Review on Merrell Boys Steps Sneaker Toddler Girls' Shoes: Perfect Footwear for Active Kids by Todd Foster

I'm not sure what other people's standards are for walking barefoot, but this is absolutely NOT barefoot. These are good shoes and definitely better than 'regular' shoes, but my whole family has many styles of sandals and they are stiff and thick in comparison - even compared to regular toddler Striderites they are bricks. The fingers are a little flexible, but not in the midline, and they definitely can't curl. Please don't advertise them as sandals. that is not right. Otherwise they look good and fit well. I'll probably still use them for certain types of trips, but I feel misled.