Barefoot Rain Boot for Toddlers in Canada

It's been a real challenge finding an affordable barefoot rain boot in Canada for our toddler - but I did. I found one!

Read on for all the details

We're a barefoot family

Ian and I have been wearing barefoot shoes for years (mostly Vivobarefoot) - Because they’re essential for keeping our adult feet healthy and strong. But for our toddler, whose feet are still growing and shaping, it’s even more critical.

From day one, we’ve been intentional about protecting her natural foot development, steering clear of restrictive shoes (and even socks or clothes) that could hinder her. That said, finding the right barefoot options for her isn’t always easy—it’s a challenge we face with every season and purpose.

That’s why I’m excited to share our journey with you, detailing the gems I uncover after hours (and hours!) of searching for shoes that meet her needs and our standards.

Why barefoot shoes?

Barefoot shoes offer a host of benefits that align perfectly with our focus on healthy movement and development. Unlike conventional footwear with thick soles and rigid support, barefoot shoes feature wide toe boxes, zero-drop soles, and flexible designs that mimic going shoeless. This allows feet—whether ours or our toddler’s—to move naturally, strengthening muscles, improving balance, and promoting proper alignment. Studies suggest that barefoot-style footwear can enhance foot strength and posture over time, while letting kids’ growing feet develop without restriction. For us, it’s about fostering a foundation of health, one step at a time.

What do we look for in shoes?

When choosing barefoot shoes—especially for our toddler—we focus on these qualities:

• Wide Toe Box: Ensures toes can splay naturally, giving growing feet the space they need without squeezing or shaping them unnaturally.

• Zero-Drop Sole: Keeps the heel and forefoot at the same level, mimicking barefoot posture to promote balance and proper alignment.

• Flexibility: Allows the shoe to bend with every step, strengthening foot muscles instead of restricting movement.

• Thin, Minimal Sole: Provides just enough protection while letting feet feel the ground, boosting sensory feedback and natural development.

• Durability: Holds up to toddler wear-and-tear, ensuring the shoes last through endless adventures.

• Natural Materials Inside: Preferably cotton or wool linings, offering breathability, skin-friendly comfort, and a sustainable touch free from synthetic irritants.

These features blend barefoot benefits with practicality and care for our little one’s feet.

In addition to the above, we also look for:

• Affordability: Quality barefoot shoes often carry a hefty price tag (and I get why), but with toddlers outgrowing pairs faster than we can blink, those costs add up quick. Finding budget-friendly options that don’t skimp on the essentials is something I look for.

Elba in her Rain boots and Ian in his Vivobarefoot Tracker boots

The Challenge of finding Barefoot Rain boots

Our little one just turned 2, and so far, I’ve been thrilled with the barefoot finds we’ve scored. For summer, I landed on shoes made from 100% natural materials—zero restriction, just pure freedom for her tiny feet. Even with Calgary’s brutal winters throwing us curveballs, I managed to uncover not one, but a couple of fantastic barefoot options to keep her cozy and unrestricted. Now, with spring on the horizon, the mission has shifted: tracking down the perfect rain boot to tackle puddles without breaking the bank or our barefoot principles.

There are some awesome barefoot shoe brands out there. I'm noticing that more people are turning to barefoot shoes (maybe it's just my friend circle?) and with that there are more options available. BUT for whatever reason there aren't barefoot rainboots available for toddlers in Canada.

The rainboots I've found are pricey (again - I get it), but then on top of that we'd have to pay duties and shipping to Canada without being able to try them. So, if they don't work for us, that is a lot of money spent on shoes that will be worn for one season (and let me add that the rainy season in Calgary is a short one - the sun shines often here).

With Calgary’s rainy season being so fleeting, I set out to find a barefoot rain boot that wouldn’t drain our wallet or force us to gamble on tricky online shipping. I wanted something local—easy to grab, try on, and return if it didn’t fit our toddler’s feet just right. Hours of scouring websites and stores left me exhausted, and I’ll admit, I threw in the towel at one point, convinced it was a lost cause. But then, chatting with a friend about toddlers splashing in melted snow sparked a renewed burst of determination. I dove back in for one last shot—and oh, am I glad I did! I’ve uncovered a total gem, and I’m really excited to share this budget-friendly, available in Canada shoe I found!

The Rain Boots

I found them on Amazon - where they were not advertised as a barefoot shoe at all. The description doesn't even really discuss or show any of the typical things we look for with barefoot shoes, but thanks to one or two great reviews for indicating that there are in fact barefoot shoes (even though they aren't advertised as such).

