recommendation for good walking shoes?

[Vacation Lover]

Can anyone recommend a good walking shoe? Something that would be good for Disney, but also for walking on the treadmill at the gym. I don't mind paying a lot if they're comfortable. The shoes I'm currently using (Avia for women) kill my feet after a workout.

 

[Grumpy23]

My best recommendation, from personal experience due to my foot problems, is New Balance. And I was told by a foot/shoe expert that came to our work for a demo a couple of years ago at a health fair, is that the higher number on NB shoes, the better support. He wasn't a NB salesman, but had knowledge with various brands of shoes.

If you've seen the NB shoes, they all have a number. He asked me to take mine off during the demo and hand it to him and I thought I was ok with one in the 600's, but he completely bent the shoe in half, and it was brand new! I now have a couple of pairs in the 800's and 900's and one pair in the 1,000's and they do seem to have better support. They are expensive, but for my feet, they are worth it.

Their website is nbwebexpress.com and sometimes they have decent sales. I also bought a pair at Marshalls one day for $39.99 and the same pair Dicks was selling for $99. So shop around and compare if you decide to go with them.

 

[wdwishes1990]

I prefer to have a couple pairs of shoes to swap during my trip to avoid "rubs" in the same place, everyday. I love New Balance Running Shoes for walking and work outs. Good luck!

 

[MrsPMC00]

New Balance here too! They have a lot of widths...from narrow to REALLY wide!!! The first time I bought them, I went to a New balance store to get them fitted...I have never had a blister or sore feet since!

 

[Magic4UsZ's]

I love Avia's. I always pack a couple of pairs of shoes. I'm also a big Birkenstock fan, and was surprised how much comfort and support Croc's provide!! Like it has been said, switch off so you dont get any hot spots/sores. Make sure that they are "broken in" BEFORE you go!!!!


I guess I've reached "the age" of comfort over fashion (at least for days at the parks)

 

[Adam1217]

I wear my crocs the whole time I am there!!! They are really comfortable and come in a wide array of colors!!! Plus they don't cost very much!!

 

[momof2disprincesses]

Here's a plug for my Easy Spirit tennis shoes. I used to get blisters EVERY time I went to Disney and I searched and searched for something that would solve the problem.

On my last 8 day Disney trip, I was blister free thanks to a combo of Easy Spirit tennis shoes (level 2's) and blister-free socks made for runners that I bought at Scheel's Sporting Goods store. That combo for me was my solution.

BTW~I tried crocs too and got a blister the first day!

 

[spooky1]

#1 rule - make sure the shoes are broken in before you go out and put major mileage on them ...

 

[Cool-Beans]

I wear the Reebok Princess. They aren't stylish, but they're super-comfy and one of the cheapies. Been wearing them for 20-25 years.

It's a good shoe. My podiatrist calls it "The nursing Reebok" because so many of us wear them. He agrees that it is a better shoe than the mega-hyped and costly others.

But, everyone's feet are different and we all need to find the best shoe for our feet.

 

[kikiq]

I prefer to have a couple pairs of shoes to swap during my trip to avoid "rubs" in the same place, everyday. I love New Balance Running Shoes for walking and work outs. Good luck!

I too like to switch shoes during my trip. I love my asics but recently added ecco extreme jane sandal. I wear them with and without my orthotics and so far it's a go whether I'm hiking or walking at the fair.

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

Can anyone recommend a good walking shoe? Something that would be good for Disney, but also for walking on the treadmill at the gym. I don't mind paying a lot if they're comfortable. The shoes I'm currently using (Avia for women) kill my feet after a workout.

here is a clue.......make sure your shoes are broke in before you goto WDW or on vacation for that matter. i'm going to be wearing both those "UGLY" crocs and some shoes i wear at home. i know the crocs are great for my feet cause i have worn them at amusement parks. and my feet have loved me everytime. my other shoes i'll be wearing are vans. it's all about what makes your feet happy. keep them dry and drink lots of water. it will make you feel much better. water will keep you running when it's hot.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I've said this before, and will say it again. When I needed new sneakers a few years ago, I got smart and went to a running store. Now there are running stores near me that charge an arm and a leg, but if you ask runners, there is probably one around you that is out of the way and not so commercial. Avoid the big box sports stores. The places I went to actually watch the way you walk and sell you shoes based on that - not the ones with the latest color or the expensive bells and whistles. IT's important to find a shop that really helps you based on your walk, and not the kind where you have to search down a salesperson, or they just want to push the latest style (Foot Locker type stores).
The funny thing is that the first time I went, the woman ahead of me in line was also looking for help in getting shoes for WDW!

