Top 4 Shoe Brands for Kids Who Wear AFOs – Best Shoes to Wear with AFO Leg Braces!
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 reveal the top 4 shoe brands for kids who wear AFOs and the best styles to keep your child comfortable, supported, and confident.
Biggest AFO Shoe Mistake: Choosing Overly Large Shoes
One of the most common mistakes parents make when buying shoes for children with AFOs is choosing shoes that are too large. While it might seem like a good idea to buy bigger shoes to fit the braces, this can actually compromise your child’s stability, increasing the risk of falls. The primary function of an AFO is to provide support and stability, so if the shoes are too big, you’re undermining the very purpose of the orthotic device.
What Makes the Shoes I Recommend Ideal for AFOs?
1. Extra Depth: This feature allows AFOs to sit deeply inside the shoes, ensuring a secure and comfortable fit. The deeper the AFOs are positioned, the more comfortable your child will feel, reducing any discomfort or pressure. By providing this deeper fit, the shoes help prevent the feeling of the feet slipping out, greatly enhancing your child’s comfort and confidence while walking.
2. Round Toe-Boxes: This design helps protect the front of the AFO from damaging the shoes, ensuring a longer-lasting, more durable fit.
3. Stable Base of Support: The shoes feature a robust outsole that not only secures the AFO in place but also provides essential support for your child’s feet, ensuring stability and comfort with every step.
4. Firm Heel Counters: This feature offers enhanced heel and ankle support, providing crucial stabilization for a more secure and comfortable fit.
5. Wider Opening for Easy On & Off: This feature makes it easy for parents to effortlessly slide the AFOs into the shoes, eliminating the hassle of struggling every time it’s time to put them on.
Top 4 Shoe Brands for Kids Who Wear AFOs
Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all shoe brand that meets every need for your child’s feet. For instance, while one brand may offer the perfect everyday sneakers, it might not be the best choice for dress shoes or seasonal footwear. It’s important to choose the right brand for each specific need to ensure both comfort and style at all times.
Even within a recommended brand like New Balance, not all models suit AFOs. Fit, support, and stability vary, and some extra-wide styles may not accommodate AFOs properly.
Number One: New Balance
New Balance is my top choice for everyday sneakers, and the styles I recommend below are perfect for AFOs. These shoes offer all the essential features I’ve mentioned, providing the right fit, support, and comfort. Available in extra wide (XW) widths, each pair also comes with removable insoles for added flexibility and a better fit. These New Balance models are truly the best for AFO wearers.
990v6 by New Balance with Laces
The 990v6 model is one of the best New Balance shoes for AFO braces. Available in wide and extra wide widths means that you won’t have to get the shoes overly large to accommodate the AFOs.
Key Features
- Available for toddlers, little, and big kids
- You can order the 990v6 with laces on the New Balance website, Amazon, or Zappos
- Also available in pink and navy blue
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than the end of the AFO/SMO footplate
990 Series with Velcro
- You can order the 990v6 with velcro on the New Balance website, Amazon, or Zappos
- Also available in grey and black
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than the end of the AFO/SMO footplate
Number Two: See Kai Run
See Kai Run shoes don’t come labeled as wide (W) or extra wide (XW) but they are some of the deepest and widest AFO shoes for kids. This shoe brand has a specific line of adaptable shoes that work well with orthotics.
Dean Adapt II by See Kai Run
See Kai Run offers an adaptable line for kids who wear AFOs with shoes that provide extra long straps and extra depth to allow the AFOs to sit deeply inside of the shoes. These shoes have a lightweight design.
Key Features
- Order the shoe style Dean Adapt II by See Kai Run on Zappos or Amazon
- Available for toddlers and little kids
- Not available in wide or extra wide widths but fits naturally wide
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than the end of the AFO footplate
Ryder Adapt by See Kai Run
These See Kai Run adaptive shoes are lightweight and feature an extra-wide, deep toe box. The removable insoles help provide extra space, and an easy-open design for hassle-free wear.
Key Features
- Order the shoe style Ryder Adapt by See Kai Run on Zappos or Amazon
- Available for toddlers
- Extra long straps can be cut for a secure and custom fit with AFOs
- Mesh lining and removable insoles
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than the end of the AFO footplate
Skye Adapt by See Kai Run
These See Kai Run high-top boots for AFOs are designed to provide optimal support with a flexible, roomy toe box and secure ankle coverage.
Key Features
- Order the shoe style Skye Adapt by See Kai Run on Amazon or Zappos
- Available for toddlers and little kids
- Extra long straps can be cut for a secure and custom fit with AFOs
- The unique hinge system keeps them wide open while putting them on
- Expertly designed to accommodate orthotics such as AFOs and SMOs
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than the end of the AFO footplate
Number Three: Stride Rite
Stride Rite came up with a new line called Journey, which offers shoes that are fully adaptable and designed to accommodate orthotics and braces.