Link to the shoes on Amazon.ca

The review specifically said "The wide toe-box, no heel lift and flexibility of these boots make them an excellent barefoot boot option for those conscious of kiddos developing feet"

Again, there was nothing that stood out from the supplier on Amazon to indicate that they are barefoot shoes. They also lack the typical picture we see with so many barefoot shoes showing their flexibility. Don't worry, since they won't show you - I'll show you.

I did end up going to the Tree Grandpa website to see if I could find more details on the shoes. And there isn't all that much focusing on them being barefoot shoes, but I did find the following under the description:

• Barefoot: Engineered to mimic a barefoot experience, promoting natural movement and flexibility for little adventurers.

• Soft & Comfortable: Made with soft materials to prevent injuries and ensure all-day comfort.

• Lightweight & Non-Slip: Designed to be lightweight and non-slip, allowing children to run freely without feeling heavy.

• 100% Waterproof: Perfect for rainy and snowy days, keeping little feet warm, dry, and cozy.

• Easy to Clean: Sleek exterior that resists dirt; simply rinse off and air-dry overnight.

As far as I can tell they are made of rubber (outside) and a cotton inside (insole).

My experience of them

I am VERY particular about shoes; therefore, the following is me being hyper critical.

Are they zero-drop?

I'd say 95-99% yes, but if you look at the picture below you can see there is a slight heel lift (or appears to be). I think this was done for the looks of the outside of the shoe, because they feel very flat when I put my hand in them. Barefoot shoes sometimes do look like they have a heal lift (I have the Vivobarefoot Geocourts and they appear to have a heal lift from the outside design, but they don't on the inside).

Are they shaped like a natural foot?

Yes, they don't restrict our toddler's feet at all. The toe-box is wide enough.

Are they Flexible and do they have a Minimal Sole?

I'll admit I am more particular here than most parents. For example, the Vivobarefoot Toddler winter boot is not flexible and minimal sole enough for me (saying this as a big fan of Vivobarefoot).

Here is another photo of the flexibility.

So yes, they are flexible. And probably will meet most barefoot shoe standards of flexibility, BUT they are the least flexible shoes Elba has. They are also the least minimal sole shoes Elba has. The sole is harder than her other shoes and I assume she will not be feeling much through them. Which on the one hand is okay-ish since the point of these shoes is to jump in puddles and slosh through mud and I assume the hard sole is protective, but ideally, I would have liked the soles to be thinner and more flexible (while still being protective).

Now in saying that, I do appreciate the quality of shoe for the price and the availability in Canada.

Affordability and availability in Canada?

I did not need to pay shipping (Amazon Prime) and they came the next day. At the time of writing this these shoes cost $33.12 (CAD). That more than half of what barefoot shoes typically cost.

My conclusion

These shoes are not perfect by my very particular standard, but they do meet the requirements to be barefoot shoes, and I don't think they will hinder natural food development or quality of movement.

These are not Elba's primary shoes, and she doesn't wear them for prolonged periods of time. She wears them to splash in puddles and sludge through melting snow. If we lived somewhere where she needed to wear waterproof shoes often, I would have imported a much more expensive pair of shoes, but for Canada I think these are a fantastic option. Because winter is long here, we did invest in some wonderful snow boots for her.

My only "negative" thing to say about these shoes is that I prefer more feedback from earth to foot through the sole and more flexibility, but again - they are flexible, so I am not worried about them doing damage. I am just very particular.

So far, they seem very durable and well made.

They are very easy to put - Elba can easily put them on herself (this is true for all her shoes, except her wrap around wool & hide winter shoes).

I am typically someone who buys very neutral color everything (usually black), but for safety reasons we went with the bright orange shoes.

Safety here meaning to easily see Elba and then to easily spot her shoes if they come off (which they do because they are easily to put on and take off).

All in all - I am super excited and happy about this find!

Link to the shoes on Amazon.ca

Check back for more Barefoot shoe recommendations (and don't forget to let me know your thoughts in the comments).

I'm happy to be able to share this as a fellow parent struggling to find the right items for my kiddo. I hope this helps!

Carmen

IG - @sustainabilityC

Youtube - Carmen Fourie

Affiliate Disclaimer

Just so you know, some of the links in this post—like the one to Tree Grandpa’s toddler rain boots (Amazon)—are affiliate links. That means if you click through and make a purchase, I might earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It’s a little way to support this blog while I keep hunting down the best barefoot goodies for our family (and yours!). Rest assured, I only recommend stuff we’ve tried, tested, or genuinely believe in—our toddler’s feet deserve nothing less.