Best Shoes

[klm7926]

Myself, DS, DS1 (6), DS2 (4) are planning our first trip to Disney the first week of May. I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for a good pair of comfortable shoes for us. I unfortunately have plantar fasciitis and need a good pair for a lot of walking!

 

[LSchrow]

there have been lots of differing suggestions and opinions for footwear at wdw over the years.
some ppl find a good pair of worn-in sneakers are perfect, others wear $1 flip-flops, and some spent lots for merrells.

personally, i've tried just about everything, and the only footwear i find comfortable enough to walk miles (and miles) in daily for 10-12 days AND not worry about rain or waterrides are fit-flops, and to a slightly lesser extent, tevas.
any brand of sneakers, all types of crocs, and differing sandals, etc left me with multiple, painful blisters. the fitflops are especially good if you have back and/or problems (i do), and both have good support.

whatever you decide, be surre to wear them before going to wdw, just to get them broken in, and always have a back up pair of footwear for each person.
have fun

 

[nkereina]

Do you have shoe inserts? My dad has plantar fasciitis and has custom made inserts from his podiatrist. He wears UGG walking boots (not the winter ones) and puts his inserts in them and he can walk for miles! UGG makes shoes also (rather than boots). If you don't have inserts, definitely see about getting some made from your doctor or invest in some higher priced ones from a shoe store or foot doctor. It's worth the investment, my dad can pretty much wear any shoe as long as he has his inserts.

 

[Nadjalu]

The best thing you can do for your feet with heel spurs is running shoes. They handle more impact on your heels.
Where them during the day with moisture resistant socks this works well.

Now after a full morning and afternoon of walking I head back to the resort and switch into brand new Crocs (new for the support, crocs don't need to be broke in).
This allows for the natural swelling that occur from being on your feet.
The new support gives you the bounce back in your step to finish the day/night.

Once you are back to your room for the night, wash your feet and apply ice for 5 - 10 mins. Then finish with a nice calming lotion and a foot massage if you have a willing spouse.

Enjoy! This is how I get thru a WDW vacation.

 

[honeydiane1953]

I have had bone spurs in heels for yrs. I wear mules, flip flops and once in a great while soft ballerina type shoes.

 

[awoogala]

we wear crocs. sometimes fitflops.

 

[brewhome]

A good pair of Nike sneakers, preferably cross-trainers, and moisture wicking socks. You'll get breaks while sitting on the rides. Make sure you rest when you need to. Also, definitely bring a back up pair.

And... peppermint foot cream is definitely nice at the end of a long day!!

 

[mnosky]

A good friend had sever plantar fasciiitis and her doctor (not sure if orthopod or podiatrist) actually recommended fitflops. I could never wear flip flops at disney and when fitflops came out I thought they might have enough support to wear at disney - I wore them the first day and ended up wearing them all week!

I also wear softspot and dansko shoes/clogs/sandal (depending on season).

Crocs are comfy so I might wear them one day but they just don't have much support - and I never wear them if my plantar fasciitis is flaring up because I need more arch support if it is.

Maybe a tennis shoe with good support? - I am just not a tennis shoe person.

 

[disneydreamersx4]

Tevas Tirra http://www.teva.com/ProductDetails.aspx?g=w&categoryID=425&productID=4266&model=Tirra

I haven't been diagnosed with plantar faciitis but I have all the symptoms and I lived in these shoes last Summer to the end of Autumn! I had no foot pain ever in these shoes. Now that it's winter, I bought Saucony sneakers and they are comfortable too.

Oh, I bought my Tevas Tirra at Sports Authority and got 20% off so look for one of those sales. I never thought I would spend about $60 for shoes but they are so worth it! Also got a pair for my DD-9 who has foot pain but not in her Tevas

 

[Lori1960]

Since you have PF I would go see your foot dr and get a cortizone shot.I had that ansd went to Disneyworld in May and in July went to France and got the shot before we left and did have poblems with my feet hurting.I had custome made Or made and the store didn"t make them right.I now have neuropathy in my feet and my feet hurt all the time so it doesnt matter what shoes I wear cause my feet hurt all the time.But I would get the cortizone shot that will help.

 

[momto2inKC]

With foot problems, definitely a good pair of broken in tennis shoes. Our family used to be Croc wearers, but have since discovered Teva flip flops. They are the *best (for us) to wear at the parks. We go for usually 9 nights and live in these. Unlike most flip flops, they conform to your foot and are so cushy. The 'strap' in between your toes is also a soft fabric, so no rubbing. We each usually take a few pairs.

