Anyone else with Orthotics, what do you wear to keep you confortable at WDW?

[aaronlisar]

I've had mine for almost 8 years and I hate the fact that I cannot wear sandals anymore because of them. Or at least I haven't found any sandals that I can wear them with. I just bought a new pair of New Balance running shoes last night for Disney and couldn't help but look at the sandals and dream about wearing them. What types of shoes do other orthotics wearers wear when at Disney? Has anyone found a good pair of sandals that they could wear with their orthotics?

 

[my3princes]

Both of my older sons wear orthodics. They wear sneakers with their orthodics while in the parks. The oldest doesn't have a severe a condition so he is able to wear a sport sandal (he has Nikes) some days. The younger of the two has very severe flat feet. He has to have special orthodics formed to his feet. He must wear them every day or he will suffer with pain at night. I also have flat feet but no longer wear orthodics. I had a lot of difficulty as a child with pain radiating from my feet to my hips. It was misdiagnosed as growing pains for many years. Once finally diagnosed I had the hard fiberglass supports for many years, but as a young adult I stoped suffering from any pain. My pediatrist says that I still have the problem, but have outgrown the symptoms. It is wonderful to be able to wear sandals. I am pretty careful to buy shoes with good arches built in, but have much more flexibility in what I can choose.

 

[2BOYMOM]

I take two pair of running shoes and alternate them each day with the orthotics. I have never found any type of sandal that I could wear with them. I am not really good at wearing my orthotics in everyday life, but if I didn't wear them while at Disney, I would be in serious pain. My feet do get a little hot in the running shoes, but wearing a light cotton sock and putting baby powder in the shoes each morning seems to help.


Kim

 

[MAKMOM41]

I'm not sure what Orthotics are but I have terrible feet. New Balance is my WDW sneaker the only time I wear them. I have found Berkinstock to be the only sandle I am comfortable with now. They feel really weird teh first 24 hours if not painful... I have flat feet & they have a great arch. I was using new muscles wearing them. The original Berkinstock is my fav....but payless has a Berkinstock-tevo sandle with the double strap you my want to try without investing a lot of money. If like them then go get the soft suide berkinstock. I have been wearing them for a few year s & I can't find a closed shoe that fits me anymore. Even the wide with NB felt snug. I did'nt purchse them yet I have some time yet.

 

[aaronlisar]

Thanks for the replies. The pair of NB shoes I bought last night are actually my first pair of NB that I have tried. I was very suprised at how comfortable they felt as soon as I put them on. They felt like they were already worn in just like my old shoes I am replacing. I did a little research on the net and found that I could get custom orthotic sandals for around $200 but I'm not willing to pay that much for sandals. I guess their will be no sandals for me in the future.

 

[ms.ojo]

Thanks for the replies. The pair of NB shoes I bought last night are actually my first pair of NB that I have tried. I was very suprised at how comfortable they felt as soon as I put them on. They felt like they were already worn in just like my old shoes I am replacing. I did a little research on the net and found that I could get custom orthotic sandals for around $200 but I'm not willing to pay that much for sandals. I guess their will be no sandals for me in the future.

tHERE IS HOPE!!! my DH bought me a pair of sandals for my bday that allows you to drop in your orthodic!!!! I am trying them out around the house this week and they seem to be pretty comfortable. I will talk w/ him tonight to find out where he ordered them from. I know he saw the ad when we were flying home from our Disney trip in April on the Southwest plane magazine. If they work...I will be SOOOO happy to have some sandals again. My feet just get too hot in sneakers in the summer. I'll post again tonight!

 

[michellek1]

I also wear orthotics and have found a line of sandals that accomodate your orthotics. Try searching for bite shoes(biteshoes com). They have an orthosport line of sandals that your orthotics can slip into.

 

[roxwithears]

I have the same issues - I purchased NAOTS. They are a sandal made in Europe and they are made very well. The inside can remove and the orthotic slips right in!. Also the soles and the upper leather are very durable. I paid almost $150 CDN for them but I know people who have had them 5-10 years. You can also have the soles replaced on them. If you find a shoe store that sells higher end shoes they should know about them - they come for men and women. Good luck.

 

[SeattleMark]

At our local orthotics store (neo-vita) I specifically asked them about sandals due to our upcoming Disney trip.

They sell a clear, slightly more flexible version of my orthotic (they had a term for it, but can't remember what it was) and they said I can put some double stick velcro underneath it and on my sandal and that would work great. That way you can still remove the orthotic if need be.

 

[kandeebunny]

I have the same problem! I can't even wear heels with my orthotics as for mine I have to rip out the linings of the shoes. I have full length orthotics though with a tilt outwards to help force my ankles up. The only shoes i can wear and not wear them are stilettos because they force an arch. As for sneakers I wear DC shoes, they liners rip out very easily and they are super comfy, with my old orthotics I always wore Adidas superstars (shelltops). New balance and my feet do not agree at all. I also found these socks (I'll have to look for the name) that have like little vents around the bottoms to keep your feet cooler!

I'd love to know what companies make sandals geared to orthotic wearers!!!

 

[mickeymom629]

I don't have the same problem, but I can't wear sandals anymore, either (lymphedema in my left leg and foot), and I wear athletic shoes everyday. Even before my problem, I think I never wore open shoes at WDW because of people stepping on my feet, strollers, when it rains it's harder to walk in sandals, and because of the airconditioning in some attractions. Unfortunately for me, I also wear pants everyday now to hide my stocking. Boy, do I miss shorts!

 

[ksoehrlein]

DH is a podiatrist. Many of his patients have had prescription orthotics custom-made for Naots and Birkenstocks. Each company has an orthotic lab that will make a custom footbed designed just for that patient. They are expensive, but some health insurance companies cover part of the cost. But they cost about the same as when you buy non-customized Naots or Birkenstocks. Ask your podiatrist.

 

[holden]

I wear orthodic inserts for achilles tendonitis and plantar fascitis (sp?). I wear the insert with my sneakers and some shoes that have removable footbeds, but nothing beats Dansko clogs for a nice alternative. They have a special footbed that has been approved by the American Podiatric Assoc. They also make some sandals with the same footbed - very supportive arch. Be careful with the sandals though, not all Dansko sandals have the special footbed. It's best to look for the ones described as being approved by the APA. I'm bringing my Dansko sandals to WDW for dinners/evenings out, but not for park excursions.