09/23/2025
Walking boots dramatically alter the way people walk while they recover, and not in a good way.
Peer-reviewed gait research confirms what many patients already feel: traditional walking boots disrupt natural movement and can cause more harm than good.
In a study conducted by Transcend Orthotics & Prosthetics, the traditional walking boot was directly compared to a TayCo Brace over-shoe-shoe ankle support, and the results were conclusive:
✅TayCo Brace outperformed the walking boot across all 9 gait categories
✅Lower energy use
✅96% as stable as a walking boot with lower impact on knees, hips, and back
Highlights from the research:
▪️Walking boots shorten step length and throw off timing
▪️They cause users to widen their stance to stay balanced
▪️Participants described the boot as “clunky,” “tilted,” and even painful
▪️TayCo Brace allowed for a natural gait, even in participants over 75
Why this matters:
⚠️According to JAAOS (2018), one-third of walking boot users develop new joint pain months after use.
⚠️And per Diabetes Care (2003), compliance is low, worn only 28% of the day on average.
At TayCo Brace, we believe your recovery solution shouldn’t cause new problems. Our external AFO offers real ankle stability while preserving natural gait and alignment, helping patients with confidence.
🔗Read the full study here: http://bit.ly/4kOMSuH