Give me a minute…need to get on my soapbox. Ok, here goes.The answer to the question what’s on your kids’ feet would optimally be nothing. That’s because when it comes to kids–like adults–barefoot is best. But it’s especially important for kids because they are still developing. Going barefoot allows kids to develop the proper gait patterns that will set them up for life. The problem is, however, that most of the shoes that are made for them, and that we buy for them, don’t set them up for that healthy development.
Clearly, kids can’t go barefoot all the time. But when they can, they should. When they can’t, you should look for the most minimal shoe you can find. There aren’t lots of them on the market,but they are out there. A couple to consider–the Merrell barefoot line, which comes in kids sizes; the Terra Plana barefoot line, which has some really cute kids designs. If your kids are older, there’s the New Balance minimus line. Between them, my kids have pairs of all these.
You don’t have to seek out special minimalist shoes, though. The next best (and often cheaper) option is to find shoes with the characteristics that won’t damage your kids feet. Look for a flexible shoe that you can fold. Look for a flat sole, as close to zero drop as you can find. One of my daughter’s “fancy” pairs of shoes is made by Tom’s, and they fit the bill pretty well.My kids have fully embraced barefooting and minimalism. They kick off their shoes as soon as they are free from school and run around the neighborhood in their bare feet all the time. They brag about the ”plastic coating” that their feet are acquiring. Best of all, I know they are doing what is healthiest for their feet and their bodies.
If you’d like a more comprehensive article on this topic, check out this article by Dr. Phil Maffetone on the Zero Drop blog.
What are your kids wearing? If you’re interested in some Merrell Pace Gloves for yourself, don’t forget my giveaway, which ends on Monday.
My kids and I go barefoot all the time! It just feels right! I'm lucky I work from home so I can be barefoot all day. And when I'm not at home…I'm usually in my Frees. I'll have to check into minimalist shoes for the kiddos though.
My kids go barefoot all the time. My lovely mother in law tried to tell me they needed to get in "sturdy" shoes as soon as they started walking. I didn't listen cuz I know barefoot is best. besides my husband has the most messed up feet ever, why would I follow her advice on that!! But I really do love her otherwise:)
YAY!!!!! see you always say what I love to hear. You are AWESOME! When I attended a BF symposium last year and I was the only BF runner in the room. I made a comment how kids should be BAREFOOT! GASPS were heard all through the room and I thought people might throw chairs at me! Seems like common sense to me people! Arches need to develop and strengthen and they can't do that in shoes!!(mamarunsbarefoot)
I don't have kids, but when I was little my crazy Grandma would say the exact opposite. She would say that we needed to wear shoes because they shape our feet. I never understood that, and to this day she still swears by this.
I went barefoot all the time as a kid. I would never have thought of minimalist shoes for kids. That totally makes sense!
We never wear shoes in our house and my kids basically go barefoot for most of the summer. When they aren't barefoot it is basically flip flops or converse which are about as barebones at it gets.
Well, I'm not a mom to a human kid, but I'm told that I treat my dog as a kid. So, I can sort of relate to this, I guess.
And yes, when on rocky mountain trails I do let my dog wear 'barefoot style' booties to protect his paws. 
Yep, he takes after his mom. 
You know, I am always hearing from people with small children how much they spent on shoes and how important it is to have good shoes for their kids. This is really interesting – and totally makes sense!
we barefoot it around here too … even in the winter months … "if you can take it then do so"
mind you the child welfare demons come out when the kids run outside in the snow during the winter … but only quick sprints to the recycling bin with a yogurt cup
The babies are always barefoot andi wonder if that is what contribute to them being such early walkers, they have been walking since 9 months. I tend to get a lot of flak from other mothers about our no shoes(and rarely socks) policy. I don't tend to wear shoes inside the house, or socks, so I just treat them like I treat me, despite the flack from the "mom experts". Also, try keeping socks and shoes on twins, not easy!
Awesome! Thanks for making a post about this because I was getting ready to e-mail you to ask for your recommendation for minimalist kids shoes since I know you're a big proponent. I guess it's good that we live in the desert and my kiddos are practically barefoot 24/7 unless we're in public. Haha!
After my whole nightmare, I have been feverously trying to get Ryan into a more minimalist shoe for upcoing CC camp – but I can't have him overdo it and get injured. Thinking maybe the Kinvaras for shorter, faster runs. The coaches (one of them me
) have the kids run a lot of drills barefoot to build strength in their feet…but at home, I always have advocated being barefoot! One child (the runner) does, the other does not 
. But he does wear his five fingers.
Happy weekend!
You're right!! I think that my daughter is constantly in flip flops and during the winter it's UGG boots BUT the boys on the other hand are sock feet and barefoot all the time! Love it!!
Hi!
