Any park apparel/shoe advice for "Pooh sized"?

[theworldneedscolor]

I am a bit "pooh sized" (such a pleasant way of phrasing it ), a 5'3" gal who weighs 205 and carries it mainly in the thighs and rear. I need some advice on apparel and shoes for the parks, because the last time I went I was about 20 pounds lighter

For shoes, I have a pair of Nike sneakers which should be okay. But I've heard it's good to alternate your shoes every day. Does anyone have any suggestions for something that is not a sneaker? Maybe a sandal? Birkenstocks were suggested, but I just can't get myself to spend $100+ on shoes right now.

As for apparel, previously I have worn Nike tempo shorts on a daily basis. I have some currently that fit, so I will probably bring a few pairs, but they are on the short size, which looks unflattering and can cause chaffing. What are some good athletic shorts that are medium thigh length? I was also thinking of some compression-type capris. However, I have had trouble with these previously falling down in the waist. What are some good brands for heavier ladies?

 

[katclicks]

I like keen sandals. I wore them 3 days straight at dl last year and already have them packed for my trip in 9 days (!!!). I love Birkenstocks (have 5 pairs) but would not wear them for long park days. You can usually find a good deal on keens on rei outlet or amazon. Hope that helps

 

[theworldneedscolor]

I like keen sandals. I wore them 3 days straight at dl last year and already have them packed for my trip in 9 days (!!!). I love Birkenstocks (have 5 pairs) but would not wear them for long park days. You can usually find a good deal on keens on rei outlet or amazon. Hope that helps

I will have to check out the Keens! What style do you have? And they were comfortable for all day usage?

 

[bumbershoot]

I spent a couple years touring WDW above where you are...

I like a good, NEW (but making sure it's broken in), athletic shoe. And for my feet, changing it out with Crocs Athens flipflops worked (still does). I would love to try Keens but I have wide feet and Keens don't fit me.

I went the cotton shorts route and it was a mistake every time. You are definitely on the right track to think of athletic clothes. Target has some decent athletic clothes, though I'm not sure of the sizing. If you've ever thought of something like a running skirt, I find the sizing of Skirt Sports "Happy Girl" skirt to be very nice. It's the longer one, very modest if that's something you think of. Though to get a few wouldn't be cheap.

You mentioned chafing concerns...Body Glide is fabulous. REI, walmart, running shoe stores...it's in a stick like deodorant. Rub it wherever you might chafe and it's very useful.


In case you don't already wear them...socks made out of wicking fabric! No cotton. Made so much difference for me.

Hope that helps!

 

[rimomma66]

Try Propet Discovery sandals...very comfy and they come in wide.

 

[monorailsilver]

I am chubby and I wear my keens everyday in the parks. Actually I wear them everyday nice the weather is good so my feet are used to the,.

We do take a mid day break though.

As far as chaffing...get body glide. I bought it at dicks sporting goods. It looks like deodorant. My son gets chaffed on his belly and inner legs from the beach so I coat him so he doesn't get sand burn. Bc tulle he coats himself now.

And the shorts being to short, are you comfy in them? Then wear them. Trust me I have seen worse. A few years ago I was in the pool at the poly. I was sitting at the end if the slide and I looked to my right and there was a lady in just a bikini top sitting along the edge with her feet In the water. Her bikini bottom was no where to be found. Well when's he got up, the mystery was solved! Her stomach ate it but then gave it back!

 

[MSSANDRA]

For shoes, making sure they are wide enough and fit well is so important. Feet sometimes tend to swell a bit at WDW. I have a pair of Eco sandals that adjust to fit with Velcro and while not cheap are perfect.

I like soft cotton knit pants/yoga type pants or Capri. I don't like shorts but we never go summer so not an issue.

Monistat Chaff 'gel is worth its weight in gold. Marketed to women, but great for everyone in the family.

 

[tlh0726]

Our family wears crocs

 

[TeachTink]

Any advice for biker shorts or a simliar bottom style to help combat "chub rub"?

I prefer capris/bermuda shorts to regular shorts because my legs rub together, but I still get chafed a bit from that. I'm thinking maybe I can get a pair of biker shorts to wear under my bermuda shorts for maximum comfort.

