favorite walking "shoe" under $75?

[Cinderpals]

For tennis shoes, I vote for New Balance hands down! I used to teach and would always change into them as soon as I got to my classroom. I brought a pair of Sydney (style) Birkenstocks with me to WDW and a pair of tennis shoes. I wore the Birkies all of the time. They were so easy on my feet. They were the perfect sandal for me. You can buy them on sale from a Birkenstock store/dealer at least twice a year. I also saw them on one of the Shopping channels for around $60 in pretty colors too. Whichever you choose, break them in before going.... The miles really add up at WDW.

 

[Pantherburn]

If you have a specialty running store or large athletic shoe store you may want to try on some "racing flats". These are primarily for competitive running, but can make a very good walking shoe also. They are extremely lightweight, flexible shoes with adequate cushioning. They can also be matched to your particular foot strike/motion, i.e. whether you pronate or are neutral. Personally, I like New Balance, Mizuno, and Asics. Not a fan of Nike as they tend to run small and don't have as much room in the "toe box". Also, please know that you should retire your shoes every so often as they break down and lose their support structure. I walk 1200-1400 miles a year for fitness (on pavement), and typically go through at least three pair a year. I am currently trying some Mizuno "Revolvers" with good results. I also like the New Balance 110, which is a racewalking shoe. There are several others and YMMV.

Socks are also an important consideration. At first I tried a lot of the thicker, cushioning socks such as Thorlo, but over the years have found that the thinner the sock the better. Particularly invest in socks that are primarily constructed of synthetic "wicking" fibers such as "coolmax", etc... Also, be sure to cut your toenails correctly - straight across.

Lastly, please take the time to break in your new shoes(and socks) before taking a trip that will involve a good deal of walking. That way you'll be sure that you have a good fit and not have to worry about getting blisters, etc...

The originator of this thread specified not spending more than $75.00. While the shoes I've mentioned above do fall within those parameters, I would not place a limit on spending for the correct shoes if you consider how much you use your feet and how important they are for a lifetime of mobility and quality of life.

My .02.

Regards,

 

[arminnie]

Originally posted by Cindy B
I bought a fabulous pair of Columbia sandals.

I am probably the only person that can't stand TEVAS!

I don't like Tevas either. The insole is too rough and hurts my feet. I just bought some Columbia sandals too.

 

[MissingMickey]

love both saucony and new balance because they come in wider widths.

 

[VALDAN]

I wore Tevas Niyanti the whole week with no problems. It was better than any other sneaker I wore previous trips.
I would ask my family how there feet were doing(they were sneakers), I would say my feet feel cool and comfortable thanks to Disboards!!

 

[SparKeLLy]

I don't like these tevas:

but I do like these:

I also like Rockport Cape May or Garner Bay sandals. Lands' End has some comfortable lightweight sandals. For shoes I like New Balance.

 

[Linxzy]

I'm not a Teva girl (though I used to use them when younger) nor a tennis shoe one. So I bought this ones for my July trip and were very comfy while walking and getting wet. Unfortunately I didn't buy them at $9.99 but at $30, but it was worth it. I saw many Brazilians wearing them also.

iPanema sandals

 

[sandieb]

Another vote for Avia athletic shoes (from another nurse, no less).
I gree they are a superior shoe! I have paid oodles for a variety of brands, but I always return to Avia for superior comfort, fit, and durability. Sandie B

 

[binkyj826]

Now I have another question.....if you are choosing a sneaker do you go for a walking, running, crosstrainer, etc? I'm don't run....but is it a better sneaker than a walking one?

Thanks for all of the info pantherburn. I never even thought of the kind of socks I should go for.

 

[mickeycw]

My favorite are an Easy Spirit sandle type....it is open toed but has a band around the back VERY confortable....I bought a pair at $50 in the spring...just went to an Easy Spirit outlet in North Dartmouth and they were only $25!!! I just HAD to buy a pair in every color they had!

 

[Pantherburn]

Originally posted by binkyj826
Now I have another question.....if you are choosing a sneaker do you go for a walking, running, crosstrainer, etc? I'm don't run....but is it a better sneaker than a walking one?

Thanks for all of the info pantherburn. I never even thought of the kind of socks I should go for.

That's a tough question, and I think it boils down to personal preference and intended uses. Personally, I prefer extremely light and flexible shoes for walking - racing flats or racewalking shoes. Be forewarned, they probably have a shorter life than a heavier constructed shoe. Again, this is just my personal preference.

To me, I have always been confused by what they sell as "walking shoes". They always seem to have an excess of cushioning and are quite heavy and clunky. Now mind you, some people may need this due to knee problems, etc..., I'm no expert. I would definitely look for a sole that is smooth and flat if you are going to be walking on pavement or hard surfaces. You don't need hiking lugs on your sole for pavement and they will actually afford less traction on hard wet surfaces. Also you don't need a great deal of transition or height differential between the heel(strike area) and the toe(push off) if you think about the mechanics of walking which is kind of a rolling from heel to toe.

I guess my thoughts were to try to think outside of the box(I can't believe I'm using catch phrases) and don't just buy a shoe because it's marketed as a "walking shoe" and assume that it will be your best choice. As some have posted they prefer sandles, I say go for it, but I would never, ever even consider that as my choice, no matter how much I like my Chaco sandles.

