Looking for a good pair of kids outdoor sandals? Check out the Vivobarefoot Kids Ultra Bloom Closed Toe Sandals!
These kids barefoot sandals are perfect for summertime fun, and they come in a variety of colours and sizes. They are made of a durable blend of unique materials (including algae) and have a larger but comfortable fit.
However, there are some pros and cons to consider before making a purchase. In this article, we will take a closer look at the Vivobarefoot Ultra Bloom Closed Toe Sandals and review their features after using them this summer.
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This summer we are wearing barefoot sandals to allow our family to move more naturally. The idea of barefoot shoes makes sense to me and I’ve enjoyed learning more about them and wearing them. Sometimes less is more.
Lightweight, flexible and quick-drying for adventures on land or water, the ultra blooms are ideal for our local micro-adventures. That little creek, pond, trail or forest close to home is all that is needed for kids to move freely, play and explore. Our kids can slip the ultra blooms on themselves and go from road to trail to river all in one shoe.
The environmentally-conscious, high-performance replacement for traditional petroleum-based EVAs is here! Formerly known as Bloom Foam, RISE is the new product line from Bloom Materials, that features amazing characteristics such as durability and flexibility similar to conventional closed-cell flexible foams. However, algae’s natural thermoplastic qualities allow it to be a replacement for EVA as well as reduce algae growth in ecosystems around the world.
Vivobarefoot is currently only able to use about 5% algae and reach the performance standards they want, but they are working closely with BLOOM® and other partners toward making fully bio-based and/or compostable footwear in the future.
Sizing barefoot shoes for your kids
Our experience with this sizing was …tricky. The sizing was on the big side for all 3 of our kids. They all had too much room to move in their Blooms and they were the exact same size as their Vivo shoes. This sandal fits big, so I’d be cautious with adding too much more, as advised by Vivobarefoot.
Vivobarefoot’s site says that you need to measure your child’s foot from heel to toe. The best way to do this is to download the Vivobarefoot size guide, have them stand on a piece of paper and mark the length of their foot. Once you have the length, add 6-11 mm (for natural movement) and consider adding growth space.
Kids’ feet grow between 5mm and 11mm a year between the ages of 6 and 16; Vivobarefoot recommends 6 months of growing room plus room for natural movement.
What do the kids think about the vivobarefoot sandals?
Our kids wore their blooms a fair bit and didn’t experience any blisters but because they fit big, they did find them floppy. They didn’t like getting the small rocks in their Blooms but were able to fix that themselves. Honestly, any outdoor sandal used by our kids will eventually get a rock in there, so it’s not a big deal.
Our kids love their other Vivobarefoot shoes, however the sizing was on the larger side. I’m looking forward to next summer for the perfect fit.
How do Ultra Blooms compare to Crocs Sandals for kids?
While similar in concept and purpose, the ultra blooms have many benefits over crocs sandals. The main benefit is the barefoot nature of the sole.
The blooms have a velcro strap that can adjust the fit and actually get the sandal snug over the top of the foot. Crocs only have the back strap and the sandal is chronically floppy. This strap ensures it’s still easy for the kids to put on their own shoes, but allows them to get them tighter so their feet don’t slide around too much inside the sandal.
A huge difference for us as parents is the use of algae for the foam. It’s important for us to teach our kids the importance of making sustainable purchases, and the blooms give us the option to make a better choice for the planet.
The ultra blooms kid sandal are barefoot style (thin soled, zero drop) and crocs still use a thicker sole to cusion the foot. The blooms let the kids feet feel the ground and allow their feet to adapt to the terrain naturally.
Pro’s & Con’s
Pro’s
– Lightweight
– Quick drying
– Easy for kids to put on and take of
– Grippy soles
– Easy to clean
Con’s
– Tricky to size
– Small rocks can get in easily and are hard to remove without taking the shoe off
Other performance notes;
- Not ideal for biking, running or hiking but intended for beach, casual or watersports use
- They pack really well since they are light and foldable.
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Final Thoughts on the Vivobarefoot Kids Bloom Sandals
The Vivobarefoot Ultra Bloom Closed Toe Sandals are a great choice if you want your kids to have a barefoot style sandal that is easy to put on and take off. They are quick drying and have grippy soles, making them ideal for adventures on land or water. The main downside is that they can be tricky to size, so be sure to use the Vivobarefoot size guide when ordering. Overall, the Ultra Blooms are a great choice for a sustainable, barefoot style sandal that can be handed down as kids grow and maintain their awesome performance for years.