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Shoes for Disney?!

I have worn Merrell sandals and have gotten through many park days with them. They are pricey, but I like them. My problem is my feet are really 2 different sizes so I always have to decide which size to go with.
 
my problem is that as a big guy (300lbs) I need something with support. I might take a look at the Sketchers, I work in NYC and there is a store nearby so I can at least try a couple of pairs. I use Brooks in the gym, but they are awful colors so was hoping for something a little more subdued for the parks.

I agree with one of the earlier posters, do not skimp on socks, the moisture wicking ones are expensive, but will be a godsend after 10+ miles
 
I tend to go with Birkenstocks and Tevas, though make sure the Birks are broken in and comfy before you go... Also love Olukai flip flops. I tend to bring sneakers, Olukais and Tevas/Birkenstocks and switch off each day.
 


I wear trail runners or low rise hiking boots (usually Merrell), and also have a pair of Gore-Tex boots that I wear for wet days - when it's pouring rain, I'm nice and dry and in the parks!

I end up bringing three pairs of shoes to WDW (four on this next trip due to a V&A visit), but I can still do 5 days in a carry-on with that by wearing the biggest pair.
 
I bring two pairs of New Balance shoes and switch off, but i am going to look into the sketchers regae rastas - they look really comfy!
 
I'm tall and heavy and found these to be pricey but worth every penny. (Warning: wearing the red ones in the rain dyed my feet temporarily.)

These socks gave me a lot of arch support with my sneakers. In fact, I buy them to wear with my work boots now, I liked them so much.
 


As someone who about 200lbs and works on his feet all day on concrete, carrying heavy loads and has knee and hip issues. And who destroys shoes. The best advice is to spend alot of time checking out as many sites online as possible then go and put on as many different shoes you can; walking in them for long times. Also I want to point out that it's best to try on shoes late in day when your feet are tired. About the site I recently had to get a new pair of non work shoes and I looked at under armor website and it gave some good info on what to look for. Problem is that under armor shoes don't fit me right, but advice was good. I had bought Skechers before but they didn't hold up. also look at better brands and a simple trick is to run your hand inside and feel what the support is, if it's flat avoid the shoe. One other idea is to go to a podiatrist and see if you need you need shoe supports I did and it made a great big difference. Avoid rip offs like goodfeet their products don't last and their guarantee is next to worthless
 
Im over 200, tall female with slim flat feet. To work (nurse) I wear Algeria. For all day walking I wear keen h20, chaco w/ toe loop, or Nike free tennis shoes. I did have to condition my feet for less support....but its worked for me. I used to wear birks or crocs a lot but my DH was against the fashion aspect:rolleyes:....definitely whatever you choose bring several pairs that u can rotate in case of blisters.
 
I am super frugal. Never spend more than $50 on a pair of shoes. Try to keep it at $25 if possible! BUT....after years of aching feet at Disney, I came to these message boards and saw many people recommended Teva. I went to the store and saw they were $105. YIKES! I thought about it for weeks, then decided to purchase. Completely ranks in the top 10 best things Ive done in my life. My next trip to Disney was pain/swelling free. I highly recommend. Ive seen them at famous footwear on the clearance racks at times. I havent needed another pair as mine have lasted forever. (I only use for vacations a couple times per year).

I have used Earth Spirit, Crocs, Keds, Dr Scholls etc.. I even bought the Disney Crocs at Disney one year because the 4 pairs of shoes I brought with me already hurt my feet. Teva's all the way.
 
BlueStarryHat said:
I'm prone to blisters. People I've talked to say that Crocs are the way to go but I'm afraid that the back strap will rub the back of my heel and cause a problem. I'd like to hear from people who have worn Crocs in the park. How did you do?

I usually just wear my oldest sneakers, but the result is always having to swaddle my feet in bandages like some foot-fetish mummy by the third day of the trip. o_O
Click to expand...

My feet were already hurting/swollen by the time I bought the Crocs at a Disney gift shop (Contemporary). They provided a little better comfort the next day, but the day after that, it was just as bad as the day before. Crocs are comfortable, the strap didnt bother me at all, and you can always move it to the front of the shoe, so its not around your ankle, but they provide no ankle support at all. Im not even sure it provides foot support. They didnt work for me.
 
Everyone is different, but I wore Sketchers Go Walks with thin socks and they were great. They are one if the few shoes I can even wear these days without pain.
 
The first year I went to Disney I wore the same tennis shoes every day that I was there which was a big mistake. Last year when I went I took 2 different pairs of tennis shoes and alternated them each day and it was so much better that way. I wouldn't suggest to wear the same shoes everyday!
 
I usually take my Skechers GoWalk2 and a pair of Ahnu Lagunitas sandals. I am heavier and have very flat feet but I alternated shoes this last trip and my foot problems were a lot less than previous trips. I just bought a new pair of GoWalk2s for my next trip.
 
I love my Go Walks and so far they have been my best choice for long days at Disney. I wore them for several full days in the park without socks and it was the first time I haven't had foot problems there. I am around 130 lbs so don't have experience with them for other weights. But I can tell you that they didn't require ANY breaking in.

Regardless of the shoes you wear, one tip that has made a big difference to me is to try to rotate a couple different pairs of shoes every other day. Something about not rubbing the same places on your foot day after day makes a huge difference, and gives irritated spots a chance to heal or rest.
 
I agree with several previous posters... different shoes for different people. As for me, I've worn Toms (brand new, out of the box), Asics trainers (my retired running shoes), Crocs (this style that's no longer available http://www.crocs.com/crocs-carlie-flat/11277,default,pd.html). This year, I got a new pair of Born ballet flats to wear. I LOVED them. They were cute, warm enough but cool enough, supportive, and comfy! Went with all my dresses. (I really dislike wearing jeans and running shoes... I much prefer sun dresses or skirts)

But the best advice I will give you is to bring more than one kind of shoe. If your feet hurt in, say, Keens, have a pair of trainers to wear the next day. Or if your new Crocs flip flops hurt, have a pair of Tevas or Chaccos waiting in the hotel room (not a different style of Crocs).

Also, keep true to your style! If you like to wear jeans and trainers, then stay true to that. The pics I hate the most of our vacation was when I abandoned my personal style to fit into what most other people like. I was more comfy in a jean skirt and Born Ballet flats than most people were in jeans and a new pair of trainers. I look at those pics and I just think about how annoyed I was to be wearing running shoes when I wasn't running. It's just something that I don't like doing, but DH wears only trainers on every vacation, unless he HAS to be dressy. To each his own :)
 
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