Learned the hard way! No more Crocs for me.

[christianweecare]

Has anyone tried LL Bean's water shoes, the "Summer Sneakers?" I'm curious as to how they would do in Epcot, etc.

llbean.com/cd-1/44981.shtml

Lands End also has a water sneaker but I have never tried them.

 

[drakethib]

Different people have different results.

I walked for a solid week in WDW wearing my crocs and it was the first time in many trips to WDW that my feet didnt hurt?

 

[christianweecare]

Different people have different results.

I walked for a solid week in WDW wearing my crocs and it was the first time in many trips to WDW that my feet didnt hurt?

I agree!

 

[treeface]

Has anyone tried LL Bean's water shoes, the "Summer Sneakers?" I'm curious as to how they would do in Epcot, etc.

llbean.com/cd-1/44981.shtml

I have these and while they are comfortable, I doubt I'd be able to do Epcot in them. I wore them for a day in Cozumel in March (shore excursion that involved some beach activities) and by the time we got finished shopping (only about 2 blocks worth), my feet were not thanking me. I did not get blisters, but was very happy to get back to my Crocs and Birkenstocks.

I have found that alternating between 2-3 comfortable pair of shoes works best for touring the parks.

 

[bonna girl]

I always bring 2-3 pairs of shoes when going to WDW. Last year it was my crocs, tevas and nikes. I would start out the day in the crocs or tevas and then in the evening wear the nikes. It worked out great.

I'll probably do it again this year.

 

[ThunderMTexpert]

On my trip, I packed flip flops. WHAT was I thinking?? My DH wasn't much better off with his sandals. Even though we walked slow--no children-- it was still a huge pain at the end of the day. All of our weight is put onto those tiny tiny shoes, so this coming trip: we will-- in the words of Scar-- BE PREPARED!!

 

[sunnydaysies]

I have to switch between nikes and crocs too. Even with that I usually end up with a blister at some time. I use mole skin when I feel it getting hot in one place.

 

[Momsquared]

Good to know! That's awful!

 

[disneydad78]

Everyone is different,,thats what god wanted,,your god or my god,,,well anyway ,,just wear crocs around mall/shopping the next week where shoes shopping or at work,,just try them out and decide for yourself.

 

[UtahDisneyFan]

Ouch! Thanks for the heads up.

 

[disnut1149]

I'm sorry you had blisters. I used to get them all the time. I've worn the Croc Scutes for the last 3 times to DW and they're the most comfortable pair of shoes I've every worn. Absolutely no blisters!!!

 

[Flyin2MCO]

May I suggest Nike Free 5.0 running shoes...these are a "barefoot" running shoe (minimal support) which can be worn without socks and are extremely comfortable. While good, you need to "train" in these for a bit before WDW, since most folks are used to sneakers with lots of arch support.

I also tend to prefer flip flops...no problems with sore feet or endurance, but I usually end up getting irritation or blisters from the straps.

My strategy for our next trip will be to wear Nike Frees at Epcot and DHS, and Columbia Aquatooths at MK and AK....the latter are water shoes with good ventilation and support (not to mention drainage in the event of soakings on Kali or Splash), which should come in handy given the size of of MK and AK.

 

[ScrapperKimmyD]

May I suggest Nike Free 5.0 running shoes...these are a "barefoot" running shoe (minimal support) which can be worn without socks and are extremely comfortable. While good, you need to "train" in these for a bit before WDW, since most folks are used to sneakers with lots of arch support.

I don't want to start anything, but I gotta ask - why would you want to wear a shoe with minimal support if you're going to be walking around all day?

I don't even go barefoot in my own home - I've always got my shoes on. My feet would be killing me after an hour in shoes with no support.

 

[Flyin2MCO]

I don't want to start anything, but I gotta ask - why would you want to wear a shoe with minimal support if you're going to be walking around all day?

I don't even go barefoot in my own home - I've always got my shoes on. My feet would be killing me after an hour in shoes with no support.

