Website Filter Guide

Sole stiffness

The soles of our orthopaedic shoes, made from a variety of materials, vary in stiffness 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 stiffness levels for easy selection:

  • Low stiffness for flexibility and normal toe bending.
  • Moderate stiffness for balance.
  • High stiffness for stability and minimized toe movement.

 

Shoe Height

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 categorised into four heights for easy selection.

  • Below the ankle: Standard shoes that have uppers that fit below the ankle bones, mainly supporting the foot.
  • At the 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.
  • Above the ankle: Footwear with taller uppers that fit above the ankle bones to offer firm ankle support and stability.
  • 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.

 

Counter 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.

  • Level 1 Medium provides effective support for milder alignment and stability concerns.
  • Level 2 Medium + offers firmer support for mild to moderate alignment and stability issues whist maintaining comfort and flexibility.
  • Level 3 High provides firmer support for moderate alignment and stability concerns.
  • Level 4 High + delivers the highest level of support with a very firm structure tailored for more significant orthopaedic and stability issues.

 

Weight

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:

  • Feather weight shoes are exceptionally light.
  • Light weight shoes are slightly heavier but still provide a comfortable feel.
  • Middle weight shoes offer increased support and stability with a firm feel.
  • Top weight shoes are the heaviest, providing durability, support, and extra weight for enhanced stability.