I love that since the very first day with the Aerlos, my son doesn't walk on his toes anymore.
Aerlos Trainers
Features
👟 Patented sole technology
🔬 Lab tested
💧 Water resistant
💙 Sensory friendly
🌱 Sustainable soles
✨ Premium materials
Aerlos are our multi-award-winning, play-ready healthy heel trainers designed to make heel-walking fun for tip-toeing kids. So they can stand taller, move with confidence and walk one step stronger!
Featuring a patent pending sole technology, with a gently forward-sloping sole encouraging heel-first contact, a subtly weighted heel supporting natural balance and body alignment and a toe stabiliser for active wobble prevention.
Aerlos uppers feature a water-resistant stretch sock with minimal seams for sensory consistency, a supportive full-grain leather wraparound band for protection, and a secure leather strap for a snug fit.
Aerlos were developed alongside experts in physiotherapy, podiatry, biomechanics and paediatrics and shaped through feedback from real families facing real challenges.
Made from the highest-quality, durable and sustainable materials, Aerlos are manufactured in the same world-class facilities as leading global footwear brands.
So you can worry less about the rough and tumble - and let your kids enjoy more everyday play!
Suitable for all children who can get their heels to the ground without pain.
***please be aware that there is no "magical fix" for toe-walking, and Aerlos might not work for every child. But can be a useful early intervention tool when appropriate***
Fit and Sizing
Available in sizes: UK 7-2 / US 8-3 / EU 25-34
We recommend measuring your child's feet with the method in the drop-down section below before purchasing, rather than relying on their usual shoe size.
Scroll down to view our size guide👇
Exclusion Criteria
Is Aerlos a good fit for my child?
Aerlos is designed as everyday footwear to encourage a heel-to-toe walking pattern in children who are able to achieve a heel-down position without pain, but who may continue to toe-walk.
Likely to be a good fit if:
- Your child can place their heels down when prompted and can do so comfortably.
- Their toe-walking is idiopathic, habitual, or associated with sensory preferences.
- You are looking for everyday footwear that can encourage heel-first steps alongside normal play, stretching, exercises or advice from a healthcare professional.
- Your child is transitioning from an AFO, casting or other intervention and their treating clinician has advised that everyday footwear is appropriate.
- Your child has tight or shortened calf muscles but can still achieve a comfortable heel-down position.
Aerlos may not be appropriate if:
Aerlos is not intended to replace prescribed orthoses, AFOs, casts or other professional treatment.
Do not use Aerlos as a substitute for professional assessment where your child:
- Cannot place their heels down flat, even when prompted.
- Experiences pain when attempting to achieve a heel-down position.
- Has a fixed equinus deformity or significant contracture.
- Has significant spasticity affecting their walking pattern.
- Has foot drop or a crouch gait.
- Has a neuromuscular, neurological or orthopaedic condition that affects their gait, including conditions such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy.
- Has a significant structural foot deformity.
- Has an open wound, ulceration or other injury affecting the foot.
- Has a condition for which an orthosis or other prescribed footwear intervention is required.
- Has significant hypermobility or sensory defensiveness where footwear may require individual clinical assessment.
If your child has a diagnosed medical, neurological, neuromuscular or orthopaedic condition, or currently uses prescribed orthotics, please speak with your child's healthcare professional before introducing Aerlos. Aerlos should be used alongside, rather than instead of, prescribed treatment where applicable.
A note about toe-walking
Persistent toe-walking should be discussed with a healthcare professional, particularly where it is persistent, worsening, painful, asymmetric, or accompanied by other changes in walking or development. Many children who toe-walk do so without an underlying neurological or orthopaedic condition, but individual assessment is important.
Aerlos is not a magical fix for toe-walking, and it will not work for every child. It is designed to be a supportive everyday footwear option for children for whom encouraging a heel-to-toe walking pattern is appropriate.
