Best Walking Sandal/Shoe

[DMLewis75]

Anyone have any recommendations for the BEST walking shoe/sandal for endless hours of park hopping?? Anything but Crocs...please.

 

[natcat]

I found New Balance walking shoes to be one of the best but I have to say I live night and day in my Crocs now

 

[alloyd1170]

Hate to break it to you but....I used to live in Birks and my New Balance tennis shoes. By the end of the day at WDW, my legs, feet and back were killing me, plus I got blisters from the tennis shoes. I now live in Crocs and have done WDW twice while wearing them. No blisters, sore legs, sore feet or sore back to report.

alison

 

[Tasmen]

I'm going to be trying both of these the next time I go to WDW:

Teva -- http://www.rei.com/online/store/Pro...84&parent_category_rn=4501270&vcat=REI_SEARCH

and

Choco -- http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47996944&parent_category_rn=4501265&vcat=REI_SEARCH

So far (at least from in the house wear ), I can tell you that Teva has a TON of support. It cups the arch of my foot perfectly. It definitely feels like it would be a great shoe for walking around a lot.

The choco sandal also feels supportive, but not as much as the Teva.

Neither shoe feels or looks the type to give at least my feet blisters.

 

[DMLewis75]

Hate to break it to you but....I used to live in Birks and my New Balance tennis shoes. By the end of the day at WDW, my legs, feet and back were killing me, plus I got blisters from the tennis shoes. I now live in Crocs and have done WDW twice while wearing them. No blisters, sore legs, sore feet or sore back to report.

alison

Gosh...really??? I know tons of people on these boards rave about the Crocs...but I just look at them and think no way could they be that comfy. But maybe I'll have to try them. No offense at all...but I just don't find them all that attractive. But then...comfort vs. "fashion"...I guess I'll pick comfort.

 

[DMLewis75]

I have not had much luck in the past with Tevas, but I did just order a pair of Chaco's today. They look simple, not a lot of straps and buckles, etc. I did a TON of research and they got great reviews. If I don't like them, I guess I'll just send them back. Last time I was at Disney, I just wore my New Balance sneakers. And my feet were KILLING me by the end of the week. I've got wide feet and my poor little toes were just screaming!

 

[Tasmen]

Gosh...really??? I know tons of people on these boards rave about the Crocs...but I just look at them and think no way could they be that comfy. But maybe I'll have to try them. No offense at all...but I just don't find them all that attractive. But then...comfort vs. "fashion"...I guess I'll pick comfort.

I felt the same way about crocs to be honest. I recently bought some Disney crocs because I figured if I didn't like them all that much, I could at least use them as a 'omg, I have to pee in the middle of the night let me put on some shoes quick' camping shoes or shoes to wear when driving up to the mountains for snowboarding. So far I have found the crocs to be extremely comfortable. Sometimes I forget I am even wearing shoes. I've been wearing them around the house and on weekends when I go run errands and such.

 

[MACfamily4]

I didn't love the look of the "traditional" crocs, either, so I got a pair of Crocs Athens (the flip flops). I've been wearing them around a lot and they are very comfy and seem to have all the advantages of Crocs (nubby footbed, really light, waterproof, etc.). I also have a pair of Keens Venice shoes. Again, not all that attractive (although I've gotten TONS of compliments on them), but very comfortable and made for serious hiking.


Try these links:

Keens: http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7209688/c/5860.html

Crocs: http://shop.crocs.com//p-14-athens....=41p&subsectionname=Footwear&section=products

 

[alloyd1170]

Remember when Birkenstocks were introduced here-many thought they were ugly and look what happened. Same thing with Crocs. When I saw them on a trip to CO I though ick who would wear those ugly things. Little did I know that Id be living in them all the time!

Ive never been able to wear flip flops because of the toe thing. I love the Crocs flip flops now and wear them around the house. The only downfall to the regular Crocs is that your feet do sweat a lot. When they get wet, then tend to squeak too until they air out. Both my kids have them now (5yrs and 1yr) and theyre the only shoes they want to wear. Theyre a breeze to clean (hose em off). Just watch the tread on the bottom because after lots of wear, they wear down and can become slippery on wet surfaces. Gives you an excuse to go buy a new pair!

alison

 

[luvmyeor]

I was also a Birkenstock only person...but I decided to try Crocs. Wow! I could not believe how comfortable they were in the parks. I wore them at home a lot and the first time I wore them out shopping I wasn't so sure. I had plenty of time to get used to them before we went to WDW. I wore my Birks to the park but had my Crocs in my backpack. It didn't take long until the Crocs were on. I never bothered wearing my Birks the other days. I wear my Crocs everywhere now. I can't tell you the last time I had a pair of Birks on. (and I have quite a collection of Birks)

 

[PleaseStandClear]

It depends on your feet, really. I've had good luck with tevas, but they fit me well and your mileage may vary depending on the shape of your foot.

