Froddo Barefoot: A Real Favourite
Froddo remains one of our most trusted barefoot brands for good reason. The quality holds steady, the fit is dependable, and the range offers something for almost every foot. What often surprises people, though, is that Froddo use several different sole units across the collection, and these do evolve from season to season. Understanding which sole you are looking at makes finding the right fit far simpler.
This guide reflects the current line‑up for spring and summer 2026. We will continue to update it as the range develops.
The Extra Grip Sole: The Mainstay of the Range
The Extra Grip sole is now the foundation of the Froddo barefoot collection, and the one you will come across most often as you browse the range. It appears across the majority of boots, shoes and trainers, and for good reason.
It sits slightly narrower than Froddo's original barefoot sole, though there is still a generous width, a well-shaped toe box and excellent flexibility underfoot. What sets it apart is the enhanced tread pattern, which gives it dependable grip on varied surfaces and makes it a particularly confident choice for active days outdoors.
For average to slightly wide feet, the Extra Grip sole is usually an excellent match, and you will find it at the heart of most of Froddo's newer designs, including the updated school shoe collection.
Barefoot School Shoes | Smart Barefoot School Shoes for Kids
The Animal Collection | Children's Barefoot Footwear
The Vibram Flexy Sole: Sandals and Lighter Styles
When the warmer months arrive, Froddo's sandal range steps onto the Vibram Flexy sole, and it is a very good fit for the season. Wide-fitting, lightweight and beautifully flexible, it is designed for maximum ground feel and easy movement, which is exactly what you want from a sandal on those long summer days.
It is not built for rugged terrain, nor does it need to be. Where it excels is in comfort and responsiveness, delivering a soft, natural feel that works equally well for children and adults. Froddo's new range of Vibram Flexy sandals has a delightful variety of summery prints in a wide range of sizes.
Childrens Froddo Barefoot Flexy F Sandal Pink Shine
The STAP Sole: A New Minimal Option
Froddo has introduced a new sole unit this season, currently found exclusively on the STAP range. Froddo have not yet given it an official name, so for now we are simply calling it the STAP sole.
In width, it sits close to the Vibram Flexy, but it is notably thinner at just 3mm, with a 5mm stack height. That makes it one of the most minimal options in the Froddo line-up, offering a particularly close-to-ground feel for those who like to keep things light.
It also comes in at a friendlier price point than the Vibram sole, which makes the STAP range a very accessible introduction to the Froddo barefoot collection. And if you are shopping for little ones this summer, we have a wonderful selection of first walker sandals on this sole in the most delicious ice cream colours. Worth a look.
The Original Barefoot Sole: Phasing Out
The Original barefoot sole is where the Froddo barefoot story began, and it has always been a favourite. Generously wide, beautifully flexible and with a lovely shape through the toe box, it set the standard for everything that followed. Sadly, Froddo have now discontinued it and will no longer produce new styles on this sole unit.
You will still find it on a small number of remaining styles, including some canvas shoes from last season and a couple of trainers made while Froddo had final stock of the sole to use. Once these sell through, that will be that.
If the original sole has been a particularly good fit for your child, it is worth picking up any remaining pairs while you still can. Some things are worth holding onto.
Froddo Barefoot Original Sole - Discontinued
Loop and Zeru Soles: Not Stocked at Happy Little Soles
Froddo have produced two additional sole units, the Zeru and the Loop. The Loop is slightly thinner than the Zeru, but both share a narrower fit and a toe box shape that did not meet the standard we look for. With this in mind, we chose not to stock either, as we could not confidently recommend them alongside the rest of the range.
Our customers trust us to be selective, and this is one of those occasions where keeping the collection simple ensures we offer only what we truly believe in. You'll still find plenty of choice across the other barefoot brands we stock, there really is a shoe for every foot.
A Quick Reference Guide
|
Sole Unit |
Fit |
Best For |
Status |
|
Extra Grip |
Average to wide |
Boots, shoes, school shoes, everyday wear |
Current mainstay |
|
Vibram Flexy |
Wide |
Sandals, lighter spring and summer styles |
Current |
|
STAP |
Medium to wide |
STAP range, minimal feel |
New this season |
|
Original Barefoot |
Wide |
Remaining canvas and select trainers |
Phasing out |
|
Loop and Zeru |
Narrow |
Not stocked |
Not available at HLS |
Still Unsure?
Choosing the right sole unit can make all the difference to your child's comfort. You can always count on us for help and advice.
If you would like a little guidance before you order, just drop us a line here and we will happily point you in the right direction.
We also offer free returns, so if anything is not quite right, sending it back is simple and hassle-free.
You can browse the full Froddo range on our website now, with filters for width and sole type to help you narrow things down. We hope you find exactly what you are looking for.
