Hiking Shoes?

[Toadman99]

Heading to WDW for our first family trip in first week of October, and am thinking about footware. I see a lot of chat on the boards about Teva sands as well as Crocs. While the idea of wearing a sandal all day at the park sounds insane to me, I have never owned any really comfortable sandals before, so I may be checking those out at some point based on what people are saying are comfortable.

To my point: I was also considering the idea of a lightweight hiking shoe (or boot- but I'm leaning toward the low-rise models) to wear on alternate days with my sneakers or sandals or whatever. Haven't seen much discussion of that here. Anyone tried it? If so, what shoe did you go with?

- Todd

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

I tried running shoes with socks but found that socks get sweaty then cause friction. Supportive sandals worked best for us. Our feet stayed cool and we never got blisters or hot spots. If you do try hiking boots (or any type of shoe with socks) put some foot powder in your shoes ever morning. It really helps!

 

[bicker]

In many cases, the socks you were are far more important than the shoe, at least with regard to blisters and such. Drying off your feet really well, and applying a foot powder to them helps, some, but nothing beats a great pair of socks, to go with a good walking shoe.

My favorite sock these days are Smartwool Adrenaline. The Light Micro is great for warm weather walking, hiking, trail running, etc. It has special padding that you don't get on a regular sock, as well as a mesh construction that helps keep the sock in place, so it doesn't cause friction against your feet while you're walking.

I would avoid hiking shoes. They're specifically intended for traversing uneven terrain, and therefore (should) have a rigidity that is unnecessary for walking on pavement. I would find a very well ventilated shoe. Keen is now making a lot of hybrid shoes that are either sandals, mesh sneakers or a cross between the two.

 

[reggiemcp]

Hi

I am addicted to my Chaco sandals. They are not cheap (about $90) but I have had them 4 years now and love them. Have worn them all over Disney World, no blisters, nothing. I also wear them all summer and can wear them in the pool or the ocean. They are great because they can get wet without a problem, are machine washable and the company will replace the soles for free for life. I also have a wide foot and they are totally adjustable for a custom fit. Check out REI website or Zappos to see a pair. Just my opinion, but I couldn't live without them.

 

[disneyholic family]

it's too hot to wear closed shoes!!!
I can never figure out how people manage to wear closed shoes and socks in such hot hot weather..

but whatever, to each his own..

my kids wear sandals similar to teva (the originals from which the makers of teva stole their design)..
my husband and I both wear birkenstock sandals....
mine are the ones with no backstrap.....i can't imagine wearing anything else...

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

My husband and I have just purchased the Keen sandal last weekend (after reading great reviews about them). I was unsure about wearing a sandal too, all day at the Parks, but these are more like a sneaker than a sandal, because your toe is covered--they do have vents in the side and mine just has a strap in the back, my DH's is fully covered at the heal. Well, the day after we bought them we wore them for about 8 hours straight, neither of us got blisters. They do need a bit of a break-in period (at least for me they did) but I have been walking in them everyday this week and they are WONDERFUL. They are also waterproof. They aren't that easy to find, we ended up getting ours at the Walking Company and Eastern Mountain Sports--and they'll set you back about $90 bucks--check out Cabelas though.

Hope that helps!