Desperately Seeking Comfortable Sandals

[sbtrfly74]

Not sure if this has been mentioned yet but I love Earth shoes from Walmart! I buy them every few years and use to be ugly as sin, but now they finally look awesome. I found a really cute black pair right before my trip and wore them the whole time w/o having to break them in.

 

[dzneelvr]

As a very veteran WDW'erI have to say that not everyone can or should wear sandals. I can't anymore--good socks and athletic shoes are a must no matter what the season and I get so much more effective exercise out of all the walking by wearing themIf you are set on sandals--make sure you are taking alot of VERY LONG walks in them long before you hit Florida. What feels good on a normal excursion can be turn brutal in the World and sore feet are the absolute worst thing that can happen. Good Luck

 

[merfsko]

I'll be the third to say Crocs Patricia <http://www.crocs.com/crocs-patricia/10386,default,pd.html?cid=44W&cgid=women-footwear-sandals>

I used to be against sandals in the parks- I always wore socks and sneakers- but last summer I found these sandals at the Outlet near Disney, and I LOVE them. I over-pronate, so I normally have to wear orthodics, but have no trouble in these shoes. I would definately recommend them!

 

[The_Alice]

I mainly wore these:

They are the CLEO by Crocs

Very comfortable. No blisters and I wasn't run down by the end of the night. Good to go!

 

[bianca]

For me, it is anything by Propet. They make their shoes and sandals in a huge variety of sizes and widths. They also guarantee them for 1,000 miles or 6 months ...... Whatever comes first. They are super comfortable and offer lots of support and are made out of leather. I know they sell some of them at Penneys, but I always order mine. With a 6 1/2 WWWW, it isn't easy to find in the stores.

 

[alliesmommy]

I love my KEENS!

I tend to get blisters on the bottom of my feet and toes. I bought a pair for our trip to Hawaii last September. We did A LOT of hiking and I never once got a blister. I really liked that my feet could breathe. Here are the ones that I bought.

Shopping around now for a new pair for our trip in September.

 

[MaggieBailey]

While counting down the days (60) until my husband and I leave for our Disney World anniversary trip, I realized that it's time I found a pair of comfortable sandals to wear around the parks.

Every year, I wait until the last minute, and every year my feet lament my tendency to procrastinate. I have purchased many "comfortable" sandals in the past, and even though I have recently decided that price is no obstacle when it comes to finding comfortable sandals (gym shoes are just not for me), I still have not found "the ones."

So, my feet and I are hoping for some help in solving our comfort conundrum. Does anyone have any great suggestions for comfortable brands or styles of shoes to wear around Disney for a week?

I look forward to hearing from you.

~Tybalt

I love Sanuk flip flops for women, the Yoga Mat ones. They are so soft and squishy, the straps are even super soft. I get mine on Amazon, love them! I have 6 pairs of them in different colors.

 

[statefan]

I am a flip flop diva and live in them year around. Up until a couple of years ago I would have recommended Teva Mush. I go to WDW several times a year and lived in my Teva Mush. I have over 20 pairs of them.

However, a couple of years ago I developed plantar fascitis and could no longer wear my beloved Teva Mush for long periods. I hate tennis shoes, so was determined to find some comfortable flip flops with good arch support. After spending hundreds of dollars I found a few. In order, my favorites are Olu'Kai Ohanas, Sketcher Tone Ups, Orthoheels Wave or Orthaheel Tide, Fit Flops, or Montrail Molokini's. None of them are cheap, but sooooo worth the price for their comfort.

Like someone else said though, be sure to change your shoes out at least once a day. I usually wear my Olu'Kai Ohanas in the morning and switch to the Tone Ups for the evenings, then the next day switch that order. Rub your feet with Body Glide in the mornings, apply sunscreen, flex your feet and wriggle your ankles several times a day, soak your feet at night and apply lotion looking for any hot spots that may be developing. If you find a hot spot during the day immediatly apply mole skin. I also take Mobic 15mg for my plantar fasciitis every morning. Since my feet have a tendency to swell in the Florida humidty and heat, I also always have my doctor write me a prescription for Lasix to take only as needed. If they swell, they hurt, so Lasix takes care of that.

My daughter and I both bought a pair of Cobians last week. I have "bad feet" from numerous back surgeries. However, I tried on a pair of the OluKai sandals and they were out of this world! They were about $80, but the only reason I did not get them was they only had a green and red pair. Unless I am buying something "outfit specific", I tend to stay with brown or black!

 

[aubriee]

My daughter and I both bought a pair of Cobians last week. I have "bad feet" from numerous back surgeries. However, I tried on a pair of the OluKai sandals and they were out of this world! They were about $80, but the only reason I did not get them was they only had a green and red pair. Unless I am buying something "outfit specific", I tend to stay with brown or black!

I love, love, love my OluKai Ohanas. I have them in white/brown and also in solid black. The funny thing is the Ohana style is the only OluKai I like. I also have a pair of Kumas in a really pretty metallic gold, but they are not as comfortable as the Ohanas. I also bought a pair of OluKai Amos and sent them back. Their narrower straps weren't as comforable as either the Ohana or Kuma. I got all three pais of my OluKai's at Islandsurf.com. They're around $65.00 there with free shipping.

