Attitudes towards kids footwear are evolving as more and more parents question the benefits of traditional footwear when compared to barefoot kids shoes.
If you’re in the same boat, Prenta Shoes are here to help. We’ve put together this helpful comparison piece to help you understand whether barefoot shoes are actually worth the hype, or if you should stick to traditional footwear.
Good qualities in kids shoes, barefoot or otherwise
In general, whether or not they’re barefoot, kids shoes should incorporate the following qualities for foot health and development:
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Flexibility - This is widely-regarded as one of the main important features of a kids’ shoe. Children's feet grow rapidly, and kids are highly active, so footwear which is flexible as opposed to rigid is necessary to aid development.
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Breathability - Leather barefoot shoes, and those made from similar breathable materials, allow feet to breathe, preventing overheating and bad odours.
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Lightweight - As kids are so active, they need lightweight footwear which allows them to move freely and comfortably.
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Durability - As with anything you purchase, you need kids footwear to be durable enough to withstand regular use and last a long time without breaking or failing.
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Beneficial to development - Kids shoes need to promote natural development and contribute to foot health. This includes being unrestrictive and feeling natural.
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Secure fit - Good shoes may have velcro, buckles or t-bar fastenings to ensure a properly secure and adjustable fit.
Comparing qualities of barefoot vs normal shoes for kids
Looking at the above qualities (flexibility, breathability, lightweight, durability, beneficial to development, secure fit), let’s compare how barefoot shoes and traditional shoes provide these factors.
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In terms of flexibility, the best barefoot shoes are designed with flexibility at the forefront. The main idea of barefoot kids shoes is to imitate a natural feel, so barefoot shoes are built from flexible but strong materials which allow for healthy foot movement. Traditional shoes, on the other hand, are often more rigid in their build.
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Breathability and durability really just depend on the shoe itself. Both barefoot and traditional shoes can be breathable and durable if made from the right materials, such as leather or patent leather. Prenta shoes are created to be highly breathable and durable; check out our breathable patent leather kids shoe collection.
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Barefoot shoes are generally better suited to being lightweight, because they have thinner soles and are made from lighter materials than traditional footwear.
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When it comes to development, barefoot shoes are the clear winners in this category. Traditional footwear can be restrictive, inhibiting growth and preventing natural foot movement. Barefoot shoes are the complete opposite, with zero drop soles and wide toe boxes to allow for toe splay and healthy interaction between soles and the ground.
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Finally, both traditional and barefoot shoes can offer a secure fit, as this is more about the fastening type (t-bar, velcro, buckles) than the build of the shoe itself.
Barefoot kids shoes: Pros and cons
Pros
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Improved development
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Increased sensory input
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Natural gait development
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Enhanced flexibility and comfort
Cons
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Lower protection from harsh terrain
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Transition period
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Less available than traditional shoes
Our guide to barefoot shoes goes into further detail about these pros and cons.
Traditional kids shoes: Pros and cons
Pros
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Durability
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Increased protection
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High availability
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Comfort
Browse our selection of First Walker Shoes for traditional kids footwear.
Cons
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Potential for growth restriction
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Foot deformities
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Detrimental to foot health (in some cases)
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Promote unnatural gait
Are barefoot shoes better for your child?
Whilst barefoot shoes offer a number of clear health and development benefits, this doesn’t mean they will be better for your child in absolutely all cases. On top of this, traditional shoes are generally much more available than barefoot shoes.
For example, in situations where this is likely to be harsh terrains, the thin soles of barefoot shoes might not be best suited for your child. Also, if your child is already used to and comfortable with traditional footwear, it might not be necessary to transition them over to barefoot. Instead, consider our range of traditional boys shoes and girls shoes.
However, in most circumstances, we would recommend introducing your children to barefoot shoes. The foot health benefits strongly outweigh any potential drawbacks, and our barefoot collections are designed to be stylish and durable on top of these advantages. Barefoot shoes are versatile, suitable for wearing to school, playing outside, and general day-to-day activities.
Browse our collections of:
For high quality and stylish kids barefoot options.
