Footwear - sneakers or sandals

[SandraM]

I am going to Orlando for 3 weeks at the end of July with DH, DD (13) and DS (11). I keep reading and hearing that it is so important to have comfortable footwear. As quite a few of the rides we will be going on will get us wet, I think we might be as well to wear really comfortable Ecco adjustable Velcro sandals which will dry out quickly rather than socks and sneakers which I feel will go horribly soggy. I also know that we should wear these sandals as much as possible before we go so that our feet don’t burn! Any opinions?

[Kirby]

We prefer tennis shoes over sandals unless the sandals are very well broken in. Wet socks don't bother us.

[PooooohBear]

We purchased Nike Straprunner II's for our July trip. We are going to give them a try. We're also taking our tennis shoes for back-up, just as a precaution!

[Debby7]

I like to take both and switch between the two types. I usually wear sandals in the morning and afternoon. Then we go back to our room to take a break. When I go back out in the late afternoon or evening I put my sneakers on. I also use a product called BlisterBlockers on spots I usually blister. They are like gel filled band aids and really work. If you decide to go strictly sneakers, be sure to change to dry socks midway through the day. Good Luck !!

[janiejo]

I prefer walking tennis shoes. It seems like there is so much pavement, that on days I wear sandals, the bottom of my feet ache. I have never had trouble with socks getting wet on the rides - even the ones that my clothes get drenched on. I vote for tennis shoes!

[tink2dw]

Here is a thread on the subject

http://www.disboards.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10559&perpage=15&pagenumber=1

I wear Teva nubuck leather Sandles are really great,the foot bed is very springy,and when adjusted right they follow your foot when you walk. All the straps are adjustable,decreasing the chance of blisters. I also wore the pink and white Ped tenny sox with mine to add a layer of cushion.

there is also a thread on Teva's

http://www.disboards.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10884&highlight=Tevas

If you want to try Teva's it's a good idea to
try them on in a mall store to get the right size then come back here and check-out the sales on many shoe web sites such as

www.rei-outlet.com or www.Teva.com

Also if you need to adjust sandles with multiable straps here are some tips on getting them to feel good.

http://www.disboards.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=38144&highlight=sandles

There are lots of freindly people who will help you with any other questions you might have!!

[robinb]

I also bring both my New Balace sneakers and my Teva sandals. I switch off which ones I wear.

BTW, take your shoes off on Kaki rapids or keep your feet up! They'll get pretty wet :).

[CatOne]

I took both, thanks to the tips on this board!! A great pair of tennis shoes and pair of sandals, Naot brand. I had never heard of them until I went to a store that specializes in outdoor equip and clothing and I LOVE them!! We are going back in Dec. and I will be returning to get another pair by Naot for this trip as well. They form to your feet and I think they are the best sandals I have ever worn!! Best of luck to you and your tootsies!! The best tip is, of course, whatever you take, be sure they are broken in BEFORE you get there.

Happy Day
CatOne:bounce: :bounce:

[SandraM]

:pinkbounc
Thanks for your help. I guess we'll bring both!

[cindirellar]

I took both. Actually two of both. We were there 7 days and I wore them all. Two pairs of Nike's, air-max and air walkers, Teva circuits - leather and Teva pretty rugged nylon. But let me tell you, buy the end of the seven day's it didn't matter what was on my feet, they hurt! It didn't matter what I wore!

But it was worth it!

Have a great trip!
Cindi

[Loan]

We wore tennis shoes during the "hard touring" in the morning and early afternoon and then after our rest, we wore sandals for the more relaxed evenings. Just one small blister in 5 days, not bad!

[Dustmouse]

I was so surprised to find that my Teva's were the only shoes I could wear for a hard day of touring. I'm not a sandal girl, but bought a pair of Teva's after recently being diagnosed with plantar fascitis. After the first day in Reeboks, my little toe developed a blister and I lived in my Teva's for the rest of the week. They are awesome!

[Elysiannn]

Hi - my last trip (Feb 2001) I took Rockport Walkers, Merrill's and Teva sandals. I know it was a bit excessive but having heel pain from a heel spur and I thought the more comfortable shoes I took the better chance I had. Well, in order of comfort and lasting power: TEVAs, Merrill's and then Rockport. I did get one small blister with the TEVAs but next time I'll know how to avoid it. I would say get TEVAs, some anti-blister socks, soak your feet even for a 10 minutes in your resort pool should help you get through the hard touring. And break in the shoes/sandals you're going to take at least two months before going.

My next trip I'll take two pairs of TEVAs and then a good comfortable pair of canvas tennis shoes. But I'll do my hard touring with TEVAS.

Good luck and have a blast!!!

[ScroogesNephew]

Sandals.

[rjordan]

Nike Straprunner II are the BEST sandals. I wore them all the time when we were there in May for 9 days. No problems whatsoever. Great for water, too. They sell for under $40. THE BEST. :)

[VelvetGloves]

I've worn both sandals and tennis shoes in the past. I prefer to have the choice on a daily basis as to what to wear. I've often heard that if you're feet are too warm, you'll feel too warm, so sandals come in handy. Of course, it's hard to find sandals that don't rub. I think your best bet is to take sandals, but also have tennis shoes in case you need them.

