Shoes aren’t just for fashion, once parents know the importance and effect of footwear on their kid’s health, and their critical role in children’s physical development, they feel more responsible about choosing the right shoes. Thus many parents are considering barefoot choice as the optimal choice for kids. Barefoot shoes are designed to be very flexible, providing a space for toes with the wide toe box design and promoting better body posture with the zero drop sole.
The UAE climate is warm, where most activities are outdoors and require activity and flexibility for kids’ muscles to move and grow in a healthy way. Choosing the right shoes for kids is a very important issue that affects their foot health, muscles, and body posture in the long term. Recently barefoot shoes, have gained popularity among parents around the world in general and in the UAE specifically due to their health benefits.
Benefits of Barefoot Shoes on Kids
Barefoot shoes have many health benefits; we’ll mention some of these benefits:
- Natural Development Encouragement: Kids’ feet are allowed to develop naturally with barefoot shoes. Barefoot shoe’s flexibility strengthens kids’ muscles, tendons, and ligaments by ensuring more foot movement.
- Foot Health Improvement: Wrong body postures and feet health issues are common problems that kids suffer from, with Barefoot shoes the risks of such issues are eliminated since feet are able to move freely and toes have enough space to grow in their natural shape.
- Sensory Feedback Boosting: Barefoot shoe soles are very thin, this enhances sensory feedback and improves kid’s ability to adapt to different surfaces.
- Improved balance: The thin sole and wide toe box gives an increased feeling in the ground which improves body balance.
- Less risk for foot health issues: When feet are kept to grow in the shape they were intended to be, the barefoot shoes let toes move easily, allow air to enter between and improve blood circulation which reduces the risk of foot issues such as hammertoes, and bunions later.
Time to consider barefoot shoes for your kids
If your kid is used to wearing traditional shoes, switching to barefoot is a big decision, but still late better than never; and as much as your kid starts wearing barefoot shoes earlier, as much as it’s better for his/her health. Here is when you can decide to switch your kid into barefoot shoes:
- Early Walkers: Barefoot shoes are very beneficial for toddlers to be wearing at their first steps. This enhances natural movement and foot shape, and it’s very easy for the kid to adapt to.
- Active Kids: For kids who are very active and like to walk, run, and exercise, barefoot shoes can support their natural movement and strengthen their muscles.
- Foot Issues: If your child suffers from foot issues, or experiences discomfort with footwear, barefoot shoes are the optimal solution.
Some Factors to consider when choosing barefoot shoes for your kids:
- Sole: All barefoot shoes include a thin sole, but as a beginning, it is good to start with a usual thin sole, then go to models with ultra-thin soles.
- Toe Box: All barefoot shoes are made with wide-toe boxes, but take into consideration your child’s foot shape while choosing the shoes.
- Flexibility: Based on your kids’ activities, you can choose shoe flexibility where some activities require some support while others do not require support at all.
- Material: Focus on the shoe materials, choose breathable natural materials.
- Fit: Make sure to buy the right shoe size, since barefoot shoe sizes differ from normal shoe sizes. Stick to the size guide and make sure your kid feels comfortable when trying it on.
- Kid Age: Smaller kids need more support so start with transitioning models, and then transition into pure barefoot minimalist shoes.
Belenka Barefoot Picks for Kids in UAE
- BeLenka Bounce: A minimalistic design that has been inspired by adult model Cityscape, so kids can match with their fathers. Easy to handle design, featuring a hook and loop for easy and fast on and off. Made of Nappa Leather, TR (KidsUltraGrip) sole, and a Recycled PU + Textile removable insole. Available in several colors including all black, all brown, and dark blue.
Finally, switching to barefoot must be done gradually, and isn’t an overnight process. Begin your child’s barefoot journey by letting him or her wear barefoot shoes for short periods and gradually extend the duration over time. Ensure Choosing the right size for the perfect fit, and encourage your kid to wear barefoot shoes as much as possible, in the beginning for walking and then start gradually with other exercise once the kid becomes familiar in walking with barefoot shoes. Also, you must as a parent monitor the transformation process, and consult a podiatrist if you notice any discomfort. Noting that some discomfort is normal, unless it caused much pain then you must consult a podiatrist.
