Boots for DAFOs
February 03, 2025
As the weather grows colder, it may be a challenge to find winter boots best suited to wear with braces. To help everyone keep their feet (and braces) warm and dry, we’ve put together a list of tips for what to look for as well as a few recommendations of where to find AFO and SMO-friendly boots and brands!
What to look for
- Wide-opening features such as a side or rear zipper, or extended tongue
- Wide toe box
- Removable insole
- Adjustable straps for ease of donning
Shopping tips
- To best avoid stress and hassle, try taking just the brace with you and try fitting it into the boot. Take the boots home for a more relaxed fitting session and simply return or exchange them if needed.
- For online shopping, consider ordering several brands/sizes, then return the boots that don’t work out.
- Check out Zappos Adaptive site for boot suggestions
AFO-friendly brands:
UGG® Universal (available through Zappos Adaptive):

Koolway Sports (a Canadian shop designed for non-ambulatory AFO-wearers):

Other brands to consider:
- BILLY (Cozy Boot works well with solid AFOs and some SMOs)
- Carter
- Columbia (Parker's Peak comes in wide, works with AFOs, SMOs)
- Kamik Kids
- Lands' End
- PLAE
- See Kai Run
- Teddy 4 Boot by Tundra (Zappos; works with AFOs, SMOs)