Best footwear for kids at parks? Adults too?

[mommyof2boys1girl]

My main concern is the kids - I have always just bought them cheapie sandals/runners from wal-mart, but I am thinking some decent footwear for this trip might be smart - nothing worse than a 3 year old with a blister on our first day of a 7 day trip....

So what does everyone wear on their kids feet? I am worried that crocs will simply not be good enough for their little feet - adults can tell when their feet are developing blisters, but my little guys will walk 10 miles and only complain once their feet are bleeding (believe me - speaking from experience here - my 2 year old had horrible blisters from his crocs on a camping trip once - it was awful!!)
I am definitely planning on bringing decent runners, but an alternate pair of shoes will be in order (especially for CA, since my kids CANNOT stay out of a puddle park!!) I've seen the Sketchers sandals, but don't know anything about them.
As for dh and I, probably just a generic pair of sandals and our runners for days when our feet are tired.
Any recommendations?

 

[Monkey Monkey]

Now that my DS is between Crocs sizes , I always put him in Stride Rite sneakers when we're going to do a lot of walking. He hasn't had a blister yet!

 

[TripHHH]

I like to wear a pair of sandals and bring an extra pair of tennis shoes. I do this for my daughter as well. We put the extra pair of shoes in a locker and then change about halfway through our day or when our feet start feeling tired. It's like having a new pair of feet! Everything on the new pair of shoes hits your foot different and it just feels better!

 

[IluvDISNEYLAND!]

I love NEW BALANCE for kids and for adults. I also love Stride Rite!! They can be a bit expensive but I always got to Ross, Burlington and Marshalls because you can get great deals on them!!! Sometimes I've gotten stride rite for $13.00. That is a huge deal compared to the actual Stride Rite store. I also get great deals on the New Balance at those stores. So if you don't mind that they might be "last years" style then its a deal! Very comfy shoes and you especially want their little feet in good shoes since they are doing so much growing and shaping. It can make a difference for them when they become adults.

Good luck!!

 

[godalejunior]

We wear tennis shoes anywhere from Adidas to Nike's. I bring multiple pairs and change out in the middle of the day back at the hotel. Seems to work great for us.

 

[eduk8r26]

Lands' End (landsend.com) carries sandals for kids that provide plenty of support and can be worn through water. They are also carried at Sears.

 

[CupidsKiss]

I am on my feet eight hours a day for work (tons of walking) and love my slip on Sketchers. I will be alternating with my well worn in Nikes. I well know not to wear anything to the parks that have not had time to break in.
I am a Crocs snob but finally gave into my DD9 so she has them broken in for DL...still cannot look at her feet without grimacing Sorry Croc fans

 

[Padstack]

DD wears her Nike sneakers and we keep her Stride Rites as back-ups. Just make sure they are broken in before takling the parks.

 

[DesertBell]

My (then) one year old, my three year old, and my bff's 1 year old and 9 year old all wore crocs (me and my bff did, too) and not only did we not have a single blister, we didn't even get sore feet. It was an 8-day trip.
Get crocs and take some comfy sneakers, just in case. That's what we did, but we didn't ever use the sneakers.

 

[imjen]

We bought crocs for the first time for our last trip. They were heavenly, from the ease at airport security, to walking through the parks all day for 3 days in a row. No blisters on any of us. Amazing!

 

[Leofoenget]

My main concern is the kids - I have always just bought them cheapie sandals/runners from wal-mart, but I am thinking some decent footwear for this trip might be smart - nothing worse than a 3 year old with a blister on our first day of a 7 day trip....

So what does everyone wear on their kids feet? I am worried that crocs will simply not be good enough for their little feet - adults can tell when their feet are developing blisters, but my little guys will walk 10 miles and only complain once their feet are bleeding (believe me - speaking from experience here - my 2 year old had horrible blisters from his crocs on a camping trip once - it was awful!!)
I am definitely planning on bringing decent runners, but an alternate pair of shoes will be in order (especially for CA, since my kids CANNOT stay out of a puddle park!!) I've seen the Sketchers sandals, but don't know anything about them.
As for dh and I, probably just a generic pair of sandals and our runners for days when our feet are tired.
Any recommendations?

NOOO BOOOO to CROCS!! They are just NOT a good supportive shoe! I wear a KEEN sandle with socks. (ankle) Super supportive water resistant. Any well tested supportive shoe. Never take a new shoe with you to break it in at the park. Function over form, who cares if it's kinda ugly if it works it works.