Website Filter Guide

Sole Flexibility

The soles of our orthopaedic shoes, made from a variety of materials, vary in flexibility levels, affecting walking style. The heel and middle sections offer stability and firmness, while the front part can be flexible to promote toe bending for push off, or rigid to prevent incorrect toe bending while walking. Our shoes are categorized into three flexibility levels for easy selection:

  • Flexible: Provides high flexibility and allows for normal toe bending during the push-off phase of walking.
  • Midrange: Offers a balanced level of flexibility, providing moderate support while still allowing some natural movement.
  • Firm: Delivers maximum stability and minimizes toe movement, ideal for conditions requiring restricted motion.

 

Support Zone

Our orthopaedic shoes come in different heights. The height of the shoe's upper part is crucial for stability, with taller shoes offering increased support for the foot, ankle, and lower leg. Our footwear is categorized into four support zones for easy selection:

  • Low Foot: Standard shoes with uppers that fit below the ankle bones, mainly supporting the foot.
  • Mid Ankle: Shoes with uppers as high as the ankle bones that provide mild ankle support and stability and are suitable for foot orthotics with raised heel profiles and SMOs.
  • High Ankle: Footwear with taller uppers that fit above the ankle bones to offer firm ankle support and stability.
  • Extended Lower Leg: Shoes with extended uppers reaching to the lower leg to provide firm support and stability for the ankle and lower leg.

For more details see our blog entry Therapeutic Footwear Heights: A Complete Guide to Choosing the Right Level for Your Child.

Heel/Ankle Support

The counter of our orthopaedic shoes is integrated into the shoe in a way that resembles a butterfly with wings, wrapping around the heel and sides of the foot to offer structure, support, and alignment. It is crafted from sturdy materials and is classified into four levels of support for easier selection:

  • Foundation Support: Provides effective support for milder alignment and stability concerns.
  • Intermediate: Offers firmer support for mild to moderate alignment and stability issues whilst maintaining comfort and flexibility.
  • Advanced: Provides firmer support for moderate alignment and stability concerns.
  • Maximum: Delivers the highest level of support with a very firm structure tailored for more significant orthopaedic and stability issues.

 

Weight Class

The weight of our orthopaedic shoes is influenced by the materials used in their construction and can have an impact on muscle engagement and walking style. Lighter shoes can help alleviate muscle fatigue, while heavier shoes can aid in coordination and addressing toe-walking issues. Our shoes are classified based on weight for easier selection:

  • Featherweight: Exceptionally light shoes that minimize muscle fatigue.
  • Lightweight: Slightly heavier shoes that still provide a comfortable feel.
  • Midweight: Shoes that offer increased support and stability with a firm feel.
  • Heavyweight: The heaviest shoes, providing durability, support, and extra weight for enhanced stability.