At Happy Little Soles, we carefully select brands that truly understand children’s foot development — and Zeazoo is one of our most trusted partners. Handmade in Bulgaria, Zeazoo creates natural barefoot shoes that honour tradition while embracing everything modern children (and parents) need: comfort, flexibility, quality, and sustainability.
Whether you're looking for soft first shoes or leather boots that still feel like walking barefoot, Zeazoo delivers minimalist footwear that supports healthy growth from baby steps through to adulthood.
A Family Legacy Rooted in Barefoot Values
Zeazoo was founded in 2011 in Sofia, Bulgaria, born from the experience of raising two young boys — and later, a third. The inspiration runs deep: their grandfather was a master shoemaker for over 20 years, passing on generations of knowledge and craftsmanship.
The founders felt a strong call to rethink children’s footwear after realising that most shoes looked cute but restricted natural movement and contributed to foot and spine issues. They took a stand — not just to make shoes, but to create footwear that would let children’s feet move and grow as nature intended.
From the very beginning, they discovered that moccasin construction worked best for barefoot shoes. This allowed for a wide toe box and exceptional flexibility. At the time, custom-moulded soles weren’t an option — they were too expensive and risky for a small family brand. Instead, Zeazoo crafted their own soles from flat sole sheets, shaped entirely to their barefoot philosophy.
From Baby Booties to Global Recognition
Zeazoo’s first product was a soft baby shoe with cotton on the outside and warm wool inside — perfect for tiny feet aged 3 to 9 months. This quickly evolved into soft leather slippers with suede soles ideal for first steps. As their children grew, so did their designs.
By 2013, they had a small but growing production team of just three people and a broader line for older kids.
In 2014, barefoot women’s sandals were introduced, challenging the narrow, rigid options dominating the adult market.
By 2015, they had won Bulgaria’s “Big Small” Award, celebrating small businesses with big missions.
In 2016, Zeazoo began working with international partners — first in the EU, then in the US — moving beyond shipping to individual customers worldwide.
By 2017, production capacity had increased tenfold compared to 2013.
Five years ago, Zeazoo was already standing out by using natural materials like leather, cotton, and wool, while mass-market brands were still dominated by synthetics. In fact, they pioneered several barefoot shoe models that are now widely seen across the market.
A Brand with a Big Heart
But what truly sets Zeazoo apart is their dedication to giving back. Over the years, they have been deeply involved in social causes — regularly donating shoes to disadvantaged children, working closely with children in state care, and, in recent years, developing initiatives to support visually impaired children. These projects reflect their belief that healthy, well-fitting shoes should be accessible to all children, regardless of their circumstances.
Innovation and Growth Without Compromise
In 2023, Zeazoo launched their first model with moulded soles, the Fox 2.0, and in just two years expanded to eight such models.
In 2025, they took a major step forward: transitioning from their own in-house production facility to working with trusted Bulgarian manufacturing partners who specialise in making shoes. This allowed them to:
- Use advanced equipment for new and more technical models
- Reduce manual labour without compromising quality
- Keep prices fair for customers
- Improve shipping speed and simplify product selection
Despite this growth, Zeazoo continues to design and test every product themselves — ensuring the same handmade quality and barefoot philosophy at the heart of every pair.
Built for Natural Foot Development
Every pair of Zeazoo shoes is designed to mimic the feeling of walking barefoot:
- Wide toe boxes so toes can spread naturally
- Flat, flexible soles to strengthen foot muscles
- Lightweight construction for free, confident movement
- Natural leather for durability, breathability, and softness
- Functional, simple designs to reduce irritation and pressure points
Ethically Made with Sustainable Materials
Zeazoo’s commitment to sustainability is clear:
- All materials are sourced within the EU
- Leathers are vegetable-tanned whenever possible and meet REACH safety standards
- Leftover materials are recycled or repurposed into accessories
- Production supports local communities and never outsources to low-wage countries
Standing Strong in a Changing Market
The barefoot boom brought larger companies into the space, saturating the market and pushing many small family brands aside. But Zeazoo has stayed true to its mission — even during economic uncertainty.
Barefoot shoes aren’t just a business for them. They are a mission they have fought to popularise for over a decade, and they will continue to do so in the future — even if it means making fewer shoes to maintain their standards.
Final Thoughts
At Happy Little Soles, we love working with brands driven by purpose, passion, and people. Zeazoo is more than a barefoot shoe company — it’s a family-led mission backed by decades of shoemaking expertise, relentless innovation, a commitment to giving back, and a deep belief in protecting the health and happiness of children’s feet worldwide.
If you’re looking for soft, safe, ethically made barefoot shoes that put your child’s development first, Zeazoo is a brand you can trust.
Explore the Zeazoo collection today at Happy Little Soles and take the next step toward healthy, happy, barefoot adventures.
