Footwear for the children?

[DebIreland]

Ok, why does that title sound like a scene from 'Angela's Ashes' - "we went to school in our bare feet". lol

I was just wondering what posters would recommend for my kids as their main theme park footwear for Oct/Nov. The boys are 12 and almost 10 and our girl is 2. Last year (June/July - boiling hot!) the boys wore leather sandals and they worked out fine. This year I'm thinking of runners. Would it still be a bit too hot and clammy for runners? I want them to be comfortable and you know the way when your feet are hot, you whole body is hot. Would runners be ok for the 2 year old or will I try to get good quality sandals or just have her wear her regular shoes?

They're due new runners soon anyway so if we're going with runners for the parks I was thinking of buying them over there. We're visiting the Premium Outlet Stores on our first day (as we're not doing a park) so do you think they'd have a good choice? Would it better to buy them here and have them wear them in?

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Whatever you decide I would not let them wear brand new footwear.

Personally training shoes such as Nike, Adidas would be fine I am sure - Joshua normally wears Lacoste or K-Swiss, but they are normally worn a few times at home before we go, I would say Orlando is not the place to break in a new pair of shoes.

Lacoste 'camden' shoes are simply the best, they are extremely comfortable and can highly recommend them.

http://images.google.co.uk/images?q=lacoste+camden&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images

 

[pigby]

I can recommend Crocs - bought one pair at Manchester airport on the way out for £29 for DD - going rate I believe. When we got to Florida they sold them on Universal's Citywalk for $29.95 plus tax so both myself and DH got a pair as well. They sell cheaper copy versions on the stores on International Drive and at Seaworld for about $15.

 

[Mrs Night-Train]

My DD (age 6), has had Teva's the past 2 times we have been to Florida, and they were perfect, and she will be getting another pair this year. We got them in a hush puppies store.

 

[flortlebap]

My 2 year old neice has several pairs of normal sandals. For my one year old who has only been walking for about a month, I have some Clarks shoes. They're incredibly comfortable and very well built, if you go to Clarks for the 2 y/o you might even pick up some summer shoes in the sale!

As for your older two, would they be a bit warm in runners? I know I would be, but having said that, my younger brother (18) is wearing them around the parks. Personally, I think he's mad!

 

[flortlebap]

PS - I'd also recommend Crocs. I have Crocs Athens (the flip flops) and they're fantastic, so comfortable. Every fibre in my body was aching at the end of a 12 hour day, but my feet were in heaven. I swear they hurt more when I took the Crocs off

 

[CustardTart]

I saw lots of little 'uns in Crocs when we in WDW this summer and they looked so cute. Am I right in thinking they are brilliant for water rides and/or sudden tropical downpours as they aren't going to get sodden and uncomfortable??

 

[feistyblue]

DS is 8 almost 9 and loves his Crocs. He has two pairs and says they are the most comfortable shoes in the world. He wore them the whole time at Disneyland Paris at Aug bank holiday and was really comfy. Great for water rides and sudden down pours of rain for sure!

 

[jns]

We always get new trainers when we are there
and the boys wear away at them
just make sure they wear socks with them

or get a cheap pair here before you go (Dunnes / Pennys) and get the good ones when you are over there

I spend €50 on a pair for DS 8 starting school and they are ready for the bin already
was hoping they would do untill the holidays

 

[jns]

DS is 8 almost 9 and loves his Crocs. He has two pairs and says they are the most comfortable shoes in the world. He wore them the whole time at Disneyland Paris at Aug bank holiday and was really comfy. Great for water rides and sudden down pours of rain for sure!

can you get them for boys

 

[jacklouis]

Another vote for Crocs. My boys, 9 & 11, love their's. They have been wearing them all summer all their friends think they are 'well cool'.

They've got Caymans in green & red.

 

[DebIreland]

Thanks so much for all the great replies!

I think I'll get them here and let them break them in. I'll get a second pair over there for future use! DS 12 still has his sandals from last year and they're very comfy so those, combined with runners for some days should be good - he has ingrown toenails (ongoing) so that's a big consideration too but my other boy's sandals are in shreds. I should have thought of that before the summer stuff was gone from the shops.

I read about Crocs before - just saw them recently in a sports shop here. How come they're so comfy - certainly people seem to rave about them but they look hard and unplaible?

Anyway, great suggestions, thanks again!

 

[flortlebap]

Crocs are good for rain because the soles have sort of spiked things on which raises your foot above the sole... sounds crazy but very comfortable. It means the water basically drains away, and there's so much ventilation in there you won't get wet or warm!!

I may have to buy myself another pair at MCO, I have the Athens but I want the original Crocs!

 

[edinburghlass]

Have a look in Barratts for the Sketcher's version of Crocs, especially for your daughter as they have a gorgeous girly pink pair, from memory they are £12. My friend bought them for the beach in Majorca for her girls this year on my recommendation and they loved them

Apparently John Lewis also sell the Sketchers and Crocs if you want to look before you go.

I got two pairs of the Sketchers from Barratts in their sale for £7 each and haven't had them off my feet since I bought them. A friend brought me back a pair of Crocs from Orlando this summer as I had asked her to look for them and she and her 16 year old buy ended up buying them and her hubby bought a Wallmart cheapo pair. But I have to say the Crocs rubbed one foot on the top so another friend fell heir to the Crocs.

I would say for any other shoe the main thing for me would be make sure it has a decent sole as my first visit to WDW saw me with blisters on the soles of both feet which were very painful all due I think to a thin sole on my shoes.

 

[Lizzybear]

I bring both worn-in skate trainers (always worn with socks) and Merrell all-terrain sandals and alternate them I like the idea of Crocs for comfort but I don't think they'd give my feet enough support.