Brand Comparison Guide
School shoes are worn for 35 hours per week—choosing the right pair is vital for growing feet development, comfort, and posture. Happy Little Soles offers a curated collection of barefoot-friendly school shoes—zero-drop, flexible, wide-toe designs—from brands like Bobux, Vivobarefoot, Bundgaard, Froddo, Paperkrane, Plae, Young Soles, Be Lenka, and Freet City. Here's how they stack up.
Brand Comparison Table
|
Feature |
Bobux |
Vivobarefoot |
Bundgaard |
Froddo |
Paperkrane / Plae |
Young Soles |
Be Lenka |
Freet City |
|
Sole thickness |
4–6 mm zero-drop |
4 mm zero-drop |
4 mm zero-drop (school) |
4–6 mm Vibram, zero-drop |
4 mm flexible soles |
4 mm zero-drop |
4–6 mm zero-drop |
4 mm zero-drop |
|
Flexibility |
Very flexible |
Highly flexible |
Highly flexible |
Flexible |
Flexible |
Super flexible |
Super flexible |
Very flexible |
|
Toe box |
Moderate-wide |
Medium–wide |
Wide |
Wide |
Medium-wide |
Medium |
Extra wide |
Extra wide (vegan) |
|
Fit categories |
Slim -> medium feet |
Medium -> wide |
Medium width |
Wide feet |
Medium width |
Medium width |
Extra-wide fit |
Extra-wide fit |
|
Material |
Soft leather / synthetic |
Leather / recycled |
Leather |
Chrome-free leather |
Leather / synthetic |
Soft leather |
Leather / vegan options |
Vegan leather |
|
Vegan options |
Limited vegan |
Yes, several vegan |
No |
No |
Some models |
Some vegan |
Yes |
Fully vegan |
|
Durability |
Good leather build |
Premium materials |
Strong leather build |
Durable Vibram soles |
Good quality |
Durable school grade |
Durable with wide fit |
Vegan and robust |
|
Price (approx) |
£55–65 |
£55–70 |
£38–45 |
£45–60 |
£50–60 |
£50–60 |
£60–70 |
£35 |
|
Best for |
Slim-medium feet, formal |
Medium-wide, all-day wear |
Sporty school look |
Wide feet, active play |
Bright colours, mid-width |
Stylish heritage school wear |
Extra-wide feet, vegan |
Extra-wide & vegan |
Brand Highlights
Bobux
- Anatomically designed by pediatric podiatrists—zero-drop, flexible sole encourages natural movement
- Narrower fit options suitable for slimmer feet (e.g., Rova range)
Vivobarefoot
- Medium-to-wide fit with thin 4 mm soles; smart, minimalist school styles
Bundgaard
- Sporty, fully flexible zero-drop designs; recommended for medium-width feet
Froddo
- Chrome-free leather, Vibram soles, wide fit for active kids
Paperkrane
- Colourful, medium-width barefoot options; a favourite in the mid-range Wildsoles lineup
Plae
- Medium-width barefoot option; another favourite.
Young Soles
- Heritage-styled school shoes with super-flexible 4 mm zero-drop soles—perfect if you liked Bobux
Be Lenka
- Extra-wide bouncing range now in school styles; zero-drop, highly flexible, vegan options available
Freet City
- Rare vegan extra-wide shoe, vegan leather, zero-drop flexible sole; fantastic for very wide feet
Which Brand Should You Choose?
- Slim or narrow feet -> Bobux (e.g., Rova, Leap)
- Medium-width feet -> Vivobarefoot, Bundgaard, Paperkrane/Plae
- Wide feet & active play -> Froddo
- Extra-wide feet & vegan preference -> Be Lenka, Freet City
- Heritage style & flexible sole -> Young Soles
All brands above offer zero-drop soles, barefoot freedom, and flexible designs, ensuring healthy foot development. Choose based on your child's foot width, style/flexibility needs, and any preference for vegan or heritage-styled leather options.
