Best Dress Shoes for Children Who Wear AFOs – Styles that Are AFO-Friendly

April 8, 2025 Dress Shoes Juan Valenzuela 0 - Comments

Does your child wear Ankle-Foot Orthoses (AFOs) and struggle to find dress shoes that are both stylish and comfortable? Dressing up for special occasions is an exciting part of childhood, but finding the right shoes for children with AFOs can be challenging. Before you start searching, it’s a good idea to check with your medical professional to see if dress shoes are absolutely necessary for your child’s AFOs. If the answer is yes, you’re in the right place, as I’ll share the best AFO-friendly dress shoe styles that combine style, comfort, and functionality.

Key Characteristics That AFO-Friendly Dress Shoes Must Have

1. Extra depth: One of the most important features to consider is extra depth. This provides enough room to accommodate the AFOs without squishing the child’s foot. Shoes with extra depth help ensure that the foot sits comfortably within the shoe, which is essential for both comfort and proper alignment.

This image highlights the contrast in depth between one of my top recommended dress shoes and another style.

2. Oversized openings: Oversized openings make it much easier to put on and take off shoes, especially when dealing with bulky AFOs. Look for shoes with adjustable closures, such as Velcro straps or buckles, that allow for easy adjustments and a snug fit.

An image of a pair of dress shoes with double Velcro straps for easy on and off.

3. Round toe-boxes: A round, spacious toe box is essential for comfort, balance, and preventing pressure points. It allows room for toe movement and ensures AFOs fit properly without damaging the front of the dress shoes.

This image compares the toe-box design of one of my recommended dress shoes versus another style.

Comfort is key when it comes to dress shoes for children with AFOs. A shoe that looks good but causes discomfort can have negative effects on a child’s posture and gait. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Best Dress Shoes for Children with AFOs – AFO-Friendly Designs

When it comes to choosing the best dress shoes for children with AFOs, here are my top recommendations for 2025.

1. Shoe style Holly Mary Jane by Stride Rite

These Mary Jane dress shoes for AFOs are a stylish option that provides extra depth to accommodate AFOs. With its roomy toe box and supportive design, this extra wide Mary Jane it’s an ideal choice for children who wear orthotics.

Stride Rite Holly Mary Jane in gold for girls.
Stride Rite adaptable silver Mary Jane for girls.

Key Features

  • Order the shoe Holly by Stride Rite on Zappos or Amazon
  • Available in extra wide widths
  • Awarded the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)
  • Padded tongue and collar for added comfort
  • Supreme comfort care of Ortholite memory foam footbeds
  • I suggest that you get this Mary Jane shoe a whole size larger than the end of the AFO footplate

2. Billy Shoes

These AFO dress shoes are available in extra wide widths and provide a more classic look.

Black-Billy-shoes-for-kids-who-wear-AFOs
Extra wide Billy shoes for kids who wear AFOs.
Extra wide Billy shoes for children who wear AFOs.
  • Order the shoe DR Short Wrap by Billy on Amazon or Zappos
  • Available in wide and extra wide widths
  • Two removable insoles
  • Upper opens completely so you can check how the shoes fit
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than the end of the AFO footplate

3. Shoe Style Princessa and Anna by Memo

Memo is a well-known brand specializing in orthopedic footwear, and their Princessa and Anna styles are the most stylish shoes for AFOs.

Orthopedic black dress shoe for girls.
Orthopedic Memo Mary Jane for AFOs.

Key Features

  • Order the shoe Princessa and Anna by Memo on Amazon
  • Fits medium, wide, or extra wide feet
  • Extra depth and width for orthotics
  • Rigid heel counter
  • I suggest that you get this Mary Jane shoe a whole size larger than the end of the AFO footplate

4. Malmo by Memo

The Malmo by Memo is a stylish and supportive dress shoe for AFOs.

Stylish brown high-top shoes for kids who wear AFOs.
Stylish pink girl's high-top shoes for AFOs.
  • Order the shoe Malmo Corrective by Memo on Amazon
  • Fits medium, wide, or extra wide feet
  • Extra depth and width for orthotics
  • Double velcro straps for a secure fit
  • Rigid heel counter
  • I suggest that you get this dress shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s AFO footplate

Keep in mind that not all AFOs and SMOs are designed the same, so a shoe that fits one child perfectly may not work as well for another. Finding the right fit depends on the unique shape and style of your child’s braces, making it essential to choose shoes with the right depth, width, and adjustability for maximum comfort and support.

Contact Me for Specific Shoe Recommendations

For personalized recommendations tailored to your child’s foot shape and AFOs, feel free to contact me via email.

AFOs are made to treat a variety of factors and conditions, including joint instability, muscle weakness, and high muscle tone. One of the main purposes of wearing an AFO is to provide stability, but if your child wears shoes that are too large you will be defeating the whole purpose of wearing the AFO.

Not Sure How to Order the Correct Size for Your Child’s AFOs?

I offer an AFO virtual fitting service to help you find out what shoe size you should order for your child’s AFOs. This service ensures a perfect fit every time, taking the guesswork out of online shopping.

Should Children Wear AFOs with Dress Shoes?

Not all children need to wear their AFOs with dress shoes, and if that’s the case for your child, there are still plenty of great options available. I’ve put together a special resource featuring a selection of supportive dress shoes designed to provide stability, comfort, and balance.

Mary Jane shoe with removable insoles to fit orthotics.
This dress shoe features removable insoles, making it an excellent choice for children who wear AFOs.

Best Shoe Brands for AFO-Friendly Dress Shoes

I often get asked about the best shoe brands for AFOs, but rather than focusing on brands, it’s important to look at specific styles that offer the right fit. For example, while many families recommend Billy shoes, not all of their styles accommodate AFOs—only those available in wide and extra-wide widths work well. Brands like Stride Rite offer an adaptable dress shoe line in extra-wide widths, and Memo provides orthopedic dress shoes designed for AFO support. The key is choosing shoes with the right depth, width, and adjustability for a comfortable fit.

Bonus Resources: Sneakers and Sandals for AFOs

Finding dress shoes for AFOs is just one part of the puzzle. It’s also important to have suitable sneakers and sandals for everyday wear.

I consistently recommend parents consult with their orthotist or medical professional regarding their child’s footwear and its fit. They can provide valuable advice on selecting appropriate styles that align with the child’s medical-specific needs.