Worst Shoe Brands for Kids Who Wear AFOs – Stay Away from These 4 Shoe Brands!

August 4, 2025 AFOs Juan Valenzuela 2 - Comments

I’ve seen countless discussions on forums like Reddit and Quora where parents recommend shoes that actually rank among the worst options for kids who wear AFOs. There’s a lot of confusion around which shoes truly work with braces. As a children’s shoe fitter with over a decade of experience working with orthotics, I can confidently guide you through which brands to avoid—and why. I’ll also share a list of trusted shoes that consistently work well with AFOs to help your child walk comfortably and confidently.

The Importance of Fitting AFOs in the Correct Types of Shoes

Some children start wearing AFOs as early as 3 months old, while some others start wearing them at an older age. Either way, when AFOs are fitted in the correct pair of shoes they can greatly improve your child’s walking gait and benefit your child’s mobility challenges, as well as support your child’s weak muscles. Other benefits include improving your child’s overall posture, preventing foot deformity, and providing a stable base of support to help improve stability.

Young boys and girls wearing cute colorful shoes for toddlers who wear AFOs.

Some parents take their children shoe shopping and try at least a half-dozen athletic brands just to end up empty-handed, as most shoes are not wide and deep enough to fit over the braces. I have seen a lot of parents recommend Converse, Nike and Vans shoes for their kids. These shoes might be able to accommodate your child’s AFO, but you will end up getting the shoes way too big.

The Shoes Need to Provide the Correct Amount of Support

Some parents believe that since their child is wearing AFOs, supportive shoes aren’t necessary—but that’s a big misconception. AFOs and shoes must work together to improve your child’s stability and overall foot health. Without the right shoes, the benefits of the AFOs can be significantly reduced. The shoes should at the very least provide a firm heel counter and a stable base to help hold the AFO securely in place and maximize its effectiveness.

Four Shoe Brands to Avoid for Kids Who Wear AFOs

While some brands excel at creating footwear suitable for AFOs, others fall short. Here are four shoe brands that you should be cautious of when shopping for children who wear AFOs:

Number 1: Converse

Some parents believe Converse shoes work well with AFOs, but that’s often because they don’t realize these shoes run unusually long. It might seem like you’re getting the right size when, in reality, the shoes are just oversized.

There are two things I want you to pay attention to in the image below.

1 – Notice how flat the outsole is? AFOs can’t do all the work alone—the shoes need to provide proper support too.

2 – See how the front of the shoe lacks depth? Without extra depth, the AFOs can’t sit properly inside, which can cause the top of your child’s feet and toes to rub against the shoe, leading to discomfort.

Number 2: Nike

Nike is renowned for its stylish and athletic footwear, but their shoes often fall short in terms of functionality for AFOs. The lightweight construction and minimal support make them less than ideal for children requiring additional stability. Furthermore, the design does not typically account for the space needed to fit AFOs comfortably.

Nike recently introduced an innovative shoe model specifically designed to work well with AFOs, combining ease of use with thoughtful support features. Nike’s FlyEase is an adaptive, easy-entry shoe designed with kids who wear AFOs or orthotics in mind.

Notice the innovative wraparound zipper? It opens the shoe up completely, making it much easier to slide the AFO in and out—no tugging, squeezing, or frustration required.

While Nike’s FlyEase is a promising step forward—acknowledging that children’s feet come in many shapes, sizes, and needs—it still falls short in several key areas. The shoes lack proper support, don’t offer extra depth, and aren’t available in multiple widths like wide (W) or extra wide (XW). As a result, many parents are forced to size up by two or more sizes just to make the shoes work with their child’s AFOs, which can compromise fit and function.

Number 3: Vans

Vans shoes, much like Converse, aren’t a good match for AFOs. Their narrow fit and lack of structure often make them uncomfortable—and even counterproductive—for children who need orthotic support. With their flat soles and minimal arch support, Vans can worsen alignment issues instead of helping correct them, making them more of a fashion choice than a functional one for kids who wear braces.

Number 4: Crocs

I’m often surprised by how many parents recommend Crocs for children who wear AFOs. Whether the child wears the braces with or without the Crocs, they’re not a good option. While Crocs are roomy, they lack the support and structure needed to work with AFOs. Their soft, flexible material doesn’t provide the stability required, which can reduce the brace’s effectiveness and lead to discomfort.

I’ve highlighted the top 4 worst shoe brands for kids who wear AFOs because these are the ones I see most commonly (and mistakenly) recommended by well-meaning parents. While these brands might seem like popular choices, they often lack the structure and support AFOs require—ultimately doing more harm than good. It’s important to look beyond the label and understand what your child’s feet truly need.

