A Brand Born from the Ground Up

Common Tread was founded in 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa by partners John and Nicole van Besouw, an Engineer and an Occupational Therapist. Like many great ideas, it began during the quiet reflection of the Covid lockdown, when this creative couple took to their garage with two second-hand sewing machines and a bold idea: to make foot-shaped shoes that truly support the way children move.

John had completed a US-based shoe-making course and brought his engineering background and natural problem-solving skills into the process — using design programs to create precise shoe patterns and 3D models of foot-shaped lasts. Together, they sourced materials, learned the intricate craft of shoemaking, and built their vision from the ground up.

With their kids as models and testers, the pair hand-built prototypes that encouraged freedom of movement and allowed feet to function naturally — rather than being restricted by stiff, narrow shoes. The result? A barefoot footwear brand rooted in family, functional design, and a love for outdoor adventure.

The Evergreen Shoe: A Shoe Like No Other

Their first release, the Common Tread Evergreen Original, was a barefoot leather shoe with a lightweight, flexible sole made from recycled rubber tyre dust — painted on for durability and traction. This innovative sole unit gave children the grip and ground feel they need while walking, climbing, and playing. The sole’s zero-drop profile and foot-friendly design ensured a true barefoot feel, while the shoe's upper included soft, breathable leather and a comfortable leather insole for all-day wearability.

The product was a hit with kids and parents alike, and feedback from early customers helped fine-tune the design into the much-loved shoes we see today. Every new product remains a milestone, with so much heart and soul poured into research and development.

Key Milestones & Heartfelt Achievements

Common Tread’s story has inspired thousands. Notable achievements include:

• Media spotlight on Parent24/News24, highlighting their garage-to-global journey
• Being welcomed as a Happy Little Soles stockist after a joyful Zoom with buyer Kate Harrington
• Becoming an exporter to the UAE and Switzerland, and launching their Common Tread US store
• Opening their first physical store in Woodstock, Cape Town
• Partnering with Samaritan Feet South Africa to donate shoes to children in need
• Educating parents via radio talk shows, especially on the importance of barefoot shoes during foundational years
• Engaging the South African public to raise awareness around their manufacturing process, ethical pricing, and the value of high-quality craftsmanship

Designed by Parents, Backed by Science

What truly sets Common Tread shoes apart in the children’s barefoot footwear market is the brand’s unique combination of real parenting experience and professional expertise.

Nicole’s background in Occupational Therapy brought vital insight into how rigid footwear can limit balance, mobility, and climbing confidence — especially during foundational years. John, being an engineer and naturally innovative, loved developing his own barefoot shoes and even found that his running injury healed after transitioning to barefoot footwear.

Their range has grown from kids' shoes to now include barefoot shoes for the whole family, so everyone can experience the same grounded comfort. They’ve designed shoes that children truly need — and just as importantly — want to wear.

Grounded Values & Principles

At the heart of Common Tread are simple, wholesome principles:

• A family lifestyle built on connection
• Enjoyment of nature and being outdoors
• Creating accessible barefoot footwear so all people in their beautiful country can experience the benefits
• A deep commitment to listening to their audience — constantly innovating based on customer needs in price, design, style, and functionality
• A belief that one thoughtfully designed, well-crafted pair of shoes is better than many mass-produced options

Even when some designs haven’t made it into production yet, they continue refining ideas in the hope that future investment will bring these innovations to life.

Sustainable Materials & Ethical Practices

Sustainability is central to Common Tread's values:

• Shoes made using local South African materials and leather from ethically run tanneries
• Minimal packaging that’s fully recyclable
• Durable construction (including stitched-down soles) for long product life
• Designed to be passed down, resold, or donated
• Transparent about pricing and the true cost of quality craftsmanship

By choosing Common Tread, you're not only supporting your child's foot health but also a slow fashion brand rooted in sustainable production and ethical employment.

Overcoming Challenges with Heart and Ingenuity

Like many start-ups, Common Tread faced hurdles. Early artisans had to be retrained from working with leather bags to crafting structured, functional footwear — a costly and time-intensive process. Scaling production to meet demand meant transitioning to an experienced manufacturing partner, all while staying true to their ethos.

Smart decisions, like limiting colourways and listening closely to customer feedback, allowed the brand to grow sustainably — without compromising on quality or core values.

Looking Ahead: Growth with Purpose

The future is bright for Common Tread. Their vision includes:

• Opening more Common Tread stores across South Africa
• Expanding their presence in the global barefoot footwear market
• Launching new barefoot styles for the whole family
• Collaborating with educators to spread awareness on the importance of healthy foot development

The brand’s name says it all — a common tread, walked by children and adults alike, grounded in nature, family, and connection.

Final Thoughts

At Happy Little Soles, we couldn’t be prouder to support a brand like Common Tread. From humble beginnings to international success, their shoes are more than a product — they’re a philosophy. Designed by parents, backed by science, and built with heart, they are the perfect choice for families who want to walk a little lighter, freer, and closer to the ground.

Explore the Common Tread collection today and experience the joy of truly natural movement, the comfort of a wide toe box, the balance of a zero-drop sole, and the beauty of ethically made leather shoes and barefoot sandals — all designed with your child’s foot health in mind.

Featured October 9, 2024 

Written by: Emma Cubbon 

Emma is the SEO & E-commerce Coordinator at Happy Little Soles and she has a wealth of knowledge about everything to do with barefoot shoes, their brands and website.