Whats the best shoe for touring the parks?

[junipertree5]

Im looking to get some new shoes for touring the parks at the end of August and would like to get them well broken in before our trip. I have 2 DS (4 and 12). Im on the fence between Teva, Crocs, or plain old running shoes (Nike). I am very comfortable in my Nikes but my DSIL swears by the Crocs, and my DC swears by the Teva. :confused3 I myself have high arches and its important that I have proper support or I suffer terrible foot and legs cramps.:eek: I think it is important for my boys to have a waterproof shoe b/c of all the water attractions. Can any of you DISers tell me what you think would be the best choice?
Thanks:worship:

[Shagley]

Have you looked at Keen's? They are waterproof and like a sandal, but they have support that is more like sneakers. I love mine. The sizes run about 1/2 size small.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/common/search/search-results1.jsp?_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&selectedPerPage=&hasJS=true&_D%3AhasJS=+&_D%3Asort=+&sort=bc&Ntt=keen&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form1

[tmccullough]

Love my Teva's!!! I wore them in 07 but took sneakers as a back-up and it ended up that I left the sneakers in the suitcase the entire time... I couldn't believe that my feet and legs never hurt! I decided this time to buy a pair of the newer Teva's... I think they are called Teva Terra-Fi sandals... a lot more cushion for the feet. I decided to try to break them in and honestly, they are so comfortable that I don't feel like I have to break them in at all!!! This time in May... no sneakers! :thumbsup2 Oh... if you watch amazon.com for their sales, you can get a deal on them. Also, sierra trading post.

[Moosemomma]

I wore my Tevas all week, DH wore his sneakers and the kids wore their sandals from LL Bean. If you're comfy in your Nikes I would suggest you stick with them. I wore a pedometer all week and walked over 50 miles, and we didn't stay in the parks all day long!

[PrincessBetsy]

Wear the shoes that are the most comfortable for you. I usually wear Nike sneakers or my flip flops. I would also suggest putting moleskin on to prevent blisters. Have a wondeful trip!!

[jasmine27]

On the day we arrived, we went to MGM for 3-4 hours and wore our Nike's. We got caught in one of Florida's random rain showers, and had to slush around the park in our soaked tennis shoes the rest of the evening. We had very sore feet! We wore our Crocs for the rest of the vacation and our feet stayed dry and pain and blister-free! Our tennis shoes didn't dry out until we were home!:rotfl2:

[*KeepMovingForward*]

I stick with the same footwear that I wear at home. I do a lot of walking each day at home and on vacation and I wear my regular sneakers and my Crocs Capri flip flops. Anytime I've tried new or different footwear for a vacation, it has come back to haunt me in a bad way.

[dopeynme]

I think that people have all different preferences......for me, it is the Keen Newports.......very comfy and no achy legs at the end of the day. I am also a fan of the usual "sneakers" (that shows how old I am :goodvibes). I like the cushion of a thick cushy sock. I have a couple pairs of Tevas, which are good for running around at home, but not as good as the Keens in WDW.

I think it is important to have more than one pair of shoes with you so you can trade off on different days if you do get blisters. Definitely carry moleskin and use it at the first hint of rubbing. (The best blister is the one you don't get). Body glide is good too.

[LVSWL]

I love Teva Mush flip flops! They are very comfy. Keen sandals kill my feet but other swear by them, so that is just a personal preference. Wish I'd know that before I bought two pair :rotfl:. Crocs are good too, but the Tevas work best for me.:)

[*Valdez*]

I am also another fan of Keens. The funny thing I have found with Keens are that they are the most uncomfortable until they are broken in, then there is nothing that can even compare to the wonderful comfort. I own multiple pair of Keens for all seasons and have found this to be true. Although, when in the world I switch between plain old Nike and Keens. I have realized that if I change shoes mid day I do not get blisters or sore feet (we always go back to the room mid day).

[iakot]

Are there any problems wearing sandals on any of the rides? We are also going an August, and want to wear sandals because of the afternoon rains. However, I don't want to be prohibited on going on any of the rides.

Thanks.

