Billy Shoes for Kids Who Wear AFOs: The Deepest and Widest Styles

August 12, 2026 AFOs Juan Valenzuela 0 - Comments

Last Updated: August 2026 | Juan Valenzuela, Certified Children’s Shoe Fitter

With over a decade of experience fitting shoes for children who wear AFOs, I’ve developed a keen understanding of what actually works. One brand I frequently recommend is Billy Shoes — not because they were built specifically for AFOs, but because their easy on-and-off design and generous width happen to make them one of the more workable options I’ve found. Certain Billy styles also offer real extra depth and width, which helps with fitting an AFO, even though that wasn’t their original purpose.

My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes and AFOs

As a shoe fitter with over a decade of experience, I was genuinely glad to discover Billy Shoes — a rare brand that blends fashion and function well. Physical and occupational therapists regularly refer families to the store I work at, where we specialize in helping kids with AFOs find shoes that actually fit.

A vibrant pair of red and pink Billy Shoes for kids, designed for both style and comfort.

What Makes Billy Shoes Ideal for AFOs? 5 Key Features

1. Easy on and off — a zipper runs along the outside and around the toe, letting the shoe open up wide. This makes it far easier to slide the foot and AFO in and out together, and helps build independence as your child gets older.

Billy Shoes feature a clever zipper that runs along the outside and around the toe, allowing the shoe’s upper to open wide and fold over completely for effortless wear and easy access.

2. Removable insoles — pulling the factory insole creates the extra space an AFO actually needs for a customized fit.

Billy shoes come with a removable insole which I recommend taking out to allow extra space for the AFOs.

3. A stable base of support — a substantial outsole holds the AFO in place while still supporting your child’s foot.

A vibrant pair of shiny pink AFOs with a sturdy, supportive base, designed for both style and stability.

4. Flexible and lightweight — the right balance of support and flexibility keeps feet and legs comfortable and energized through a full day.

An image of red Billy shoes with the correct amount of flexibility.

5. A firm heel counter — adds heel and ankle support and stabilization. Always check that the heel counter feels firm, not soft, when you press on it.

An image highlighting the position of the shoe’s heel counter, offering a closer look at its supportive design.

Watch: Getting Billy Shoes On

This video walks through exactly how to get these shoes on comfortably and securely — a genuinely helpful visual for parents doing this for the first time.

Depending on your child’s specific AFO, you’ll likely also need to unlace the shoe (in addition to unzipping it) to get the foot and AFO fully inside.

Disclosure: some links below are affiliate links — I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you click and purchase.

Best Billy Shoes for Kids Who Wear AFOs

Both styles below open wide for easy access, and are available in wide (W) or extra wide (XW) widths.

Classic DR by Billy

These Billy shoes for AFOs have become a favorite among families. This model is available in extra wide widths.

Key Features

  • Available for toddlers, little, and big kids
  • Order on Amazon
  • Available in extra wide widths
  • Leather upper
  • Sizing tip: Measure from the end of your child’s AFO or SMO footplate, then order a half size larger than that measurement — not just your child’s regular foot size

DR Short Wrap by Billy

A more classic look with the same easy-access design, and a fully opening upper so you can check the fit visually.

BILLY shoes in extra wide widths for kids who wear AFOs and SMOs.
  • Available for toddlers, little, and big kids
  • Order on Amazon
  • Available in extra wide widths
  • Two removable insoles
  • Upper opens completely so you can check how the shoe fits
  • Sizing tip: Measure from the end of your child’s AFO or SMO footplate, then order a half size larger than that measurement — not just your child’s regular foot size

While Billy Shoes weren’t originally designed specifically for AFO use, they offer a genuinely accessible entry solution that’s become a popular choice for kids who need extra help with footwear.

Contact Me for a Personalized Suggestion

If you’re unsure which Billy style is right for your child, reach out — I’m happy to factor in your child’s foot shape and specific needs to point you toward the best option.

For an even wider selection of adaptive AFO shoes, see my full guide to shoes for kids with AFOs. If durability is your top priority, the New Balance and Stride Rite options in that guide are worth considering alongside Billy.

How to Order the Correct Size for Your Child’s AFOs

The most common mistake I see: buying bigger shoes to accommodate the AFO. Oversized shoes can’t properly support your child’s gait or weight transitions, which compromises the exact stability the AFO is meant to provide.

I built a simple system for this — all you need is a measuring tape to measure the AFO. I then use those measurements with a Brannock Device (something you can do yourself at home too) to determine the correct shoe size.

How to Check If Billy Shoes Are Fitting Correctly

Because Billy shoes open fully on the side and front, you get a clear view of the space between the AFO footplate and the end of the shoe. A small gap is completely normal; a large excess of space means the shoe is likely too big.

There should be some space between the end of the AFO footplate and the end of the shoe — approximately ⅜ of an inch (roughly 1 centimeter) — which corresponds to a full size larger.

Are Billy Shoes Durable for Everyday Wear?

Reports are mixed — some families say the shoes wore out quickly, others had no issues at all. In my experience, Billy shoes hold up well as long as they’re sized correctly. Getting the size wrong is usually what causes durability problems, in either direction:

  • Too big: the AFO shifts around excessively inside the shoe, and that constant friction wears the shoe down faster.
  • Too small: the AFO can end up poking through the shoe’s interior.

I’ve fitted several kids with AFOs in Billy Shoes, and in my experience, they’re genuinely easy to get on and off while providing solid support.

Shoes for AFOs for boys in men's shoe sizes.
An image of children wearing comfortable sneakers with their AFOs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Billy Shoes actually meant to be worn with AFOs?

Not originally, no — Billy Shoes weren’t designed as AFO-specific footwear. Their side-and-toe zipper was built primarily for kids who need an easier, more independent way to get shoes on and off (including kids with limited mobility or dexterity generally), not specifically to accommodate a brace. That said, the wide opening and removable insoles happen to make them workable for many AFOs, which is why they’ve become a popular choice — but “workable” isn’t the same as “purpose-built.”

Do Billy Shoes provide the same support and stability as New Balance?

Not consistently, in my experience. New Balance models like the 990v6 are built with a firmer heel counter and a more structured, athletic-shoe base of support — genuinely engineered for stability. Billy’s priority is accessibility (the zipper, the wide opening), and while some styles have a reasonably firm heel counter, it’s generally not as structurally supportive as a dedicated athletic shoe like the 990v6. If your child’s AFO is being used primarily for stability and gait correction, I’d lean toward New Balance first; if ease of independent on-and-off is the bigger priority, Billy is a strong choice.

Children who wear AFOs want to wear the same kinds of shoes as their friends — and because of how much space an AFO takes up, that’s often just not possible. I know how hard it is watching your child’s face fall when none of the shoes they actually want to wear will fit over the brace. I hope Billy Shoes give your child a pair they’re genuinely excited to wear.