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 […]
Last updated: August 2026 | By Juan Valenzuela, Certified Children’s Shoe Fitter Does your child wear ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) with wedges, and you can’t seem to find a single pair of shoes that actually fits? AFOs with wedges play a critical role in helping children with lower limb conditions achieve better stability, improved gait, and […]
Last updated: August 2026 | By Juan Valenzuela, Certified Children’s Shoe Fitter As a shoe fitting expert with over 10 years of experience, I’ve seen the disappointment on kids’ faces more times than I can count when they realize the cute, stylish shoes they love won’t fit over their ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs). Most off-the-shelf Mary […]
Last Updated: August 2026 | Juan Valenzuela, Certified Children’s Shoe Fitter When preparing for your child’s AFO/SMO appointment, you might wonder if bringing shoes is necessary. This decision can affect the fitting process and, ultimately, the success of the orthotic treatment. The right footwear can significantly enhance the benefit of your child’s AFOs or SMOs, […]
Last Updated: August 2026 | Juan Valenzuela, Certified Children’s Shoe Fitter Finding the perfect shoes for kids with AFOs can be tough, but expensive orthopedic options aren’t your only choice. Many everyday brands offer excellent support, fit, and comfort for ankle-foot orthoses. In this guide, I’ll walk through the top 4 shoe brands for kids […]