[jenharring]

do the keens run small or big? how long do u think it takes to break them in. Is there a store I can go and buy them? I am not crazy about ordering shoes with my foot being such an odd size and wide.
Anyone else have a wide foot wear them?

[MickeyMom2Boys]

I just bought Keen sandals for myself and my boys. I also got the boys crocs, but I just can't see them walking around all day, every day for 2 weeks in those. I think it will be good to switch between the two. My Keens are very comfortable, but does anyone find that their feet sweat a lot in them? I have worn them around the house to try to break them in and my feet seem sweaty - even in cool weather. I'm wondering how it will be in 90 degree FL heat in May!

[bopper]

I wear my nike running shoes.

[aubriee]

Teva Mush flip flops are the most comfortable shoes I own. I always carry at least 2-3 pairs with me every time I go to WDW. I may carry other shoes, but always wind up in my Teva Mush flip flops. Montrail Molokini flip flops are also very comfortable. I have to have good arch support and both the Teva Mush and the Molokini's give me that.

[janiejake]

Love Birkenstocks for the good arch support and toe grips. I brought my New Balance (get a pair marked 'stability') with, but ended up comfy in my Birk's for our trip in March. Only wore my NB one day.

[JamesF408]

I like Land's End they are like sneaker sandals or Salomon, although run about $100 and they are hiking type shoes.

I will be heading to DW in May...1 more month, can't wait!

[figment85]

I've worn Tevas very successfully on several summer visits to DW. They were broken in and I had no problems. They are very good for those Florida afternoon thunderstorms. The last 2 trips I went in December and wore running shoes. They worked very well also; I'd say either type would work.

I usually bring an extra pair of shoes to DW and change off every couple of days. It seems to help my feet not be so tired after all the constant walking and standing.

[srwarden1928]

I would go with the Nikes. I have gone with Nikes, Adidas, Reeboks, New Balance,
I need shoes with some support for all the walking in the parks. DW is especially particular about her feet and swears by the New Balance, but I think any good athletic shoe will do the trick if they fit well.

Have a magical trip.

[Goofey Drool]

Serously, if it is blisters you are worried about I would get Body Glide and put it on your feet. I took that tip 2 years ago and found it to be great advice. It is the first thing that goes in my bag. That way you can wear whatever feels good to you! I can handle sore feet but blisters that is where I become a baby!

[praline3001]

I bought a pair of keens last week and I AM IN LOVE WITH THEM!!!

The best dang park shoe ever :thumbsup2

They hide the toes so no stroller can roll over your toes, water proof, lots of cushy springy support for those tired legs.. they don't slip off your feet on rides... no laces to trip on and Good Golly miss molly are the comfy!

I swear I will never buy another performance sandal again~ keens all the way :goodvibes

[sblick75]

Lands End and LL Bean both have some very comfortable walking shoes and waterproof sneakers. They won't break the bank, are comfortable and will last forever.

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

I swear by my Croc Capri Flip Flops.......I wear them at all the parks except for AK (I'm a klutz & tend to trip over tree roots). I have about 6 different pairs to wear depending on the clothes I take to WDW. I wore 1 pair of flips for 15 hours straight at MK through rain & heat and had absolutely no back, leg or foot pain at all. I was amazed. I make sure that they're thoroughly broken in though before I take them to the park. DH swears by his NB sneakers though. Since we live in Florida I'm in flips almost 24/7, 365....:cutie:

[praline3001]

DH just tried on and bought a pair of merrell water shoes sneaker things. He said he likes them better than the keens~ the laces ensure a better fit. He is ultra picky about his shoes and he is really happy with these.
http://www.merrell.com/US/#store/M/M-F/17151M-35319/

They are called Merrell, waterpro ottawa

He is not big on sandals so for him these are super comfy!

[gigi729]

I have always had good luck with my Teva's! I always bring a good pair of sneakers to switch off with too, but find that I usually don't! Last trip I had a pair of birkenstocks instead of my Teva's and I so wished I had the Teva's! I will never do WDW without them again.

