Moms, what to wear for shoes?

[aubreysmom09]

I usually wear flip flops. Thanks to this thread I realize I need new ones before we go next month My last pair are Merrell's. They are leather, so I'm scared it may rain. They work fine up here at Busch Gardens in VA. I hate finding shoes I wear a 11 or 12 depending on brand, and it's hard to find stuff I like. I would like a pair of Keen's, but scared to spend the money on them.

 

[Woodmnky]

I took the advice of many here on DIS and bought Sketchers Go Walks. I paired these with some nice wool socks from Costco (wool really isn't hot it actually helps regulate temperature much better than cotton). I also brought my normal Crocs that I wear 99% of the time at home. The Go Walks were wonderful, but with as much walking as we were doing it was very nice to have another pair of shoes to change into that put pressure on different areas. We also used Body Glide on our feet and this really seemed to help (both DH & I forgot one day and noticed a big difference).

 

[Agent7]

If you can walk for miles in your flip flops then they should be okay at Disney. If you haven't done so then I highly recommend that you go to the park and try it out. But remember you'll be doing that for a few days not just one afternoon. Honestly I've gotten a blister/pain from every pair of shoes I own. Most frequently in the park I wear either Chacos (which I wear doing basically everything all summer) or my moccossians. I've also worn Toms, Sperrys, Converse, and expensive trainers. What I usually do is take a couple of pairs and rotate daily/at mid day to change pressure points.

Although I think that the most painful shoes for me were the converse.

 

[CuteBug]

walking sandals or comfy sneakers ..

 

[Dawg91]

I've worn Teva flip flops for a summer trip and was extremely comfortable. I wear them all summer.

I took athletic shoes and wore them one day, but I found myself more comfortable in my flip flops.

 

[wallskm]

My tennis shoes kill my feet after a while (despite the fact that I can run 10 miles in them with no issues!). The Keens were the best for me. Not a huge fan of how they looked but I was able to wear them every day and my feet felt better than they ever have at Disney.

 

[omegsmom]

Last trip I started out with my sneakers and got blisters! Switched to my crocs and wore them the rest of the week with no issues! Then I remembered that's what I had done 2 years before. This year, I have some LLBean version of Keen sandals I might try, but will bring my Crocs just in case. I don't care for how they look, but I'd rather be comfortable.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

I am ONLY comfortable in flip flops at Disney or any other vacation, the cheap ones from Payless, at that. Any time I'm going to be doing a lot of walking and have tried to wear the "appropriate" type of shoes -- sneakers, hiking boots, water shoes... -- I end up blistered and/or hurting, even if the shoes were broken in. Inevitably, I switch to flip flops at some point and don't have anymore problems. (Seriously, I trek through rain forests in them, even though that's not the smartest idea. Lol.) You could always wear sneakers or whatever and carry flip flops in your bag in case you need to switch out.

 

[aubreysmom09]

I always forget about LL Bean, and I have a code for them. Maybe I should get 2 pairs

I want to get sneakers, but for some reason I almost always get a rash on top of my foot if I wear them for a long period of time. I hope it's going to be warm enough our entire trip the end of February beginning of March to wear flip flops the entire time.

 

[Collmal]

I vote for the OluKai flip flops too! I used to wear tennis shoes only at Disney, but a couple trips ago I tried them and they were AMAZING! I wore my Clarks flip flops last time too and they were comfortable all day. I'll probably bring my GoWalks this time since we'll be going in October.

 

[redhotariel]

Although I am not a mother, I will contribute some well learned lessons from WDW. I ALWAYS start the day off in sneakers, mostly because they are relatively comfortable for a longer period of time. However, there does come a time during the day where I get a tiny cramp in the arch of my foot, or I get the"pre-blister" feeling. Then I switch to flip-flops, the cheap Old Navy ones that you can get for $2. I keep then in a little backpack (I have a drawstring-one that has become my designated "disney bag" because it carries everything perfectly) (and I'm sure you would probably going with kids so your extra pair of shoes would fit nicely in the bottom of a stroller or bag or something). So right at that prime time of foot pre-pain I make the switch and let the sneakers sit in the bag. But beware, wearing flip-flops in Disney is dangerous. There are a lot of little kids running around and one might just step on the bag and send your for a trip (or at least a little pink pavement toe-stub) OUCH!

 

[minnie1012]

I love my Croc Capri flip flops but in Disney I always wear sneakers. I'm always afraid someone will step on my foot or it will fall off on a ride. I'm also worried how dirty my feet will get!

I don't have an arch in my foot so my feet always hurt so I have to watch how flat my shoes are. I recently purchased a pair of Bernie Mevs and thought they would be good for the trip. They were very comfortable but they made my feet really hot and now they are a bit stinky!

 

[aubreysmom09]

I just got the Keen flip flops ordered. I'm not sure if I like them The are the correct width for my foot on the bottom, but they seem too long, and don't have much of an arch. Oh and the actual fabric seems to wide at top. Which is odd because I have issues finding shoes at all. Now I need to figure out if I'm just going to suck it up and see what happens, or return them order something else

 

[princesskimberella]

If you wear flip flops regularly I would try Teva's I usually wear Reefs and just about killed myself at MK when it rained they get very slippery. I also love my croc ballet flat style they still look cute with crop pants. I do bring a pair of tennis shoes incase it is cold at night.

 

[aubreysmom09]

Which Teva's?

 

[jess1662]

Which Teva's?

I like Teva Mush flip flops. So comfortable and they don't seem to get really slick when they're wet

 

[travelinggnomes]

Great ideas and I will taking the suggestions to the shoe store!

As a note: I have extreme arthritis in my knee and hip. I am only 35, and have dealt with it since I was a teen. My rheumatologist told me that the new studies show that for women with decent balance and arthritic pain...flip flops are most recommended! He said that the weight of the typical tennis shoe is a hindrance and will effect your gait. After he explained it to me, I started doing barefeet walking programs...and OH MY WORD! What a difference! I could go 2-3 miles longer!

So...off to look for great flip flops!

 

[SA mom]

Make sure you a can walk a minimum of 5 miles in the shoes you choose. I live in flip flops in the summer, but could never do Disney in them.

I love Chacos, but they only work for people with a high arch. I cannot wear crocs, I've tried many styles.

 

[aubreysmom09]

Great ideas and I will taking the suggestions to the shoe store!

As a note: I have extreme arthritis in my knee and hip. I am only 35, and have dealt with it since I was a teen. My rheumatologist told me that the new studies show that for women with decent balance and arthritic pain...flip flops are most recommended! He said that the weight of the typical tennis shoe is a hindrance and will effect your gait. After he explained it to me, I started doing barefeet walking programs...and OH MY WORD! What a difference! I could go 2-3 miles longer!

So...off to look for great flip flops!

I am 32 and I have had a fake knee since I was 13. I also have some mild arthritis and hip issues. Must be why I always feel good in my flip flops

I've done Disney before in my Toms and flip flops, so I know I can do it. Just want to make sure i'm getting a good shoes. My word when I see the prices of flip flops or sandals I want to keel over

 

[JillianLeigh]

I usually wear flip flops at WDW. And it's usually the cheap ones from Old Navy. Never have issues... other than really dirty feet after a long day in the parks, especially if it rains.