Shoe help!!!! Need adult sized with easy fastening

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

I have a 12 yo son with Asperger's. Although he can tie, it's certainly not enough to stay tied throughout the day. He is now in middle school, and I've tried very hard to make sure he dressed like a typical kid. It's getting very difficult (he won't wear pants with buttons, etc.). I have no idea what we will do next year, since he will obviously be wearing men's sized clothing.

Anyway, he has hit that huge growth spurt, and has outgrown kid sized shoes. I'm at a total loss as to what style to get him. He has to be able to put his shoes on by himself (and fasten) after PE. I don't want to get him the obvious velcro (with the three straps going across the plain "geeky" style shoe) because I know that kids get so mean at this age. I so want him to fit in.

Has anyone found good shoes in an adult size that I might try? I did find some last summer that had a toggle lace. I ordered them, but then we discovered that they fit like water shoes, and I even had trouble getting them on for him. I've seen several other brands with this style of lace, but don't want to waste the money if they all fit the same.

I have taken him out shoe shopping, but they don't seem to have non-typical-lacing shoes in our stores. Plus, he HATES shopping and trying things on.

Have any of you found easy, yet "in style" shoes?

TIA

 

[blessedmom4]

We have bought Men's Size 11 for DS (15) in a slip on type by Nike...no toggles or laces...they just slipped on, He got a black color/trimmed in suede and a simple white and navy....both athletic shoes...no one made fun of them...

 

[elaine and the boys]

How about the men's mule (slide on) or the similar closed-back style shoes that LLBean and Land's End offer. No laces, no velcro. They come in various colors, are nice shoes, and my husband and 2 sons (17 and 20) each have one or more pairs.

 

[elaine and the boys]

I also give a to the slide on sneakers...I wear New Balance slide on's , but they also make a men's version. Very comfortable!

 

[elaine and the boys]

More specifically, the shoes I mentioned previously are LLBEAN Comfort Mocs and cost only 29.95. You can order online, so no shopping trips necessary!

 

[kirstenb1]

I have a suggestion. Most runner stores sell lace locks. They are sold in pairs, and have a spring inside them. Basically you cut several inches off your existing laces. Slide the lace locks up to tighten them, close to the top of the shoe. Then tie the laces in a double knot (no loops), under the horizontal part of the lace, closest to the front of the shoe. Then all you have to have is a decent pincher grasp to loosen or tighten. It's difficult to describe, but any running store employee can help you, just bring in his regular sneakers.

Some of my runner friends also just double knot their shoes, then just slip on the shoe for months, without having to re-tie. (they are very picky about the feel of the shoe, and once they've tied it the way they like, that's it!!)

 

[gabriellyn]

I suggest maybe a pair of Vans or something similar. They are cool slip on shoes - and you can even order custom colors off their website (vans dot com). My DS9 has lace issues as well and he has this type of style from Old Navy and he really loves them. (Old Navy may not have them in men's sizes though.)

 

[Luv Bunnies]

My 14 year old son w/Asperger's has the exact same problem! He goes to a specialized school with an Asperger's program and I've noticed many of the boys have Velcro shoes. Usually, I get my son men's walking shoes with Velcro. I have also bought athletic shoes that slip on or have zippers. I rarely find good shoes for him in stores but have had good luck online. Try zappos.com, shoebuy.com or famousfootwear.com.

 

[peemagg]

I personally like Skechers shoes. My favorite ones are the slide on ones too (I'm 40 and don't like having to tie my shoes either. They just never stay tied. HaHa).

 

[Kat77]

I have a suggestion. Most runner stores sell lace locks.

Linking for Kirstenb1 b/c lacelocks rock! http://www.locklaces.com/

 

[kirstenb1]

Linking for Kirstenb1 b/c lacelocks rock! http://www.locklaces.com/

Thanks buddy!!! I'm so 19th century when it comes to technology!! OP, This way your kid can wear Nikes or whatever, and be totally cool.

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

I want to thank you all so much for your suggestions. It is so nice to know there are some options. I've tried looking at some of the online shoe stores, but haven't found a way to narrow down by lace/slip on style....and after looking through hundreds of pages, they all look the same. It really helps to have names to use in my searches!

I had seen some lace gizmos at a store and had asked about them, but the lady told me he would still have to tie/untie to get them in place each time, so I didn't pursue those more. I love the locklaces!

He's obviously hit the stage where he cares about the look of some things, and when he cares enough to verbalize his desires, I would love to get what he wants.

I looked through shoe styles last summer, knowing this would be an issue. Luckily, we were able to find Sketchers that went up to a 7..had velcro that didn't look "bad". I'm thrilled to find some variation in styles in men's sizes.

Thank you all so much!

 

[persimmondeb]

We mostly do Velcro, since it's so much easier. DS14 just outgrew/outloved a pair of velcroed Nikes that were quite decent in appearance. We've tried slip-ons, but he has trouble actually keeping them on his feet. We occasionally just bite the bullet on the ties, and some-one else will double-knot them for him and he'll just wiggle his feet in and out.

There are decent looking velcro shoes out there, you just have to hunt a little bit, and you may have to go on-line.

 

[NotUrsula]

You can just lace his shoes with elastic instead of laces; I recommend black. Lace them in reverse so that the knots end up down over the toe.

I've been doing this for my aspie for years. However, he won't wear sneakers at ALL except for school; he lives in either sandals or Merrell jungle mocs the rest of the time.

 

[rastika]

Reebok offers many Velcro styles that have always been very popular where I live (both in Atlanta and here in Colorado. They're very easy to slip on and adjust to fit your feet well.

 

[steph124ny]

I believe Sketchers Z-straps go up into men's sizes. My son can tie his shoes...but still insists on just shoving his feet into them anyway and breaking down the backs of them... Shoelaces were one of his favorite obsessive things when he was younger,so we couldn't buy shoes with laces or he wouldn't hear a thing anyone said to him.

 

[clkelley]

Although I have switch to walking sandals, one thing I used to do when wearing tennis shoes is to replace the regular laces with these curly elastic laces. They laced into the shoe as normal and then you just pulled on the ends to tighten.

 

[ShaneV]

Another big thumbs up for Lock Laces, my DS (11 year old aspie) loves them.

 

[blurrycat]

I have Asperger's and it seems your son and I have some clothing issues in common. For tennis shoes, I would recommend the Vans or the "lace loosely and slip on" method. At this point in life I pretty much live just in Keenes and Crocs.

During warm weather, I wear swim trunks. If you look around, you can find some that are actually quite nice and can pass for regular shorts. The fabric has the extra benefit of being soft and comfortable. Additionally, it dries moisture and reduces sweat!

Winter is a tough one. I typically wear shorts until I turn blue. I live in pajama pants around the house but, unfortunately, that tends to be socially unacceptable in the general public. Track pants and sweat pants are obvious choices, and while difficult, you can find them around that don't have that "uncool" look. As for jeans and khakis, it is worth buying the expensive ones because of how soft they are. If you get them a size larger, like I do, you can slip them up without fussing with buttons and zippers. The larger size also minimizes the rubbing on the skin.

Hope this helps, even a little.