There's a lot of mostly good information on the web considering shoe choices that may prove beneficial if you care to do the research. Look at running or racewalking sites. Admittedly they are much more knowledgeable than me as I can only offer advice based on my experiences and preferences. Hope I have helped and not over- complicated!

Regards,

 

[tink2dw]

I found the PERFECT WDW Shoes!!!!!
They sell them in the malls, They have a retractable wheels in the heel. When the wheels are down, you Balance on them and skooter along!!

This should Really help to save wear and tear on your FEET. Whether or not you can balance with all that plaster on your arms and legs is an other problem!!

 

[jann1033]

start looking at sales now for reduced tevas,,i got mine last fall for $10 at a dept. store clearance. also if you have a tjmaxx or gabriel brother's type store i got nike air walkers for $25 there..they have mesh sides so are not real heavy.
never wore the tevas at wdw due to cold weather but the nikes were great (I have lots of foot problems and finding a comfy pair of shoes is a chore anyway)

the socks i wore were called walking socks, wicked away moisture and made by walking co. vert cushiony also

i find i do need lots of cushion in both socks and shoes.. got no blisters this time and my feet only hurt bad enough i needed to sit down some towards the end of the day at Epcot( probably due to the walking i would guess but my feet always hurt and due to circulation problems swell like crazy everywhere i go!)

 

[sorchamac]

For sneakers I love New Balance. Once in a while I'll try another great name running shoe (currently have Asics) and I always regret it. This summer I had a pair of Clark sandals, and they were awesome. Just as comfortable as my sneakers.

I've found that if you know what you want, www.shoebuy.com has great prices and often great discount coupons, which you can find at www.currentcodes.com

Sorcha

 

[PneumaticTransit]

I have always been fond of Cross Trekkers from Payless. They are under $20 and you can usually go during a BOGO (Buy one get one half off). I work at Disney, so I had to have all white tennis shoes and they were all I could find, but they felt great. I have worked at the All-Star hauling peoples luggage around, so Im sure they would work fine for walking around the parks. I have a high arch on my feet, so I have to buy arch supports no matter what kind of shoe Im wearing, but that's only $5 more. If your worried about your feet hurting I recommend getting out and walking before you leave for your vacation so your feet and legs won't be totally shocked when you get to Disney. Especially if you have a desk job. When you get here, remember to sit down, drink plenty of water, and bring a dry pair of socks. It's no fun having wet feet.

On a side note, a couple months ago a new Cast Member (who just started on the college program) came into my office and proudly showed off his new shoes which he boosted he paid $275 for. They had little wheels on the side, and everytime he took a step, they would spin (made to look like those spinning hub caps I guess). It was one of the stupidest things I had ever seen, and I knew that weren't "Disney legal" shoes so he would just have to go buy new plain ones. That same day I saw the same guy begging people for lunch money in the cafeteria AFTER he had ordered his food. Needless to say, the cashier was furious at him, and I all I could think about was "how did he get into college in the first place...?"

 

[bavaria]

Well I was going to be the geek to suggest Clarks, but someone else did! I have a pair of black, backless woven ones which have survived 20+ visits in all weather. They have been soaked several times, but they have still lived, and survive 18 hours days of walking all the time.

I have NEVER had a blister with these shoes - I started wearing backless shoes all the time a few years ago and my heels thank me.

Somehow these shoes drive my father crazy whenever he sees them, but ironically when we were kids we had to wear 'sensible' shoes and Clarks were the ultimate.

 

[sorchamac]

Originally posted by bavaria
Well I was going to be the geek to suggest Clarks, but someone else did! I have a pair of black, backless woven ones which have survived 20+ visits in all weather. They have been soaked several times, but they have still lived, and survive 18 hours days of walking all the time.

I have NEVER had a blister with these shoes - I started wearing backless shoes all the time a few years ago and my heels thank me.

Somehow these shoes drive my father crazy whenever he sees them, but ironically when we were kids we had to wear 'sensible' shoes and Clarks were the ultimate.

Wow, I'm such a geek I didn't even know I was being geeky! My Clarks sandals are fairly classic looking. They have some nice styles on shoebuy.com.

Sorcha

 

[bavaria]

Oh, I'm happy to be a geek! I don't know if Clarks are really geeky anymore, I think that they just fell out for awhile in the 80's and 90's! I was really envious of my sister's blue ones with straps (like little kids in England wear) when I was about 3 years old, and they didn't have any to fit me.

I just bought a pair of Clarks loafers too...... I love them!

And they have that new line which has been selling in England for awhile, the more trendy shoes.

Funny how I hated 'sensible' shoes as a kid and now I love them.

** and funny, last night I was just thinking that I had to go clean up that black pair for my next trip in 10 days!!!! ******** (my dear dad insists on driving me to the airport, and every time he says 'are you really wearing those shoes? did you bring a different pair along?')

 

[MommyBoo!]

Oh my. I've always worn my Keds sneakers to the parks (and everywhere else) and never had a problem. Even when I was pregnant last year. I spend $20-30 on them depending on the style. I just bought a leather pair for the fall. They are so comfortable.

 

[Pinboys]

Reebok DMX. Break them in for 2 months and they have worked for me. If you are around some outlet stores, go to the Reebok outlet. Very good prices and make sure you show your AAA card if you have one. You get an extra 20% off.