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AFOs are heavy and make lifting your foot more difficult. When dragging happens, typical sneakers catch on the ground, forcing you to work harder with every step.
The Cadense Adaptive AFO Shoe is designed to work with your brace, not against it — with an extra-wide opening that makes it easier to get your AFO in and out, and a sole that supports smoother walking once you’re moving. When lifting is difficult, the shoe slides and glides. When you put weight down, it grips for stability.
This happens through Cadense’s patented Variable Friction Technology — the pucks do the work for you, reducing resistance and helping your foot and AFO move forward together.
If you benefit from Cadense’s glide-to-grip technology but can’t fit into the Cadense Original (regular or wide) with your brace, this shoe was made for you.
Extra-Wide Opening with Finger Loops: Designed to fit easily over AFOs. Dual front finger loops let you open the shoe wide and guide your foot and brace in without twisting or forcing.
Rear Finger Loop for Easy Entry: A reinforced heel pull loop helps with donning, especially when balance or hand strength is limited.
Variable Friction Sole: Cadense’s patented glide-to-grip technology helps the shoe slide smoothly if your brace drags, then grip firmly when you step down. The pucks do the work for you.
Wear-Resistant Fabric: Durable, abrasion-resistant materials stand up to brace contact and daily use while maintaining structure and comfort.
Weight: About 11.7 oz per shoe – M7/W8 (3E) was used as reference.
Our AFO shoes are specifically designed to fit over ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) and are higher-volume than standard footwear. If you normally wear Cadense Originals, please note that AFO sizing is not comparable. Do not use the Originals size guide — use the guidance below.
Important sizing note:
Our Cadense AFO shoes are intentionally built longer to accommodate for braces. When you select your usual US shoe size, the AFO shoe measures approximately one size longer than standard footwear — this is intentional. Most customers should start with their regular shoe size that you would wear without an AFO.
Use the guidance below to choose your length:
Choose between E/3E/6E based on the bulk of your brace, not your normal shoe width.
Important fit note:
All AFO widths (E, 3E, and 6E) share the same outsole width and footbed.
The difference between widths is the amount of volume through the upper, including the instep, girth, and top-of-foot clearance, to accommodate different brace bulk and swelling.
Each pair of AFO shoes includes three removable shoe fillers, each 5 mm thick.
These fillers are designed to:
You can use one, two, or all three fillers, depending on your needs. This allows you to comfortably size up for your AFO without sacrificing fit on your other foot.
AFOs are heavy and make lifting your foot more difficult. When dragging happens, typical sneakers catch on the ground, forcing you to work harder with every step.
The Cadense Adaptive AFO Shoe is designed to work with your brace, not against it — with an extra-wide opening that makes it easier to get your AFO in and out, and a sole that supports smoother walking once you’re moving. When lifting is difficult, the shoe slides and glides. When you put weight down, it grips for stability.
This happens through Cadense’s patented Variable Friction Technology — the pucks do the work for you, reducing resistance and helping your foot and AFO move forward together.
If you benefit from Cadense’s glide-to-grip technology but can’t fit into the Cadense Original (regular or wide) with your brace, this shoe was made for you.
Extra-Wide Opening with Finger Loops: Designed to fit easily over AFOs. Dual front finger loops let you open the shoe wide and guide your foot and brace in without twisting or forcing.
Rear Finger Loop for Easy Entry: A reinforced heel pull loop helps with donning, especially when balance or hand strength is limited.
Variable Friction Sole: Cadense’s patented glide-to-grip technology helps the shoe slide smoothly if your brace drags, then grip firmly when you step down. The pucks do the work for you.
Wear-Resistant Fabric: Durable, abrasion-resistant materials stand up to brace contact and daily use while maintaining structure and comfort.
Weight: About 11.7 oz per shoe – M7/W8 (3E) was used as reference.
Cadense AFO Shoes are engineered so the adaptive sole and your AFO brace function as one system. The glide-to-grip sole helps assist forward motion for those with toe drag — helping offset the extra weight of the brace. This shoe helps walking feel more fluid and less effortful, so you're not fighting both your brace and your footwear.
