Step-Smart AFO for Drop Foot by Insightful Products
The best articulated braces for drop foot!
The Step-Smart AFO brace solution for Foot Drop is an innovative and lightweight solution that allows you to comfortably walk again. It's design creates an opportunistic angle for a consistent heel strike while walking, and prevents foot drag. Step-Smart is a simple and cost-effective way to prevent falls. We often hear from our customer that they've "tried everything" to fix their gait, often using home-made mechanisms, expensive equipment, or combinations of both to allow them to naturally walk. The Step-Smart solves these issues simply to give peace of mind for you or your loved ones.
Step Smart Brace Features & Benefits
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Low-Profile Design: At under 1 lb and only 11 inches high, it is one of the most discreet AFOs on the market. It fits easily into most standard lace-up shoes or sneakers without requiring you to "size up."
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Natural Toe Flexion: The unique 3/4 foot plate design allows your toes to flex naturally. This is critical for activities like walking on inclines, climbing stairs, or transitioning from sitting to standing.
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Customizable Resistance: Each brace comes with a "Starter Kit" of interchangeable compression bumpers (Green, Amber, and Black). This allows you to fine-tune the level of lift and shock absorption based on your body weight and activity level.
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Clinically Proven for CMT: The Step-Smart is a leading choice for managing Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, as it provides the lateral stability needed to manage foot inversion without the bulk of a full-shell brace.
- Available in Two Sizes: See Size and Fot tab for sizing chart and measurement/fit help.
- Recommended Manufacturer HCPC: L1971, L2210
Step Smart Brace Specifications
| Weight | 1.0 lbs |
| Dimensions | 12 × 9.00 × 7 in |
| Left Foot, Right Foot, Both Feet |
Left, Right, Both Feet |
| Size |
XS: Men’s US 5 and smaller/ Women’s 6.5 and smaller / EU 37 or smaller + $50.00, S-M: Men’s US 5.5-10 / Women’s 7-11.5 / EU 37.5-43.5, L-XL: Men’s 10.5-14 / Women’s 12-15.5 / EU 44-48.5, XXL: Men’s 14.5 and larger / Women’s 16 and larger / EU 49 and larger + $50.00 |
| Topcover (+$25.00/foot) (See Video Below) |
No, Yes |
| Hip Square [Opposite side Foot Orthotic to make Hips even] (+$35.00) |
No, Yes |
| Cuffed Calf Section (+$95.00/foot) |
No, Single foot, Bilateral |
| Calf circumference |
None, 8 inch and smaller, 9 inch, 10 inch, 11 inch, 12 inch, 13 inch, 14 inch, 15 inch, 16 inch, 17 inch, 18 inch, 19 inch and larger |
How to Choose Your Size
Because the Step-Smart is designed to fit inside your footwear, sizing is determined by your foot length and current shoe size
| Size | Foot Plate Length | Men's Shoe Size (US) | Women's Shoe Size (US) | EU Shoe Size |
| Small/Medium | 6.25" | 5 – 9 | 6 – 10 | 37 – 42 |
| Large/Extra Large | 7.25" | 10 – 14 | 11+ | 43 – 48 |
Note: If you are on the border between sizes, the Small/Medium is often preferred for a more streamlined fit inside narrower shoes.
Fitting & Footwear Tips
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The 3/4 Design: The foot plate is intentionally shorter than your shoe's insole. This "3/4 length" is what allows your toes to flex naturally while the brace provides lift at the midfoot and heel.
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Shoe Compatibility: This brace performs best in lace-up athletic shoes or "extra depth" comfort shoes. Because the EU sizing for comfort brands (like Ecco, Mephisto, or Finn Comfort) can vary slightly, always prioritize the Foot Plate Length if you have a particularly long or short arch.
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Between Sizes? If you wear a Men's US 9.5 (EU 42.5), the Small/Medium is typically recommended. A smaller brace is easier to "hide" inside the shoe and provides a sleeker profile without sacrificing the mechanical lift of the Jacob Joint.
Step-Smart AFO for Drop Foot Buyer’s Guide
The Step-Smart AFO for Drop Foot is an ankle-foot orthosis designed to provide dynamic support for individuals experiencing foot drop. With a low-profile form and impact-reducing features, this brace is engineered to restore natural gait mechanics during walking.
Step-Smart AFO for Drop Foot Impact Absorption Design
The Step-Smart AFO for Drop Foot integrates bumpers beneath the forefoot area to absorb shock during heel strike and reduce stress on the joints. This design helps minimize discomfort that can arise from jarring impact during each step.
Step-Smart Ankle-Foot Orthosis Anatomically Contoured Fit
Built with an anatomically shaped footplate and calf support, the Step-Smart AFO contours closely to the lower leg and foot. This secure fit helps maintain alignment and ensures consistent function throughout the gait cycle.
Low-Profile Appearance
The ankle-foot brace’s low-profile structure allows it to be worn discreetly under clothing and inside most types of shoes. The slim form factor contributes to greater wearability without adding bulk or altering natural leg movement.
Durable Composite Construction
Made from advanced composite materials, the Step-Smart AFO for Drop Foot provides long-term strength and flexibility. The brace resists fatigue from repetitive use, allowing users to rely on consistent support during daily mobility tasks.
Step-Smart AFO Adjustable Controls
The Step-Smart AFO offers the ability to fine-tune dorsiflexion control using interchangeable bumpers. This lets clinicians or users adapt the brace’s responsiveness to the individual’s walking pattern and degree of drop foot.
Cushioned Calf Strap for Comfort
The Step-Smart AFO included calf strap is padded and adjustable to provide a secure but gentle grip around the upper ankle area. This enhances wearer comfort while maintaining the brace's functional position throughout the day.
Compatibility with Standard Footwear
Designed for versatility, the Step-Smart AFO fits comfortably into most standard lace-up or supportive shoes. Users do not need specialized orthopedic footwear to benefit from the device’s stabilizing effects.
Clinical Use and Application
The Step-Smart AFO for Drop Foot is often used for conditions that impair dorsiflexion, such as peroneal nerve injury, stroke-related foot drop, or multiple sclerosis. Its mechanical structure promotes toe clearance during swing phase and supports controlled heel contact at strike.
Step-Smart AFO for Drop Foot Review
The Step-Smart AFO for Drop Foot is recognized for its performance-enhancing construction and adjustability. Users and clinicians appreciate its durable materials, shock-absorbing features, and ability to provide targeted correction for foot drop without limiting natural mobility.
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Step-Smart
This is fourth system I've tried for drop foot, and it is by far the best. It's comfortable, light weight, and it does the job.