About Common Tread
Welcome! Common Tread is a small, family-owned business aimed at providing quality, handmade barefoot shoes for children. Founders John and Nicole have put their heart and soul into creating this brand to nurture healthy feet.
As parents to two young boys, Nicole (an Occupational Therapist) and John (an Engineer) observed their children navigating nature's obstacles and noticed that their mainstream footwear was hindering their development. With her trained eye, Nicole recognized the importance of and need for functional footwear for kids.
Founded in South Africa
John and Nicole had long been interested in shoe design, hoping to one day start their own footwear business. With two young children in need of foot-healthy shoes, the pair embarked on a mission to craft functional, stylish footwear that nurtures natural development and movement. From creating their first pair of shoes together in their garage in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2020, John and Nicole's vision has been perfected - materialized through years of meticulous research, trial and error.
Now in the USA
John and Nicole have since partnered with their long-time friends, husband and wife team, Kyle and Sarah, in the US, to make their shoes available in the States. Kyle, originally from South Africa, grew up with Nicole, and their families remain close decades later, continents apart. With a deep love for South Africa, Kyle always dreamed of bringing a handcrafted South African product over to the United States.
After welcoming their daughter, Quinn, in 2023, Kyle and Sarah became increasingly interested in children's footwear and apparel, and how design impacts daily life and development. With backgrounds in Advertising, Marketing, Teaching and Hospitality, Kyle and Sarah were beyond excited to partner with John and Nicole in Cape Town to bring functional, barefoot shoes of the highest quality to the United States.
Each shoe is handcrafted in South Africa with local, ethically-sourced materials, including premium fine-grain leather. With aspirations to redefine the barefoot design landscape, Common Tread's goal is to provide children with the freedom to experience the world to the fullest by providing stylish footwear that nurtures natural development and movement. Common Tread isn't just about footwear, it's about familial dedication and friendship, craftsmanship, and fostering healthy and wholesome lifestyles for our children. Thank you for joining us on this adventure!