Best sandals for feet & wallet?

[aubriee]

About a month or so ago I ordered some Teva Pretty Rugged Leather sandals and Teva Olawahu flip flops from Zappos.com. I am not a flip flop wearer (never could stand the piece between the toes), but Zappos has reviews after each shoe and the reviews on these were just so good I decided to try them. I wore both pairs around the house for a couple of days and they were so comfortable it was like going barefoot. No break-in period was required. The Olawahus particularly were like walking in a cushion of soft foam. Both have a small arch support built in and the straps are padded really well. On the Olawahus the piece that goes between the toes is turned kinda side ways and is really soft material, so it doesn't irritate. After two days when I decided for sure to keep them, I started wearing them everyday to walk my dog. I usually walk a couple of miles everyday and found with these Tevas that I could forget I even had them on. I have a little toe on my right foot that always seems to hurt no matter what shoe I wear. But neither of these shoes even touched my little toe, so it was great. I liked them so well that when I saw a pair of Teva Mush flip flops in the store the other day I had to have them. They were just as comfortable as the other two. These two pair of flip flops and one pair of sandals are the only shoes I'm taking back to WDW in May.

I've ordered from Zappos several times and two things I like about them is that the shoes have several reviews telling people how they fit and they have an excellent free return policy, so you can order several pairs, wear them around the house for several days, and send back the ones you don't like, no questions ask, and they pay for return shipping. I would read the reviews from people who have foot problems similar to yours, order a few pairs and try them out for a few days.

 

[MelAnderson]

I would suggest Merrills. I bought a pair on sale at Nordstrom's last year for $40. Nike also makes a good pair of sandals. I purchased them at Gaylan's last year for just under $40 too. They are extremely comfortable and that's all I wore at the parks last year.

 

[alloyd1170]

I used to work (scuba instructor in dive shop down in FL Keys) in Tevas and my feet were so sore by the time the day was over. I switched to Reef sandals and they were so much better. Ive always liked Birks, but need the waterproof sandals and they dont hold up as well as the leather. Plus they start to stink after awhile (any non-leather material will really). My husband wore Tevas to walk around towns after boating trips and complained they hurt his feet. I got him a pair of Merrells and he never complained again. I have a pair of their shoes and like them. Check out one of the threads on here regarding Crocs. Theyre ugly, but reasonable (~$30-50), come in all colors, a few models (including sandals), are very lightweight, and have an antibacterial built in to the material so they wont stink. I tried on a pair yesterday and liked them, but I dont know how they would be for long walks. People on here say theyre great for WDW though!

alison

 

[Marseeya]

I saw that thread on the Crocs and I'm going to go ahead and try those first since they're so much cheaper than the other ones. It never hurts to have a few pairs of sandals!

Other than that, I've read such good things about Birks, Tevas and Merrells that I'll probably end up with those as well. I want to thank all of you for the advice. And hopefully my feet will thank you as well

 

[Buzz2001]

my dw loves her Nike Straprunners

 

[jpeka65844]

I have to vote for Keen's! www.keenfootwear.com I've got the "Newport" model. My BIL says they look like a well ventilated tennis shoe!!



Denice T.
Olathe, KS

 

[lenshanem]

Just posted this on another thread -

Lands End. I just bought my girls another pair for our upcoming trip.

action sandals

They also have these in adult sizes. Mine still look good from last summer. I got the slip on version without the heel strap.

 

[SAWYERMAW1]

I love the Merrells and the Born sandals. Both are incredible!!

 

[Donalds#1Fan]

I have to say this about footwear:
I took a course in sports medicine and we did some study on feet. I found it interesting to learn that shoes SHOULD NOT have a break in period. If your feet are biomechanically sound in a pair of shoes meaning you are completely balanced, the shoe supports your foot properly, then you should not have to break them in. A good test to see if you have the right shoe for your feet is: you put the shoes on, lace them up(or sandals...strap them whatever) stick out your arm and have someone take their two fingers and try to push it down as you resist the force(power is not important but resistance is), if they are able to easily push down your arm and your muscles fire(respond) late then the shoe you are wearing is not right for your feet.

 

[Disney_1derland]

I just bought a pair of Crocs a few weeks ago and LOVE them! So lightweight, waterproof, feels like I"m wearing nothing and even if I jump up and down in them they absorb the impact well. I walked about 10 miles in one day with no problems and usually by mile 5 I'm dying because my feet hurt so bad.

