The Best Kids’ Boots for AFOs and SMOs – Extra Deep and Wider Openings

Are you looking for a pair of winter boots to accommodate your child’s orthotics? There are only a few AFO winter boots that are wide and deep enough to accommodate these types of orthotics. We also need the boots to open up nice and wide so you can easily slide your child’s feet with the AFOs or SMOs inside the boots. The best kids’ boots for AFOs and SMOs provide enough room without being too bulky and adjustable fastening (like Velcro) for a snug fit.

By the way, I belong to several groups of families of children with AFOs and SMOs who sometimes share the shoes that they find work well with their child’s braces, but most of the time they are buying the boots too big. You can fit any boot over your child’s braces if you buy them too big, but the idea is to stay as close to your child’s actual foot size as possible.

The Complications of Fitting Your Child’s Braces in Boots That Are Too Big

One of the main benefits of providing children with AFOs and SMOs is to improve their stability. However, if the shoes are fitted way too big, you’re stealing that stability right back. Instead of buying bigger shoes, I suggest buying shoes that are wider and deeper.

Can My Child Wear Winter Boots Without AFOs or SMOs?

Whether your child must wear winter boots with orthotics directly depends on the severity of your child’s foot or leg condition. Your medical professional should be the one to tell you whether your child must absolutely wear winter boots with the orthotics. Some of the factors that determine whether AFOs must be worn with snow boots are:

• Whether you have very snowy/long winters with plenty of below freezing temperatures
• The degree of your child’s foot or leg condition
• The number of hours a day your child plans to wear the snow boots

Best Boot Brands for Children Who Wear AFOs and SMOs

It’s hard to recommend specific boot brands for children who wear braces as there are styles among each shoe brand that work a lot better than others. With that said, some of my go-to shoe brands that manufacture winter boots that work well for children who wear AFOs and SMOs are:

• See Kai Run
• Dream Pairs
• Memo
• Princepard

I have also found a couple of generic shoe brands that work well with AFOs and SMOs. I will show you the boots from these brands shortly.

Key Features to Look for in AFO and SMO Friendly Boots

Material matters more than you’d think. The winter chill needs combating, but bulk is enemy number one. Go for lightweight insulation materials that keep those toes warm without adding too much weight or stiffness.

1️⃣ Extra Depth: This feature allows the AFOs to fit deeply inside the boots and prevent the top part of your kids’ feet from rubbing against the top part of the boots. Take a look at the image below for better visualization purposes:

2️⃣ Round Toe-Boxes: This feature helps prevent the AFO from poking a hole in the front of the shoes and prevents your kids’ toes from rubbing against the side of the boots. This feature is particularly important if your child wears an AFO with a footplate that extends over the toes. Take a look at the image below for better visualization purposes:

3️⃣ Wider Openings: Boots with wider openings make a huge difference when trying to fit an AFO inside the boots, as your child won’t have to struggle to get the boots on and off.

Most of the boots that I describe below are snow boots for AFOs but they can also be used in the rain. It’s important to emphasize that when it comes to fitting shoes for AFOs or SMOs what works well for one child might not always work as well for another. 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.

Top Picks for AFO Winter Boots – Supportive and Easy On and Off

Take a look at the description below each boot to find out the additional features the boot provides such as whether it’s waterproof or not and the size that you should order to accommodate the AFOs.

What Are Other Families Saying About These Boots?

Shoes for AFOs and SMOs: How Big Is Too Big?

This depends on whether your child needs to wear SMOs or AFOs. I have noticed that for SMOs you don’t have to get the shoes bigger than a whole shoe size of your child’s foot length, as SMOs don’t have a footplate that extends over the toes. If you have to go beyond a full shoe size bigger, you may be better off with a different shoe style.

For AFOs that have footplates that extend over the toes, you will most likely have to get shoes that are a full shoe size and a half bigger than your child’s actual foot size. If you have to go beyond a full shoe size and a half bigger, you may be better off with a different shoe style.

How to Figure Out What Boot Size to Order for Your Child’s AFOs/SMOs

If you are investing your time and money in a pair of AFOs, your child might as well get the full benefits that the AFOs have to offer. I created an AFO virtual fitting service that will help you retrieve what shoe size you should order to accommodate the AFOs.

Can Your Child Wear Orthopedic Boots Instead of AFOs and SMOs?

Some children do, and some children don’t. Again, this is a question that your medical professional should be able to answer. I can provide you with a list of orthopedic boots but first, you must know whether your child can wear them instead of the orthotics. In addition, most families are not able to invest in a pair of orthopedic boots for children who wear braces, as orthopedic boots can range anywhere from $100 to $150. Let’s keep in mind that these are growing children, and parents will find themselves having to replace the boots every 5 to 6 months.

Looking for Other Recommendations? – Get a Personalized Suggestion

If you have any questions or need any further assistance, you can also contact me via email and I will get back to you as soon as possible. I am happy to help you find a different pair of winter boots to accommodate your child’s AFOs and SMOs so don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

How to Easily Slide Your Child’s AFOs/SMOs Inside the Boots

• Remove the original insoles from the boots to allow for extra room for the braces.

• Open up the velcro straps all the way.

• Rock the boot heel back and forth to help it gradually slide on.

What Are the Best Winter Socks for Kids Who Wear AFOs/SMOs?

When it comes to socks, you need to make sure that they are taller than the braces themselves. I wrote a different article that describes a selection of the best socks for AFOs that are seamless, soft, and tall enough to prevent the AFO’s plastic and strapping from rubbing against your child’s skin.

What Are the Best Sneakers for Children Who Wear AFOs or SMOs?

I also wrote other resources that describe deep and supportive sneakers to accommodate your child’s AFOs or SMOs.

AFO Winter Boots for Kids – Watch Video!

I created a video that will help you better visualize all of the features that the boots I recommend provide.

The Challenges of Finding Boots for AFOs and SMOs

AFOs and SMOs can make a tremendous difference in helping treat and improve your child’s foot conditions, but they also create several challenges. The most common one is finding shoes that can fit the braces. It’s not easy to find a pair of affordable winter boots that are capable of fitting your child’s AFOs or SMOs. Most traditional boots are simply not deep or wide enough to accommodate braces, but I have found a couple of styles that can.

It is a fact that some AFOs and SMOs take more space than others, meaning that what might work for one child won’t necessarily work for another. Don’t hesitate to ask your medical professional if you are unsure whether the boots might be too big for the braces.