Our poor aching feet.

[isisisme]

As my trip approaches , I have started to go for walks during my work day and working on getting my back and legs to agree to the amount of work I am going to make them due come Halloween.

Now I am on to pondering my poor poor feet. Normally I wear walking or cross trainer tennies. My feet are always aching by the time the day is done and usually do the next morning.
One year, I bought a pair of flip flops the last day in the part to wear on the plane home. I actually wore them the whole time the next year on our trip and my feet did not hurt nearly as much. sadly, those shoes have since died.

Does anyone have tips or suggestions for the poor soldiers of our Disney excursions: Our Feet? Shoes that seem to work the best for you? Shoes to avoid? Post part rituals? Pre-trip warm ups?

I think everyone could benefit from this.

 

[Malcon10t]

First, I am a 50+ yo female.... I have had plantar fasciitis for years. I would feel like I just couldn't go on in my New Balance or Nike cross trainers. Finally, one day, my daughter talked me into buying men's Van's skateboarding shoes. They were wider, had more padding, had better arch supports, and within a day, my feet stopped hurting and I had no more flares with the PF.

SO, my advise, they aren't "cute", but Van's Off the Wall's skateboard shoes.

 

[Dobie]

I, too, will walk 2-3 miles per day in prep for the trip, and I get a pedicure a day or two before I go and a couple of days after I return. I take two pair of fairly new, well broke in, well padded Teva or Keene sandals, and alternate between morning and evening. I stay off my feet between 2 and 5, and give myself a solid foot massage during this break. I have a very old, but beloved pair of highly padded flip flops that I wear at the pool and in the room, so I don't go barefoot AT ALL during the trip. This gets me through 6 days.

 

[JH87]

Get ready for lots of mixed reviews. There was a thread started not too long ago about open toed shoes and many people had differing opinions on what the right shoes are for DLR.
I will say this: don't wear new shoes to the parks. I recently went with a friend and all the shoes she packed were new, never worn before or only worn once or twice for a short period of time. She complained the entire time about her feet. She had flip flops as well as regular shoes with socks.
I personally wear my cheap old navy flip flops everytime I'm in DLR and never experience any pain, and I usually stay in the parks open till close with no break.

 

[ParkHopper1]

I too have wussie feet, but I am used to being on them all day and walking endlessly. When at DL, I always stash a backpack in a locker (mainly of for a change of clothes) but I always bring a second pair of shoes and socks. I will at least change socks mid day, and often shoes too and I am as good as new. My different shoes have different pressure points and the change keeps me from getting too uncomfortable. I also rarely wear the same shoes two days in a row in the park for a full day. Usually bring three pairs for the whole trip and rotate accordingly!

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

I would second the PP's suggestion of Vans (skate shoes). I think they're cute enough But yeah, buy the men's vans. Wide and cushy (Another brand is DC http://www.dcshoes.com/us/en/skate ) I'd buy them ASAP tho and break them in!

 

[Jillchristina]

SO, my advise, they aren't "cute", but Van's Off the Wall's skateboard shoes.

Do you have a picture of or a link for these shoes? I'm looking at lots of Vans but I'm not sure which type you're recommending. Trying to plan ahead for my November trip!

Jill

 

[FlameGirl]

This is what I wear:

http://www.simpleshoes.com/productdetails.aspx?productID=9026&g=w&model=Satire Flat Elastic

They are so, so comfy.

 

[DisSarahK]

Last year I wore my Keen's. This year I'll be wearing my Teva mary janes. They're cute and airy--and they have closed toes. I don't do open toes at Disneyland.

I also think it is important to have good supportive slippers or other "house shoes" to wear back at your hotel. I have plantar fasciitis and my slippers (made by Orthaheel for people with my problem) are expensive, but make *such* a difference in my life.

 

[flyymackenziie]

My DH has foot problems too, not to mention the fact that he wears a size 15. Last time we went he wore Reebox Zigs and said they were extremely comfortable. Meanwhile me and my DS were wearing Converses and our feet were dying. I'm definitely buying my pair of Zigs before the next trip!

 

[nunzia]

First, I am a 50+ yo female.... I have had plantar fasciitis for years. I would feel like I just couldn't go on in my New Balance or Nike cross trainers. Finally, one day, my daughter talked me into buying men's Van's skateboarding shoes. They were wider, had more padding, had better arch supports, and within a day, my feet stopped hurting and I had no more flares with the PF.

