Today’s Solutions: November 04, 2026

Most of us take it as a fact of life that shoes are sold in complete pairs, but for those who require adaptive footwear, such as those who use prosthetics or individuals with different sized feet, a pair of matching shoes isn’t too useful. Now, online shoe retailer Zappos is making their platform more inclusive with single shoe and mixed-size pair options. 

The company is expanding their adaptive section with six brands including Nike, Stride Rite, and New Balance. The shoes will range in price from $18.50 to $85. There will be about 80 different styles available in children and adult sizes. The company launched their Adaptive section in 2017 with clothing and shoes that are easier to put on and take off for individuals with mobility restrictions. 

There is high demand for the adaptive retail market. Adaptive fashion will be a nearly $350 billion market globally by 2023, but only a few select brands, such as Tommy Hilfiger, Target, and Kohl’s, offer adaptive lines. 

This is an exciting development in the push to make fashion accessible for all. Creating adaptive options for buyers allows everyone to find comfortable and stylish options curated and priced accordingly.

Solutions News Source Print this article
More of Today's Solutions

Maya Higa built a wildlife sanctuary on Twitch, funded by the people who watc...

This article is part of The Optimist Daily's Local Changemakers 2026 series, spotlighting changemakers 30 and under. Earlier this year, on a trip to ...

Read More

Stanford scientists discovered bleached coral can heal through touch

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Two coral fragments fell over in a Stanford lab tank. When they touched, one healed the other. The ...

Read More

Study: Drinking the right amount of caffeine may lower diabetes risks

While too much caffeine from coffee may cause unpleasant side effects such as anxiety or insomnia, that doesn’t mean you should cut your caffeine ...

Read More

AI could identify chickens in distress and improve conditions

We’ve already written before about AI’s potential to improve pigs’ lives by listening to them. Now, scientists have found they can use AI on ...

Read More