Shoes for Disney?!

McGreezy · Apr 19, 2015

I'm sure somewhere this has already been mentioned, but I am in over my head with the idea of buying a reasonable pair of shoes that I can stand to walk in for like 13 miles a day. I'm about 200 lbs and while I plan on getting into a bit better shape before we leave, I have always sort of had issues with my feet and knees even before the extra 50lbs. I know a lot of people have been saying that Skechers Go Walks are the way to go, but I wonder if these are for everyone, because when I tried them on although they feel light and squishy at first, they don't particularly give me a sense of having all that great arch support. I don't want to buy something that is going to be great for the first hour and then kill my knees and back because of the lack of support. The ONLY pair of shoes I can wear comfortably all day are Dansko but I can't imagine a full week at Disney on those either. :crutches:

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated!

cleverclovers · Apr 19, 2015

I have a couple pairs of Earth Spirits sandals that I bought at Walmart. They are leather and have arch support. The also have adjustable straps over the toes, around the ankle, and behind the heel. Perfect for swelling feet.

HeyKoolaid · Apr 19, 2015

Arrrggg. I bought the cutest pair of Sketchers for last year's trip, thinking that because they were so "marshmallowy" light, they would be perfect for the parks. Unfortunately, they had very little support and I suffered for it. My sketchers are super cute, but this year I am wearing my Brooks running shoes. Not as cute, but I really don't care at this point. My other tip is to make sure you don't skimp on socks. You might consider socks that don't have seams and will wick away the moisture. I will probably rotate the Brooks with some Crocs, which always work for me. Good luck finding the right shoes!

McGreezy · Apr 19, 2015

HeyKoolaid said:
Arrrggg. I bought the cutest pair of Sketchers for last year's trip, thinking that because they were so "marshmallowy" light, they would be perfect for the parks. Unfortunately, they had very little support and I suffered for it. My sketchers are super cute, but this year I am wearing my Brooks running shoes. Not as cute, but I really don't care at this point. My other tip is to make sure you don't skimp on socks. You might consider socks that don't have seams and will wick away the moisture. I will probably rotate the Brooks with some Crocs, which always work for me. Good luck finding the right shoes!

That's some good advice, and I thought as much about the Sketchers. What a bummer! They just came out with a Mary Jane style crocs. I wonder if those will be okay??

McGreezy · Apr 19, 2015

cleverclovers said:
I have a couple pairs of Earth Spirits sandals that I bought at Walmart. They are leather and have arch support. The also have adjustable straps over the toes, around the ankle, and behind the heel. Perfect for swelling feet.

Oh wow really? And they don't kill your feet after walking all day?

Oodalally13 · Apr 19, 2015

I have these Skechers and they were wonderful for Disney.
http://www.skechers.com/style/12101/skech-air-2-0/bkhp

In March 2014 I took what I considered to be my 3 most comfortable pairs of shoes: Sperry, Vans lace up sneakers, and a pair of yellow box flips pops. My feet hurt horribly and I ended up with shin splints at the end of each day. I had to try something new and those Skechers saved the day. I will never wear anything else for long walking.

ZoZo · Apr 20, 2015

I had great luck with Skechers sneakers with a thick layer of memory foam in the footbed. I couldn't find the exact show I bought, but these are close:

http://www.skechers.com/style/22709/glider/nvaq

I own a pair of Skechers Go Walks, too. I find them comfy for everyday use, but for the walking you do at WDW, I'd go for a pair with thicker memory foam. I have foot issues, but these were very comfortable right out of the box!

RachealM · Apr 20, 2015

Everyone will have different suggestions based on the shoes they like. I too am around 165lbs, have had right knee surgery, and am the designated pack mule for the family that totes the 40lb hiking backpack full or water and Gatorade around the parks, so shoe comfort is a high priority. Personally, I have a pair of New Balance sneakers I adore and wear every month for two days of park walking. They're ugly, but I honestly don't care what I wear at the parks as long as it comfortable lol

These are the only things I can suggest:

1. Consider NOT wearing any sort of open toe sandal. I made the mistake of doing this once and was nearly in tears by the end of the day from so many people stepping on my pinky toe in crowded lines and such. Of course, half of the time it was my own family stepping on my poor toe.