I can't even tell you why I like the OluKai Ohana so much. To just look at them they don't look particularly special and to feel them they don't have the cushy sole like the Tone Ups, Fit Flops, or Montrail Molokinis that I like so well, but for some reason they just make my feet feel better and just fit my arch so well. They never rub anywhere and my heel doesn't hurt when I'm wearing them. With my plantar fasciitis I can no longer go barefoot anywhere, so around the house I'm always in either my OluKai Ohanas or Sketcher Tone Ups. The Orthoheel Tides and Waves also don't have that squishy sole, but again for some reason feel really good on my feet. I just prefer the Olu'Kai Ohanas a tad more for comfort though.

 

[ChloeLily]

We jsut got back from 4 straight days of disney parks. i wore my Crocs "capri" sandals every day and felt great. no shin or back pain like i often get, and my feet hurt very minimally. I have bad arches and they supported me wonderfully.

 

[fadingjamie]

I wore a pair of Teva Tirra sandals on our last trip two weeks ago. They're cushy enough so being on my feet didn't kill me all day. They have moderate arch support and their rugged enough for all that walking. My podiatrist loves them too.

 

[MaggSkellington]

Being a So Cal Girl Born and Raised (although now I've been relocated to Southeast Georgia thanks to the Navy. Oh well, Closer to DisneyWorld Woohoo!!) I'm VERY picky about my flip flops considering I am always wearing them. I'm not going to say DONT wear flip flops in the park because I do, but if its not your #1 Footwear outside of WDW i'd advise against it.
If you're into a Rubber flip flop, I'm a Havianas girl all the way. and if you're into Leather flip flops, I'd go with Rainbows. Warning with those, they do take a week of walking in them to properly break them in, but once that happens you have this amazing leather flip flop that is morphed custom to your foot and the way you walk.

 

[Michelle67]

I have a pair of Nike sandals similar to the Tevas that I wear with jean shorts, etc (because dressier sandals might make ya look a little...inappropriate) but my true love are my Dansko sandals. They don't sell the exact style I have now, but the "Sissy" style is really close. They are pretty and kinda dressy, but soooo comfortable, with the classic rocker bottom shape Dansko's have which take a lot of stress off your legs and back when you are on your feet for extended periods of time and a nicely padded foot bed.

 

[happycamps]

Merrell anything!! I rotate between two different pairs.

 

[GrumpyMom25]

I have worn Teva Flip Flops on the last few trips we've taken. 2 of the main reasons being they are extremely comfortable and they dry out quickly. Especially in the summer months when showers pop up all the time there is nothing like having to walk around in wet shoes.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

I've got two pairs of Teva sandals that I'm breaking in for a Sept. trip and a pair of Teva flip flops. Right now I plan to wear the sandals to the park and bring two pairs of sneakers just in case.

I ADORE my Tevas. I had no clue until I got pair of flip flops on sale at Sierra Trading Post (thanks to the budget board) how comfy and what good supports these sandals have for a wide footed girl with high arches.

Honestly, I think you probably need to find the right sandal for your particular foot. A lot of posters here like Merrills and Keens, but those don't really work for me. I'm sure there are several posters for whom the Tevas don't work.

Just go and try on sandals and meander around a little in a bunch of different pairs and remember you want support, comfort, and the right fit for your foot!

 

[LaughingSphinx]

I love my KEENS!

I tend to get blisters on the bottom of my feet and toes. I bought a pair for our trip to Hawaii last September. We did A LOT of hiking and I never once got a blister. I really liked that my feet could breathe. Here are the ones that I bought.

Shopping around now for a new pair for our trip in September.

I second these! I have the same pair, and am absolutely loving them. I love the fact that my feet can breathe but my toes are also protected; a must for me as the last time I was at Disney, I managed to slice up a toe pretty badly.

I also second MaggSkellington; don't wear shoes you're not used to. Find a shoe that's similar to the kind you wear every day, and break it in.

 

[catne]

overweight, and plantar fascitis...have to either wear my New Balance walking shoes (athletic shoes) or Teva Dozers. The Tevas as great if it's hot time of year, because I get the full support of a shoe, but the open ventilation of a sandal. Good cushioning in the heel area and good arch support too.(a must for plantar Fasc.)

I have a pair of Keens similar to what's been posted above...they are comfortable for awhile, but I find my aches/heel starts hurting after a couple of hours so I guess the arch support is not good enough for my feet.

Agree 110% with suggestion to buy shoes & wear them every day for at least a month before going on vacation...

 

[YukiPhnx]

I'm a believer of Sanuk sandals. Bought a pair of Sanuk flip flops and my feet are in HEAVEN. They feel incredibly soft and lots of cushion on the heel. I had blister on the balls of my feet and didn't feel them AT ALL in the Sanuks.

I tried on the Teva flip flops too, and while they were very comfy, the heel didn't seem as soft as the Sanuks, and the sole was kind of slippery.

Unlike with other flip flops where my two toes have to carry them, the Sanuks just....stuck to me. SO comfy to be able to do that. I'm eager to get a pair of North by Northwest flip flops though, they felt very nice.