Holly Mary Jane by Stride Rite
These Stride Rite Mary Jane shoes for AFOs can be worn for casual wear or dressier occasions.
Key Features
- Order the shoe style SR Holly by Stride Rite on Zappos or Amazon
- Available for toddlers and little kids
- Available in extra wide widths
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than the end of the AFO/SMO footplate
M2P Journey 3.0 Adapt by Stride Rite
These sneakers for AFOs are part of the Stride Rite adaptable line and come with extra long velcro straps and are available in extra wide widths.
Key Features
- Order the shoe style M2P Journey Adapt by Stride Rite on Zappos or Amazon
- Available for toddlers and little kids
- Available in extra wide widths
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than the end of the AFO/SMO footplate
Cosmic Light-Up by Stride Rite
This light-up shoe by Stride Rite is specially designed for children who wear AFOs, offering an extra-wide fit for comfort and support. Featuring fun, vibrant light-up details, this shoe ensures a secure and stylish fit while accommodating AFOs.
Key Features
- Order the shoe style Cosmic Light-Up by Stride Rite on Amazon or Zappos
- Available for toddlers and little kids
- Available in extra wide widths
- Oversized openings
- Light-up technology illuminates every step
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than the end of the AFO/SMO footplate
Journey by Stride Rite
These Stride Rite shoes for AFOs are durable and available in extra wide widths, making them ideal for children wearing AFOs.
Key Features
- Order the shoe style Journey by Stride Rite on Amazon
- Available for toddlers and little kids
- Available in extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than the end of the AFO/SMO footplate
Number Four: Billy
Billy shoes come with a zipper that goes along the outside and around the toe, allowing the shoe to open up widely. This makes it really convenient for children to independently get the shoes on and off. However, it’s important to note that Billy shoes were not built specifically for AFO use, they were built to provide an alternative way to access entry into shoes.
Classic DR by Billy
These Billy shoes for AFOs have become a favorite among families. This model is available in extra wide widths.
Key Features
- Available for little and big kids
- Order the shoe style Classic DR High II by Billy on Zappos or Amazon
- Available in extra wide widths
- Leather upper
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than the end of the AFO footplate
DR Short Wrap by Billy
These Billy shoes for kids with AFOs are also available in extra wide widths and provide a more classic look.
Key Features
- Order the shoe style DR Short Wrap by Billy on Amazon or Zappos
- Available in wide and extra wide widths
- Two removable insoles
- Upper opens completely so you can check how the shoes fit
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than the end of the AFO footplate
Did You Choose a Shoe with Laces?
If you opt for laces, you’re choosing better support and stability over Velcro or other closures. A special lacing technique—taught to me by a coworker with 20+ years of shoe-fitting experience—works wonders for kids with AFOs, keeping their feet secure and the AFO in place.
Find Out How to Order the Correct Size for Your Child’s AFOs
The right shoe size is key to getting the most out of your child’s AFOs, boosting both stability and confidence with every step. Follow these two simple steps to find the perfect fit!
Step One: Measure Your Child’s AFOs
Measure your child’s AFO footplate from the back of the heel up to the longest front part of the brace as shown in the image below. Make note of that measurement or email me the image showing the measurements (such as you see below) to avoid confusion with the measurements.
You can follow the instructions in this video for better visualizations purposes.
Step Two: Measure Your Child’s Foot Length
Make sure that your child is standing straight and measure both feet, as one foot might be bigger than the other one. Measure up to the tip of your child’s longest toe, which may not necessarily be the big toe, it may in fact be the second or even the third toe. Note your child’s foot measurements or email the image to avoid confusion.
By comparing both sets of measurements—the foot and the footplate—I can better assess the size of the shoe needed.
Step Three: Video or Images to Determine Foot Width
Create a short video to determine whether your child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. Below you can find a sample of how the video should look like.
Email me your child’s feet and AFO measurements along with a video of your child’s foot shape so I can tell you exactly what shoe size you should order for your child. Once I receive your child’s measurements I will respond in less than 24 hours:
customerservice@fittingchildrenshoes.com
What Socks Should Children Wear with Their AFOs?
Choose thick, soft, seamless, and tall socks to protect your child’s skin from AFO straps and plastic, ensuring comfort and skin health. If your child sweats a lot, changing socks once or twice a day can help. Some socks offer breathability and antimicrobial technology for added freshness.
How to Correctly Put on Your Child’s AFOs
- Unfasten all straps of your child’s AFO.
- Pull up your child’s socks and make sure there are no creases in them.
- Place your child’s heel at the back of the AFO, and then fasten the ankle strap. Make sure that it is firm enough to secure the foot, but not too tight.
- Fasten the top strap. Again, this should be snug but not too tight.
- Undo your child’s shoelaces, open up the shoe widely and put on the shoe.
Could you tell me what shoes are good for teenagers who wear afo‘a.
Hello Jesta,
If you tell me your son’s/daughter’s shoe size I am happy to recommend specific shoes that might work with the AFOs.