As a professional shoe fitter, I understand how overwhelming it can be for parents to find shoes that comfortably and securely fit over ankle-foot orthotics (AFOs). I’ve worked with countless families facing this exact challenge, and one of the most common recommendations I make is See Kai Run — but not just any pair. In […]
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 […]
Last Updated: August 2026 | Juan Valenzuela, Certified Children’s Shoe Fitter Have you been advised to just buy New Balance extra wide (XW) shoes and size up to fit your child’s AFOs? Before you order, know that not all New Balance XW shoes accommodate AFOs properly. With such a wide range of models, some offer […]
Last Updated: August 2026 | Juan Valenzuela, Certified Children’s Shoe Fitter AFOs can enhance your child’s mobility by keeping the feet and legs in proper alignment, correcting abnormal walking patterns, and reducing the risk of falls. But fitting your child’s AFOs in the wrong pair of shoes can make the AFOs virtually worthless. The best […]
Parents often reach out asking whether a soccer cleat exists that can actually accommodate their child’s AFO (Ankle-Foot Orthosis). Before shopping for cleats, it’s worth checking with your child’s medical provider on one question first: does their AFO actually need to come off, or on, for soccer specifically? Not every child needs to wear their […]
Last updated: August 2026 | By Juan Valenzuela, Certified Children’s Shoe Fitter Wondering which socks work best with AFOs? When wearing AFOs (Ankle-Foot Orthoses), your child can usually wear any type of sock — as long as it’s tall enough to cover the top edge of the brace and protect the skin. That said, it’s […]