As far as shoes go, I recently got really good running shoes, but I was getting blisters all the time until a runner friend of mine told me the secret is in the socks. I'd bought thick cotton socks, thinking they'd be most cushy and comfy. Wrong, wrong, wrong. Look for socks that are thin, tight, and made of a wicking material like coolmax.

I'm also testing out some funky looking toe socks before our next trip -- so far they're working great and I have a lifetime history of between the toes blisters. They're called injinji performance tetratsocks and you can find them in running stores, rei, and online. They're not cheap, but I figure if it saves me limping from blisters or spending an extra 20 minutes every morning taping moleskin to my feet, it's well worth it.

 

[disneybelle]

Ultimately, the perfect shoe is the one that works for you. Here's my experience.

I've toured WDW in the following:

Chacos (both the Zong and Z2) - Chacos are totally adjustable and waterproof. They can feel heavy.

Keen (Newport H2) - Comfortable and waterproof.

Teva Mush flip-flop - I accidentally wore these to Epcot as I forgot to change before getting on the bus. I spent the entire day in Epcot after a Seway tour without a problem.

I've tried on Crocs but find them too wide for my narrow feet.

 

[mtmbyck]

Hi all. Just got back yesterday from 9 days of Park hopping and I am CONVERTED! I tried my most comfy old runners and my feet hurt. I tried a new pair of Reeboks and my feet hurt. I tried a pair of Airwalk sandals and my feet hurt. But when I put on the Disney Crocs - VOILA! It was like walking on pillows. I found I was even wearing them around the Disney house since it was such a releif to my feet.

Get over the clunkiness - everyone is wearing them down there!! Crocs win in my books!!

 

[pixiesrule]

I have problems with my lower back when I walk alot, like shopping, amusement parks, etc. I never imagined that just changing to a pair of Crocs would make such a difference, but I was wrong! I have actually been looking at them for a while now, but wasn't really sure I liked their appearance. Just before the Christmas shopping season this year, I broke down and bought a pair of Cayman Crocs (slimmer, and a little less 'clunky' looking than original crocs) and it was amazing Not only did my feet feel great after a day of shopping, my back felt fine. I've just ordered my second pair in a khaki color, and went on line an ordered some jibbitz to decorate them for the next few holidays as well!

 

[rzeta94]

I also love running shoes but bought a pair of crocs for the heck of it while we were in FL and I wear them ALL the time now! : ) As ugly as they are - It's like walking on air!

 

[luvdisney00]

I bought Merrell "Fronds" for my July trip becuse I thought they were pretty as well as comfy. I've been wearing them around the house, and so far I love them.

http://www.shoebuy.com/sb/s.jsp/r_ss/p0_3369,3469/d_AdultF/br_Merrell/p_2/st_100308/sbstl_202058

I do have to add though, I bought my 1st pair of Crocs this week. You can only hang around the DIS for so long before you have to give in and buy them. They are ugly, but they are so comfortable. I really do like the way that they feel on my feet. I am an ICU nurse and I think I am going to have to try them for work as well.

 

[OKW Lover]

Anyone have any recommendations for the BEST walking shoe/sandal for endless hours of park hopping?? Anything but Crocs...please.

The BEST walking shoe/sandal for endless hours of park hopping are the ones that are comfortable on YOUR feet. Recommendations from others won't help you unless their feet are exactly the same as yours.

For best results, late in the day go to one of those athletic shoe stores in the mall and try on various brands and styles. When you find one that feels good as soon as you put it on, buy them. In fact, buy two pair. Then, wear them at home for several days each so that they are well broken in. Then, take them with Disney and alternate them over the days while you park hop.

 

[myladyisatramp]

I Have A Terrible Problem With My Feet And Legs I Can't Wear Sneakers. I Find The Only Shoes I Can Walk Forever In Are Dansko, I Wear The Clogs Most Of The Time But In Shorts They Look Foolish, So I Purchased The Sandals. They Are Fantastic A Little Pricey But If You Need A Real Good Pair Of Shoes Try Them.

 

[DisneyDiva13]

The BEST walking shoe/sandal for endless hours of park hopping are the ones that are comfortable on YOUR feet. Recommendations from others won't help you unless their feet are exactly the same as yours.

For best results, late in the day go to one of those athletic shoe stores in the mall and try on various brands and styles. When you find one that feels good as soon as you put it on, buy them. In fact, buy two pair. Then, wear them at home for several days each so that they are well broken in. Then, take them with Disney and alternate them over the days while you park hop.

Excellent advice, Jeff. However, getting recommendations from others on this board provides an excellent starting place.

 

[perdidochas]

Gosh...really??? I know tons of people on these boards rave about the Crocs...but I just look at them and think no way could they be that comfy. But maybe I'll have to try them. No offense at all...but I just don't find them all that attractive. But then...comfort vs. "fashion"...I guess I'll pick comfort.

I doubted once, too. Now, Crocs are my #1 casual shoe. My only personal worry is that they might wear out too fast. Crocs are about as close to walking barefoot as possible with shoes.