Choosing the Right Shoes for Kids with AFOs

Selecting the right shoes for children with AFOs is a critical step in ensuring their comfort and mobility. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

1. 990v6 by New Balance with Laces. This is one of the deepest and most supportive New Balance shoe for AFOs. Available in wide and extra wide widths means that you won’t have to get the shoes overly large to accommodate the AFOs. Parents report positive feedback on how these shoes accommodate AFOs and are durable.

990v6 New Balance shoe with laces in black for kids.
New Balance 990 for kids with laces in purple color.
990v6 New Balance shoe with laces in black for kids.

Key Features

  • 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

New Balance 990v6 toddler shoe in black and grey and with velcro closure.
Durable 990 New Balance Kids' Shoes in Pink and Velcro.
  • 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

2. Dean Adapt II by See Kai Run. These shoes for AFOs provide extra long straps and extra depth to allow the AFOs to sit deeply inside the shoes. These shoes have a lightweight design.

See Kai Run kids adapt for kids who wear AFOs.
See Kai Run kids adapt for girls who wear AFOs.

Key Features

  • Order the shoe Dean Adapt II by See Kai Run on Zappos or Amazon
  • Not available in wide or extra wide widths but fits naturally wide
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than the end of the AFO/SMO footplate

3. Shoe style Holly Mary Jane by Stride Rite. These Stride Rite shoes for AFOs are loved by parents because their children can wear them for casual wear or dressier occasions.

Stride Rite Holly Mary Jane in gold for girls.

Key Features

  • Order the shoe SR Holly by Stride Rite on Zappos or Amazon
  • Available in extra wide widths
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than the end of the AFO/SMO footplate

4. Ikiki Shoes. These shoes are designed with a focus on functionality and fun. They feature a wide toe box that supports natural foot movement, and many of their designs include playful characters and bright colors that toddlers love.

Ikiki shoes for toddlers with wide feet.
Ikiki shoes for kids who wear AFOs.

Key Features

  • Order the shoe by Ikiki on Amazon
  • Not available in wide or extra wide widths but fits naturally wide
  • Wide opening to make it easy to put on and take off shoes
  • Synthetic Vegan Leather
  • Squeaks can be turned on/off with a switch
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than the end of the AFO/SMO footplate

5. Shoe Style M2P Journey 3.0 Adapt by Stride Rite. These sneakers are part of the Stride Rite adaptable line and come with extra long velcro straps and are available in extra wide widths.

Stride Rite M2P Journey 3.0 Adapt in pink for toddler girls.
Stride Rite M2P Journey 3.0 Adapt in grey for toddler boys.

Key Features

  • Order the shoe M2P Journey Adapt by Stride Rite on Zappos or Amazon
  • Available in extra wide widths
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than the end of the AFO/SMO footplate

6. Billy Shoes. Billy Shoes have become a favorite among families with children who wear AFOs. Their unique zipper design allows for easy on-and-off, making them a convenient choice for both parents and children.

Pink Billy shoes for girls who wear AFOs.
Black-Billy-shoes-for-kids-who-wear-AFOs

Key Features

  • Order the shoe 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 half size larger than the end of the AFO/SMO footplate

7. Shoe Style Gabi by Memo (Orthopedic Shoe). These orthopedic shoes for AFOs are specifically designed to improve foot posture and comfort. The higher price point is a common complaint parents have but the investment in orthopedic shoes is often justified by their specialized design and effectiveness in addressing flat feet.

Orthopedic shoe for kids made by Memo in grey and yellow with double velcro straps.
Orthopedic shoe for kids made by Memo in grey and pink with double velcro straps.

Key Features

  • You can order the shoe Gabi by Memo on Amazon
  • Also available in a Mary Jane style and a version for older kids called Memo Polo
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than the end of the AFO/SMO footplate

While there’s no universal shoe that works for every brace or foot shape, knowing which brands are most AFO-friendly can make all the difference in finding a pair that fits comfortably and supports your child’s mobility needs.

What Are the Best Shoe Brands for Kids Who Wear AFOs?

I’ve shared a curated list of shoe styles that pair well with AFOs—but if you’re looking to take the guesswork out of shoe shopping altogether, you’re in luck. I created a separate resource that highlights the top four shoe brands that consistently perform best for kids who wear AFOs.

Stop Getting Bigger Shoes to Accommodate Your Child’s AFOs

It’s important for parents to understand that just because a shoe fits over their child’s AFOs doesn’t automatically make it a good option. I often see families assume that if the brace fits inside the shoe, then it must be fine to wear—but that’s not always the case. Shoes that are more than two full sizes too big can throw off your child’s balance and stability, essentially canceling out the benefits of the AFOs. If you’re unsure what shoe size to order to properly accommodate the braces, I recommend checking out this free resource I created to guide you step-by-step.

There’s a lot of confusion online when it comes to finding the right shoes for children who wear AFOs. Many well-meaning parents recommend shoe brands that unfortunately don’t offer the support, structure, or fit these kids truly need. Have you come across a shoe brand you think should have made the list—or one you believe doesn’t belong? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!