If you’re looking for pretty barefoot sandals for kids that combine quality craftsmanship with foot-healthy design, OK Bare sandals are a real gem. We recently tried out four styles from their collection available at Bubbly Toes Barefoot, and I genuinely think they’re among the loveliest minimal sandals for children we’ve come across.
There are two designs to choose from, each available in a closed-heel or open-heel version:
- OK Bare Palm Barefoot Sandals – Purple Shine
- OK Bare Palm Open-Heel Barefoot Sandals – Purple Shine
- OK Bare Mirissa Barefoot Sandals – Flowers
- OK Bare Mirissa Open-Heel Barefoot Sandals – Flowers
All four styles are handmade in Europe using soft Italian leather. They feature an ultra-thin, flexible 4mm sole, zero drop, no arch support and a foot-shaped design. These are true barefoot shoes for children. They are minimal, breathable, and designed to support healthy foot development from the ground up.
Our Experience
We originally picked out the Palm sandals for our 2-year-old and the Mirissa (Flowers) for our 4-year-old. But as soon as the older one saw the sparkly purple “shine” version of the Palm, she absolutely loved them more. In the end, we got her a pair too. They really are cute. Eye-catching, sparkly, and fun, but still practical and beautifully made.
So the OK Bare Palm Barefoot Sandals in Purple Shine became the clear favourite in our household. That said, all four styles are excellent, and I would happily recommend any of them, depending on your preferences. A warning though: the sparkles might always win!
Closed Heel vs Open Heel
Each sandal is available in two versions. One with a closed heel, and one with an open heel. Our personal preference is for the closed heel, particularly for toddlers and younger children. Here’s why:
- More practical. Closed heels offer a little more structure and stability, which can be especially helpful for busy, fast-moving little ones.
- Extra protection. The enclosed heel protects against scuffs, stones and uneven ground, which can make a big difference for active children.
- More secure fit. They feel a touch more secure on the foot, especially when running, climbing or playing outdoors.
That being said, the open-heel versions are lovely too. They have a slightly more delicate look, which works beautifully with summer dresses and smarter outfits. If you’re after a daintier, dressier sandal, the open-heel styles are a great option.
Comparing the Styles: Palm vs Mirissa
Both designs are soft, flexible and minimal. The Palm style comes in more colour options, including mustard, navy and rose gold. This makes it a brilliant unisex barefoot sandal. The design is simple and timeless, with a gently structured shape and a closed toe. It’s a fantastic all-rounder.
The Mirissa has a more decorative, feminine feel, especially in the Flowers print. The upper features a magenta tone combined with a soft floral pattern, making it a very pretty option for older girls. It’s a little more delicate in style, and the open-toe design means it offers maximum breathability on hot days.
While both models are equally barefoot-friendly, the Palm feels a little more protective overall, and suited to rougher outdoor play. The Mirissa, especially the open-heel version, looks beautiful paired with skirts and dresses, and might be better suited to slightly older children.
Sizing and Fit
In our experience, these sandals come up big, so we sized down one full size and got a much better fit. The velcro fastening works really well on all versions. The straps are also trimmable, which is great if your child has slim ankles or lower-volume feet. The adjustability is a huge bonus, as demonstrated in the image below.
The only slight challenge was with our 2.5-year-old. She found the Palm sandals a little tricky to put on independently, especially when wearing socks. Without socks, it’s much easier. Our 4-year-old, on the other hand, had no problem getting any of them on by herself.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re looking for pretty kids’ barefoot shoes, minimal summer sandals or something cute and sparkly that still supports natural foot function, OK Bare sandals are a brilliant choice. They’re soft and flexible with excellent ground feel, and they actually look gorgeous too.
You can find all four styles on Bubbly Toes Barefoot, a UK-based retailer that stocks a great range of barefoot brands. Use the code BRIT for 10% off, which is even better than the usual 5% you get with the code BAREFOOTBRIT.