Last updated: September 28, 2026 · By Juan Valenzuela, Certified Children’s Shoe Fitter AFOs help children walk more comfortably and confidently by stabilizing the foot and ankle and improving their walking gait. But AFOs can sometimes cause blisters, especially when they’re worn with the wrong shoes or socks. The first step is always to take […]
Finding rain boots for kids with AFOs can feel almost impossible. Most rain boots aren’t wide or deep enough to fit over braces, and parents end up frustrated after trying size after size. As a certified children’s shoe fitter who works with kids in AFOs and SMOs, I’ve found a couple of options that open […]
Finding winter boots that fit over AFOs or SMOs is one of the hardest parts of shoe shopping for kids who wear braces. Most boots simply aren’t deep or wide enough, so families end up sizing way up. After years of fitting kids with AFOs and SMOs, I’ve found a handful of boots that make […]
Last updated: August 2026 | By Juan Valenzuela, Certified Children’s Shoe Fitter Has your child been prescribed AFOs, only for you to struggle finding shoes that fit over them? Are you ending up buying shoes that are way too big just to accommodate the braces? If you’re needing shoes more than a size and a […]
Last updated: August 2026 | By Juan Valenzuela, Certified Children’s Shoe Fitter Are you having a hard time finding a pair of Mary Jane shoes for your daughter’s AFOs? Maybe you’ve already found a pair of sneakers, but she needs something dressier or simply wants a shoe that isn’t a sneaker. Finding a pair of […]
Last updated: August 2026 | By Juan Valenzuela, Certified Children’s Shoe Fitter Is your child uncomfortable wearing AFOs? Tired of constantly sizing up shoes just to make room for bulky braces? There’s good news — effective alternatives to AFOs exist that can still provide the support your child needs. One of the best options is […]
Last updated: August 2026 | By Juan Valenzuela, Certified Children’s Shoe Fitter Are you struggling to find comfortable, practical house shoes for your child who wears ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs)? The right footwear at home matters just as much as outdoor shoes — especially for children with foot conditions who rely on AFOs for stability and […]
Does your child wear an SMO (supramalleolar orthosis) on one foot and an AFO (ankle-foot orthosis) on the other? Feeling overwhelmed trying to figure out what shoe size will fit both braces comfortably? It’s a common source of confusion — should you buy two different shoe sizes, one for each brace, or will the same […]
Last updated: August 2026 | By Juan Valenzuela, Certified Children’s Shoe Fitter Does your child wear an AFO on just one foot, and you’re not sure how to find a pair of shoes that fits both feet properly? This is a common challenge for a lot of families. As a shoe fitter who works with […]
Last updated: August 2026 | By Juan Valenzuela, Certified Children’s Shoe Fitter Does your child wear AFOs and won’t stop asking for a pair of light-up shoes? Have you already tried options from Skechers, Stride Rite, or Geox, only to find none of them are wide or deep enough to fit over the brace? You’re […]