Returns Policy
We want you and your child to be happy with your Aerlos shoes. Please check our sizing guide and fitting guidance before ordering.
30-day returns & exchanges: We offer returns and size exchanges within 30 days of delivery, subject to the conditions below.
- UK & EU: Your statutory cancellation and consumer rights apply. UK customers also receive our 30-day returns and exchanges period.
- International: Customers outside the UK and EU can request a return or size exchange within 30 days of delivery. Return postage and, for exchanges, the cost of sending the replacement pair are the customer's responsibility unless the shoes are faulty, incorrect or not as described.
- Condition: Shoes must be clean, unaltered, undamaged and unworn outdoors. You can try them on indoors on a clean surface.
- Alterations: Once shoes have been cut, trimmed or otherwise altered, we cannot accept them for return or exchange unless they are faulty, incorrect or not as described.
- Shoe box: Please return the original shoe box in good condition. Do not use the shoe box itself as the outer shipping packaging.
- Faulty or incorrect orders: If your shoes arrive faulty, damaged, incorrect or materially different from their description, please contact us. We'll work with you to put things right.
- International customs: Any import duties, taxes or customs charges are the customer's responsibility and may not be refundable on return.
- Grow-in Bundle: Please note that if you return one or both of the trainers from the Grow-in bundle, we may deduct our cost of shipping to you from your refund.
Before requesting a size exchange, please follow our fitting guidance and watch our "5 Best Ways to Get on Your Aerlos" video found in the letter.
For full details, including statutory rights, refunds, return postage and how to start a return, please see our Returns Policy.
Aerlos Size Guide
Aerlos can run slightly small. We recommend measuring your child's feet and using the chart below, rather than relying on their usual shoe size.
For the best fit, measure your child's foot and compare it with our size chart. Please factor in at least 14mm growing room at the end of the trainer.
See size chart
| UK | US | EU | Foot Length (mm) | Foot Width (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 8 | 25 | 148 | 65 |
| 8 | 9 | 26 | 156 | 67 |
| 9 | 10 | 27 | 164 | 69 |
| 10 | 11 | 28 | 172 | 71 |
| 11 | 12 | 29 | 180 | 73 |
| 12 | 13 | 30 | 188 | 75 |
| 13 | 1 | 32 | 196 | 77 |
| 1 | 2 | 33 | 204 | 79 |
| 2 | 3 | 34 | 212 | 81 |
How to Measure:
- Place your child's foot on a flat piece of paper and trace the outline.
- Measure from the heel to the longest toe.
Measure the widest part of the foot for width. - Repeat for both feet and use the larger foot to choose the shoe size.
- Compare those measurements with the foot measurements in our size chart above.
Designed to Encourage Heel-First Walking in Tip-toeing Kids
Introducing Aerlos: multi-award-winning, play-ready trainers –designed to naturally support stable, heel-first walking patterns.
Empowering your child to walkONE STEP STRONGER!
-
“Ella is pretty much heel-first in the Aerlos. You could tell when she is wearing them that her gait and her posture are better. I would definitely recommend it to other toe walkers' parents.In my busy life, it is hard to find the time to do the exercises all the time to stretch her calves. So the fact that she can easily do that by wearing these shoes is great.”
- Lisa, Parent of Ella -
“Phoebe loved wearing the Aerlos, she thought they looked really great and said that they were really comfy. We were really impressed with them.When she is wearing the shoe it seems to have corrected her gait and her stance.The shoes push her back into a normal stance. When she wore the shoes in the house, she would tip-toe when she got excited, that has completely stopped.”
- Megan, Parent of Pheobe -
“Nathan loved wearing them, he was saying ‘I'm wearing my sticky shoes’. All the parents were commenting on them, how cool they were. They are a good style of shoe.After day 4 or 5 is when I noticed that he was going onto his heel and walking more flat footed. It was like he had never walked flat footed before as he was stomping his feet.”
