best walking shoes ??

[alicia1506]

so i wear thongs/sandals all year round. the reason for this is a: i hate it when my feet get hot/sweaty/closed in and b: i have a shortened tendon in my big toes that mean they sit up all the time, and don't lie flat.

not a big deal, and most people don't even notice it, but it means closed in shoes like sneakers hurt my toes if worn for too long.

last year at disneyland and walking around orlando and nyc and vegas, my thongs gave me absolutely no arch support and no cushioning. each night my poor achilles tendon was bruised and didn't want to stretch, and my heels felt like they were on fire.

this trip, we'll be on a cruise, then 10 days at disneyland/san diego etc. i plan on doing a lot of walking. and because of this, i need to invest in a set of really good walking shoes with good comfort, no rubbing, good air flow etc.

i know you all have your favourite walking shoes for disneyland/vacation, so please.... recommend away!!!

 

[Emteach]

Wow, that is too funny. I just asked basically the same question (except I am looking for not runners) at the same time but we are headed to Disneyworld lol.

 

[Travel Mum]

After much research here on the Disboards about this, I bought my Croc Cleos for our trip last year. I had never worn Crocs in my life (and still would not wear normal Crocs) but these were sooooo comfy for walking around the themeparks plus I wore them often during the day on our cruise

 

[queenie82]

Keens

I'm not going to suggest a style as it varies so much in Australia. But they give space for toes.

Merrell are good shoes...very lightweight but toes won't always get the extra space.

If you can find them try Salomons.

Anaconda sometimes stock a good range. Mens shoes will give your toes more space too...

If you're looking for good dressier shoes in the future also try Planet shoes sold at Myer. They are still a bit clunky (I have BIG feet which is why I know more than "pretty" brands) but the toe space is more liberal so might suit you.

When you are in the USA

ROCKPORT!!!

 

[hjd0411]

Oh boy - where to start!! I wear runners mostly when I go away, and will probably do so this time too. However, I do sometimes like to wear comfy sandals as well.
A lot depends on how much you would like to spend..!! I got a good pair of Nikes at Athlete's Foot a couple of months ago. (I like to make sure my shoes are well worn in before I leave!) There is a great shoe shop in Brissie called Gilmour's shoes (they have a shop at Mt Gravatt, opposite Garden City and also Aspley I think). They have great shoes of various styles for the "difficult to fit" foot!! (I get my work shoes there - I'm on my feet a lot.) They stock various brands including my favourite - SAS shoes from the US. They do comfy sandals and closed in shoes too, and have an outlet store in Orlando, which I haunt when I'm there..!!!
Otherwise a good pair of Birkenstocks, Merrills (or similar) look good. I'm thinking of getting a pair of Birkenstocks before I go to wear on the cruise and elsewhere.
They would give you the arch support you need, I think!
Good luck - it is so hard to find decent shoes - I shudder to think how much I have spent on the wrong shoes!!! And still do sometimes.
Hope that helps a bit, anyway!

 

[aussietravellers]

http://www.crocs.com/crocs-athens/10024,default,pd.html

Croc Athens. They are THE most comfortable thongs on the planet! Really good support and you can wear them all day walking miles and miles and not get a blister or a sore arch.

They are however, not the most attractive shoe, I wouldn't wear them at home as an every day shoe, but I do wear them at Disneyland/WDW non stop the whole trip. I don't know, I sort of feel like I can get my inner dork out when I go to Disney, LOL. My DS has them too and it is really hard to get him to wear other shoes because he has never found a shoe as comfortable as his croc athens.
I wouldn't have worn them in NY though, but crocs would be a good option for you. Go into a croc shop and do some trying on to see what suits your foot.

You can't get the Athens in Australia any more though, not that you would want to anyway with them being twice the price as they are in the US

 

[BigDisneyOE]

If you want hiking sandals that will last I swear by Ecco and Rockport. A pair of each last over eight years and I wear nothing else in the summer (despite having a huge shoe collection). I've had significant foot injuries including running myself over with my own 1.7 metric ton peoplemover with my feet stuck under it, both Ecco and Rockport give good arch support and are comfortable enough to wear day on day. If they get niffy I hose them off and they dry down well in the summer. I wear Keen hiking shoes as they are wide fit, so those in sandals may be good too.

 

[elaine amj]

I'm shoe shopping right now for my WDW trip too. will be trying Danskos - just tried their Pippa clogs which are cute - but overall too closed in for me.

FitFlops feel pretty good. i also plan to try Merrells, another Dansko, and a few others. From all I can tell - it ALL depends on your particular feet which will work best for you.

Be prepared to pay for good support.

I'm looking for pretty sandals that will replace my running shoes for my travels so they must be super comfortable. How the solde is constructed is super important.

 

[Travel Mum]

http://www.crocs.com/crocs-athens/10024,default,pd.html

Croc Athens. They are THE most comfortable thongs on the planet! Really good support and you can wear them all day walking miles and miles and not get a blister or a sore arch.

They are however, not the most attractive shoe, I wouldn't wear them at home as an every day shoe, but I do wear them at Disneyland/WDW non stop the whole trip. I don't know, I sort of feel like I can get my inner dork out when I go to Disney, LOL. My DS has them too and it is really hard to get him to wear other shoes because he has never found a shoe as comfortable as his croc athens.
I wouldn't have worn them in NY though, but crocs would be a good option for you. Go into a croc shop and do some trying on to see what suits your foot.

