Choosing the right shoe
Working out the best shoe for your child and their orthoses can be tricky, but there are some great options out there. Here’s a few suggestions to get you started.
Not all shoes are the same
When it comes to footwear, there seem to be endless options and it can be hard to know what’s best. Some provide great support, where others can be really soft and flexible. On top of this, some orthoses like AFOs and SMOs can take up space and fitting everything together can be challenging.
There are good practical options though. Here are a few key things to consider when purchasing new shoes to help with your child’s walking.
Frequently asked questions
There are some general guidelines to help find a good shoe. Generally, supportive footwear tends to work best with orthoses and is especially recommended for use with foot orthoses. Here’s some tips for finding a supportive shoe:
- The area around the heel (counter) should be firm and not collapse when you squeeze it.
- The shoe shouldn’t fold in half at the arch. It’s okay for the toes to bend but the middle of the arch shouldn’t collapse
- The sole of the shoe should be firm and not too squishy. Avoid very lightweight running shoes as these tend to have very soft soles
- More stitching and structure in the uppers tends to make for a longer lasting shoe
Not all shoes are created equal and most kids will find walking easier in supportive runners. You don’t have to buy the most expensive brand, you can find inexpensive shoes that are still supportive by giving them a squeeze and putting them to the test!
It’s important to bring new, unworn shoes for your child’s orthotics fitting appointment. Having shoes at fitting time allows your orthotist to shape the orthoses to fit the shoes, test walking and optimise everything ready to get started.
If shoes are still unworn, they can be exchanged if something isn’t quite right.
For general foot orthoses, aim for a size with around 1-2cm of space in front of the toe and make sure there is a little extra width in shoes.
If you’re using an AFO or SMO, a shoe with a deep opening toward the toes can make things easier. See below for more specific advice.
If a shoe is worn on the sole it can lean and cause difficulties with walking. Keep an eye on the uppers of the shoes for holes too. Also, if your child’s toes are near the end of the shoe, it’s probably time for a new pair.
Shoe options
Here are a few tried and tested options for shoes. Even though these options have worked well for all sorts of kids, remember it’s still best to come to your child’s fitting appointment with unworn shoes. That way they can be returned if something else is needed.