 

[I-Bike]

I've purchased pretty much every type of comfortable sandal known to man (ie. Fitflops, Teva Mush, Crocs) but the shoes that never hurt my feet are plain ole reef flip flops.

 

[englishteacha]

I love my New Balance sneakers. They are SO comfy. My husband likes the Dr. Scholl's sneaks from Walmart, though they don't last anywhere as long as my NBs do. I also really like my Teva Mush flip flops, but I don't wear them all day in the parks. I have broken toes before and am cautious about having exposed feet in crowds! I have worn my flops in the evenings at the parks, and shopping and such. I probably could wear them all day, comfort wise.

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

This is a huge problem! I know from experience! I have severe PF with heel spurs, to the point where my doctor told me if I hadn't come to him when I did, I would've been disabled. After cortisone shots, physical therapy, yadda, yadda... I am able to function almost normally. I live in Crocs, as my doctor forced me to wear them. However, for Disney I had to switch pairs often as my feet would adjust to the level of support and need a change. I like the newish Crocband flat. They are super cute as Crocs go, and provide a lot of support. They have also come out with a Croc RX that is specifically for PF. I will be purchasing several different pairs for my next trip in May. I am going to try the new Croc toners in person at the store before purchasing. I also have a pair of Tennies that I got fitted for at Second Sole. They were expensive, but feel like I am walking on clouds. The are Nike Bowman series (or Bowerman? can't remember) I got fitted two different times there by two different people, and both times that was the series that worked for me. I didn't purchase the first time, but eventually went back and a new guy fitted me into the same series. They were costly, but effective. I will be looking into some of the toners that I think are seriously ugly, but if they don't hurt...well...I'm in. After all, I resisted the doctor about the Crocs. I told him flat out "no. I will not wear ugly shoes." He said, "yes you will." and now that's mostly what I wear. Take it slow in Disney or you will do what I did the first time, and end up with swelling and bleeding under the skin. I was a hot mess. Every night I couldn't wait to soak my feet in the hot tub, massage my muscles, and then put iron man muscle rub on. It helped to soak them in the AM also. I'll probably do ice this time too. Crocs almost never give me blisters, but I would wear them only a couple times to break them in before Disney. I broke mine in a little too much before my last trip. One thing I've learned about PF and Crocs is that once the tread on the bottom starts to wear off, I start to have pain. I am visiting my doctor before I go again. I may do a cortisone shot just for precaution's sake, and I will definitely be taking pain killers with me. Good luck!

 

[tarantim]

i have pf too and arthritus in both knees i have several styles and love them all. they have great sandals that can go in and out of water, so they are good even for a day at the waterparks. i swear by them! i buy a new pair every season. i will be taking at least three differnt pair with me this next trip. they are a bit pricey but i have a pair that are five years old and still in excellent condition. i buy new ones because i like the novelty of a new color or style of foot friendly shoe.

 

[aubriee]

I have plantar fasciitis, but hate to wear tennis shoes. I've spent a fortune trying to find supportive flip flops. In order of comfort the ones that work best for me are the OluKai Ohanas, Sketcher Tone Ups, Fit Flops, and Orthoheels. Now I have fairly high arches--none of these would work for flat feet (especially the OluKai or Orthoheels which have a very high supportive arch).

 

[OKW Lover]

The answer to this question is:
D, All of the above...
or maybe its:
D, None of the above...

Seriously, only your feet can tell you which are the best shoes. Given the huge difference in how feet are shaped, how much weight they are supporting, and how people walk, there isn't any single answer.

Best advice is to try on several pair of shoes and go with what is most comfortable to you. Then wear them often before you go so that they are well broken in.

And bring more than one pair so that you can rotate them on the trip.

 

[klm7926]

Jeff, I've definitely figured that out...lol! There are so many choices and opinions! I think DH and I are going to go try some on a little closer to our trip to see which ones we like the best ON our feet!

 

[Ratatosk]

New Balance running shoes or cross trainers. Teva sandals that are broken in. Last year DS wore his Keen sandals that were broken in; however, with the miles and miles of walking he developed a blister and was MISERABLE.

 

[irishfanx4]

We found whatever shoes you wear you need to switch to different ones everyday. I love my crocs and hubby loves his New Balance sneakers!