Putting on shoes shouldn't be a workout. The extra-wide opening paired with velcro tabs and finger loops makes it easy to step in, secure your foot and AFO, and go — even if bending, balance, or hand strength is limited. No forcing. No awkward angles. Just a simple, comfortable fit that works with your routine.
Like all Cadense footwear, our AFO shoe features a variable-friction sole designed to support safer, more confident walking. Higher grip zones help increase stability during stance and weight-bearing, while smoother zones assist forward motion. It's the same proven sole technology, adapted for AFO users who need both control and momentum.
This shoe was built for people who wear ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) due to conditions such as stroke recovery, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, neuropathy, or spinal cord injuries, among others.
It’s engineered to comfortably fit braces while supporting a smoother, more natural walking pattern. The adaptive sole works with the AFO to assist forward motion and help offset the added weight of the brace — making each step feel more controlled and less effortful.
Yes — this shoe is designed to fit over AFOs. It features an extra-wide opening, multiple volume options (E, 3E, 6E), and extra length to accommodate a wide range of brace types. Each box includes removable shoe fillers to help fine-tune fit, especially if you wear an AFO on only one foot. If your AFO is especially bulky or extends significantly behind the heel, we recommend selecting a higher volume option or sizing up for comfort.
If you're unsure, our team is happy to help you choose the best size and fit for your specific brace.
Most adaptive shoes make it easier to put shoes on — Cadense AFO Shoes make it easier to walk.
Our shoes feature patented Variable Friction Technology, which allows the sole to glide when lifting your foot is difficult and grip when you step down for stability. This reduces resistance during walking and helps your foot and AFO move forward together, instead of catching on the ground.
Physical therapists who observed the study participants noted visible improvements in foot drop and gait quality, and even recommended the shoes for rehabilitation sessions. The AFO Shoe helped users roll their foot forward more easily — enhancing both comfort and mobility during therapy.
For people with foot drop who wear an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO), the best shoes are designed specifically to accommodate the brace. This includes an extra-wide opening, adjustable closures, internal space for the AFO, wear-resistant fabric, and a sole that supports smooth forward motion. The Cadense Adaptive AFO Shoe was engineered around these needs to make walking with an AFO more comfortable and natural.
Adaptive footwear supports individuals using an AFO by reducing friction during foot swing and improving stability during weight-bearing. Our Variable Friction Technology allows the shoe to glide when you drag and grip when you step down, helping users walk with greater control and confidence while wearing an AFO brace.
Yes. While many shoes attempt to accommodate braces, few are designed specifically for AFO use. The Cadense Adaptive AFO Shoe was built from the ground up as a shoe for AFO braces, with an extra-wide entry, adjustable fit, and internal structure designed to work with ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) rather than forcing the brace into a standard sneaker.
Adaptive shoes differ from regular footwear by prioritizing ease of entry, adjustability, and mobility support. For AFO users, this means less twisting, forcing, or pressure around the brace. Our Cadense AFO Shoe also integrates Variable Friction Technology, which helps manage foot drag and step transitions—features not found in standard athletic shoes.
In most cases, yes. AFO braces add volume around the foot and ankle, which is why shoes designed for AFO use need a wider opening, adjustable closures, and flexible fit. The Cadense AFO Shoe features a large front flap and multiple volume options (E, 3E, 6E) to help accommodate AFO braces without pressure points.
Absolutely. When an AFO fits comfortably inside a shoe and walking feels smoother and more predictable, users often feel more confident moving independently. Many Cadense AFO Shoe users report improved endurance and reduced fear of stumbling, especially during longer walks or daily activities.
The Cadense AFO Shoe stands out by combining AFO-specific design with patented Variable Friction Technology. While many adaptive shoes focus on easy entry alone, our AFO shoe addresses the walking mechanics of foot drop and brace use, making it a functional solution rather than a cosmetic adaptation.
