Can we discuss shoes?

[Diszona]

I often wear capris with an athletic shoe. It looks fine as long as you have low profile/ankle socks! I'd rather be comfortable than worrying if I look silly anyway...

This conversation reminds me of the Modern Family episode where they go to DL and Gloria insists on wearing high heels. She eventually can't walk anymore and buys Minnie house slippers!

Yeah, DL is definitely one place where I stress comfort over looking goofy every time (though I don't think what you describe would look goofy but I'm a guy so what do I know?)

 

[PHamrick]

I know. But she also has foot issues and it just irks me when people put fashion before their own well being. So, I was pointing out that wearing capris with sneakers is extremely common in So Cal, and even moreso at Disneyland. She doesn't need to feel self conscious about it.

I'm sorry to irk you, and I'm not putting my "fashion" before my own well being. I don't feel comfortable when I dislike my outfit. I would never wear truly uncomfortable shoes (e.g. heels or sandals) to the parks, but my well-being also includes me being comfortable. Blame it on my conservative Southern upbringing, but I don't feel comfortable going out of the house without being properly turned out. Again, as another poster pointed out, MY preference. I also don't own sweatpants and almost always wear make-up. Again, my hang-ups, my issues to work out with my therapist, I suppose. However, I'm not sure why that irks you? I certainly don't think everyone is looking at me or judging me or even noticing what I'm wearing. *I* notice what I wear and was hoping to be the most comfortable, sartorially, mentally, physically and emotionally as I go through DL for the first, and who knows? the last time. Just trying to shed more light on the reason I asked.

 

[PHamrick]

Also, since some were concerned, my PF is under control at the moment. Last bad flareup was a few months ago. Since I haven't been training that hard in winter, it's had time to rest. Also, I have a great podiatrist who has counseled me on inserts (love them!) and different shoe types that help. So far so good in training this year! Thank you for the lively discussion!!!

 

[CampbellzSoup]

My hat is off to the brave ladies I see walking in the park with heels...how you do it is beyond me!

 

[Happiest.Haunt_999]

Keen, Teva (which I wore my sandals version of many days on my last Disney trip) and Brooks running shoes. Merrill's are good too and they have many different styles.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[ClaraOswald]

My hat is off to the brave ladies I see walking in the park with heels...how you do it is beyond me!

"Brave" isn't the word I would use to describe them. Ha!

 

[VandVsmama]

Just wanted to add a thank you to the OP for asking about shoes. Because of this thread, I've learned about some other good shoe options for touring the parks! I understand where the OP is coming from on not necessarily wanting to wear athletic shoes with certain types of pants, jeans, etc. I don't care for it myself because my feet are super long, so it looks weird with socks and athletic shoes with the capri pants that I often wear to the parks.

 

[Lm3js]

While I don't know your style, check out the Jsport by jambu. I have 3 pairs of the Misty and I have worn them on many trips to DL and middle of July in WDW. Selling points - arch support, memory foam, easy to clean, the are semi-mesh so quick dry - they are the best for water rides, cute with shorts, capris, skirts or jeans, mesh so they breathe (not as good as sandals, but are cooler than trainers), closed toe so you have protection if people step on your feet. Best bet is to try a bunch and buy the most comfortable ones. You also need to bring at least 2 different pairs so you can alternate as your feet will hurt regardless of how comfortable if you don't switch it up. http://jambu.com/women/brands/jsport

 

[dreeger]

I wear the sketchers GoWaLKs in the park. I didn't used to but I went with my out of shape mom and I was wearing my brooks running shoes and my feet were sore by the of the day (sore balls of my toes and plantar facitis). My mom was not complaining at all. THe GOWalks are amazing. Also, the cheap inserts that look like a tear drop pillow from Walmart make a big difference in heal and calf pain. I like to carry them in my purse and wear them off and on throughout the day so that I change the pressure points and where I am getting as stretch.

Thank you for the tip! I bought a pair of sketchers go walks with the memory foam soles for my trip this past weekend and they were amazing! My fit bit shows I walked about 10 miles a day and my feet/body barely felt it. Not sore or tired at all and no blisters, which I've had in the past from running shoes. I usually wear clarks sandals in the park, so I knew I couldn't do that in the rain and was worried about breaking in new shoes. They were a dream!

