After traveling extensively with my kids (we’re either searching for our next favorite hike or surf spot, with a few city trips mixed in between), I’ve narrowed down our top barefoot kids’ shoes for summer travel. These shoes are the ones we actually pack and use, summer after summer.

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Best Lightweight Casual Sneakers for Travel

Casual sneakers are a must-have on any trip. These are perfect for exploring cities, travel days, and downtime when you don’t need hiking-level durability but still want comfort and foot freedom.

Wildling Tanuki

Start at Kids’ Size8/EU23 through adult | $89 – $119 | Free shipping code AWN_ BAREFOOTSHOEGUIDE

These are some of the lightest shoes you’ll ever hold—made from Japanese washi paper, they’re incredibly breathable and pack down super small. Despite looking delicate, they’ve proven to be surprisingly durable. The pair we have is now on its second child and still holding up! Great for warm-weather destinations and days with lots of walking.

Feelgrounds Mesh Original

Start at Kids’ Size8/EU24 | $89 – $119 | Code KELLY5 for 5% off

These breathable mesh sneakers are a great all-around option for travel. They work well in a variety of climates and foot shapes, and they’re easy to clean after long days out. Their minimal sole provides great ground feel, and they’re comfortable enough for everything from airport sprints to all-day city walks. They come in adult sizes as well, and they’re a pair I reach for often both at home and on the road.

Best Lightweight Hiking Sneakers for Travel

If your travels include outdoor adventures, you’ll want a pair of shoes that can handle trails, hills, and dirt without being bulky or heavy. These hiking-friendly barefoot sneakers are tough enough for adventures but versatile enough to wear on lighter days too.

Xero Shoes Prio

Start at Kids’ Size 12 | $65

The Kids’ Prios are a solid option when we know there’ll be hiking involved. They offer a little more structure than casual sneakers but are still flexible and minimalist. The tread is enough for trails, but not so aggressive that they feel out of place in an urban setting. These are a great all-purpose travel sneaker for active trips.

Saguaro Smart Sneakers

Start at Kids’ Size 7.5/EU24 | $44 | Code KELLY15 for 15% off

The shoes that launched Saguaro’s barefoot brand are still a staple in our travel lineup. They’re ultra-light, breathable, and water-friendly—perfect for travel in warm or humid climates. The flexible sole and easy elastic lacing system make them great for little ones who want to do it themselves. These are our go-to for summer hiking trips, splashy creek walks, and everything in between.

Freet Flex

Start at EU30 | $65 | Code KELLY for 10% off

The Flex sneakers from Freet are another lightweight sneaker that has just enough tread to make these a decent option for some casual summer hiking. The uppers are made from a very breathable but durable recycled mesh that can easily be worn with or without socks, and dry faster than most sneakers if they do get wet. These currently have low stock, but Freet has a few other styles that have a similar sole and breathable uppers, including the Hoppee, Keld and Tanga.

Best Barefoot Sandals for Travel

When packing for a warm-weather trip, sandals are a must—but finding barefoot sandals that kids actually like can be a challenge. These two have been winners in our family for their comfort, function, and travel-friendliness.

Ten Little Splash Sandals

Toddler Size 3 – 2Y | $45

These are what I consider the barefoot answer to Crocs. They’re made from lightweight EVA foam, easy to rinse off, and perfect for beach days, splash pads, or just running around. They’re flexible, have no heel rise, and are great for toddlers. Bonus: they weigh next to nothing in your suitcase!

Xero Shoes Z-Trail Sandals

Start at Kids’ Size 12 | $45

This will be my older son’s fourth summer with the Z-Trails, which tells you all you need to know. These sandals are built for adventure: they’re padded enough for long days, grippy for hikes, and easy to kick off at the beach. While I personally don’t mind strap in-between the toes, my son isn’t a fan, so glad Xero has this option!

Wildling Feather

Start at Toddler Size 3/EU 18 through adult | $59 – $89 | Free shipping code AWN_ BAREFOOTSHOEGUIDE

When it comes to packability, these Wildling Feather sandals take up almost no weight or space, and feel as light as a feather to wear. While these aren’t specifically made for water, the microfiber uppers do dry quickly. They’re easy to slip on and off, and the adjustable strap keeps them securely in place.

Why We Love These for Travel

All of these barefoot shoes are:

• Foot-friendly – footwear that supports natural movement and healthy foot development
• Lightweight and Packable – Easy to toss in a carry-on or backpack.
• Versatile – Great for walking, hiking, city exploring, and beach days.
• Durable – Tested on real kids, in real travel situations, and still going strong.
• Kid-Friendly – Easy to get on/off, comfortable, and approved by my picky travelers.

If you’re planning a trip and want to keep your kids comfy and supported while giving their feet room to move naturally, these barefoot shoes are a great place to start. From casual sightseeing to outdoor adventures, they’ve helped us stay light on our feet—literally.

Got a favorite barefoot travel shoe for your kids? I’d love to hear what’s worked for your family—drop a comment below!

The post The Best Barefoot Kids’ Shoes for Summer Travel appeared first on Barefoot Shoe Guide.

In my earlier years, picking out the shoes I was bringing on a trip was always this pull between looking cute or like I fit in, or packing a kinda ugly, but mostly comfortable pair of tennis shoes. I lost track of the number of times I’ve heard that if you wore tennis shoes while traveling, you’d just look like a tourist. It’s funny the things I used to care about, because what I mostly care about now is truly enjoying my experience, and not having to think anything about my feet and if they hurt or not. 

I opted for ugly tennis shoes plenty of times, but still ended up with feet that that were tired, cramping and sore by the end of the day. That is, until I discovered barefoot shoes. Barefoot shoes aren’t a miracle cure, but they put me on a path of strengthening and caring for my feet, and combined with a barefoot shoe, my feet get much less tired less often.  