;)

[JenSop]

I was on the ultimate sandal search a little over a year ago for a trip and I tried SO MANY! (I don't do sneakers in Disney - just my personal preference.) I had a great relationship with Zappos.com by the end! (I highly recommend Zappos, by the way. They offer free shipping both ways AND have so many brands - and alot in wide widths.)

I ended up alternating between my Keens and my Eccos most of the time. I got Keens with an open toe (I hate having my toes covered in the summer.) I found both to be great - and they got more comfortable the more I wore them - I found that to be especially true with the Eccos.

I tried to get Tevas to work for me, but they just didn't fit the shape of my feet. (My feet are a 6 1/2 D - so very wide; and squared off at the toe.)

As far as flip-flops go, I truly swear by Reefs. They are super comfy and fit my foot shape perfectly (more squared off at the toe.) Although Reefs run a little small - I have to go up to the size 7, which is just perfect. I've tried on the Teva mush flip flops and they are too tapered at the toe for my foot shape - my pinky toe hangs off the edge.

Besides having a wide foot, I also have a high instep, if that helps you compare your situation to mine.

Good luck!

[dyna]

Three things that helped me an I didn't have to buy different kind of shoes. Still wear my New Balance.

1 diabetic socks or Peds pretty much same thing an not the ones with the knobby lining that rubbed blisters on my feet. They don't fit tight but stay on foot an have rough seams/ YES the socks are expensive but I bought a pair or 2 at a time till I had enough to my disney visits an only use those at disney only time I want white socks, after trying the ones for disney I did slowly get me enough for all the time at home too an they wearing better than most other socks do that I've bought the last few years.

2. Vagasil Smoothing Cream same as body glide only much cheaper DO NOT use it if wearing crocs or sandels without socks as feet will slide in the shoe.

3. toe sleeves with the gel on them to coushion toes that tend to get corns.

Those three things along with a electric foot massager that I keep in my disney luggage that I only use at disney an also a couple of golf balls that I roll my foot around on an stretch the feet an take aleve twice a day an NO PAIN NO BLISTERS

[DisTwix]

Like another poster mentioned - something different will be exactly the right thing for everyone...

For me, I have a feet with formerly fallen arches, plantar fascitis problems and then busted both ankles last summer (on one previously broken ankle), so needless to say, my feet are literally weak.

I have to have shoes that don't allow foot roll, and kinda force me into the correct position --- Chacos, some Keens, Birkenstocks, Asics sneakers and Dansko clogs for those fancy days (that's about as fancy as I can get right now!)... I used to wear New Balance sneakers, but for some reason they have stopped working for me. I can wear Crocs in short spurts, but they don't have enough support for all day for me.

For the Chacos, I wear the Z2 sandals - I've been wearing this version for years and I still swear they are the best sandals made. They are simple - black vibram rubber orthodic grade sole, with webbing straps that you can adjust to perfectly fit on your foot. I like the added security of the version with the toe loop. The first pair I had I wore in rivers and ponds and the ocean and at parks and to walk and hike and who knows how many miles I put on them before I literally wore the sole too thin for comfort. The straps still looked brand new (you can wash them in the washer). I now have two new pairs. They are pricey ($90-$100), but wear like iron. And, they come in wide.

For Keens, I can't wear the sandals - arch is too low. I have the "Briggs" shoe - LOVE the wide toe box. I wear these to work and to walk the dog - and I wore them on the cold days @ Disney this February and they were fantastic. No leg or foot fatigue.

Birkenstocks definitely need breaking in for most people so they will conform to the foot. The downside of them for Disney is that if you get them wet, it's over.

For my money, I vote the Chacos, if you are looking for a sandal. They dry quickly (and my feet always seem to get wet) and they are so ridiculously comfortable, and last forever.

OH - and for the person concerned about sandals and rides --- the only ride where there is any issue is Soarin', and if you are wearing flip flops, you just leave them on the floor (it will all make sense once you are there!)...

Good luck!

[LauraAnn630]

New Balance for me!

[bowne90]

I would wear whatever is most comfortable for you. For me, it is tennis shoes. If you have room, you could always pack an extra pair of shoes and change if they are not comfortable.