Need lightest, coolest sneakers for parks-No crocs or sandals

[DebbieTN]

I have started having a big problem with my feet while walking around the parks. Nothing used to bother them, but lately my feet get very hot and they hurt a lot. I'm looking for a pair of sneakers that are lightweight and breathable and have support. I can't wear sandals or flip flops or anything open-toed like that because I am very clumbsy and I know I would come home with broken toes or ankles. I have a pair of crocs, but they hurt my feet if I just walk in the mall with them on, so I don't think I want to wear them at WDW. I would like to hear from anybody about their favorite sneakers.

 

[MINNIE OF TWO MICE]

I have started having a big problem with my feet while walking around the parks. Nothing used to bother them, but lately my feet get very hot and they hurt a lot. I'm looking for a pair of sneakers that are lightweight and breathable and have support. I can't wear sandals or flip flops or anything open-toed like that because I am very clumbsy and I know I would come home with broken toes or ankles. I have a pair of crocs, but they hurt my feet if I just walk in the mall with them on, so I don't think I want to wear them at WDW. I would like to hear from anybody about their favorite sneakers.

MY FAVORITE ARE MY KEEN SHOES. SECOND WOULD BE MY MERRELLS. BOTH OFFER A VARIETY OF STYLES AND PLENTY OF SUPPORT.

 

[Grumpy23]

My favorites are my New Balance shoes that I got at Marshall's for $39. The mesh in them makes them very breathable, and they offer good support. The link below just shows a picture of them. I actually purchased them at Marshalls.

http://www.joesnewbalanceoutlet.com/larger_view.asp?style=W856WB

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

Try the Sea to Shore Sport Shoe from Lands End. They are completely mesh on top, have rubber soles, and arch supports. I ordered them for my mom, who has foot issues and she loves, loves, loves them. You can wear them with or without socks. They sell for $29.50 @ landsend.com.

 

[dancin Disney style]

Find a store that sells shoes and clothing for runners. Have them make an assessment of your feet and pick out proper shoes.

Failing that, purchase shoes that are intended for running. They are light weight and as long as they are not totally made of leather they will breath. I like Nike shoes because they also have a high arch support. If you go to an athletic shoe store try on every different brand that they carry. You will be amazed at how differently they all fit.

 

[Mousema]

I like Easy Spirit. I found $60 shoes at the outlet store for $20. They are walkers.

 

[D&DDisney]

Best shoes I have found are K-Swiss. I have tried many other shoe types and happened to buy these cause they were on sale. They turned out to be the most comfortable walking shoes ever!!!!!
After an entire day(s) at Disney my feet were never sore or tired.

 

[tmt martins]

Keens are the best so far but I also have some other great watershoes for the parks.

Solomons,Northface,Ecco thay are all lightweight,good support .

 

[bethann1970]

I just bought a pair of Champion shoes at payless and love them. They are so light and easy on my feet. I had double bunionectomy surgery 6 weeks ago and can only wear certain shoes, and these are so comfortable. And they come in wides, and you can't beat the price-$19.99. They're mesh and slip-ons and are white with light blue trim. They had orange ones that I wanted, and also have black with pink.

 

[mamacatnv]

My WDW shoe of choice is the Aisics (sp) I bought for the trip last year. They were kinda spendy in my book at $100, they are the "gel" kind and I just loved them, DS got some also with the same reaction.

I started wearing them to work about 6 weeks before we left to break them in and I haven't worn them since we got back, they will make an appearance in early Nov. to prepare for the next trip.

 

[jenelope]

I have similar problems and my best shoes have been New Balance running shoes. They're lightweight and supportive. Also give some thought to your sock choice. Try to pick something that has a little bit of padding and Thermax. The padding seems to work as a shock absorber, and the Thermax helps wick away moisture and keep feet cool. I bought some low-rise C9 socks at Target a couple of years ago and now I won't use anything else.

 

[mjh8955]

A year or so ago my feet started getting hot while wearing walking or running shoes. I mean like burning up. Before our last trip I checked into comfortable sandals instead of athletic shoes and the Teva Tera Fi sandals won out over the Easy Spirit sandal. The expert at the Track and Trail shoe place explained that they would dry out much faster if they got wet, whereas a leather sandal or athletic shoe would take a lot longer to dry. I found the Tevas on Shoebuy.com for $49.95 and used an online coupon for $10 off of that. I love these shoes.

 

[deekaypee]

I like New Balance, though they're a bit heavy.

I also wore white Keds when I went to DLR this summer, with no problems; they held up well, were lightweight, dried quickly, etc.

 

[abaldacci]

I saw some I did not check out the name but looked like tennis shoes but was barely any top to them and a few pieces of rubber to hold them together I wish I would have ask the name my dd pointed them out to me. I ask her when she comes homes I think she said puma. I ask when she gets home.

 

[abaldacci]

BARBARELLA WOMENS (is the name of the shoe, they look so light)it was puma go to the offical site and look at these you might like them.

 

[mrs.elliott]

MY FAVORITE ARE MY KEEN SHOES. SECOND WOULD BE MY MERRELLS. BOTH OFFER A VARIETY OF STYLES AND PLENTY OF SUPPORT.

I second the Keen Shoes - the Keen Newport or Venice shoes are both awesome - they are hybrid sandals - they keep your feet cool, but have a closed toe.

Good Luck.

 

[arminnie]

MY FAVORITE ARE MY KEEN SHOES. SECOND WOULD BE MY MERRELLS. BOTH OFFER A VARIETY OF STYLES AND PLENTY OF SUPPORT.

That's just what I was going to say. My sister has a terrible time with almost all shoes - but she loves her closed toe Keen shoes. I'm a real Merrell fan.

 

[DebbieTN]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. The funny thing is that I got a pair of shoes a couple of weeks ago at payless that I call sneaker-sandals. LIttle did I know that they were keen knock-offs. They do seem to be pretty comfortable. I have to wear them with socks or the tops of my toes rub. My feet do stay cooler. I found a pair of NB 428 yesterday that has lots of mesh on the top. So far today they have been comfortable. I've been trying different socks too because some of the socks also make my toes hurt and burn.

 

[we3disneygo]

I got a pair of Reebok extreme walkers at Shoe Carnival and they are light and have mesh the air goes thru...

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

I have started having a big problem with my feet while walking around the parks. Nothing used to bother them, but lately my feet get very hot and they hurt a lot. I'm looking for a pair of sneakers that are lightweight and breathable and have support. I can't wear sandals or flip flops or anything open-toed like that because I am very clumbsy and I know I would come home with broken toes or ankles. I have a pair of crocs, but they hurt my feet if I just walk in the mall with them on, so I don't think I want to wear them at WDW. I would like to hear from anybody about their favorite sneakers.

Get yourself two pair of good running shoes. New Balance, Saucony, those are good running shoes. Addidas makes a decent pair of running shoes also.
Get the mesh rather than the leather.
Don't get cross trainers. Those are heavier because they have to have more side support for the racquet sports.
Make sure they fit, no heel slippage, make sure you have tried every shoe on you are going to take home. And break them in before you go.
When there, even if they don't get wet, alternate them and let the pair you wore yesterday air.
Get yourself some good pairs of either acrylic or one of the new fibers such as Coolmax socks. Cotton loses effectiveness when it gets wet.
NEVER get the old style polyester socks. They are completely inneffective when your feet get wet, which happens in the first 30 minutes because they don't breathe and are not very absorbant either.

Rack Room and Shoe Carnival, both of which are in the Nashville area, have a buy one get one half off sale.