After researching the best shoes for AFO (leg brace) wearers and people with foot-drop and other disabilities for over 3 years now, I can assure you that it is extremely rare to find a shoe brand that is unequivocally disability and orthosis friendly. Guess what? I’ve found one! Friendly Shoes is the anomaly of shoe brands.
One of the main reasons I created Trend-Able was to help other AFO wearers find comfortable and stylish shoes that help them to look and feel their best while remaining active participants in “normal” life and activities.
My mom used to say, “Move it or lose it!”and I’m pretty sure that this adage holds for all of us, regardless of the type of conditions we have. If you’ve been following me here or on our Facebook and Instagram Pages, then you know that my disability has no cure (read more about my story and Charcot Marie Tooth disease here) and the only way for me to maintain muscle strength and attempt
to prevent the progression of my neuromuscular condition is through exercise.
But, what does this have to do with Friendly Shoes?
When it comes to everyday shoes, I want comfortable, lightweight, and extremely supportive ones that are super easy to get on and off with hand weakness and over AFOS. Unlike the trendy shoes I wear out on date nights and other social events in which I know I’ll likely be sitting 99% of the time, and can therefore deal with a sprinkle (or two) of discomfort, walking shoes HAVE TO BE COMFORTABLE and easy to get on and off. Friendly Shoes check off all of my “perfect comfort shoe” boxes and have become my #1 go-to for everyday. Here’s how Friendly Shoes got started.
For over 12 years, seasoned Occupational therapist, Joseph DiFrancisco, observed that when it came to helping his patients dress independently, shoes were one of their greatest pain points and everyday challenges. Like many occupational therapists, Joseph attempted to work through his patient’s shoe struggles using the adaptive dressing tools available, such as long-handled shoehorns, elastic tie-free laces, and reach sticks. But Joseph quickly discovered that in many cases, “ …patients still needed help to either readjust the heel of the shoe or adjusting the tongue of the shoe and still could not get the shoe tight enough.”
Joseph asked himself, “…Why are proper shoes so difficult to put on for people with varying abilities?” He then spent years researching the answer and a solution. He eventually found both. Boom. Friendly Shoes was born!
HOW ARE FRIENDLY SHOES FRIENDLY TO ALL?
Friendly’s patented zipper technology allows a person to literally open-up the shoe – allowing one’s foot (and leg brace) to easily slip inside the shoe without having to deal with laces or fidget with annoying buckles and shoe tongues. See Joseph’s intro video below. Bonus, he’s easy on the eyes 😂.
Friendly offers shoes for men, women, and children. Since they are available in wide-width sizes and have removable footbeds, they will fit most styles of AFOs. There are several different styles including traditional looking laced up sneakers, mid-tops (think ankle support for foot-drop), and even a pseudo slip-on stretch fabric style shoe. Friendly Shoes come in a ton of fun colors like peach, mint green and aqua blue. I’m all about the solid black! Shocker, I know!
Also, if you only wear one AFO or prosthetic and need two different size shoes or just one shoe, Friendly has you covered with their single and different size shoe program found on Zappos here. Note, the coupon code below works on Friendly’s direct website only.
HOW DO I TRY FRIENDLY SHOES?
Trend-Able followers and EmbraceIt Podcast listeners will receive 10% off their Friendly Shoes purchases at check-out using the discount code “EmbraceItFriendly” at check-out on Friendly’s Shoes website.
If you don’t love your Friendly Shoes (I think you will!) you can return them (money back) or exchange lightly worn shoes within 30 days – no questions asked. For United States customers, a free return label will be provided by Friendly Shoes upon accepting the return request. For Canada (CA) and United Kingdom (UK) customers, return shipping is at your expense.
Another awesome attribute of Friendly Shoes is their affordability. Unlike the few competing adaptive shoe brands in the market that challenge many people’s budgets. (especially people with disabilities and chronic conditions) Friendly’s Shoes retail for around $100 a pair.
So, what are you waiting for? I would love for you to try them and let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.
Xoxo
Lainie
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My OT recommended Friendly Shoes. So easy to put on with AFO and swollen foot. Worked wonderfully. Wherever I go, PT or doctors offices, ppl are blown away by my Friendly Tennis shoes. We actually talked to a very “Friendly” rep who made suggestions per my special needs. Would highly recommend them.
Thanks for sharing Barbara! Joseph who founded Friendly’s shoes is an OT himself, so that makes total sense. You can use our coupon code Embraceitfriendly to get a discount in the future!
Hi…. I have been looking for a comfortable, light weight and two layers sole for my brace stirrup. I used to buy Sketchers but these days two layers sole is out. Do you recommend a store? Thanks
Hi Adalaida,
Have you tried Friendly yet? Only online but their return policy is great. Plus you can use the coupon code.
Hi Lainie I was looking at the voyage most shoes I have to get 8.5 wide the voyage does not have half sizes and I am afraid to order a 9 as if they are to long I will trip as cannot lift feet off ground very far..
They are awesome with returns & exchanges. I removed the insoles on a pair that come in wide & ordered my actual size.
This is really interesting! I work in an orthopaedic footwear shop now, so shoes fascinate me now :p I’m going to tell my boss about this brand! https://www.footkaki.com/
I wear bilateral AFOs but have 1 1/4” lift on my left shoe, therefore I need a thick enough sole that can be cut to accommodate the additional rubber that will be put on. Do your shoe have that? Also, do they fit extra wide sizes?
Hi Gloria, this is Lainie from Trend-Able. I don’t work for Friendly but have found that in a wide width & insoles removed, they are working for many different types of AFoS. Use the coupon code “EmbraceitFriendly” to try as no risk if they do nor work for you. I hope they do 🙏
They said these shoes do not come in wide…????
Hi, Some of their styles do not but many do. Which style are you looking at?
Thanks so much Lainie for all your hard work! I have never heard of this brand but I’m ordering the pink ones for sure.
Thanks so much for your sweet comment! The pink are cute. Please let me know how they work for you
I’m new to wearing braces and your website has helped me so much! I will definitely check out this brand as they look so easy to put on. Thank you!