2. Bring a back-up pair of sneakers that you are also very comfortable in. If it rains on you one day at the park, chances are your primary sneakers will not be dry by the next day and it's not pleasant to wear wet sneakers. (wet skin with continual friction for a long time can = blister) This happened to us last month : /

Good luck to you!

samsteele · Apr 20, 2015

I've also had great luck with New Balance shoes. Saucony also works well. Whatever brand of runners you choose, do break them in for at least a few weeks when running errands, etc. Check to make sure your heel is not lifting up with each step as that has led to very nasty blister issues for me at the parks. I would also recommend that you pick up some moleskin before your trip and pack it in your bag along with a small pair of scissors (checked bag for the scissors). If you already know where you get hotspots or blisters on your feet, then get the moleskin on the morning of your first day to help keep blisters at bay. If your issue is more to do with knee and back pain, I believe there are some relatively inexpensive insert orthotics you can buy at most pharmacies (and possibly Walmart) that may assist. Last but not least, see if other members of your family can share the load of everything you carry into the park. If you are the one with feet, knee and back problems, why do you have to haul it . . . maybe others can help out? Also be harsh with yourself and family to see if you really need to carry all that stuff. Good luck!

DisneyCAL · Apr 20, 2015

McGreezy said:
I'm sure somewhere this has already been mentioned, but I am in over my head with the idea of buying a reasonable pair of shoes that I can stand to walk in for like 13 miles a day. I'm about 200 lbs and while I plan on getting into a bit better shape before we leave, I have always sort of had issues with my feet and knees even before the extra 50lbs. I know a lot of people have been saying that Skechers Go Walks are the way to go, but I wonder if these are for everyone, because when I tried them on although they feel light and squishy at first, they don't particularly give me a sense of having all that great arch support. I don't want to buy something that is going to be great for the first hour and then kill my knees and back because of the lack of support. The ONLY pair of shoes I can wear comfortably all day are Dansko but I can't imagine a full week at Disney on those either.

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated!

I love my sketchers go walks. That being said at a higher weight, Im not sure they would be too good. When I was over 205lb I struggled with shin splints and stress fractures across the tops of my feet while trying to lose weight (running and walking). I threw away my cheap aasics and bought Brooks Adrenaline GTS. What a difference it makes! I bought a pair for my mom too who is around 250 and has very bad plantar facaitis or however you spell it, bad hips and knees and she swears by them too. I worked my *** off to get to around 150lb so sketchers go walks and lightweight sneakers are fine for me now but seriously invest the money in Brooks. That brand is my go to for life now.

hsmamato2 · Apr 20, 2015

It all depends... you have to try on shoes till you find what's right for your feet, there is no way any of our advice can work for you since each person is unique.... My Dsis loves her skechers mules and wears them everywhere...so NOT for me! I love my Birkenstocks, my Jambu,my Keen,or Teva Mush flip flops at all times. I have a pair of nice Nikes, but they don't give me what I need for long park days. My feet have HIGH arches,and without support my feet hurt so badly....I have liked plain old crocs in the past, not so much anymore-all of my above mentioned shoes had either built in arch support or are the type of footwear that 'molds' to the shape of my foot, thus creating my personalized support that I need. (Birkenstock sandals is #1 for my comfort, I like My Jambus for more foot coverage/cooler weather) I wore both of those last weekend, walking in DC a minimum of 13 miles per day. (At Disney we average around 5-10 miles per day) I have Keen sneakers for heavier hiking, and the flip flops work for hot weather walking all around.

Nick07210 · Apr 20, 2015

Lightweight shoes, are great at first, but towards the middle of the day your feet will start to hurt. I recommend getting shoes with good padding under them. Lots of people like to wear crocs, because they dry quickly, but I don't find them comfortable. I am going soon and bringing broken in Nike Air Maxes and Lebron lows. They are both heavy but have good padding underneath them, but definitely make sure they are broken in, it is much more comfortable that way. It all depends on how your feet fit them, make sure you go to a store and try them on.

whitney250 · Apr 20, 2015

I really like the Nike Free Runs. My knees ache and have always given me problems, as well as my feet since I have high arches. The free runs kind of "grab" your feet and were very comfortable to wear all day.

