crocs vs. sneakers

[KelseyLaPerle]

I see that a lot of people wear crocs for their WDW trips. Are they really as good as wearing sneakers? Travelling with DDalmost 5 and DSalmost 2. DD will walk a lot and DS will most likely ride more. I've also been told to bring two pair of sneakers per child. Maybe I'll just bring one pair of sneakers and one pair of crocs? I'm confused, I never thought of crocs as walking shoes!
Thanks.

 

[Ashlander]

My kids will mainly wear sneakers. This year we bought some Keen Newports so they will also wear those a significant amount. I don't think crocs are for all day wear (for kids), but for shorter amounts of time I think they are great.

 

[Jack&Ryan'smom]

We just got back and my kids wore Crocs the entire trip. We tried to getthem in sneakers but they refused. My 4 year old walked the entire parks in them...he was never in a stroller. I actually never wore sneakers either....it was either crocs or my Birkenstocks!

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

Our four kids wore Crocs the entire week during our last stay, and had no problems. I live in mine. I did bring sneakers with us, but we didn't need them (other than when we needed to be quite sure our youngest would be 40 inches for Soarin'...his sneakers have thick soles). Now, they do wear them much of the time here at home, so they are used used to wearing them a lot!

 

[jgazda]

My daughter and I both wear Crocs throughout the trip and never have any issues. It's especially nice for rain or water rides as they dry really fast.

 

[samshane]

I think it depends on the person... we are a crocs family. My kids all have a pair. My son lives in his - he is 7. I think he likes them better than his sneakers. I prefer my Birks - and I am sure we'll each take a pair of sneaks as well...

 

[kstgelais4]

We take only 1 pair of sandals, and 1 pair of crocs each. No sneakers for us. Sneakers give us blisters, crocs don't.

 

[wmharley]

In Florida it may frequently rain, depending on when you travel...

Do you want wet sneakers or wet crocs?

Of course.. in winter time, I'd just do sneakers as it shouldn't rain as much and its chillier for us locals...

But we do go in crocs when the weather is warm...

 

[thebeesknees]

Wear what they are most comfortable in. My daughter wore her crocs all week - she wears them constantly at home. My son has a pair but rarely wears them, so he brought his sneakers and a backup pair of sandals to wear for wet rides or rain. Both of them were fine.

 

[happy.family.of.6]

Hi, my kids have keen's and they are amazing!!! we love those. I wear crocs though, as i have flinstone feet and my feet are too wide for keen's. My husband wears crocs too because he just likes them better. But having the waterproof/fast drying shoes is a must for this family! Just beware, I have noticed when my crocs are wet, they are more slippery on the smooth concrete. But they dry super fast, so it's all good You do need to break them in though. you never want to go to disney in a new pair of shoes-any new shoes!

 

[Britgirlus]

I wore sneakers and sandals, dh and ds5 wore their crocs the whole week. I find crocs don't give me enough support, but they just love them !

 

[tinkerfan1]

My DS13 loves wearing crocs at home but he does not like to wear that at WDW. One exception...AK to go on Kali River Rapids. His feet hurt if he wears them all day to the other parks after doing so much walking.

 

[avamadison]

My kids wear Crocs for most of the trip. They get way too hot in sneakers and hate the feeling of them if they get wet.

 

[Minniemama350]

My kids wear crocs most of the time. It just doesn't matter if they get wet. We've ruined too many shoes! Also, if you wait until after you blister to switch, it's too late. We do bring the tennies in case we hit a sunny day and they want to switch, but normally they don't want to. I wear fit flops and running shoes and crocs in alternating days. I have several foot/knee/hip issues that the crocs alone can't manage.

 

[asr3535]

My 6 yr old twins(they will correct me they are 6 1/2) can wear Crocs all day at the parks, although in a stroller a lot. When we go in cooler weather they wear sox with them. We also trade off with sneaks. Wish I could wear Crocs, but have insanely narrow feet, so just don't fit. If the Crocs get dirty, they go in the bathtub as water's draining. Crocs are great for the pool, too. So we take 1 pair of Crocs, 1 pair of sneakers.

 

[lolafrances]

My boys ages 2.5 and 4 wear Crocs at home except when they go to pre-school where they have to wear sneakers. When we go to the parks, though, I put them in sneakers. I don't know why. I guess I worry that a Croc might slip off as we get on a ride and then we can't retrieve the shoe. I see tons of kids wearing Crocs, though, so it is really up to you!

 

[kid4everala]

I finally bought a pair last year. I didn't like the appearance at first so didn't but them, but now its the only thing I wear around the house on weekends. My feet used to hurt in all types of shoes. Crocs are the only thing I can wear for extended periods of time and have NO PAIN. They are very supportive. Now my whole family wears them and loves them. We are taking tennis shoes and crocs for our trip. My guess is the crocs will be popular choice.

 

[dsneygirl]

In Florida it may frequently rain, depending on when you travel...

Do you want wet sneakers or wet crocs?

Of course.. in winter time, I'd just do sneakers as it shouldn't rain as much and its chillier for us locals...

But we do go in crocs when the weather is warm...

ITA. DH and BIL got caught in a downpour last month on our trip. It took 3 days for BILs sneakers to dry out. Crocs you just keep going.

 

[Tiger926]

On our 2 week trip in July, I saw much less Crocs less than usual...I think they are finally phasing out.

We used to wear Crocs as they could get wet, and they seemed to help my back for awhile, but after too many slips and toe catches we are done! Crocs really are not that good at all - very slippery and they wear down so fast! They really are unsafe for kids, and do not make for safe park shoes at all, IMHO. We had at one time 13 pairs for 4 people, so we replaced our Crocs every couple of months, yet the same results.

After spending hundreds of dollars on Tevas and Keens as recommended on here (both are horrible), we are back to running shoes. New Balance is our fav - they make an awesome running shoe/water sandal hybrid shoe that the kids absolutely loved. Wore them everyday at WDW. We will take our chances with our running shoes (waterproof spray) as they are the best for our feet, backs, ankles and knees. We always have at least 2 pair each for our 2 week summer trips.

Happy shoe shopping, Tiger

 

[disney_family_1247]

I didn't believe crocs were good for walking either, until I bought some. They are better than any other shoe I've ever worn to Disney. The secret we've discovered to keeping feet less sore is to rotate shoes every day so that you don't wear the same ones twice in a row. I had my kids (9, 6, and 3) rotate between their crocs and sneakers. It worked well