SO, my advise, they aren't "cute", but Van's Off the Wall's skateboard shoes.

I think I may need to try these (btw..I think Vans are cute ) I developed this plantar thing also and have tried everything..special shoes, insoles, shape ups...can't hurt

 

[It'sKim]

I had my Asics running shoes on my last trip and my feet were killing me by the 2nd day. I switched to my crocs and stayed in those the rest of the trip. I'm not even taking my running shoes next time. The crocs were super comfy and great on rides like GRR where your feet get wet.

 

[Disneyluvr2]

I have a pair of Dr Scholl's cushy sandals that are the most comfortable shoes in the world! They have a gel insert in the heel. I call them my Disney shoes. I try to save them only to wear in the park so they won't wear out. I don't know what I'm going to do if I ever have to replace them!

A little trick I learned a few years ago...if you go back to your hotel room in the afternoon, sit in the tub and run cold water over your feet for a few minutes, then change your shoes. It really refreshes your feet so you're ready for round two!

 

[dance2874]

Crocs. I have the same issue and my podiatrist actually recommended them. I wear them all the time in the house and everywhere. I definietly feel pain when I vary from them at all, even for one day.

 

[TahoeMom]

I typically switch between my tennis shoes and my Keens but my Keens are my most comfortable shoes I own and I rarely if ever have problems with my feet after a full Disney day in them. Love KEENS!

 

[stubby]

First, I am a 50+ yo female.... I have had plantar fasciitis for years. I would feel like I just couldn't go on in my New Balance or Nike cross trainers. Finally, one day, my daughter talked me into buying men's Van's skateboarding shoes. They were wider, had more padding, had better arch supports, and within a day, my feet stopped hurting and I had no more flares with the PF.

SO, my advise, they aren't "cute", but Van's Off the Wall's skateboard shoes.

I have never tried these but my old boss at a convenience store who would be on her feet 10 hrs or more each day swore by vans.

 

[sophies*mom]

You said you wear cross trainers for the parks, are they the same shoes you wear at home? Whatever casual type shoes you wear on a regular basis will probably be best to wear in the parks without your feet hurting (unless your tennis shoes are the ones you normally wear). That's why a lot of flip flop wearers don't have problems wearing them all day long without pain--myself included

As for Vans--LOVE them. I used to wear them all the time. The slip-ons and Old Skool ones are my favorite. If you have enough time to break them in, they won't give you problems.
http://shop.vans.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?beginInd=0&totalDisplay=187&beginIndex=0&storeId=10001&catalogId=10101&categoryId=65119&langId=-1

And DC's
http://www.journeys.com/brand_viewall.aspx?&c=992&m=SM

 

[twopeasonepod]

I love skater shoes! They are awesome. I don't wear them though -- apparently I have a high tolerance for foot pain since I wore my running shoes for two days at Kings Island last week.....with a broken big toe and didn't even realize it til we got back.

My husband swears by these crazy things. Please do not judge me for being associated with him

http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/products/Five-Fingers-BikilaLS-Mens.htm

Don't even ask me about the socks. But seriously, he is a whiner about shoes and loves loves loves these. If you get them, make sure that you practice a lot though, since you use totally different muscles than typical shoes so you will be sore at first!

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

I love skater shoes! They are awesome. I don't wear them though -- apparently I have a high tolerance for foot pain since I wore my running shoes for two days at Kings Island last week.....with a broken big toe and didn't even realize it til we got back.

My husband swears by these crazy things. Please do not judge me for being associated with him

http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/products/Five-Fingers-BikilaLS-Mens.htm

Don't even ask me about the socks. But seriously, he is a whiner about shoes and loves loves loves these. If you get them, make sure that you practice a lot though, since you use totally different muscles than typical shoes so you will be sore at first!

Those creep me out

 

[Porturican]

I love my Croc Capri sandals for the parks i have used them in WDW and DL.

Anytime I try to use tennis shoes I get horrible blisters...

Anyone have good advice on how to avoid blisters? My feet are highly prone to them it seems. Even with my sandals they just dont happen as bad as when I use tennis shoes...