What to look for when buying shoes

There are a lot of characteristics that a shoe can have that can differentiate it from an unsupportive shoe. A good shoe is made up of a few different qualities: a soft, flexible sole, a wide toe box, good traction on the bottom of the shoe, and making sure the shoe has a good heel cup. 

What to avoid when buying shoes.

Just like a good shoe, a lot of qualities can make or break a shoe. A few things that can negatively affect the quality of a shoe include: buying crocs, natives, or flip flops, investing in expensive shoes as children can grow out of them quickly, and wearing non breathable shoes. 

Shoe Recommendations for orthotics

Wearing SMOs, AFOs, DAFOs, KAFOs, etc it can be challenging to find a perfect shoe that fits your child’s foot as well as fitting over the orthotic appropriately. A few general brands that are great with orthotics include: Billy Footwear, which can be purchased on their website or even at Target, Ikiki shoes, and New Balance (a wide shoe is available if needed). More specific shoes for the New Balance shoe brand includes 888 V2 Hook and Loop Running Shoe, Rave Run V1 Hoop and Loop Shoe. 

Shoe Recommendations for New Walkers

Shoes for new walkers can be tricky because we typically don’t recommend wearing shoes until independently waking around 80% of the time or if they are already wearing orthotics. Stride Rite as a whole is a great brand especially for new walkers, but more specifically the Baby Surprise by Stride Rite Palmer Sneakers. A few different specific shoes from Geox are great that include Geox Unisex-Child Rishon Girl, Geox Baby Boy’s Rishon 30 (infant/toddler), and Geox Urban First Steps Baby are great options for more sneakers. Two sandals that would add more support would be two shoes from Carter’s that include Every Step Sandals and Every Step Fisherman Sandals. 

Shoe Recommendations for Toddler/Little Kids

Great shoe recommendations for toddlers and little kids sizing include any shoe from New Balance (more specifically being 680 V6 Hoop and Loop Running Shoe), Stride Rite in general (more specifically Mishansha Running Shoes Water Resistant Hiking Shoes), and Sketchers brand in general (more specifically Toddler Girls S Sport By Skechers). A good sandal recommendation for toddlers and little kids sizes would be the Stride Rite 360 Uni-Sex Child Paddy Sandal. 

Other Recommendations

Thanks to our amazing patients and their families we were given more recommendations on where to buy good shoes and which pair to buy! 

Shoe Brands

• Nike Flex Advance
• Sketchers Extra Wide (works perfectly for kiddos with SMO's)
• Stride Rite adaptable line for kiddos with SMO's or AFO's

Shoe Stores

• Shoe Train Potomac- experts at measuring and finding right shoes for your kiddo!

11325 Seven Locks Rd.

Potomac, MD 20854

301-299-9662

• James Shoes- carries Billy Shoes and will help you make sure they fit right!

76 W Main St.

Waynesboro, PA 17268

717-762-1945