Shoes?

[BethM]

Hi everyone! So, I've been wearing custom orthotics in my shoes for a while, but I just got my first AFO, and I'm having trouble finding shoes it will fit in. I have the "SafeTStep" shoes (sneakers--from Payless), which have removable insoles, so it fits OK in those, and they were affordable. But I'd like something other than sneakers too, without paying a fortune. Any suggestions for a brand that might work? Thanks!

[DorOMA]

That problem for me wasn't finding the right shoe. I had about an 1/8 of an inch grounded off the front tip of the AFO and now it fits all my shoes and boots.

[BethM]

The biggest problem, as far as fitting in the shoes, isn't actually the AFO as much as the orthotics. They did trim the AFO, so I think that by itself, it would probably fit in a shoe. But I think the new orthotics they made me are more of a problem to fit. They're pretty bulky.

[hobbit]

Boys Dept.

i found getting shoes from the boy"s dept, especially sneakers works well. They are sturdier and wider than women's shoes. I'm a size 6 in the boy's dept. lol.

[jeannef1]

i found getting shoes from the boy"s dept, especially sneakers works well. They are sturdier and wider than women's shoes. I'm a size 6 in the boy's dept. lol.

This makes me so happy! I thought I was the only one who did this

[thelegendlc]

Check out a shoe repair shop

I had tried probably five pairs of shoes to try and fit over my AFO. None of them worked even though the shoe size was about 1 1/2 sizes larger than I used to wear before my AFO. I had also tried on shoes that were very wide. I found the solution when I took a pair of Rockport walking shoes to my local shoe repair shop. He tried to stretch out the shoes; however, that didn't work as he said the upper of the shoe was not made of leather which totally surprised me. He did solve my problem by cutting a V shaped section (3/4" wide and 1" on the two sides) out of the top of the shoe box just below the last Velcro strap. He also stitched the two sides of the V cut onto the top of the tongue. He charged me only $12 and his solution works perfectly!

[04blackcobra]

shoes and AFO

I have not had a problem finding shoes. My tech did advised that the best shoe needs to have 5-6 eyelets or valcro. I wear the AFO in my right shoe. I do remove the insert from that side. It does stretch out the sides of the shoe but other than that no problems. I cannot put it in boots or high top tennis shoes. I still work and wear dress oxford shoes much of the time.