Light Up Shoes for Kids Who Wear AFOs – Extra Deep and Wider Openings!

Do you have a child who wears AFOs and has been asking you for a pair of light up shoes? Have you tried different light up shoes from Skechers, Stride Rite, and Geox, and none of them seem to be wide or deep enough for the AFOs? I am going to show you the best light up shoes for kids who wear AFOs based on my 10 years of shoe fitting experience.

The Challenges of Finding Shoes for AFOs

It’s already hard enough to find a pair of regular sneakers that fit over the AFOs, and it gets even more challenging when it comes to finding a pair of light up shoes.

How Do I Know Which Light Up Shoes Work Best with AFOs?

I work for a specialized children’s shoe store that works closely with many physical/occupational therapists to fit children in supportive shoes and orthotics.

It takes a lot of trial and error to find the correct types of shoes for children who wear AFOS, but after having tried many different shoe brands and styles, I know which shoes work better with AFOs. I found one specific light up shoe that is fully adaptable and designed to accommodate orthotics, AFOs and extra wide widths.

Pro Tip: If you’re pressed for time you can jump directly to the selection of light up shoes for kids who wear AFOs.

What Makes the Light Up Shoes that I Recommend Ideal for AFOs?

The light up shoes that I recommend are available in extra wide widths (X-Wide), and they also provide 3 additional features that makes them ideal for children who wear AFOs:

1️⃣ Round Toe Boxes: The light up shoes that I recommend come with round toe boxes which help prevent the AFOs from destroying the front part of the shoes. Take a look at the image below for better visualization purposes:

2️⃣ Extra Deep: The light up shoes that I recommend also provide extra depth, which allows the AFOs to fit deeply inside of the shoes. This increases the child’s comfort and prevents the top part of your child’s toes from rubbing against the top part of the shoes. Take a look at the image below for better visualization purposes:

3️⃣ Oversized Openings: The light up shoes that I recommend open up widely to allow parents to easily slide the AFOs on and off. Take a look at the image below for better visualization purposes:

Before I show you the best light up shoes for kids who wear AFOs I want to make sure that you know what shoe size you should buy. As I mentioned before, it takes a lot of trial and error when it comes to fitting a pair of shoes with AFOs. However, you will end up saving a lot of time and money if you have a good idea of what shoe size you should start by trying.

How to Retrieve What Shoe Size Your Child Should Wear with the AFOs

The best way to make sure that your child is getting the full benefits that the AFOs have to offer is by making sure that your child wears the correct type of shoes in the correct size.

It’s also important to order the correct shoe size for your child’s AFOs as when the AFOs don’t fit properly inside the shoes they can make the shoes fall apart faster.

Now that you know what shoe size you should try for your child’s AFOs and what features the light up shoes must provide, let’s take a look at the best light up shoes for kids who wear AFOs. Disclosure: Some links in this post may be affiliate links and we may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) when you click our links and make purchases. This allows us to create free content and resources for many families around the world. 

Best Light Up Shoes for Kids Who Wear AFOs

All of the light up shoe that I recommend below are available in wide and extra wide widths, so make sure that you order the shoes in the correct width. Remember that is better to buy shoes that are wider and deeper than to buy shoes that are longer in size.

Unsure About What Shoe Size You Should Order?

I usually recommend getting the shoes a whole size larger than the AFO size. However, not all AFOs are the same, as some braces require more space inside of the shoes than others. If you try the light up shoes that I recommend and you have to buy the shoes a whole size and a half longer than your child’s foot size, then I don’t suggest keeping the shoes and looking for an alternative.

Looking for Other Boot Recommendations? – Get a Personalized Suggestion

Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or if you are having a hard time finding a different pair of shoes to accommodate your child’s AFOs:

 [email protected]

Be Careful About Getting Your Kids’ Shoes Too Long

Shoes that are too long cannot support your child’s gait or weight transition and will compromise your child’s stability. 

I understand how dealing with your child’s AFO can be an extremely time-consuming and frustrating experience, but every quarter-inch of improvement is worth fighting for. Let me ask you this: How steady would you feel walking and running around in oversized shoes?

Can Children Wear These Light Up Shoes as Their Everyday Sneakers?

These shoes are durable, supportive, and lightweight/flexible at the same time so your child can play comfortably all day. However, shoes with shoelaces help provide better support and stability than shoes with velcro closure, so you might want to consider providing your child with an additional pair of sneakers.

What Socks Work Best for Children Who Wear AFOs?

Certain seamless and durable socks are made specifically for children that need to wear ankle foot orthosis (AFOs) in their shoes, and these socks help provide your child with protection and comfort under their orthotics. There are only certain socks that are long enough to cover the length of the brace to provide protection and comfort to your child’s feet.

Finding the best shoes for your child and specific AFO definitely takes a bit of trial and error. Remember that what works for one child doesn’t always work for another, so be careful about buying the same shoes that other families recommend.

Let me know in the comment section below if you have any questions or if you are having a hard time finding a specific pair of shoes for your child’s AFOs.