I so agree. I actually wrote about this a-ha for me after a trip to the shoe store where the pricey 'it' shoes- the GEOX are THE shoe apparently all parents want to get for their kids…and i swear they're like an orthotic cast. it's crazy.
thnks for letting us know about the merril line. will investigate.
oh, and it's also interesting but Girls on the Run actually super promotes 'new' cushy shoes for the girls, which i can really understand…
My kids are big on barefoot! Probably the rural way we live. I have actually taken the little one to the sitter and forgot to grab shoes because he rarely puts them on.
My kids go bf all the time, too, and they love it. We call their feet "hobbit feet" because they're thick soled and always dirty from being in the yard.
We have a gravel driveway that they walk on without wincing or slowing down. Kills me to watch them do it! But I'm working up to joining them.
My kiddos are barefoot all the time, especially when it's warm. If unstructured is in, does that mean no-support flip flops are ok? I've always read they were such a no-no.
Have a great weekend!
Is this barefoot running trend based on scientific research, or the opinion of a few experts? I'd love to see some convincing data on the subject before embracing minimalism. It is certainly hard to find a blogger who disagrees with it, but I need scientific fact before I'll be totally convinced! (I am open to persuasion though).
We are a family of hippies, lol. My kiddos and I are always barefoot. I'll have to check into some of those options though!
Cool. So all the Converse my kids wore when they were younger were a good thing. That is, when they were wearing shoes at all.
My kids shed their shoes the second they get in the house, and don't even want to wear shoes going to the pool. We all have dirty feet at the end of the day : )
my kids are barefoot alot… or in flip flops… I was, unfortuantely a "Forrest Gump" kid and wore corrective shoes constantly as a child… I still never go barefoot
stay on that soapbox and don't come down. You have a belief and you should let others hear it.
We are always hearing from others so why not have it the other way around.
I don't run barefoot but I certainly don't like to wear shoes or sneakers at all either. I keep them off my feet unless I am actually running.
Our 5 year old doesn't wear shoes all the time either and for the same reason as me. It's Texas. It's 100 degrees at 5am….wearing shoes is nuts.
I don't have kids, but I couldn't agree more. When I recently saw a commercial for the Shape Up shoes for kids I couldn't believe it. I couldn't help but think that during developmental times in a childs life, the last thing they should have on their feet is the least natural shoe out there. I hope no parents think those shoes are a good idea.
My kids kick their shoes off as soon as they hit our front door. I was just shopping online for shoes for my boys for the summer – we love Merrells so I'll have to check out the Glove for them!
A. Is that really a soap box, looks like a stool.
B. When I walk around the house without shoes, I jamb my toes on the furniture.
I wore shoes so much as a kid. No wonder why I pronate so much and have had so many knee problems.
I try to be barefoot at home as much as possible. I'm definitely going to wear my VFFs more this summer doing errands.
How about flip-flops? Teamarcia got me thinking about that, too.
When we were kids we ran around without shoes most of the time and I encouraged the same with my boys. But I also let them run around without pants on a lot of the time so it probably means that I was just a lazy mother.
Too late. My kid is 16. You cannot image the look I would get if I tried to tell her what shoes to wear!
We make our kids take off their shoes inside the house. Guess it's good to know there are other benefits to that. Thanks for the info, it was news to me.
As soon as my DD get home from school no shoes or socks go back on her feet until its time for school the next day.
Awesome! If I ever have kiddos, I will be doing the same thing!
My wife is a barefoot lover too….yesterday was her first day!
I wear my running shoes again, too scary to get injured (not sure about the impact on my operated leg).
Have a good sunday.
I've wondered about this… I ran around barefoot all the time growing up. My feet were so tough – I could walk on hot summer pavement/gravel! I'm sure I don't have perfect form still, but I've wondered if all those summers set me up for stronger feet and less injuries.
My kid, almost 16, still prefers to wear nothing on his feet. I am so proud of my boy. But this is California
It's funny because I NEVER wore shoes as a kid. now it seems like kids never go barefoot!
Love it, girl!
interesting…I'll check it out a little more too!
THanks for sharing. My kiddos LOVE being barefoot, that's for sure!
I totally agree! It's funny that when babies are little they say to let them be barefoot so they can learn to walk properly. Then they change it up when they get older.
I was really proud of my daughter when she ran the 100 yard dash and 400 meter run in gym class barefoot. And she killed it! She was pretty proud too!
Any minimalist shoe conversation should include Soft Star. My kids have been wearing their shoes for years and I won't get them anything else. My 4 year old just hiked 10 miles (over 2 days) wearing their shoes. Feet and kids are tough and I totally agree with your thoughts on them being barefoot.
I only wear shoes when I head out the door… it's the first thing to come off… same with my kiddos. My youngest was actually born clubfooted, so she had to wear flexible shoes or nothing to make sure all the muscles in her feet were being triggered as part of her therapy. Pedipeds are really good for little kiddos. And as an infant, she lived in Robeez when the weather was too cold for barefeet.
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