Children’s shoes
Getting the Right Shoes
Wide, deep toe boxes, removable insoles and lightweight materials are all considerations. But functionality doesn’t have to come at the expense of style. Thanks to the popularity of Sneaker Culture, kids can now find cool, state of the art orthotic shoes that look like the kind worn by their favourite hip hop artists or basketball stars, and match their outfits.
For shoe buying tips for orthoses users view the PDF below.
Plae
Kids Shoes
Why we like them: their wide and deep toe boxes accommodate AFOs. They also have extra long straps.
Available Sizes: 5 infant - 5 youth
Recommended styles: Ty, Nat, Roan, Emme, Miles, Charlie WP, Chloe, and Sam (sandal), LEO, Larkin
Price range: $75 - $97 US (Nordstrom online), $55 - $90 CAD (Nordstrom stores)
Available at: Nordstrom
New Balance
Kids Shoes
Why we like them: their rigid heel counter (the part at the heel) means that they are less likely to fold down when putting shoes on over SMOs and AFOs. They also come in wide and extra wide sizes.
Size Range: 2 infant - 7 youth
Recommended styles: KJ990 Lace-Up, Urge Pre-school, Urge Grade School, Fuel Core Rush v3, 574, Hook and Look Rave Run
Price range: $55 - $90
Available at: New Balance, Amazon, Sport Chek
DC
Kids Shoes
Why we like them: They check a lot of the boxes of a good shoe for a SMO or AFO. They are wide, have a fairly deep toe box and long tongue that opens wide for putting on shoes.
Available Sizes: 5 infant - 13.5 youth
Recommended styles: Kids Chelsea, Pure, and Pure SE, Toddler Pure V, Toddler Anvil V
Price range: $45 - $87 (free shipping over $39)
Available at: DC shoes & Sport Chek
Mt. Emey
Kids Shoes
Why we like them: because they are designed specifically for SMO and AFO users and they check all of the boxes of a good orthotic shoe.
Available sizes: 4 toddler - 8 men’s
Recommended styles: all styles are appropriate
Price range: $135.00
View Colours at: OrtoPed
Call Boundless Biomechanical Bracing to order
Our Tip: if your child uses a ‘hybrid’ brace meaning a small orthosis (SMO) inside a larger orthosis (AFO) shoe depth is very important. These shoes offer some of the greatest depth on the market.
Easy-Up
Kids Shoes
Why we like them: The BOA system closure and rear opening makes putting on shoes easy and may allow children greater independence.
*shoes are made to order and will take 4-6 weeks for delivery.
Recommended styles: any
Price range: $222 - $267
Available at: Easy-Up Shoes
Our Tip: consider these shoes if your child has hemiparesis one sided weakness. The ‘dial’ makes it easier to don and tighten their shoes independently.
Tsukihoshi
Kids Shoes
Why we like them: they are light weight and have wide toe boxes.
Available sizes: 4 toddler - 5 youth
Recommended styles: Sonic, Velocity, Natsu, Glitz, Racer, Twinkle, Rainbow, Dash, Bolt
Price range: $70 - $75 (free shipping over $39)
Available at: Tsukihoshi
Hatchback
Kids Shoes
Why we like them: their shoes are designed with SMOs and AFOs in mind. The rear entry option can make putting on shoes easier.
Available sizes: 5 toddler - 3 youth
Recommended styles: any
Price range: $67 + $50 shipping to Canada
Available at: Hatchbacks Footwear
Billy Footwear
Kids Shoes
Why we like them: They use a zipper to open and close. This can increase independence, especially for children who use one hand to put on shoes.
Available sizes: 10 toddler - 6 youth
Recommended styles: high or low top
Price range: $89 (low-top), $96 (high-top)
Available at: Super-Fly Shoes & Nordstrom
Our Tip: when trying on with your child’s braces, undo the laces as much as possible, slip the shoe on, do up the zipper and tighten the laces again. Now your child will put on their shoes with the pull of the zipper.
Ikiki
Kids Shoes
Why we like them: they were designed with SMOs and AFOs in mind. Some shoes have “squeakers” in the heels to encourage heel-toe walking (can be turned off). What is really unique about Ikiki shoes is they sell individual shoes and split sizes which can be helpful for children wearing an orthosis on one leg only.
Available sizes: 3 infant - 2 youth
Recommended styles: any
Price range: $112
Available at: Ikiki Shoes
Stide Rite
Why we like them: The wide selection of double velcro shoes with stiff heels. They also have a variety of widths.
Available sizes: infant - youth
Recommended styles: made2play Kash, 360 dash, soft motion mason, made2play eliza, 360 keaton
Price range: $35-60
Available at: Stride Rite
Saucony
Why we like them: Single pull over straps make putting on shoes easy. Their stiff heels make sliding in AFOs easier. They also have a variety of widths.
Available sizes: infant - youth
Recommended styles: ride 10 jr, jazz hook & loop, inferno, jazz lite
Price range: $35-60
Available at: Saucony