Shoes to go over AFOs

[Theresa]

Hi all - I am new. Happy to have found this site!
Does anyone know of a source for shoes that would fit over my baby's AFOs? She's 15 months, and we have a pair from the orthotic company - they are cute tennis shoes but her braces are looking pretty scuffed up and dirty. She's not due for new ones for about 6 months, but until then I need to dress up my little princess!

[cutie patooties mom]

HI Theresa!
A friend of mine uses Hatchbackfootwear.com. The shoes are really cute. They don't have a lot for bigger kids like mine though.
Bronwyn

[cutie patooties mom]

I just looked at the site and they are offering bigger sizes now. The back of the shoe flips down so you can just push the AFO through the back. I think I'm gonna order some of those black dress shoes for Gabi. Hope you find some too!
Bronwyn

[Barb]

When C was younger I would just get the Target character ones and rip out the insoles. Always worked pretty well and he thought it was cool to have his favorite characters.

[Theresa]

Thank you - I will look there. Have I mentioned recently how much I love this site!!!!?????

[joybell322]

I use hatchbacks for Liz, but their choices are so limited! We recently discovered that crocs work! :dance2: She loves them!

She absolutely loves shoes and at present wants some ballerina slippers. She has some black patent ones for church and some cute pink and white sneakers. But my heart breaks when she sees her sisters in in slippers and all different kinds of shoes. She's a real trooper though, but I'd like to find new things for her. Is there anything else out there that I might be missing?

[smoop]

The best shoes that I found were at Payless... Infant Teeny Toes Leather crib booties. We bought these when Analise was 18 months and she is now on her second pair at age 3. They are only $15.

It was EXTREMELY difficult finding shoes to fit over her AFOs. I went to Stride Rite thinking for sure we'd find something since they had extra wide shoes-- no such luck!

The problem with these little ones is that their feet are extremely tiny and the ankle portion of the brace is wide. You don't want a shoe that is too large because they trip over the toes.

We purchased a size 5 wide in the Payless shoe and as I said, they still fit. They are simple and white and go with everything. The Hatchbacks would have been too large for my daugther at 16 months (and still would be).

[beedrew]

Take a look at this Web site which carries the Answer 2 line of shoes for AFOs:

http://www.bignwideshoes.com/

The Answer2's are HUGE, I have to say. We are trying Hatchbacks before I go with Answer2. We were using Striderite Extra Wide, but they are just not deep or wide enough for our newest braces even with the insole torn out.

[Spiffynikki]

We have found with my daughter that Etnie brand and Sketchers brand shoes work great because they are made wider, they go over her AFO's perfectly, both the velco and the tie versions. Not sure if either company makes infant shoes, I think Lily was about that age when she got her first sketchers though.

[Brittanys_Parents]

Brittany has always worn the Answer2 shoes. We have learned a way to save a bundle.
Most web sites including BigWideShoes.com sell hers for 54.00 and other sites are in the same rangle (55-60).
We are able to get the order form from Shriners, where it is straight from Answer 2 and we pay around 40, which includes the shipping.

[Kari]

Zach wears Crocs over his AFOs most of the time.

[Ziggy]

M uses Primigi velcro sneakers with the insoles taken out. I like the rubber toe and they fit well over his AFOs without being huge in length.

http://primigishoesonline.com/

[Ziggy]

yikes I just saw the retail prices on the website. His were a hand-me-down!

[XoBLoNDiE85]

I found some at stride rite not wide but EXTRA wide! I was so excited i had to special order them and they were $50 but they dont grow out of there shoes really until they get bigger braces, about 6-8 months.

[Barb]

Just realized that people revived this convo. After the Etnies and Crocs suggestions we tried both and both brands worked great. Etnies have the cool factor too :)

[Cookebeth]

We get Nike or New Balance, they both offer wide sizes. We don't have to take the inside of them out and we get sizes that actually fit her. Other shoes that we tried we had to get a couple sizes bigger and they didn't look right. I feel like the specialty sites dont offer a wide variety and they are really expensive.

[leigh828]

We use New Balance wide and they work great. We have also had luck at payless. Another mom just sent me this link
http://www.crocs.com/crocs-crocband-sneak-kids/11063,default,pd.html?intid=upsell3_cbsneakkids_en
and said that they work great over her daughter's AFO....good luck!! :)

[lrllnd1]

Is it better if the shoes lace up or have velcro straps?? I was looking on the New Balancs site. I am in search of shoes to go over AFO. My daughter is getting her first set of afos next month.

[Betsy W.]

I have purchased shoes several times from a company named "Keeping Pace". The quality is excellent, good selection (dress and casual), prices reasonable, and the customer service is always outstanding! No problem with returns either.
web site is keepingpace.com (I think) lol!

Anyone have suggestions for an alternative to the traditional thick, hot, KAFO sock? I've tried the pantyhose idea, but my grandson all but went insane and ripped them into pieces!
Thanks!!

[jveprek]

Skidders are amazing... light weight with a good amount of grip. Our favorites are the 'Mary Jane' style :)

[Dodger67]

We've had quite a few conversations about socks recently - just hit search on the main menu and put in socks as the keyword.