The Origin Story
Picture this: Australia, 2004. Ana, from Brazil, and her Australian partner Scott have just welcomed a new baby. Little Sofia is the light of their lives, and as they prepare for her first steps, they begin searching for shoes that feel as natural and gentle as going barefoot. But every pair they find is too stiff, too structured, or simply not designed with Sofia’s healthy foot development in mind. So they made their own.
Two decades later, Tip Toey Joey ships to over 30 countries. The brand has its own factory in Brazil and is one of the most respected names in barefoot footwear worldwide. But it still makes shoes the way it always has: with a child's foot at the centre of every single decision.
The Shoe That Started Everything
The first design was the Dolly, a ballerina-style shoe made for first walkers. It had a wide toe box to let little toes spread naturally, a thin and flexible sole to encourage proprioception and balance, and Tip Toey Joey's now-signature elastic heel that keeps the shoe secure without gripping or restricting.
For 2004, it was genuinely ahead of its time. ‘Barefoot Shoes’ wasn't yet a phrase people used in connection with children's footwear, but Tip Toey Joey was already living the philosophy without needing a label for it.
The Dolly became a bestseller almost immediately and remains one of the brand's most loved styles today. A true example of natural foot shape design done right.
First Steps - a Guide for Parents
Barefoot Before It Was a Buzzword
The barefoot footwear market has grown enormously in recent years - and with growth comes noise. It’s no secret that there are brands that have adopted the language of barefoot without necessarily doing the work, whereas Tip Toey Joey are literal trailblazers for the barefoot shoe movement.
Long before healthy footwear became a recognised category, Tip Toey Joey was designing shoes around the natural anatomy of children's feet: wide, foot-shaped, flexible, and light. Every pair is built to let toes spread, feet flex, and little ones feel the ground beneath them. It’s been the foundation of everything they have built.
Building a Great Barefoot Shoe
We love that Tip Toey Joey have given their designs proper names that explain the features of the shoe in a way that makes the function really clear.
FREETOGROW™ is the wide toe box design that allows natural toe splay without squeezing or redirecting - a hallmark of barefoot-friendly design.
THINTOFEEL™ refers to the thin soles that keep children connected to the ground, supporting the development of balance and spatial awareness, just as you’d expect from minimalist children’s shoes.
STRETCH&STAY™ is the elastic heel system - snug without tight, secure without stiff.
FLEX&GRIP™ describes the super-flexible, grippy soles that let foot muscles and tendons do their job properly rather than having the shoe do it for them.
Put them together, and they create a coherent philosophy about what a child's shoe should actually do.
Tip Toey Joey Barefoot Footwear
Made Well, Made Responsibly
Tip Toey Joey manufactures in Brazil, at its own factory, which matters more than it might sound. Owning the factory means they have control over everything: labour conditions, quality standards, materials sourcing, and long-term thinking. It's certified by Origem Sustentável for sustainable practices, compliant with REACH standards for safety and environmental responsibility, and uses certified baby-safe leather and non-toxic materials throughout, all essential markers of ethical footwear manufacturing.
The vegan line, sustainable packaging, and use of recycled materials are part of the same long-term approach the brand has taken from the beginning, reinforcing its commitment throughout.
Our Range of Vegan Friendly Childrens Footwear
Two Decades In
Tip Toey Joey is, at this point, a genuine barefoot institution. It has grown from a single shoe made for one baby into a global brand with a loyal following across more than 30 countries, and it has done so without drifting from what made it worth following in the first place.
Their range has expanded, from those tiny Dolly shoes, to include sandals, sneakers, and boots - all with Tip Toey Joey’s contemporary styling and premium materials. With a healthy range for our vegan friends, and shoes for bigger kids, they now offer one of the most complete collections of barefoot shoes for children on the market.
Tip Toey Joey's 'Bossy' trainers in pink canvas
So, What’s New?
The Spring/Summer 2026 collection is shaping up to be the most exciting yet: Tip Toey Joey’s renowned barefoot shoe design paired with fresh colourways, playful details, and finishes that feel genuinely contemporary.
We are delighted to have expanded our Tip Toey Joey collection to include their Run and Play range for older kids and confident walkers. They are a fantastic addition to our wide selection of school shoes, trainers, and sandals.
Tip Toey Joey Hopper White Salsa | Kids Barefoot Trainers
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Tip Toey Joey for Spring/Summer 2026
Your child’s first pair of shoes becomes part of your family’s story - just as one tiny pair once sparked the beginning of Tip Toey Joey itself.
First steps only happen once. We are here to make sure that the shoes that accompany them are everything they should be. If you need a hand, please get in touch.