This post covers why barefoot shoes make the best shoes for travel, plus my six favorite shoes to pack when I need an all-around great travel sneaker (+ one sandal).

Why Choose Barefoot Shoes for Travel 

Barefoot shoes are designed to mimic the feeling of walking barefoot. They allow your feet to move naturally and your body to stay in natural alignment. These key features make them ideal for travel: 

Wide, Anatomically-Shaped Toe Box: Barefoot shoes prioritize toe splay, allowing your toes to move freely and maintain their natural alignment. This feature promotes balance, stability, and overall foot health. And if there is one thing that is super uncomfortable, it’s cramped toes! 

Flat: A shoe should be flat from heel-to-toe. This allows the body to stand in a neutral position, and all of your joints to work in a full range of motion. With long days on your feet, people often get knee pain or back pain. Some of this can be caused by the misalignment that starts at our feet and the way heeled shoes are forcing us to stand and move. 

Flexible: Your shoes should be working with you, not against you! A flexible sole means your feet can move and bend like they do when they’re barefoot.

Thin, but with some cushion: The goal of wearing barefoot shoes shouldn’t be to always wear the thinnest possible shoe. There can be a range of thickness or cushion in the sole depending on your activities. If you’re comfortable in 3mm with almost no cushion all day, then great! I find that if I’m walking multiple miles on hard, flat pavement for several days at a time, I’m going to want a little extra in there. That means either adding a flat insole that’s a few extra millimeters (check out more here), or opting for a minimalist shoe that has a slightly higher stack height, like the ones listed in this post. These sboes provides just the right amount of protection without compromising the barefoot experience. 

Breathable: This post primarily focuses on summer travel, so many of these shoes have breathable uppers.  

Versatile, Casual Style: In the effort of packing light, I included some shoes that are good for a little bit of everything on here—cute and casual (so not just looking like a gym sneaker), but they’ll be comfortable for long walks in cities, or maybe some light hiking. I also included a pair of sandals that will have you covered for almost everything too! 

Best Barefoot Shoes for Travel 

Lems Primal Zen 

Sizes Women’s US 6 – Men’s US 13 | $120 | Stack Height: 14mm 

Made with a breathable mesh upper, the Lems Primal Zen offers a wide, roomy toe box and a lightweight but moderately cushioned sole. Most of Lem’s shoes are a good option for someone looking for the barefoot features, but a little bit more padding underfoot. The Primal Zen also comes in a suede version too.

See this full brand review of Lems shoes, including mini reviews on individual styles and tips on fit & sizing.

Feelgrounds Original Mesh or Knit

Sizes Women’s US 5 – Men’s US 15 | $109 | Stack Height: 5mm + 3mm removeable insole 

Feelgrounds make barefoot shoes that have a simple, clean aesthetic, which I appreciate both for every day and especially for traveling. Their minimal designs make them easy to pair with almost anything, so they’ve become one of my favorite barefoot shoes for travel. Plus, the mesh version is the great for warm weather. The knit version is still breathable, but has a water repellant so it could be a better fit if the weather is more unpredictable. If I’m going to be walking a lot, I’ll add in their thin cork insole for a little more cushion.  

Fleeters Sneakers 

Sizes EU36-47| $159 | 5mm + 3mm removeable insole | Code KELLY for 10% off

Fleeters in a new French barefoot sneaker brand that’s just launching on Kickstarter. They have a great design with 20 different color combos, so you can showcase a little more personal style. These are vegan sneakers that are made with corn leather and recycled materials. I’ve been really impressed with the look, comfort and wear. Just a heads up, the first delivery of these sneakers is for October, so while you won’t be able to wear them for your summer travels this year, they’ll be a great everyday shoe and ready for anytime you need a casual travel shoe after that.  Check out my review on Instagram here. 

Barebarics Zing Sneakers 

Sizes EU36-47 | Stack Height: 9-10mm | Code KELLY5 for 5% off | $179

For anyone that wants a comfortable, classic white leather sneaker, check out the Barebarics Zing. The walled design makes the sole appears thicker to give it more of a chunky sneaker look.  

Whitin Sneakers 

For one of the most affordable options, check out WHITIN shoes on Amazon. They’re a great combination of looks, fit and durability for the price. The toe box on Whitin Wide Barefoot Shoes are pretty roomy and the sole is flexible. They have a sporty tennis shoe and a casual shoe option. At around $40, Whitins are a really affordable barefoot shoe option that look good and are reasonably durable. 

See this full brand review of WHITIN shoes, including mini reviews on individual styles and tips on fit & sizing.

Earth Runners Sandals 

Sizes Kid’s 12 – Men’s14 | Stack Height: 7.5 – 10.5mm | Code KELLY10 for 10% off | $89

If you prefer the freedom of open-toed footwear, Earth Runners Sandals are a fantastic option. I use these sandals for hiking, the beach, and everyday walking, so if you can only pack one shoe, this could be it! Earth Runners uses flexible Vibram soles that come in a few different thicknesses, ranging from 7.5mm to 10.5mm. I personally prefer the softer lifestyle laces; I found the performance laces thick and uncomfortable. Use code KELLY10 for 10% off. 

Conclusion 

When it comes to comfortable and versatile travel footwear, barefoot shoes are a game-changer. With their wide toe box, and flat and flexible soles they offer the perfect blend of foot freedom and protection. Embrace the joy of traveling with comfortable barefoot shoes! 

The post Why Barefoot Shoes make the Best Shoes for Travel   appeared first on Barefoot Shoe Guide.