- Rebecca, Parent of Nathan
Paediatric PT Approved
"These are definitely a really cool tool to use! As a physio, it has been frustrating trying and failing to help my own child with this issue...but my girl's walking has improved a ton over the last few weeks of wearing these, they are the only shoes she can’t toe-walk in!" - Dr Ashley Estes
Forward Sloping Sole for Heel-first Steps
A gently angled sole helps guide each step from heel to toe...the spring board for healthy walking habits.
Weighted Heel for Natural Balance & Alignment
A subtle weighting in the heel helps anchor the foot, for improved balance and natural body alignment.
Embedded Toe Stabiliser for Active Wobble Prevention
A built-in support structure in the forefoot helps keep little feet steady.
Podiatrist Approved
"You've created something really special here. I'm genuinely in awe of what you've done - it's made with heart, and I'm proud to be part of the journey to help bring Aerlos to families everywhere"
- Dr Bharti Rajput MBE
When healthy movement isn't supported…
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More than just a pair of trainers...
We designed AERLOS for just kids like us. Struggling with movement, meltdowns, and isolation in their early years, designing a trainer to be a child's companion for life.
- Promoting healthy movement: simple foot and posture realignment for a gentle stretch.
- Encouraging social inclusion: playful child-friendly designs & real-world functionality.
- Supporting emotional well-being: promoting body positivity and empowering confident strides!
Tested in the Lab, Developed Through Play...
Built in a high-tech gait lab under the supervision of an independent team of highly experienced experts in physiotherapy, podiatry, paediatrics, biomechanics and engineers. Tested in real-world environments from the school to the play park!
Tailored by Tip-toers
Nathan & Josh tip-toed from a young age, leading to tight calf muscles, shortened Achilles tendons, instability and injuries.
Both neurodivergent and bullied from childhood, the brothers tailored these trainers to help kids walk one step stronger!
Award-Winning, Family-Approved Design
We have won 8 awards in the last 2 years, and have gained the support of thousands of families worldwide.
Joining us on our mission - to empower kids of all abilities to spring forward with New Found Hope in their soles!
Customer Reviews
Overall rating: 4.5 / 5 from 28 reviews.
They’ve really improved his walking when he wears the shoes, I see the drastic improvement when he wears them.
Just to give an update! The shoes worked! He’s walking flat majority of the time and when he does tiptoe for maybe one or two steps he goes down flat independently. My son was walking on his tippy toes at a very high angle almost straight up so to see him walking flat is amazing and once again I just wanna thank you not only for creating this product but also making it at a price point that families can comfortably afford.
This is perfect for my special needs kiddo who got up to kick the ball at soccer these sneakers help her become the super teenager ! Grateful
He love wearing it
A Erick le encantan sus Aerlos, los siente muy cómodos y le ayuda con su postura, gracias por permitirnos ser parte de esta gran familia
Size wise too tight to wear.my daughter don’t like it.
Store owner replied: Thank you for sharing your experience with Aerlos. We’re sorry that the SizeWise recommendation resulted in a fit that was too tight for your daughter. We’re continually working to improve our sizing accuracy and make finding the right fit easier for families. We appreciate your feedback as we work to make Aerlos better. Blessings, Nathan - Founder of New Found Hope :))
Had 0 effect on my toe walking child
Store owner replied: Thank you for sharing your experience with Aerlos. We were very saddened to hear that your child couldn't benefit from the trainers as so many have, and we wish you all the very best in your next steps in helping your child with their toe-walking journey. Blessings, Nathan - Founder of New Found Hope :))
I have been using these shoes for about a week, and unfortunately, I am very disappointed with them. They are extremely difficult to put on my child. She has a high instep, and the shoes are very tight and hard to get on. After the very first wear, the small metal piece on the back came off. The next day, the exact same piece came off the other shoe. After only one week of wearing them outside, the front of the shoes already looks terrible. I also haven’t noticed any improvement. My child was walking on her toes before, and she is still walking on her toes while wearing these shoes. Her feet get very hot in them, and she seems very uncomfortable. After about 30 minutes, she usually starts crying and getting upset, so I have to take them off. Considering how much I paid for these shoes, I expected much better quality and comfort. After only one week, they are already falling apart and have not helped with toe walking. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend them.