I've seen Danskin biker shorts from Walmart mentioned, but any other brands anybody likes?

 

[superdiz]

Nike Celso flip flops.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I would take an extra pair of shoes. I find that by wearing a different pair can make a difference. So I wear a pair down and pack another pair. Also pack a tennis ball. At the end of a big day its nice to sit on the couch and roll the tennis ball with my foot is a nice way to massage it .

 

[theworldneedscolor]

Thanks for all the advice so far!

I saw that the Nike Comfort Flip Flops are on sale, has anyone had any experience with those?

 

[Julylady]

I am just your size! I find that the secret for me is to alternate shoes. I usually take three pair: a pair of Ecco sandals that are five years old but look new, a pair of Crocs, and a pair of Sanuk flip flops. (The Eccos were expensive, but have lasted a long time!). I find that by switching shoes each day, the pressure points change. I have also been known to add a pair of socks. I wouldn't wear socks with sandals in real life, but at Disney it's all about keeping my feet from hurting and getting blisters.

I typically wear capris even in the summer to eliminate the chaffing issue. I wear cotton blends, but I recently bought a pair of starfish by Lands End knit capris which I think will work great!

I think it's also important to walk more than usual in preparation for a Disney trip. I start about six weeks prior to a trip. When I do, my legs/feet don't get as sore when I'm at Disney. Even still, most nights I am there I take Motrin or Tylenol before bed. It lessens the aching that stops me from falling asleep.

Have a fun time!

 

[4xmom]

I wear my flip flops, since I am use to them and wear them all the time. On our last trip, I wore athletic capris that I would pair with longer shirts. I also kept a small bottle of baby powder with me for just in case. I had no problems. Oh I found my capris in Walmart.

 

[rachael95]

People think I'm crazy when I say this, but I go for jeans bermuda-style shorts. Even when they get wet, they are not uncomfortable to me. And the nice thing about the jeans shorts are that they definitely don't ever ride up like other fabrics always do on me. Plus, you don't have to worry about see-through if they're wet either. That being said, I wear jeans as pants, capris and shorts, almost 365 days a year so I'm used to it. I do have some capris in other fabrics, but I feel like they'd be too hot.

I usually wear tennis shoes, but I'm going to try swapping with a good pair of sandals this year. I'd love to get Keens but my feet are wide, so that's not happening. I have a pair of sandals I got from the Walking Company that worked ok for a couple shortish days at the zoo last year, I might use them.

One thing to keep in mind, a good pair of shoes will last years. Even when your weight fluctuates, your shoe size will remain (nearly) the same.

 

[akaler2010]

I typically wear an athletic skirt (running or golfing skirts). I have a few pairs that are longer to avoid chafing, and since they are tech fabrics, they dry easily if they get wet and don't pick up stains. Golf skirts tend to me a little more modest than running skirts and typically have built in shorts.

I also wear Keens, but I have really narrow feet, so I'm not sure how they would fit.

 

[Freesia123]

I love my sketchers go walks!

 

[Julie711]

Thanks for all the advice so far!

I saw that the Nike Comfort Flip Flops are on sale, has anyone had any experience with those?

Yes love them. I get a new pair every year & this is what I mostly wear down there with occasionally switching to sneakers.

 

[msmama]

I'm roughly the same size.

I bought a pair of Keens before my last trip. Personally, with the alternating shoe thing, I can wear shoes that may not be as super comfortable and it doesn't bother me as much. I've done several trips with Easy Spirit "clogs" (they sound ugly when put that way but they're cute), some kind of sport sandal and flip flops and my feet have been fine.

As for bottoms, I prefer capris. Again, before my last trip I found several nice pairs at JC Penney that were cargo-like that worked well. I'd stay away from cotton shorts personally (though I've done okay with cotton capris and I follow the shoe advice to never wear cotton two days in a row). I used to be anti denim, too, but got some stretchy denim that I really liked and were really comfy.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[SpringSprite]

Keens are great but my faves are DEFINITELY Birkenstocks. You can get them in the 40-50 range if you are not particular about pattern or color.

Check out 6pm.com, QVC, sometimes sites like Zulily, etc. I can walk for DAYS in Birks and have no problems whatsoever.