Our poor aching feet.

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

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...

You don't..I mean aside from breaking them in for a few weeks (and if you already have, they suck!) Try the skate shoes. For real. I'm gonna have to look up the croc capri tho..I've heard a lot about them!

Actually (edited to toss this in) like someone else said. Take two pairs of shoes and switch off days. I did that and didn't get sore feet OR blisters!

 

[Porturican]

You don't..I mean aside from breaking them in for a few weeks (and if you already have, they suck!) Try the skate shoes. For real. I'm gonna have to look up the croc capri tho..I've heard a lot about them!

Actually (edited to toss this in) like someone else said. Take two pairs of shoes and switch off days. I did that and didn't get sore feet OR blisters!

yeah I have broken in my tennis shoes. I've worn Nike, Puma, New Balance and who knows what else...and all have given me blisters eventually. I hate it.

The Capri Sandals are so much cuter than regular Croc's too!

When you say Van's do you mean the kind that a lot the teenagers like to wear these days or truly those wide looking skater shoes?

 

[DorkyDisneyMom]

I always switch between shoes and haven't had a problem. My mom is a nurse and it was the best advice she ever gave me about my feet. I bring 3 pairs. I have Sketchers, croc sandals, and a pair of Eccos. Never had a blister and my feet feel pretty good by the end of the day.

Also I used to sell shoes and I read once that most women wear their shoes 1-1.5 sizes too small. I can't tell you how many women I have seen do that, myself included. If it's tight or rubbing you in the store it's probably the wrong size.

 

[sophies*mom]

The wide looking skater shoes are MUCH more comfortable than the casual Vans. You'll be amazed. A lot of them have great arch support, too!
As for blisters, do you usually buy shoes that are just your size? Maybe going up a half size or a whole size will give your tootsies room.

As for those toe shoes, weird!!

 

[Malcon10t]

When you say Van's do you mean the kind that a lot the teenagers like to wear these days or truly those wide looking skater shoes?

These are the ones I like best. I have these and the same pair in solid black.

 

[isisisme]

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.

I actually wear flip flops to work, but the ones I currently have are not very comfy and my feet hurt when I have been on them for awhile. Though today I put on the old ones that I got at the Park, and the arch was way different.
I am thinking of taking 3 pairs of shoes this time and swapping out as suggested. I don't normally have a hard time with blisters (except my little toes..shoes always run them it seems ).

 

[LisainCalifornia]

I think you are going to find all different answers to this question--because we all have different feet. I actually think Vans are very cute and wish I could wear them comfortably--but unfortunately they just don't have any arch support. They work great for flat footed folk (especially those with young feet)--but if you need arch support, forget about it.

My daughter has flat, wide, Fred Flinstone style feet--so her shoe needs are going to be so different than mine (narrow, bony, and 46 year old feet that need arch support desperately). Our shoe needs are night and day different, as are many here on the DIS.

So you are going to find what works for you--and go for that. I personally find that I work well in KEEN, Merrell, and Mephisto shoes. Those kind of shoes may be terrible for you, though.

 

[Malcon10t]

Vans are very cute and wish I could wear them comfortably--but unfortunately they just don't have any arch support. They work great for flat footed folk (especially those with young feet)--but if you need arch support, forget about it.

Interesting, because my podiatrist said they have some of the best arch support in athletic shoes. The skate shoes I wear have great arch support. I haven't tried any of the non-skate shoes.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

Interesting, because my podiatrist said they have some of the best arch support in athletic shoes. The skate shoes I wear have great arch support. I haven't tried any of the non-skate shoes.

That is interesting--because I have always hear the opposite. Vans especially are known for NOT having any arch support. One of my daughters (my youngest) loves the style of Vans, but her podiatrist says she really shouldn't wear them at all for that reason. There is lots of info about Skate shoes and their arch support online if you google it. They are great looking shoes, but unfortunately made to be flat as a board. Shoes with lots of built in arch will not only look different, but feel much different. Many shoes can be worn if you take out the footbed and replace it with an orthodic--but this doesn't work for many styles of Vans.

Again--some people love skate shoes and and will go a lifetime without any problems.

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

yeah I have broken in my tennis shoes. I've worn Nike, Puma, New Balance and who knows what else...and all have given me blisters eventually. I hate it.

The Capri Sandals are so much cuter than regular Croc's too!

When you say Van's do you mean the kind that a lot the teenagers like to wear these days or truly those wide looking skater shoes?

Yep, what the PP posted for you They make womens and mens. I find different styles have different support so I'd try them on and see what you think. Mens are obviously wider but the women's are pretty darn wide. They slip on my skinny feet (which is an odd problem since I'm not skinny LOL). My husband ties his and never has to tie them again.

 

[rowan1813]

I know most of us here on the Dis are going to have a variety of different answers and I really do believe that the best shoes that you can bring with you are the types that your feet are used to. I live in flip-flops and sandals practically year round (only wear closed shoes during work and rain) and so wearing those around DLR is perfectly fine for me. I actually had a pair of Tevas that I adored although I have stopped wearing those and have now switched to a pair of Born sandals. I have fairly high arches and if my shoes don't have enough support, my back starts to hurt. I completely agree though with the other posters here on this thread though, it might be best to bring a couple of pairs of shoes (whichever type) and switch out everyday.

For me however, I love my sandals and flip-flops and wouldn't trade them for the world.

 

[robinb]

I wear my regular Nike running shoes, Teva sandals & Sketchers Tone-Up flip flops. I trade off what I am wearing daily and sometimes even in the middle of the day. I too have suffered from Plantar Fasciitis in the past and swapping out shoes works well for me. I also bring a couple of ziplock bags that I fill with ice to ice down my feet to prevent too much swelling once I am back in the room. Icy-Hot also works really well on the soles of your feet to make them feel better.

 

[tinkermomma]

I think you are going to find all different answers to this question--because we all have different feet. I actually think Vans are very cute and wish I could wear them comfortably--but unfortunately they just don't have any arch support.

This!

I have plantar faciatis so I desperately need arch support. Ecco sandals work great for me after my podiatrist told me I HAD to stop wearing heels and flip flops or my feet were going to fall apart.

I've found the walking store to have great selection and a good expertise. Plus some of their shoes are still kinda cute

 

[starshine514]

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!

My sister's BF wears these! He actually has them in two different colors. I couldn't imagine wearing them - I can't even stand it when socks get caught between my toes.

I wore Converse All-Stars w/ my Dr Scholl's inserts the last two trips. They did fine the first trip, but I think I'll go back to my Sketchers Work shoes (with said Dr. Scholl's arch supports) for my next trip. My feet got very angry with me this last trip.