Kids barefoot shoes are the latest footwear trend which has seen major interest over the course of the last few years. All parents want to put their children in the shoes most beneficial to growth and development, so naturally, we’re often asked whether barefoot shoes are actually good for kids and worth the investment.
This blog post dives into how barefoot shoes affect kid’s feet and whether or not podiatrists would recommend them, as well as how safe barefoot footwear is.
How barefoot shoes affect children’s feet
Barefoot shoes have a positive impact on children’s feet because they are lightweight and flexible shoes which allow for maximum movement and toe splay.
This promotes healthy foot and muscular development, as well as having a number of further benefits such as gait, posture and balance improvement. Many of these benefits are carried into life beyond childhood, in the same way that issues caused by restrictive footwear are long-term.
Barefoot shoes also allow children’s feet to interact more naturally with the environment, stimulating sensory feedback and improving balance from the very first steps. This is as a result of softer and more flexible soles.
Read our full guide to barefoot shoes for kids for more information.
Do podiatrists recommend barefoot shoes for kids?
Many podiatrists recommend barefoot shoes for kids because they are thin and flexible with protective qualities.
Podiatrists’ main focus is on foot health, which is why so many push for use of barefoot shoes. This includes:
Some podiatrists recommend barefoot shoes for daily wear and during active play, as this encourages maximum muscle development and strengthening in fast growing feet. This means barefoot shoes are particularly suitable to wear to school as well.
Most would argue that being fully barefoot is most beneficial in terms of development, but physical foot protection is equally vital for children, which is why barefoot shoes are the perfect medium. They combine the barefoot feel and benefits with much-needed protective qualities.
How safe are barefoot shoes for kids?
A common concern associated with barefoot shoes for kids is whether they are fully safe. The truth is, barefoot shoes are generally just as safe as any other shoes for kids.
Barefoot footwear is generally designed to mimic and simulate the feel and benefits of actual barefoot walking, whilst providing a vital layer of physical protection against sharp objects, cold and dirt.
Kid’s feet actually don’t need features such as rigid arch support, rigid toe boxes and thick soles for ‘arch support’. So, when comparing these features of traditional shoes against barefoot shoes, it’s easy to say that the latter are actually safer.
Are barefoot shoes actually a good choice for your children?
Barefoot shoes are a genuinely good choice for your children. They bring a number of benefits which are impactful both in the short and long term:
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Strengthens foot muscles - A lack of arch ‘support’ encourages muscles and tendons to develop, helping to form natural arches.
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Natural foot development - Wide toe boxes and flexible materials encourage completely natural foot development, simulating a fully barefoot feel and maintaining the benefits too.
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Gait, balance, and coordination - The sensory interaction provided with varying outdoor ground conditions and textures drastically improves motor skills.
Barefoot shoes aren’t just beneficial for foot health and development, they’re also designed with aesthetics in mind. Prenta shoes' barefoot collections feature a range of boys barefoot shoes and girls barefoot shoes created to be fashionable and comfortable, as well as offering a range of developmental benefits.