I bought the Beach model which is $29.95. They have built in orthotic support and mold to your feet. check out www.crocs.com

 

[wdarling]

REEFS!!!!!!! you can get slides or thongs. the most comfortable sandals in the world and run about $22. I first discovered the footwear in WDW. I noticed all the kids from the Brazialan tour groups wearing them then spotted them in that lil surfy shop in adventureland near the Swiss Fam Treehouse. The are AMAZING. I own them in literally every color and have never had any feet probs. the sole is like a sneaker and the part ur foot rests on is squishy(it even says so on the label). i'm a professional WDW walker(i go allllllllllllllllllllllll day no breaks) my feet are in perfect condition and ready to go the next day. I know Norstrom carries them and all surf shops bc its a surf brand.

 

[Marseeya]

I have to say this about footwear:
I took a course in sports medicine and we did some study on feet. I found it interesting to learn that shoes SHOULD NOT have a break in period. If your feet are biomechanically sound in a pair of shoes meaning you are completely balanced, the shoe supports your foot properly, then you should not have to break them in. A good test to see if you have the right shoe for your feet is: you put the shoes on, lace them up(or sandals...strap them whatever) stick out your arm and have someone take their two fingers and try to push it down as you resist the force(power is not important but resistance is), if they are able to easily push down your arm and your muscles fire(respond) late then the shoe you are wearing is not right for your feet.

That makes sense when it comes to the soles of the shoes, but I always thought that the break in period was more to toughen up your skin to keep from getting blisters. That's the main reason I break in a pair of shoes. They always rub in different places on the feet, so by breaking them in, I'm really breaking in my feet, right?

Did they say in your course what types of shoes are the best? Like any brand names?

 

[areno79]

Do the Crocs come in wide? I'm willing to forgo style for comfort

Also, if you're worried about price, check out Famous Footwear (www.famousfootwear.com)
They sell name brands (Tevas, Clarks, Propet, Nike, Aerosoles), but at a much cheaper price than you'd find at Sports stores. They're all over the US

 

[webprinter]

("I live in Soft Footbed Birkenstocks,")

What are soft footbed birkenstocks? Are they a certain style or do all styles come with the soft footbed? I tried to find them on their website, but didn't have any luck. Thanks. Debby

 

[elgerber]

("I live in Soft Footbed Birkenstocks,")

What are soft footbed birkenstocks? Are they a certain style or do all styles come with the soft footbed? I tried to find them on their website, but didn't have any luck. Thanks. Debby

I know the Florida and Arizona and the clog come in them, because I have each of those. As far as I know, those are the only 3 styles that do.

http://www.birkenstock.com/styles/2...46o76o106&user_id=0&store_id=0&page=1&cat=san

Here is a link to one of them on the Birk website, if you look at all the selections on that page a couple of them say Soft Footbed. I know Zappos.com carries some of them too.

Hope that helps!

 

[Dchef]

Do the Crocs come in wide? I'm willing to forgo style for comfort

Also, if you're worried about price, check out Famous Footwear (www.famousfootwear.com)
They sell name brands (Tevas, Clarks, Propet, Nike, Aerosoles), but at a much cheaper price than you'd find at Sports stores. They're all over the US

If you have a wide foot like I do...No worries with the wide they are made that way and are perfect for those of us who normally have trouble. I wear between a 91/2-10 depending on the shoe and I got the XL which is 11 and find that even though they may look and seem bigger, they really are more comfortable for me personally. Find out on their website if there is a place to buy them in your area www.crocs.com
Good Luck!

 

[princess aurora]

Does anyone know much about Doc Marten sandals? I have some of their boots and love them, my DW has some of their sandals and likes them as well (although she does say they are pretty heavy). Has anyone tried their flip-flip sandals? Just curious.

I have Doc Marten sandals and so does my DH. That's ALL he wears in the summer and at Disney. He never complains that his feety are sore. He also has Doc steel toe work shoes and regular Doc ankle boots. As you can see we've been around Doc a lot.

Yes they are a bit heavier but I've never found a problem. My only issue with the slides I have is there were very wide and I was afraid to wear them all day at Disney (in the past) b/c of the extra effort it took to "keep them on". UI think the same about flip-flops. For me I find it is an effort to keep them on meaning the way your toes actually have to support the shoes as each foot moves forward.

I prefer my sport sandals, they are teva-like I think the are actually Hi-Tec sandals. They stay on with out effort because of the strap. I always have aching feet after long days at Disney but nothing that prevents me from continuing on just the regular I'm not use to all this kind of walking ache.