Hans Olo · Apr 21, 2015

I have plantar fasciitis and Skechers Go Walks have been a blessing!! They are like walking on a cloud

I will be going to Disney for the first time ever in June so I will see just how well they work. I bought this style http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00HS...r+go+walks&dpPl=1&dpID=41RSaDzgpDL&ref=plSrch

I also love my Reef flip flops. I've worn them all day at the zoo and my feet never hurt. This is the style I have http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00DN...sr=8-14&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70&keywords=Reefs

fairy oma · Apr 21, 2015

I would go to your local running/walking store and have your gait analyzed to get the correct fit for you. I was fitted for Saucony and I love them. I am taking 2 pairs of walking shoes this time around as the last time I went I took sandals and a pair of my cute Adidas and I suffered for it for the last 5 days of our 8 day trip. I will only wear my sandals in the evening ADRs.

McGreezy · Apr 21, 2015

Wow thank you everyone!!! I do agree I should go get my feet analyzed. Pretty sure I'm working with flat feet and I tend to roll them to the outside when I take a step. I think they call it overpronation or something. I tried on this pair of Mary Jane style crocs at Khols one omg were they comfortable!! I'm not a croc fan but oh boy they were awesome. I think I definitely will take a couple pair of shoes and rotate them.

Lady Marie · Apr 21, 2015

I don't know if they would work for you, but I am close to that size and have had some nasty ankle injuries that make my feet hurt-- I swear by my Ahnu Karma shoes. They have some support and are Mary Jane style-ish so look cute. They can get a little hot, so there is that. I did not need to break them in and wore them on my 2.5 week trip to Europe and was fine. They have a good sole too-- I wasn't afraid of falling down or slipping on uneven areas.

I have not found them in stores, but you can order from places that offer free returns (I think Zappos does?) so you can try any of the others mentioned here if you can't find what you like. Happy hunting!

tzolkin · Apr 21, 2015

My first trip I brought several pairs of shoes for each person and we swapped them out during our afternoon break so we didn't wear anything for too long. This might be a good idea especially since you don't have one pair that you know works well yet.

That said, the rest of our trips I have just worn Teva Mush flip flops and have been totally comfortable (12 day trips with 10 days spent in the parks).

Dh always wore sneakers, but last trip he wore a pair of Keen Newport h2 sandals the entire trip and he wears them hiking during the summer. I just bought myself a pair of the Venice h2 because I like to walk at least five miles a day at home. The other Keens (Newport, Whisper, and Rose- which is a cute MaryJane style) did not fit my feet properly. Same brand and size, but my heel hung off the back and there was a huge gap at the front between my toes and the front of the shoes. So, use recommendations for ideas of things to try on, but you will just have to find something that works for your particular feet.

http://www.keenfootwear.com/product/shoes/women/venice-h2

familymemories · Apr 21, 2015

hsmamato2 said:
It all depends... you have to try on shoes till you find what's right for your feet, there is no way any of our advice can work for you since each person is unique.... My Dsis loves her skechers mules and wears them everywhere...so NOT for me! I love my Birkenstocks, my Jambu,my Keen,or Teva Mush flip flops at all times. I have a pair of nice Nikes, but they don't give me what I need for long park days. My feet have HIGH arches,and without support my feet hurt so badly....I have liked plain old crocs in the past, not so much anymore-all of my above mentioned shoes had either built in arch support or are the type of footwear that 'molds' to the shape of my foot, thus creating my personalized support that I need. (Birkenstock sandals is #1 for my comfort, I like My Jambus for more foot coverage/cooler weather) I wore both of those last weekend, walking in DC a minimum of 13 miles per day. (At Disney we average around 5-10 miles per day) I have Keen sneakers for heavier hiking, and the flip flops work for hot weather walking all around.

Why don't you care for the crocs anymore. We were considering purchasing all 4 of us a pair.

Eeyore's My Favorite · Apr 21, 2015

I'm a Florida girl & the only shoes I wear are my Croc flip flops. I have maybe 4 different pairs/2 different styles that are well broken in. I wore them last week for our 4 day trip. The only time I wear sneakers are for AK or when it's too cold for the flip flops.

Shoes for Disney?!

Have the courage to touch the butt.

DIS Veteran

Mermaid off the port bow!

Have the courage to touch the butt.

Have the courage to touch the butt.

DIS Veteran

DIS Veteran

Disney Diva

DIS Veteran

DIS Veteran

<font color=magenta>Tink in Training-Good Girl,Bad

Earning My Ears

DIS Veteran

Mouseketeer

Mouseketeer

Have the courage to touch the butt.

DIS Veteran

DIS Veteran

Earning My Ears

EW Disney Mom

Share this page