You can't get the Athens in Australia any more though, not that you would want to anyway with them being twice the price as they are in the US

I imagine that your Croc Athens feel very similar to my Croc Cleos http://www.crocs.com/crocs-cleo/10043,default,pd.html?cid=240&q=cleo I just prefer not to have anything through my toes so the Cleos suit me. Prior to the planning of our trip, I would never had imagined in a million years that I'd have bought and worn a pair of Crocs!

However, like you, I do not wear them in my regular life here! Agree, can be somewhat dorky at WDW and on holiday but not here at home!! A shame though as I have never had such comfortable shoes as my Cleos are. On Day 3 at a WDW park (it was EPCOT) I thought I'd try my comfortable trainers and socks, like the other half of the Disboard concensus seemed the think was best but, after half an hour, I was wishing I'd worn my Cleos and never made that mistake again!!

 

[Rebekkap]

I second the recommendation for Birkenstocks - really comfy, even if you're walking all day!

ETA check international sellers on eBay - I got two pairs shipped from Germany with free shipping, for less than half of what a single pair costs in Australia

 

[cmwade77]

so i wear thongs/sandals all year round. the reason for this is a: i hate it when my feet get hot/sweaty/closed in and b: i have a shortened tendon in my big toes that mean they sit up all the time, and don't lie flat.

not a big deal, and most people don't even notice it, but it means closed in shoes like sneakers hurt my toes if worn for too long.

last year at disneyland and walking around orlando and nyc and vegas, my thongs gave me absolutely no arch support and no cushioning. each night my poor achilles tendon was bruised and didn't want to stretch, and my heels felt like they were on fire.

this trip, we'll be on a cruise, then 10 days at disneyland/san diego etc. i plan on doing a lot of walking. and because of this, i need to invest in a set of really good walking shoes with good comfort, no rubbing, good air flow etc.

i know you all have your favourite walking shoes for disneyland/vacation, so please.... recommend away!!!

I have much the same problem and I find the Crocs Flip Flops give good support (I like the Athens, but I am going to try the Band Flip Flops, because they were on sale). I wear them to Disneyland, Sea World, San Diego Zoo, the Wild Animal Park, etc. all the time. They actually help my knees as well, which is really good.

For an idea, we did a trip of: Disneyland (3 days), Universal Studios (1 Day), Sea World (1 Day), San Diego Zoo (1 Day), plus the beach (1 day), plus the Orange County Fair (1 day) with my family last year and I wore them the entire time without any problems. I have also worn them on 10 day disney world trips. On the Cruise line )7 night Mexican Rivera), I wore them most of the day; however, at night, I switched them out from Crocs DS Ventures that I still have and wear for work, I wish they still made them, but they don't and there's no real good dressy shoe alternatives.

The other advantage that I find with Flip Flops is on water rides I don't end up with wet socs. Crocs adds the advantage that they are very slip resistant until they are worn out.

 

[5ofus]

After much research here on the Disboards about this, I bought my Croc Cleos for our trip last year. I had never worn Crocs in my life (and still would not wear normal Crocs) but these were sooooo comfy for walking around the themeparks plus I wore them often during the day on our cruise

I LOVE my Cleo's. I was so upset when the discontinued them I have a bad back and they are brilliant!

 

[aussietravellers]

I LOVE my Cleo's. I was so upset when the discontinued them I have a bad back and they are brilliant!

You can still buy the Cleos
http://www.crocs.com/crocs-cleo/10043,default,pd.html?cid=240&q=cleo

It may be like the Athens... They "discontinued" them about 4 years ago and what do you know, the Athens are still available, but in limited colours 4 years later With the Cleo being such a popular shoe, like the athens, I bet there was uproar and they have continued them but just in a few colours

Travelmum, I would love to wear the Cleos as I'd prefer nothing between the toes, but I have a wide foot and a high foot and I have tried the Cleos a few times but they just don't suit my foot shape

 

[Travel Mum]

Travelmum, I would love to wear the Cleos as I'd prefer nothing between the toes, but I have a wide foot and a high foot and I have tried the Cleos a few times but they just don't suit my foot shape

Oh that is a shame Aussietravellers

 

[ExcitedSam]

try endless.com I have bought all our Keen sandals from there at a lot cheaper than you can get them here! they have a lot of other walking shoes too, so if you see some here you like check them out before you buy! shipping is cheap too, $5, or free if you spen over $100!!

we are breaking ours in ATM! the seem very comfy so far.

 

[WAMUMOF4]

most definitely Crocs but you be prepared to throw them out at the end of the trip

 

[alicia1506]

my sister works in a shoe store and she winces every time i ask her about crocs.. like, visibily winces. i bought a pair once, a pair of closed in ballet flats and they were a: too big for me and b: made my feet sweat. i practically live in ipanema sandals/thongs for most of the year.

i will definitely try endless.com and see if i can find something suitable. thanks for all the suggestions!!! this has been a great help i can't wait to find a good pair of shoes for walking!! i certainly wouldn't want to throw out any shoes, but maybe i can have a pair that are strictly for DL and walking holidays... you know... what shoes you wear on holiday, stay on holiday

 

[australiankaren]

Crocs..the ugliest shoes in the world....but i am thinking of grabbing a few pair at the orlando outlets...they just look so damn ugly..but i do live in my adidas sandshoes when at the parks, so not attractive eitherand sock tan is a tad embarrassing when in formal gear

 

[miss.potatohead]

This came up no my facebook feed the other day

true. but they are comfortable once you walk around in them! I wore my high top converse the entire trip. Don't recommend that for 3+ days of walking but I wanted to avoid the junners situation. Next time (whenever that is) I plan to wear my nike free runs, or whatever running shoes I have at the time because the comfort isn't worth the pain at the end of the day.

 

[battymum]