Best shoes/sneakers for diabetics?

[mommy22pumpkins]

hello. My Dad will be joining us on our trip in September this year and I am a bit worried about his feet and getting blisters that could turn into a major problem. Anyone have any experience with this. He says his feet don't blister but as we all know it can happen to anyone especially in Disney with the walking for hours on end.

Any advice on protective footwear or recommendations would be very much appreciated.

thanks in advance

Danielle

 

[stacy6552]

Trust your dad to know what shoes are confortable for him. That said, I recommend spray deoderant for feet or your basic foot spray.

 

[Wendybird55]

I can't give you specifics for shoes but maybe some recommendations.

First make sure the shoes your dad takes to Disney are shoes he's worn for awhile and has broken in. I would reccommend sweat socks as they absorb the perspiration better and maybe he can bring a cooling foot spray. Alos he may want to try those gel soles or something like it in his shoes before going to see how they feel.

And most of all he should rest when he needs to. My dad has diabetes and the best thing is he knows when to say no. If he's tired and needs to rest his legs or feet he does so - and if others want to do something else they can while he rests.

Maybe your dad can ask his Dr. what to do. I know my dad goes every 3-6 months and gets a new pair of shoes. They look like those black leather sneakers with the velcro strap across.

Good Luck

 

[PictureJumpr]

I am a type-I diabetic (for 30 years since childhood) so I have to at least think about shoes and such, but foot fatigue and minor blisters are not really a problem for me as much as they can be for an older, type-II diabetic.

I just wear crocs or sneakers and have few issues.

My mom, type-II and with high blood pressure, has gone on several trips with me and we offer this advice:
Mom likes crocs too, cause of the extra space. Less contact with skin = less blistering. She has a couple pairs of the ones designed specifically for diabetic feet - bigger toe area, no holes in front to help keep rocks out, more squishy inside with a thicker sole, etc. Me, I have several kinds and have worn most at one time or another in WDW, along with my running shoes.

If you're not wearing crocs or some other shoe with extra room inherent to the design, then make sure not to tie laces on regular sneakers tightly against the foot - in the morning, your feet are smaller and will probably swell at least a little during the day so if the laces are tight in the morning then they'll be cutting into your foot (and the circulation) by afternoon.

Wear socks that won't cut into your leg and that are cotton. We've never bothered with the wicking socks that draw moisture off your feet, but as a family trait we have dry feet anyway. Might be worth looking at if moisture is more of an issue in your family.

Remove stones immediately. If something gets in your shoe, stop and get it out as soon as possible. For diabetics, this is more important because small bruises or scrapes/cuts on diabetic feet from stones in your shoes can take longer to heal and lead to infection more quickly than on 'normal' feet.

I work every day in an environment that causes me to be on my feet for hours upon hours - and I have a supply of peppermint-and-tea-tree-oil spray that I spray on my feet at the end of a day, disney days being no exception. Peppermint cause it's tingly and cools on contact, and tea tree oil cause it's a mild but natural antiseptic just in case.

HTH, and have a great trip!

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

New Balance 926 shoes and Chaco's sandals are amazing! Great support, low rubbing and great for walking and standing. I love 'em!

 

[ScrapperKimmyD]

Crocs have a shoe designed for diabetic's feet.

I will only wear Crocs to the parks now - New Balance and Nike and all others that I've tried give me blisters in a day. I wore Crocs for over a week in Europe and it wasn't until the 7th or 8th day that a small blister started - and that was after some MAJOR walking!

Crocs.com

 

[mommy22pumpkins]

okay thanks for the tips! I think we will just make sure he takes some breaks and not over-do it. He is the type that will not slow down and will try to push it too much so I guess we will have to make sure the pace is slow. With a 4 and 6 year old that's not always easy to do! But I'm sure he will have a great time!! We are such disney addicts I can't wait to make him on too

thanks again,

Danielle

 

[ScrapperKimmyD]

You might want to try mole-skin, too. Really helps with those blisters.