This post has been republished as of March 2023 to include current shopping links and trends.
Who’s ready to give winter the boot? (Rather, the bootie?) Spring is in the air, despite what the temperatures outside may feel like. Out with the old, springtime is the season of new beginnings: planting seeds, summer planning, and shopping for some new stylish pairs of AFO-friendly booties.
Yep, booties are the perfect shoe choice for those unpredictable spring days when the weather can’t seem to make up its mind. It’s too cold for sandals but too warm for knee-high boots. Booties also allow us to hold onto the cozy feeling of winter (keeping our toes warm) while embracing the freshness of spring.
Booties are the ideal winter-to-spring transition shoe, especially for AFO wearers and people with foot-related challenges. Booties, by their very nature, have built-in ankle support, which is a bonus for those of us with foot drop and neuropathy.
But finding cute and wide flat boots to fit over AFOs is not easy. If you want to know what to look for when shopping for tall boots, read our post, How To Find Mr. Right Boot.
But first, what’s a bootie? And what bootie features should people with foot drop and disabilities look for?
A bootie is a cross between a shoe and a boot. A bootie is basically a short, ankle-high boot. So, although our AFO styles and disabilities can vary, there are a few shoe or boot features to look for when shopping for booties that will fit the majority of needs.
1. WIDE-WIDTH BOOTIES
First and foremost, look for booties in wide sizes and ones with removable insoles or footbeds. This will allow you the depth you may need to fit over your AFOs and accommodate for any swelling.
2. BOOTIES WITH REMOVABLE INSOLES AND FOOTBEDS
The removable insole, or footbed, will allow even more depth in the shoe for bulky AFOS and the additional support of orthotics.
3. BOOTIES WITH ZIPPERS & VELCRO
Another feature to look for in booties are side zippers or velcro closures. This makes it easier to put on and take off your booties, especially if you have fine motor challenges or limited mobility.
4. BOOTIES WITH FLAT SOLES
Heel height is another important factor. While some people with foot drop prefer wearing booties with a slight wedge, the majority of AFO wearers find it easier to walk and balance in shoes with low, flat soles.
5. BOOTIES WITH A WIDE TOE BOX
Lastly, a wide toe box is important for both comfort and support. Your toes should have enough room to wiggle and move around, so they don’t feel cramped or squished.
Ok, so now that you know what to look for in a bootie, it’s time to go shopping! But fear not, perfectly imperfect friends! No need to schlep to the mall—or anywhere else for that matter! We’ve done the legwork for you (pun absolutely intended) and scoured the stores to find the most stylish, comfortable, and disability-friendly booties available right now.
The bootie options below range from classic leather to trendy suede and everything in between. There are also options for every budget! Be sure to read the store descriptions to learn which pairs have the necessary attributes to meet your individual disability needs.
Slide through and click on the links below to shop our favorite AFO-friendly booties this season:
With so many stylish bootie options available, there’s no reason to sacrifice fashion for function. So go ahead, tell those cherry blossoms who’s boss, and strut your stuff into spring both comfortably and stylishly.
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Just scrolling through this list of boots and thought to pass along my favorite. Llynda More boots. She has a wonderful system of removable (with magnets) boot toppers which can mix and match for a variety of different styles with just one pair of boots. The zippers are wonderful and allow plenty of room for sliding my brace in. And they come with removable inserts/insoles and her customer service is excellent.
Just a big THANK YOU,
????? A Big You’re Soooo Welcome ! Lainie
Hi!
Was wondering if you had any recommendations for shoes to wear with the turbomed afo (goes on the outside of your shoe).
Love all your posts, btw 🙂
-Corinne
Hi Corinne,
Thanks so much for writing! Have you tried the Revere ones? Many people who wear the Turbomed AFO found they worked for them because of the removable footbed and extra strapping. Use this link for a discount & free return shipping. https://www.revereshoes.com/?utm_source=Lainie%20Trendable&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=Trendable%20January/February%202020
What do you do when you only wear 1 AFO? My left foot is a size 9 with the brace and my right is a 7!
Is there a sight that sells mix matched shoes?
Hi, there is a post on this website on that subject that will help I hope. If you go to the homepage and in the search button, put “one shoe”. Thanks ?
Hi, I’ve only been wearing my AFOs since January. Your site has given me hope and a sense of some control over this crazy new world! Thank you. My braces stick out about 1/2 inch from the side of my feet, do you think these booties will still work? Also, your braces seem to lay flatter against your foot, is that true? Thank you for inspiring me to not give up on trying to be stylish!!
Colleen
Hi Colleen,
I’m sooo glad you found us! Please send me an email of your brace (with leg in it ?) to info@box2387.temp.domains & I will give my opinion on best styles etc. ?
Love all the booties! I wanted to mention, for all of us penny pinchers, Costco has cute booties – JBU Ladies’ Juno Boot. I bought the red/wine color a week ago for $15. They work great with my carbon fiber AFOs. I’ll have to get the black as well.
Hi there. Oh my gosh these are all so cute. How can we shop for these as I’m not seeing the link? I LOVE the 2 tone ones with the partial animal print.
Hi,
Those are my favorite too! I bought them & actually will have a photo up on FB showing them this week. You just click on the image. Please give me your input though if this is not user-friendly . Thank you so much for commenting
Love these lannie! I have the beige Marin Kate in cranberry. very comfy! Really like the Kamsin bootie style. going to search and see if I can find in lighter colors.
Thanks again for these great styles!
Thanks Cyndi for commenting! You’re the best. Oh , the cranberry must be really cute.
These are great! I’ll add ryka Valee Ankle Booties (I found at Nordstrom Rack) to this list. The are really good for going to the airport where you have to take off your shoes because they secure with velcro and are easy to slip on and off.
Rebecca, great suggestion! I actually have those listed in the “Shop” here under booties. Great price! I’m glad they work for you !
I have to have the gray animal print ones! Lainie, what kind of brace do you wear?
Hi Amy, thank you ! Those are the cutest! I wear the Allard Blue Rocker afo and they fit great with the boots. Let me know if toy have any other questions .
Oh I am so sorry I’m not sure if I responded to this separately. I wear the Allard blue rocker brace, but I’m currently testing out custom brace from Kinetic that makes the Noodle. With the insole removed, they easily fit into both pairs of afos.
Also, the gray are super cute and literally the lightest weight shoe ever. ?