Rain Boots for Kids with AFOs: Wide Openings and Extra Depth
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 wide and fit over braces, plus waterproof shoe covers that many families use instead.
Why Rain Boots Are So Hard to Fit Over AFOs
Most parents run into one of two problems:
- The boots fit over the AFOs but are too long. The extra space at the toes makes the boot unstable and uncomfortable.
- The boots match your child’s shoe size but are too tight. They won’t slide over the AFOs.
Sizing way up isn’t the answer. AFOs are meant to improve stability, and when the boots are too big, the foot and brace shift inside. Kids already find rain boots harder to walk in, so boots that are too big make it even harder. Look for boots that are wider and deeper instead, and stay as close to your child’s size as you can.
First, Ask Whether Your Child Needs AFOs with Rain Boots
Rain boots are usually worn for short periods, so your child may not need AFOs with them. Check with your child’s doctor, physical therapist, or orthotist. Some providers suggest skipping the AFOs and choosing a supportive option like a waterproof hiking boot instead. Traditional rain boots offer no arch or ankle support, so if your child goes without AFOs, a supportive alternative matters.
What to Look for in Rain Boots for AFOs
Oversized Opening
An oversized opening is the most important feature. It lets your child’s foot and brace slide into the boot without a struggle.
Round Toe Box
A round toe box leaves room for the front of the AFO footplate, so the toes aren’t squeezed.
Extra Depth
Extra depth makes room for the bulk of the AFO without squeezing the top of the foot, which prevents pressure points that can lead to sores.
A Note Before You Shop
Every AFO is different. Some take up more space than others, and the type your child wears (hinged, full footplate, or quarter-length) affects the fit, so a rain boot that works well for one child may not work for another. The options below have worked for many families of kids with AFOs, and I hope they work for yours, but there’s no guarantee. Fitting shoes over AFOs often takes some trial and error, so check the return policy before you order.
Best Rain Boots for Kids with AFOs
Disclosure: some links in this post are affiliate links — I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Skipper by Bogs
A lightweight, 100% waterproof rain boot with side pull handles that make it easier to get on over braces.
- Order on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- 100% waterproof
- Side pull handles for a secure fit and easy on and off
- Cushioned footbed with Max-Wick technology to keep feet dry
- Sizing tip: order a whole size larger than the end of the AFO/SMO footplate
Handle by Crocs
A light, flexible rain boot with oversized handles, and the same boot the parent in the DIY hack below used.
- Order on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- 100% waterproof
- Oversized handles make the boots easy for kids to pull on and off
- Sizing tip: order a whole size larger than the end of the AFO/SMO footplate
DIY Hack: Add a Zipper to Regular Rain Boots
One parent in a Facebook group came up with a clever fix for her daughter, who wears SMOs: she cut regular rain boots down the back and added waterproof zippers. The zipper opens the boot wide enough for the braces to slide in, and she could choose a lightweight boot her daughter already liked. Thank you to Jessica Hinman for sharing her photos and steps!
What you’ll need
- Rain boots in the same size as the shoes your child wears with their SMOs or AFOs (she used Handle by Crocs rain boots)
- Two waterproof zippers, about 6 inches (16 cm) long
- Loctite Plastics Bonding System (after trying five glues, this was the only one that held)
- Painter’s tape
- A sharp utility knife
Step 1: Cut the Back of the Boot
Cut a straight line down the center back of each boot, stopping just above the heel. Put painter’s tape along both sides of the cut to protect the boot from glue.
Step 2: Get a Waterproof Zipper
Choose a waterproof zipper about the length of the cut. A 6-inch (16 cm) zipper fit a kids’ size 1 boot.
Step 3: Glue the Zipper in Place
Follow the package directions: brush the activator on the boot edges and the zipper tape, wait one minute, then apply the glue and press the zipper firmly into place. Let it dry completely, then remove the tape.
The Finished Boot
The zipper opens the back of the boot so SMOs slide in easily. It may look a little messy around the edges, but it works.
Before you try it:
- Adults only. Do the cutting and gluing yourself; this glue bonds skin in seconds, so work in a ventilated area away from kids.
- You can’t return modified boots, so make sure they fit your child with their SMOs or AFOs before you cut.
- Durability is still being tested. She shared this at the start of the rainy season, so check the glue and zipper often for leaks or peeling.
Shoe Covers: An Easy Alternative to Rain Boots
If rain boots aren’t working, waterproof shoe covers are a practical alternative. They slip right over your child’s regular shoes and AFOs, keeping everything dry without the struggle of finding boots that fit the braces.
- Order on Amazon
- High-quality silicone rubber
- Waterproof
- Sizing tip: order one to two inches longer than the end of the AFO footplate
Another Option: Skye Adaptable by See Kai Run. It’s not a rain boot, but many parents who couldn’t find rain boots to fit their child’s braces have had success with this adaptable boot from See Kai Run. It’s lightweight and waterproof-treated, with extra-long Velcro straps that open wide for AFOs and SMOs.
Need a Specific Recommendation?
Finding rain boots that fit your child’s AFOs can take some trial and error. Email me with the type of AFOs your child wears and any challenges you’ve run into, and I’ll suggest options that are most likely to work.
Join Our Facebook Group for Parents of Kids with AFOs and SMOs
Some of the best boot ideas come from other parents. In my Facebook group, Shoes for Kids Who Wear AFOs or SMOs, families share the shoes and boots that have worked for their children, and rain boots are one of the most common questions. It’s a great place to ask what’s worked for kids with the same type of brace as your child, and to share your own finds with other families.
More Footwear for Kids with AFOs and SMOs
Sizing: how to find the right shoe size for AFOs
Winter boots: the best kids’ boots for AFOs and SMOs
Sneakers: the best shoes for kids with AFOs
SMOs: the best shoes for SMOs
FAQ
Yes, but most standard rain boots won’t fit over braces. Look for an oversized opening, a round toe box, and extra depth, or use an over-boot or shoe covers that go over your child’s regular shoes.
Yes. SMOs take up less room than AFOs, so a roomy rain boot like the Bogs is often enough. For SMOs, you usually don’t need more than one whole size larger than your child’s foot.
Not always. Rain boots are usually worn for short periods, so ask your child’s provider. If your child can go without AFOs, a supportive waterproof hiking boot is a better choice than a traditional rain boot.
For many families, yes. Shoe covers go over the shoes your child already wears with their AFOs, so there’s no need to find a separate boot that fits the braces. Rain boots give more coverage for puddles and deeper water.
