Best New Balance Shoes for Orthotics, SMOs & AFOs

New Balance has earned a reputation for making comfortable, supportive shoes in a wide range of widths and sizes. Many of their styles feature removable insoles, supportive heel counters, and multiple width options, making New Balance one of the most recommended athletic shoe brands by therapists and families who rely on orthotics, SMOs, or certain AFO braces.

While not every New Balance shoe is designed to fit orthotics or braces, several models have become favorites among families, therapists, and adults looking for a supportive everyday shoe. Whether you're shopping for a child heading back to school or an adult who needs extra stability, New Balance has options worth considering.

Below, we'll share the New Balance shoes we've had the most success with, along with the features to look for if you're shopping for orthotics, SMOs, or AFO braces.

Our Experience

When our son was first fitted for SMOs, our orthotist recommended trying New Balance shoes. We visited a local New Balance store, but there were only a handful of children's styles in stock, so we headed home, ordered several different New Balance shoes from Zappos, and hoped one would work.

Thankfully, they did.

New Balance became the first brand that fit comfortably over his SMOs, and for several years they were a staple in our house. They held up to countless playground adventures and were comfortable enough that putting them on each morning wasn't a battle.

One thing we especially appreciated was that they looked like other athletic shoes while still giving us the room and support we needed for his SMOs.

Long before we started Bolster or discovered adaptive footwear brands, New Balance was the brand we recommended whenever another parent asked what worked for orthotics.

Why We Love New Balance

• Wide and extra-wide widths to accommodate more foot shapes and orthotics
• Removable insoles for additional depth when needed
• Supportive heel counters that help provide stability
• Comfortable enough for long school days and everyday wear
• Athletic styles that don't look or feel "medical"
• Durable enough to keep up with active kids
• Easy to find in local stores and online
• Consistent sizing across many models, making it easier to reorder

What New Balance doesn't solve

Not every New Balance style opens wide enough for bulky AFO braces, and traditional laces can be challenging for younger children or anyone who has difficulty tying shoes. That's why we've highlighted the models that tend to work best for different needs below.