Kids' Fall Barefoot Shoes (40)

Leaf piles, puddle jumps and mornings that start at forty degrees. Water-repellent uppers, grip for wet leaves and room for toes that are still growing.

The season that changes by lunchtime

A fall morning at 40 °F turns into a 65 °F afternoon and then rains at pickup. The shoe that handles all three is closed, water-repellent, light enough not to overheat and grippy enough for wet leaves.

Wet leaves deserve a mention of their own — they are as slippery as ice, and fall is when a worn-smooth sole becomes a genuine problem. Check the tread on last year’s pair before the season starts.

Back-to-school timing

Late August to mid-September is when the size range is fullest, and it is also when you want the shoes — before the first cold rainy morning rather than after it. Feet often grow over the summer, so measure before you order rather than assuming last spring’s size still applies.

For wet days, rain boots handle what a closed shoe cannot. For the school day itself, see school shoes. When frost arrives, winter shoes and snow boots take over.

Keeping them dry

Reapply a water-repellent spray two or three times through the season and after any real soaking. Let shoes dry at room temperature, away from radiators, and take out removable insoles to dry separately. Two pairs in rotation solve most of the problem on their own.