recommendation for good walking shoes?

[Donaldsfan176]

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!

I had some issues with New Balance also. For excersize I walk about 2 miles daily. After a couples times with new Balance I was getting knee, ankle and, foot pain.

I have always had good luck with "Nike Walk". My first walk with the Nike's all pain went away. I think I have put about 30 miles on them for our disney trip. I will also take an older pair of older Nike's to switch with.

As other posters have said. Go to a retail location that specializes in the proper fit for your walk.

 

[Troy08]

Easy Spirit,pricey but worth every cent!!!

 

[maxsdad18]

I use New Balance cross trainers (1000 series) in the gym. Very comfortable and cool. The thing about NB is you must get the right width. They come in up to 6E. If you know your correct size, I suggest going to Zappos.com. They have every shoe/sneeker/croc, and have free shipping. I got my shoes 2 days after I ordered them. I am going to bring my NB as well as my Keen Newport sandles, which are also very comfortable, for my first trip to WDW with my 4 y/o son in September.

 

[Vacation Lover]

Wow--thanks for all of the great tips. I was just going to go to Dick's or somewhere like that, but it makes so much more sense to try a specialty shop where they know what they're doing! Thanks for that suggestion. I looked online an found a good running store I'm going to check out tomorrow. I also found a place called "Foot Solutions," where they examine your feet and do a computer analysis of your feet and make recommendations. Has anyone had experience with this place? Our Disney trip is in September, so I should have enough time to break new shoes in.

 

[ortholablady]

I'm a New Balance fan also. I've put many Disney miles on 2 pairs of 411's (runnning shoes) I've worn the last couple of years. I just bought a pair of 473's (trail running) that I've been using on my treadmill. Both styles were very comfortable right from the moment I put them on.
My next trip I'm also bringing a pair of Naot sandles I just got. A bit pricey but very comfortable. They have cork in the soles and are supposed to get even more comfortable as you wear them and the cork conforms to your foot. Sort of looks like a birkenstock but much nicer and not so wide. I wore them yesterday walking around NY City and they were great. I really wanted something like this that was not a sneaker to have something a little nicer to wear to dinner but still be comfortable to walk around the parks afterwards.

 

[JackieSparrow]

I second the vote for Asics! I got a pair recently and I am wearing them everywhere. They are soo comfortable, and it's a quality shoe.

 

[Tiggerlover48]

I love my New Balance as well. But I must admit that I have always worn sneakers when wandering around the World. But our last visit in Sept. was so hot that I had to take them off and wear sandals. My feet needed to breathe!!! I have just bought a pair of Teva's and I will be wearing them in Aug. My New Balance will be staying home.

 

[Grand Admiral]

Personally I like my Keen shoes. Just bought my wife a pair today at REI.

 

[maxsdad18]

Yes, the more I think about it, the Keens will probably get more use then the NB cross trainers. They are lighter, cool, waterproof, and most important, VERY comfortable.

 

[snyderla]

For each WDW, I buy a new pair of Princess Reebok's! The reason, on one of my earlier WDW trips, I had a mishap and had to buy new shoes. I bought Reebok Princess shoes and didn't even have to break them in! There aren't any heavy seams like most athletic shoes, so they don't rub anywhere. Plenty of support for me and I love them! I wouldn't buy any others.

Lori

 

[calliemom]

I used to love my Avia's as well until it was time to buy an new pair and I was unable to locate ones in my size (womans 11). I ended up buy a pair of Asics with gel support and wow was I blown away in the difference in comfort and support. Now I swear buy Asics and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone! The ones I purchased were about $150 Canadian but worth every penny. You can see more at
http://www.asicsamerica.com