There is a wonderful simplicity to Common Tread shoes that we really value. Good barefoot shoes, well-made, easy to wear, and built around how feet actually move. Read on to find out why Common Tread are important to Happy Little Soles.
The Origins
Production is based in South Africa, with shoes made by skilled makers in Cape Town and Durban using locally sourced materials. There is a growing focus on giving back with plans to expand their work with Samaritan's Feet, helping provide shoes to communities where they are needed most.
Common Tread is still very much a family-led brand, built around their day-to-day life, kids included. There is a real sense that these are well made shoes, loved and worn by the people who made them.
Who Wears Common Tread
Common Tread shoes fit really well with those who like a simple, well-made leather shoe that supports their child's natural movement from the start. With soles that are thin, flexible, and have a wide shape that gives toes proper space, they have a lightweight feel that works particularly well for new and developing walkers. They give a great connection with the ground without losing the protection little feet need day to day.
The Common Tread Fit and Sizing
Common Tread shoes are most suitable for those with a wider foot, and we also find they’re worth trying if you’ve got a higher instep, as there’s a bit more give through the upper. The shape is properly foot-friendly, with a wide toe box and plenty of space where it matters, but without feeling loose.
Underfoot, they’re very much in the barefoot shoe camp. Built on a 3mm crepe rubber sole with a 2mm leather insole, so a 5mm stack in total. It keeps them lightweight and flexible, with that close-to-the-ground feel people are usually looking for. The leather is soft from the start, and the simple fastenings make them easy to get on and adjust.
Overall, they suit children who need a bit more width, or anyone looking for a softer, more forgiving barefoot shoe that still holds its shape well.
Please see our size chart for centimetre measurements of each shoe. Our HLS UK size may differ from the manufacturer's UK size. We always recommend checking the size chart for each product before ordering.
Common Tread at Happy Little Soles
At the moment, our collection of Common Tread barefoot shoes is small, and we are focused on their soft, flexible footwear for children, which is, after all, where the brand started.
You'll find everyday shoes, sandals, and school shoes, all built with the same idea in mind: soft, flexible footwear that lets little feet move as they should. The range of sizes is good, starting from a UK4.5, which makes them a lovely soft choice for toddlers and new walkers. Their school shoes, with a lace-up and a velcro option, are available in junior sizes.
In Summary
We’re proud to be among the early stockists of Common Tread. It’s a brand that really resonates with us, from their family roots and barefoot ethos through to how closely they’ve stayed to what they set out to do.
The shoes themselves say a lot, incredibly soft, flexible and easy to wear, but still durable, and with a real longevity that means they can be passed down, or along. We also love the details around them, with each pair made using locally sourced South African materials and leather from ethically run tanneries, arriving in a simple, reusable cloth bag, ready to be worn by your little ones.
More Help
We’ve created a space filled with advice to help you get the very best from your barefoot shoe shopping. From detailed sizing guides, resources and blogs, to tips on making the most of our delivery options, you’ll find it all in The Advice Hub.
If you’d like a little more tailored support, do get in touch. Our Customer Service team love talking all things barefoot and are always happy to help.
We hope you love your purchase, but if something isn’t quite right, we offer free returns. For full details, please see our Returns Policy.