 

[gingerfeathers]

I also swear by Vionic sandals, particularly the Tide flip flops. I've been wearing them regularly since 2009, and that includes multiple trips to WDW and a DL trip too.

 

[VandVsmama]

I just wanted to say THANK YOU THANK YOU to everybody on this thread who mentioned Sketcher Go Walks. I just bought some today and oh my LORD they are so comfortable! Feels like you don't even have any shoes on at all.

 

[NannyBeBe]

I suffered with PF for a long time until a friend recommended SAS shoes. I bought a pair and from the moment I put them on several years ago I have never had a flareup of PF. SAS shoes are amazing and there are many styles to choose from. I highly recommend them.

 

[egritz]

Agree with others, wear tennis shoes, just buy the ankle socks and it will look fine with the capris.
I LOVE my Ryka tennis shoes, they only make shoes for women, but they are amazing. Between them and my Tommy Bahama flip flops I no longer have sore feet/legs/back after days in the parks. And the Ryka shoes are sold at DSW and are affordable.

The only other thing I would suggest is if you have a shoe specialty store, like Fleet Feet, their employees are trained to help you find the right shoe for your body, walk, foot, etc. They will watch you walk and based on that they can recommend several different shoes to buy. Unfortunately they will typically be retail, so very expensive, but especially if you have problems with your feet, you can't put a value on comfort.

 

[Chuckers]

I can't recommend Sketcher's GoWalks enough. Last year I did 6 days of amusement parks in California. Six Flags, Universal, 3 days at Disneyland, and Knotts Berry Farm. I brought 2 pairs of Sketcher's GoWalks, switched each day. I didn't have a single blister and my feet felt fine.

 

[DLgal]

I love my Go Walks to wear around the house and to run errands. That said, they did NOT do right by my feet when I wore them at Disneyland and walked about 6 miles. The lack of actual structural support did me in and my feet were sore for days.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I love my Go Walks to wear around the house and to run errands. That said, they did NOT do right by my feet when I wore them at Disneyland and walked about 6 miles. The lack of actual structural support did me in and my feet were sore for days.

The GoWalks work for me only with an insert. Not enough heel/arch support otherwise.

 

[blynn]

My husband and I both bought Skecher Go Walk 3's. We tried on other earlier styles of Go Walks, but they weren't any more comfortable than other shoes we have tried. But the Go Walk 3's are like walking on pillows of air - very cushiony. My husband has had PF and his feet always hurt before. He can now walk around the parks for days with no foot pain, and he didn't think that would be possible. I had worn both Nikes and New Balance shoes before and had thought they were as comfortable as shoes could be when walking 10 miles a day, and that it was inevitable that your feet would feel tired and ache at the end of the day. Then I got the Skechers Go Walk 3's, and I couldn't believe shoes could be so comfortable! My feet feel as good at the end of the day as they do at the beginning. We tell everyone we know going to Disneyland about them, and I usually don't do that kind of thing, but they are so amazingly comfortable that I want to share that with others.

 

[xlxo]

The best thing I did for shoes.... Ortho inserts. Didn't realize I needed arch supports, I was in so much pain.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I love my Go Walks to wear around the house and to run errands. That said, they did NOT do right by my feet when I wore them at Disneyland and walked about 6 miles. The lack of actual structural support did me in and my feet were sore for days.

The GoWalks work for me only with an insert. Not enough heel/arch support otherwise.

Thanks for this info. I have a hard time finding good shoes. I have rheumatoid arthritis and have sore feet constantly. Shoes that seem soft/cushiony at first always end up killing me after watching even a couple miles if there isn't actual support. Makes it hard to buy shoes though because I end up thinking they are great until I've worn them a while. Needless to say, I have a million pairs of "okay" shoes and almost no good shoes.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Thanks for this info. I have a hard time finding good shoes. I have rheumatoid arthritis and have sore feet constantly. Shoes that seem soft/cushiony at first always end up killing me after watching even a couple miles if there isn't actual support. Makes it hard to buy shoes though because I end up thinking they are great until I've worn them a while. Needless to say, I have a million pairs of "okay" shoes and almost no good shoes.

I wear the same pair of Merrill's (with insert) almost every day to work for that reason. For me its feet & knees. Most of the Skechers are too sporty to look good with dress clothes I wear to work.