexible build - Barefoot shoes are designed to be more flexible and forgiving than traditional shoes. This is especially beneficial for reducing toe walking because it allows natural movement and enhanced sensory feedback.
Our full guide to barefoot shoes for kids gives a deeper understanding of the features and benefits of barefoot footwear.
Transitioning toe walking children into barefoot shoes safely
For toe walkers, it’s important to carefully and considerately transition kids into barefoot shoes. Upfront, we’d recommend talking to a podiatrist or another healthcare professional before making any major decisions when concerned about toe walking.
Beyond this, it’s important to avoid rushing toe walking children into new barefoot footwear. This is because regular toe walkers can experience shortened Achilles tendons, so immediately moving to zero drop soles can put too much strain on the muscles.
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For the first week or two, encourage your child to walk around indoors for around 30 minutes a day in barefoot shoes. This removes the heel elevation of standard shoes but doesn’t expose them to harsher outdoor terrains.
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As you approach weeks 3 and 4, you can increase this indoor wear time by 15 or so minutes. On top of this, introduce your child to softer outdoor terrains such as sand or grass.
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From weeks 5 to 7, you can gradually increase wear on harder surfaces such as concrete and tarmac, whilst keeping regular wear in their current traditional shoes.
Beyond this point, pay close attention to your child and their comfort in the new barefoot shoes. Allow them to wear them as much as they want, and communicate about comfort. You can also start to consider barefoot school shoes at this point.
In addition to this timeline, incorporate calf stretches and ankle mobility exercises gradually to prevent calf muscles/achilles from tightening.
For more information or support transitioning your child to barefoot, get in touch with us.
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