Getting dressed can take more energy than it used to. If bending to the floor or fastening a row of buttons is the awkward part, a different shoe opening or garment closure can change the routine. Start with something the person already likes to wear. Ask which part they’d change and which parts they want to keep, whether that’s the color, the fit, or a familiar way of getting dressed.
What to look for
Look for the closure and the opening together. A step-in heel is designed so the foot can enter without pulling up the back of the shoe by hand. An adjustable strap gives a different way to close the shoe, but it still needs to be reached. A wide opening may be welcome when putting shoes on, while the finished fit still needs to hold the heel comfortably.
Try footwear while seated and wearing the socks you normally use. If you wear a prescribed insert or brace, check compatibility and bring it to a fitting when possible. Compare each foot. Notice whether your toes have room and whether the heel slips during a few ordinary steps. Keep the box and follow the return policy until you’ve had a chance to try the shoes indoors.
Choose closures the wearer can work
A side zipper changes where you reach. A hook-and-loop tab gives you a larger area to grasp. A magnetic closure can make fastening a shirt feel different from working a small button through a hole. Each still requires some movement. Try opening and closing it while seated, wearing the clothes you’d normally put underneath.
Some people who use an implanted medical device may need to avoid magnetic closures. Follow the device maker’s guidance and ask a clinician before using magnetic clothing if you have a pacemaker or another implant that may be affected. The Tommy Hilfiger product page includes its own pacemaker guidance. A pull-on or nonmagnetic closure is another option when magnetic fasteners are unsuitable.
Think through a full day in the clothes
Check how the garment feels at a meal, in a favorite chair, and on a trip to the bathroom. Seams, fasteners, and pockets can sit differently when you’re seated. Read the washing instructions and notice how you would line up the closure again after laundering. Try one piece before ordering a whole set.
When buying for a parent, ask what looks like something they’d choose. An easy closure is welcome only if the clothing feels like theirs. Send the size guide or visit a shop together. Help with measuring or returns if they ask. Treat “no bending needed” as a shopping goal to try in their own setup, since some shoes need an initial adjustment and some garments still require reaching.
Give the morning routine a fair trial
Set out one complete outfit on an ordinary morning. Try the trousers and shirt over the layers you usually wear, then put on both shoes using your normal seat. Notice which parts feel easier and which still take a reach or a pinch. Undo the fasteners as well as closing them. Taking clothes off later is part of the same routine.
If you’re helping, ask whether the wearer wants you to hold a shoe, open a fastener, or simply watch. Give them time to try their own approach. Compare two models by the same sequence so the decision reflects the clothes and shoes rather than a rushed first attempt. When buying online, confirm which items are returnable after an indoor fitting and keep the packaging until you know what suits them.
Shoes
1. Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins GO WALK Flex Relish
Best for. Someone who wants a casual step-in walking shoe with a familiar sneaker look.
Pros. The shaped heel is designed for step-in entry. This version gives you a specific style to compare for weight, cushioning, and widths.
Watch out. Try the exact width and check heel hold indoors. A hand-free entry doesn’t tell you how the shoe will fit during a walk.
Check price on Amazon Paid link2. Kizik Lima 2 Hands-Free Sneakers
Best for. A person who wants a spring-back heel and a shoe for ordinary errands.
Pros. The step-in heel changes how the shoe goes on, and the laces can be set for the wearer’s preferred fit before daily use.
Watch out. You may still need to adjust the laces at first. Check the size guide and try both shoes with your usual socks.
Check price on Amazon Paid link3. Orthofeet Kita Hands-Free Shoe
Best for. Someone who wants to compare an easy-entry sneaker with room for a different insole setup.
Pros. The heel design changes how the foot enters, and the maker lists size and fit options for the Kita.
Watch out. Check the exact width and orthotic compatibility if you use an insert. Ask about returns before trying it outdoors.
Check price on Amazon Paid link4. Propét Stability X Strap Men’s Sneaker
Best for. Someone who prefers an adjustable strap to laces and can reach the closure from a seat.
Pros. The strap provides a broad closing surface. Fit options give a shopper several widths to compare.
Watch out. It still calls for reaching the strap. Test that movement seated before ordering.
Check price on Amazon Paid linkClothing
5. Silverts Women’s Side Zip Adaptive Pant
Best for. A wearer who would like to open the side of the pants instead of using a center fastening.
Pros. A side opening can give more room when putting the garment on, and the pull is in a different location from a front zipper.
Watch out. Check where the seam and zip rest when seated. Practice reaching the pull with your usual range of motion.
Check price on Amazon Paid link6. Silverts Women’s Easy Touch Side Closure Pants
Best for. A person who wants to try broad side closures instead of a small zipper pull.
Pros. The side opening changes how the garment can be put on. The closure gives a larger surface to find with the fingers.
Watch out. Check the exact size and how much effort the fastener needs. The two sides may still need to be aligned by hand.
Check price on Amazon Paid link7. Tommy Hilfiger Men’s Adaptive Regular Fit Poplin Shirt MW39508
Best for. Someone who likes a conventional collared shirt and wants to compare a magnetic front closure.
Pros. The front is designed to look like a conventional button placket, and the cuffs use magnetic closures too.
Watch out. Consult your clinician and follow implant guidance if you have a pacemaker or a device that may be affected by magnets.
Check price on Amazon Paid linkFrequently asked questions
Does hands-free mean I can always put the shoes on standing up?
A step-in design describes the shoe entry, not the position that suits every wearer. Try it seated first if that is how you usually dress. If you’re unsure about standing to put on a shoe, ask a qualified professional to look at your routine.
Which is better, a strap or a slip-on?
A strap offers adjustment after your foot is in, while a step-in style can reduce reaching. The better choice is the one you can put on and wear comfortably with the heel held where you want it.
What should I measure for adaptive trousers?
Use the brand’s size chart and check waist, hips, length, and where the opening sits. Look at how the fabric and fastener feel when seated. If another person helps with dressing, try the opening together if the wearer wants help.
Can I use a long shoe horn with ordinary shoes?
A longer handle can help guide the heel into a shoe that already fits. Try it from a chair if that’s how you normally dress. A shoe horn won’t make a tight opening wider, so compare the fit first.