I personally like Saucony. The NB didn't work for me. I've got wide feet, so I need that width.

I also have liked Crocs, and I really liked a pair I had that were Birkenstock style, but more neat looking in all black. The last pair I had like that were from Clarks England, but I when I went back later I couldn't find the same style. I've seen a few other brands that are of a similar style, but very pricey. Over a long haul, I did not find Tevas all that comfortable.

I too, am a big fan of trading off several pairs of shoes during a vacation. If nothing else, I wear different outfits, and sometimes want to look more dressy for dinner.

 

[jazzytea]

Ryka's! I swear by them. They are made especially for women's feet, come in different widths and are affordable.

 

[Chuck65]

My feet love New Balance. The last pair I bought were the 900 series and WOW are they good. If you have a Rack Room store close to you, they often times have great sales on their shoes. I got mine, normally $90, for $55 and they had it also if you bought one pair, you got another pair for 50% off. So my wife wound up getting her a pair of Adidas, normally $60, for $30.

 

[Disney-For-Life]

Another vote for New Balance. Take some time and try on a few brands. If you are like me, you will know immediately the moment you put "the right shoe" on. However they construct the shoes at New Balance, every pair I have tried on certainly agrees with my foot type.

Oh and another tip. If they are good runners, you won't really need to "break them in". They should feel good pretty much from your first time wearing them. That being said, wear them once or twice before you go, just to be sure they fit right.
Good luck!

 

[ransom]

DW has had the best success with New Balance. She went to a fairly large New Balance store that was nearby, and they worked with her on finding out exactly what her feet needed in terms of shoe size and even shape. She bought two pair there. I think they were around $100 apiece, but her feet are definitely worth it!

Your mileage may vary in terms of whether New Balance are right for you, but I'd strongly recommend going to several different stores, trying several different brands, and getting as much advice as possible. You might learn some new terms, and a bit about your feet, along the way. And you'll almost certainly end up with better shoes than if you'd grabbed something just because it worked for someone else.

Oh, and one more piece of advice, for what it's worth: if the shoes don't feel great as soon as you slip them on, then pass 'em by. Despite what we're often told about ill-fitting shoes, your feet will break before the shoes break in!

Best wishes in finding the perfect shoes for you!

 

[SonicGuy]

My vote is for Asics - usually found at your local running store. My last pair lasted my 3+ years, and I am VERY hard on shoes!

The best advice I ever got on shoes was from my podiatrist. He showed me the way to test for a quality shoe. He said to pick up the shoe and try to attempt to touch the toe to the back. You should not be able to touch them.

He also said to try to twist the shoe from left to right. You should not be able to twist them much at all. Since I have been using this technique my feet have gotten much better and my shoes last A LOT longer. Even though I shell out more $$ up front, they last me a lot longer. My brother and I argue about the price of shoes all the time (he's a miserly cheapskate, but I digress). I gives me heck about paying $120 - $150 + for shoes, because he will never pay over $30. Of course he has to replace his 2-3 times a year (or more) and I just this week replaced my running shoes I bought in 2004. Even better I found my Asics at our local outlet mall at a Factory Brand Shoes for $75!

Good luck!

 

[K and K's Mommy]

I am going to second the suggestion of going to a running store where they watch you walk. The place I first went has a treadmill, and they video you running/walking. They then can play it in slow motion. I loved the shoes they recommended for me.

 

[Golf4food]

New Balance! DW and I both love them. They last forever, too. Great shoes.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I guess I'm going against the grain on this one. The New Balance shoes I bought killed my feet. I walk or run at least a mile a day on my treadmill. (Just depends on how much homework my kids have or what kind of activities we have planned)

I bump up the distance the closer we get to our WDW vacations.

I absolutely love my Nike Cross Trainers. They are wonderful on my feet.

I agree with all of the previous posters.....whatever kind of shoe you purchase.....break those suckers in before you go. I would recommend walking in them at least a month prior to your vacation!