VelvetGloves

[tink2dw]

I took Simple oxfords,and Teva's, but I found i needed to wear my low cut, pink and white Ped soxs as an extra cushion between me and the straps of the Teva's to prevent blisters!!:earsgirl: :earsgirl:

[fboy9287]

i will never wear sandles again. You can't run very well from ride to ride:D

[antmaril]

We just returned from our trip. I switched between New Balance walking shoes (which were brand new and had not been worn prior to the trip) and Nike Straprunner II sandals. Both were great. The New Balance walking shoes are the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn. I was also pleasantly surprised by the Nike sandals (I am really not a sandal person). I could walk all day in those sandals. It was good to be able to switch back and forth.

[Mic]

I usually only wear tennis shoes, but I have come to find out that my feet still hurt at the end of the trip. No matter what shoes I wear.

[catwho]

We also take both. I wear a pair of well broken in shoes that I wear around the house (tennis shoes with good support) and I also take my Birkinstock sandals that I live in! I alternate each day between the two. It helps keep your feet rejuvenated. I hadn't been wearing my birki sandals for a while since it was winter, only my birki clogs. Wore my clogs the first day when it was cooler and the second day it warmed up so I wore my birki sandals. Mistake! I barely made it around Epcot twice before my feet started hurting, so I wore my other shoes the rest of the tirp. I have a lovely picture of me hugging Mickey in my shorts, socks and birki clogs! yeah, classic "tourist picture" :earsgirl:

[mamabear3710]

My vote would be DEFINITELY SNEAKERS. I can't imagaine wearing sandals walking around the parks all day. I just got back, wore sneakers everyday, walked alot and never got a blister.

[Mickey76]

:)


You should take both with you, just in case you like one more than the other. I like sneakers, but my girlfriend convinced me to buy a pair of Birkenstock sandals and now I'm hooked. SHe told me that I'd end up wearing them more than my sneakers at the parks. I didn't believe her until I finally bought them and broke them in. They're great!!! Just keep in mind that they are expensive. If money is an issue, sneakers will still be a great option, it's just that your feet won't be able to breathe as well. Have a grea time and take care of your feet....you'll need them to take you to all the great places in WDW. :)


Mickey76:)

[Laurajean1014]

I usually buy a good leather pair of loafers and sandels a month before to break them in. Then I alternate the shoes every other day so I do not blister.

Never understood why people put on sneakers and socks!

[Taddy]

I love my velcro Teva sandles and wore them almost 90% of the time on our 8 day trip to WDW in June '99. I did wear socks and hiking/walkign shoes once and it was comfortable but my feet got hot! I took a pair of Birkenstocks as well and rotated those with my Teva's. I hate wet feet and when it rained it was nice to be in sandles that dried fast.

BUT....both my sandles were well worn in but not too old. My Birkenstocks had taken me all over a 4 weeks trip to Europe and my Teva's are my mainstay footwear as I manage a retail store and am on my feet all day 8 hours a day.

SO I guess it depends on you....I always wear sunscreen on the tops of my feet after I burnt my feet once, if you can remember to do that your feet will be fine.

[Lanshark]

I bought Tevas the day before I left so only had one day to break them in. I have extremely sensitive feet and they were the best investment I ever made. I wore them every day for 2 weeks without 1 problem .

[Disney Doll]

I take both, actually, and alternate wearing them. if I wear sneakers to the parks during the day, I wear sandals at night and vice versa.

[Wendy]

Sandals for me! I tried every type of tennis shoe known to man kind before buying my Tevas and every pair killed my feet. Finally about 1 1/2 years ago I decided to try Tevas thanks to recommendation on these boards. Best thing I ever did for my feet! They are more comfortable than any other shoes I have ever worn and they are the only shoes I can stand to walk all day in the parks in. I've tried alternating my sneakers and Tevas in the parks, but after a day in sneakers my feet kill me, so now I only bring the Tevas to the parks with me.

[TinkerbellRules]

I wear Chaco sandals and tennis shoes. Problem with sandals is they don't protect your feet when stepped on during high traffic times (parades, fireworks) :(

Tevas didn't work for me. Not enough support for my fallen aches. Every foot is different so you must find the one that works for you :)

[UrsulasDaBomb]

I can honestly say...get a good pair of sneakers.Don't wear crappy ones.Don't forget good socks,too.Good socks are VERY IMPORTANTI learned from experience the last time NOT to wear crappy shoes and bad socks..I wore a pair of really rundown sneakers and not only did I trip and sprain my ankle leaving the Illuminations fireworks on the first night there but I also ended up with a wierd rash on my feet from my socks that caused them to swell and turn red and painful so I couldnt' walk.The swelling on my feet didn't go down for the whole trip and I ended up in a wheelchair the whole time with only socks on and no shoes.I eventually broke down about 2 days into the trip and made my husband go buy me some cheap flipflops and an ace bandage for my sprained ankle.So please...get good shoes and good socks.They can make all the difference in the world.

[WDWfanatic288]

sneakers...on our last trip I wore both cneakers and sandals(my worn-in Doc martens) and I just switched back in forth....since I dont wear sneakers much my feet begin to hurt and cramp so I have to switch.