Browse BILLY Footwear for a few minutes and you will see the same phrases on almost every product page: "Full Wrap Zipper configuration", "Short Wrap Zipper configuration", "Double Zipper (DZ)", "Straight Medial". They sound technical, but they describe something very practical: how the shoe opens and how your foot gets in. This guide explains the four BILLY zipper types in plain language, using what our product pages say, so you can match the layout to the person who will wear the shoe.
If you want the bigger picture first, our post on FlipTop zippers and everyday independence explains why this kind of opening matters.
Why zipper layout matters for entry and fit
A conventional sneaker is closed at the front, and the foot has to be threaded through a narrow collar. BILLY's idea is to let the upper open further, so the foot is placed into the shoe rather than pushed. The zipper then closes the shoe around the instep and ankle, and adjustable laces let you fine-tune the fit. Every BILLY product page we checked lists adjustable laces alongside the zipper, so the zipper handles getting in and out while the laces handle the final adjustment.
The layout changes three things:
- How wide the shoe opens. A bigger opening is easier for a foot with a brace, swelling or limited movement to enter.
- How the shoe feels once closed. The zipper path affects how the upper wraps the foot.
- How easy it is to operate. Where the zipper sits and how long it is influences how simple it is to start, pull and finish.
None of this replaces a proper fit. Zipper type is one part of the decision, alongside width, depth and size.
Full wrap zipper: who it suits
On a Full Wrap layout the zipper runs fully around the shoe, so the upper opens like a book. On our pages this layout appears on the Classic D|R II, CS and Limitless families and on the Goat Classic High.
Because it opens the widest, it is a sensible layout to look at first when a foot has to go into a brace such as an AFO. Our Classic D|R II pages describe a custom shape that is built to better accommodate braces, orthotics and prosthetics, and call it one of the brand's most AFO-friendly designs. The same layout is also popular for anyone who wants a very easy start to getting dressed, including adults with limited hand strength or stiff ankles.
Browse the kids' full wrap zipper collection or the men's full wrap zipper collection.
Short wrap zipper: who it suits
A Short Wrap zipper goes part of the way around the shoe. Our Goat pages say the short wrap zipper provides "convenient donning and doffing", and they describe the Goat as made with certified orthotists for use with braces, orthotics and prosthetics. Short wrap is also used on some Sport Inclusion styles, which pair it with laces and a breathable mesh upper.
In general, the shorter the wrap, the less the upper opens, so it is worth checking that the shoe's entry works for the foot or brace it needs to take. Some people prefer short wrap for its more traditional sneaker look, but whether it suits a particular foot is best checked with the product page and, if a brace is involved, a clinician.
See the kids' short wrap collection and the men's short wrap collection.
Double zipper and straight medial zipper
Double Zipper (DZ). This layout uses two zippers. Our product pages describe it as "an innovative double zipper configuration" that makes the shoe easy to put on and wear all day. It appears on the Sport Inclusion DZ1 styles, which are low-top athletic sneakers with a padded collar and a breathable mesh upper. See the kids' double zip collection.
Straight Medial. This is a straight zipper along the inner side of the shoe. It is listed on the Comfort Luxe leather styles, which blend the look of a dress shoe with the ease of a sneaker. You may also see "straight zip" used as a filter on our site, where a few DZ1 styles are grouped too. Have a look at the kids' straight zip collection.
A note on naming: filters and product names are sometimes grouped slightly differently, so the product description is the best guide to the exact layout of a pair.
How to choose, and where to find the fitting videos
Here is a simple way to decide:
- Start with the main need. If the shoe has to go over a brace, ask a clinician what entry and depth are needed, and look at full wrap options first.
- Think about the user. Can the wearer operate a zipper alone? A larger pull tab can help; the Limitless pages mention an extra-wide loop pull for people with limited dexterity.
- Check width and depth. The right width matters as much as the zipper. Many styles come in Medium, Wide and Extra-Wide, and removable insoles can add depth.
- Measure properly. Our size guide links to BILLY's official videos on measuring feet standing or seated, measuring over an orthotic brace and using the sizing charts.
- Ask us. Send a message on WhatsApp with the shoe size, width and whether a brace is worn, and we will suggest options.
Frequently asked questions
Which BILLY zipper is easiest for putting on a shoe with a brace? There is no single answer for every child or adult. Full wrap opens the upper the widest, and many of our AFO-friendly styles use it, but we recommend checking with your orthotist or therapist and measuring over the brace.
Do BILLY shoes still have laces if they have a zipper? Yes. The product pages we checked list adjustable laces together with the zipper, so you can set the fit and use the zipper day to day.
What does DZ mean in the product names? DZ stands for Double Zipper. Styles named DZ1, such as the Sport Inclusion DZ1, use the two-zipper layout described above.
Find your layout
Start with the kids' full wrap zipper collection, or message us on WhatsApp and we will help you pick between layouts.