ABOUT

Healthy shoes for healthy feet!

All shoes in our shop are orthopedically appropriate and play ready for babies, toddlers, and kids. No more sorting the shelves to find a pair your little one likes AND that are good for their feet. Find all of that right here!

A pictures says a thousand words! The majority of kids were born with perfect feet! However, The majority of our shoes, even for kids, are narrow throughout, even more narrow and pointed at the toes, have excess cushion, and have heels! Yes, even children’s athletic shoes more often than not are have more cushion at the heel than in the front. Why does this matter?


Squishing the feet and toes prevents the child’s natural toe splay, impacting muscle development of a child’s feet. Excess cushioning can prevent feet muscles and arches from developing strong naturally (often requiring the use of arch support later), and eliminates the sensory feedback babies and children receive from their feet and the ground. A “heel drop,” where the back of the shoe is higher up than the rest of the shoe pushes the body forward. This causes our spine to over compensate to keep our bodies balanced, and causes some parts of our body to be underworked, impacting both posture and gait.

Who & Why

When my own child began taking his first steps in 2021, I began researching the best shoes for new walkers. I learned that the most minimal protection possible is best for babies in order to not interfere with their developing gait, the sensory feedback between the feet and brain, and to allow those little growing toes to wiggle, stretch, and grow strong! We went with a simple pair of leather moccasins for his first shoes, and I kept on researching and learning! I began to slowly transition all of my own shoes to barefoot-style footwear in an effort to combat several foot issues caused by many years of wearing pointy-toed shoes. Four years later, my own feet are stronger, wider, and my bunions are an ongoing but improving, work-in-progress!
I’ve spent the last 4 years searching for the best orthopedically appropriate shoes for my kiddo, as he went from taking his first steps, to climbing, scooter-ing, jumping, and everything in between. Orthopedically appropriate footwear isn’t often sold in conventional stores, and I was tired of having to purchase from multiple websites, trying them on him, then have to deal with the often confusing and time consuming returns process. Many of my fellow parent friends felt the same, and in 2024, I decided to open Little Piggies Barefoot Shoes! I love connecting with parents already familiar with orthopedically appropriate and barefoot style footwear, and I love sharing educational resources and firsthand experience with anyone curious to learn more!
– Dusana

Our Mission

To be your go-to shop for orthopedically appropriate and barefoot style shoes in Austin, TX (but we love shipping too!). No more sorting through dozens of shoes to find ones that are both healthy for little feet, and little-human approved! You can be sure that every option in our shop is orthopedically appropriate, and kid-tested for play!

Let those little piggies wiggle!