No prob, it's a healthy debate!! These shoes mimic the human foot's natural tendency, which is to be barefoot. We've all been accustomed to heavily supportive shoes or sneakers throughout our lives, which weakens the foot's muscle and tendon structures. These are simply an option for folks who might want to try something new...your feet actually get stronger with these and similar types of more "natural" shoes. After wearing Frees for a couples of years, I've gotten to the point where "regular" sneakers actually feel very uncomfortable because the physcial structure of my feet have changed...Frees are certainly not for everyone, but a week at WDW poses a radical challenge to the feet, and this is just another idea submitted for consideration!!

 

[If U Had Wings]

So sorry about the blisters, ouch! I was a big crocs fan, but have pretty much given up wearing them for extended periods of time myself. I would always wear my mary jane crocs to my part time job on Sundays. I am on my feet for about 8 hours and my feet were more comfortable with the crocs than my other shoes.

I started noticing though the next day at my yoga class that I'd be getting pains in the ball of my foot, and I wasn't able to roll through the ball of my foot without it hurting. It kept getting progressively worse week by week. I never thought it was the crocs, because while wearing them I felt so comfortable. One week I had forgotten my crocs in the car so I wore a different pair of shoes to work. What a difference the next day. No pains. I tried it again the next week and again pain free. I'll only wear my crocs now when I'm not standing all day.

I'm still looking for new shoes for my August trip. Normally I travel in May or October and wear my sneakers, but I'm afraid they are going to be too hot on my feet in August. I'm hoping to find a meshy kind of sneaker that I can alternate with my keds. They are my favorite footwear, but know from experience that I can only do them in Disney if I alternate them with something else.

 

[ScrapperKimmyD]

No prob, it's a healthy debate!! These shoes mimic the human foot's natural tendency, which is to be barefoot. We've all been accustomed to heavily supportive shoes or sneakers throughout our lives, which weakens the foot's muscle and tendon structures. These are simply an option for folks who might want to try something new...your feet actually get stronger with these and similar types of more "natural" shoes. After wearing Frees for a couples of years, I've gotten to the point where "regular" sneakers actually feel very uncomfortable because the physcial structure of my feet have changed...Frees are certainly not for everyone, but a week at WDW poses a radical challenge to the feet, and this is just another idea submitted for consideration!!

Ahhh, I see. Thank you.

I remember my barefoot days. I could walk across rocks and not be bothered. But, alas, with pregnancies and wt. gain, I can no longer do that. I tried, though. Until I got plantar fasciitis and couldn't walk no matter what was on or not on my feet. Once I got orthotics, it went away and hasn't come back. I would still go barefoot all the time if I could, but I haven't figured out how to do that and still wear my orthotics.

 

[KayLuvsMickey]

Wow, so many different opinion on shoes! LOL I just wanted to add that I agree with the PPs that said they switch out their shoes for each day. I also found that wearing a different pair helped. I try not to take to much into the park either, but I start my day with my tennis shoes and carry my "crocs" in my bag. When it rains or I ride a water ride, I switch.

Everyone's input is great though!

 

[christianweecare]

I'm sorry you had blisters. I used to get them all the time. I've worn the Croc Scutes for the last 3 times to DW and they're the most comfortable pair of shoes I've every worn. Absolutely no blisters!!!

I have worn my regular Crocs (can't remember the name) to WDW with socks with no problem. Walked around every where. Not so with the Croc flip-flops--and I wear them every where back at home. Just too much walking, I guess.

 

[christianweecare]

Wow, so many different opinion on shoes! LOL I just wanted to add that I agree with the PPs that said they switch out their shoes for each day. I also found that wearing a different pair helped. I try not to take to much into the park either, but I start my day with my tennis shoes and carry my "crocs" in my bag. When it rains or I ride a water ride, I switch.

Everyone's input is great though!

That's a good idea!

 

[lcuktsao]

treeface -- Thanks for the info on the LL Bean Summer Sneaker. That's exactly what I needed to know. Thanks too for suggesting a shoe rotation!

I have these and while they are comfortable, I doubt I'd be able to do Epcot in them. I wore them for a day in Cozumel in March (shore excursion that involved some beach activities) and by the time we got finished shopping (only about 2 blocks worth), my feet were not thanking me. I did not get blisters, but was very happy to get back to my Crocs and Birkenstocks.

I have found that alternating between 2-3 comfortable pair of shoes works best for touring the parks.