I have read so much about crocs......

[TravelinGal]

OK, I think I am going to go at least try them on and see what I think. I work at an indoor waterpark/hotel and I have seen these shoes before (although I didn't know that they were Crocs until I saw the crocs site). My feet are the kind to start hurting after a while, and I really do dread wearing tennis shoes day after day. I just have another question. They look like they are "plastic" and I was wondering if they make your feet sweat.

We are leaving on the 6th of August for our WDW trip. Is it too late for a new pair of Crocs? Is there a breaking in period?

TIA, again

They're not plastic - but they do have that look. (they're a closed cell resin - or something like that - it describes it on the crocs website)
I never had a problem with feet sweating in them. Neither did DH. Some people do have problems though (very few) but it's not enough to make wearing them uncomfortable. (not like those horrid jellies that were popular many years ago)

I would give yourself one week of wear *with the strap back* to make sure you don't get hot spots or blisters from the strap rivets. They sit different with the strap behind the heel - causing possible rubbing. You will probably want to have the strap behind your heel at least some of the time at WDW, so better to make sure they won't cause problems before you go. I wore them that way for an hour a day for 2 days and then increased by an hour each day the week before my trip. I did get a hot spot (but no blister) the first day I wore them that way, but it did not progress or bother me after that. So I was on easy street at WDW. If it weren't for the potential hot spot near the rivet, I'd say they require NO break in time. They're comfortable from the start.

Oh - some people do get hip/leg pain in the first week too because it is realigning your legs to a more correct position (this happens with Birkenstock's too). If I remember right, it bothered me a LITTLE on day 2 and 3 of wearing but not after that. (and I'm a wimp - I don't do pain - so when I say a little I really do mean little)

 

[tankers_wife]

OK, I did it. I went a bought a pair today. They are VERY comfortable, and I will be wearing them between now and Aug 6 when we go on vacation. My DD11 was horrified that I actually bought them. That's ok because my feet won't be hot and sweaty plus I won't have to walk around in wet shoes after the wet rides. My DS9 and DS3 also want some, but I am going to see if I can find the less expensive ones for them. The Payless was out of them today. I will check Target another day. Thanks for talking me into trying them. They aren't the most glamorous shoe, but they are comfy!

 

[RockyMtnMaria]

OK, I did it. I went a bought a pair today. They are VERY comfortable, and I will be wearing them between now and Aug 6 when we go on vacation. My DD11 was horrified that I actually bought them. That's ok because my feet won't be hot and sweaty plus I won't have to walk around in wet shoes after the wet rides. My DS9 and DS3 also want some, but I am going to see if I can find the less expensive ones for them. The Payless was out of them today. I will check Target another day. Thanks for talking me into trying them. They aren't the most glamorous shoe, but they are comfy!

Don't bother checking at Target. Yes they are the cheapest, but they are hard and uncomfortable!!

 

[TravelinGal]

Originally Posted by tankers_wife
OK, I did it. I went a bought a pair today. They are VERY comfortable, and I will be wearing them between now and Aug 6 when we go on vacation. My DD11 was horrified that I actually bought them. That's ok because my feet won't be hot and sweaty plus I won't have to walk around in wet shoes after the wet rides. My DS9 and DS3 also want some, but I am going to see if I can find the less expensive ones for them. The Payless was out of them today. I will check Target another day. Thanks for talking me into trying them. They aren't the most glamorous shoe, but they are comfy!

Don't bother checking at Target. Yes they are the cheapest, but they are hard and uncomfortable!!

DITTO!
Look at another Payless if possible or call to see if they got more in. Don't wast your time with Target/Walmart knock offs. Never heard a good report from any of them.

 

[lady_hlh]

OK, I did it. I went a bought a pair today. They are VERY comfortable, and I will be wearing them between now and Aug 6 when we go on vacation. My DD11 was horrified that I actually bought them. That's ok because my feet won't be hot and sweaty plus I won't have to walk around in wet shoes after the wet rides. My DS9 and DS3 also want some, but I am going to see if I can find the less expensive ones for them. The Payless was out of them today. I will check Target another day. Thanks for talking me into trying them. They aren't the most glamorous shoe, but they are comfy!

Everyone is right, the Walmart/Target brands are terribly hard and don't feel at all like Crocs. The payless airwalks are much closer to Crocs, I think you can order the airwalks on the payless website and have them shipped for free to the store nearest to you. I broke down and got my 4 year old DD fuschia crocs from No Fear Gear and she just loves them so now she is begging me to get her another pair.

 

[kristenrice]

I too have plantar fasciatis (sp?) and no dress shoe or sandal has enough support for me. I got the Crocs Cayman and the Niles and they are great! I wear them around the house instead of slippers. My family has commented about how ugly they are, but I don't care...my feet don't hurt! Sacrifice the fashion for the comfort. Besides, there are SO many people at Disney, I am sure that Crocs are not going to be too high on the list of ugly apparel.

 

[deekaypee]

I really like my Birkenstocks and my Born sandals; I use the former for the more walky days and the latter for more leisurely ones. I've also worn white Keds for long days and they work just fine and look a little less tennis-shoey.

 

[TravelinGal]

deekaypee - I used to wear birks - while they were comfortable *once broken in*, I always got blisters from them if I walked very far in them. I also hated the leather liner always lifting/rolling up from around the edges. They got ratty looking quite fast no matter how well I cared for them. Also, at their price, I'd have a coronary if they got wet. I'm not dissing birks at all, just sharing why I personally prefer crocs. Don't know about the other sandals you mentioned, but if they are leather, I'd have the same concern about them getting wet at the theme parks.

 

[Eeyore Excitement]

Thanks everyone for your tips, they'll be a definite helper! I've also read a lot about crocs, 50-50- 50 per cent good, 50% bad.
I'll definitely go for Birkenstocks!!