Store owner replied: Thank you for sharing your experience with Aerlos. We’re sorry to hear that the trainers haven’t met your expectations, particularly regarding the fit, comfort and durability. We’ve been looking into the issues you’ve mentioned and have put solutions in place, including AI-powered sizing support and improvements to the metal eyelet attachment. We understand that you were hoping to see a positive change in your daughter’s toe-walking, and appreciate that it’s disappointing when things don’t go as hoped. While we cannot guarantee results for every child, we’re passionate about developing products that support children of all abilities, and we’re continually working to improve Aerlos and the experience we provide to families. Thank you for giving our trainers a try. We wish you and your daughter all the best moving forward. Blessings, Nathan – Founder of New Found Hope :))
I was very skeptical, as an autism mom I have been burned before by things that claim to work for my son and dont but these actually work. They are very well made, they arrived on time and in a beautiful well put together package and they work. He is still able to tip toe walk while wearing them, but it is not comfortable for him anymore so he walks flat footed instead.
We have a nonverbal daughter that has trouble tolerating most shoes. She loves these. She will wear them for up to 1 hr! She will walk flat with them - big deal because she has dystonia! She is also more regulated with them on. We use them in OT and she was verbally speaking and singing! So impressed. I didn’t realize how much good sensory input through the feet could help! Great for a child that needs heavy work!
My daughter loves hers
I was very impressed with the shoes and the lovely surprises that I found in the box , was very appealing as well as the eye catching box that they came in , it was very well designed. , ordering and delivery was quick and easy would highly recommend
I have twins that have tip toed walked since they could walk, they’re 10 now and with one of the twins these trainers have been a god send, his walking is much better. The other twins ankles are locked so they haven’t helped as much with him but they do definitely help, they just make him a little unsteady. But all in all an amazing product x
Arrived in a timely manner from the date of ordering. I love my purchase. Thank you.
Great product. Very cute packaging and marketing.
Declan wears them but I don't see him put his feet down, he is always tip toeing, and we have not seen any improvement yet. Thank you for asking
I have followed these shoes for a while as my little one is a toe walker. They have been amazing and we cannot wait to keep wearing and buy the next size!
I am a pediatric physical therapist and have bought 3 pairs of your shoes for some of my kiddos. So far the initial impacts are pretty significant. I’m excited to see how they carry over.
I love the fun design and great support from the founder. My daughter has been doing so well with her new shoes.
I am so thankful for these shoes. My daughter has walked on her toes since she could stand. She has high muscle tone and broke multiple pairs of smos and afos while trying to correct the pattern. We finally have her to a point where she can walk heel to toe and these shoes are helping us to maintain her progress in a fun and less restricting way. She loves them and was so excited to open her new treasure.
The self correction from being on the toes to going back down to his heels.
The quality of the shoes and to hear my daughter say they are the comfiest shoes she has ever worn, is music to my ears.
The ability to quickly adjust to a new pair of shoe that provides instant balance as well as being able to support such an important and necessary cause.
How they started working right away.
From the first use my son has walked less on his tip toes, he still does occasionally but even a little break from his tip toes is great to see. The shoes fit my son perfectly and were did not have difficulty with the fit/ sock portion at the top
I just love that someone is taking the time to try to help kids who need a little extra something.
I just wanted to take a moment from the bottom of my heart to thank you for believing in the toe walker community. My godson and I absolutely love the shoes! Opening your package and finding the handwritten note and chocolate treats completely made our day. It is such a beautiful, personal touch that shows just how much you truly care about your customers. Thank you so much, again!