Shoe issues for the parks - need opinions

[Minnie824]

Ok, I don't usually wear gym shoes, except for the treadmill. I have 1 older pair, that still pretty much are new cuz they are not worn much. I have some teva sandals to bring to disney for when its warm...very comfy. However, if its cooler, which it may be in a few weeks, I have a shoe dilemma. All I wear are my new Born brand shoes...they slip on, so no heel blister issues, but they have a higher heel...heres a pictures of the closest thing I could find online to what they look like:
http://www.bornshoes.com/asp/ShoePage.asp?GroupID=34853&Group=171&Gender=womens
I know these aren't typical park shoes but they are SO comfy. I also have some hiking type shoes I sometimes wear, that are pretty new as well. Does anyone wear anything other than gym shoes, and how do you do with them?

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

Minnie - I usually wear Merrells sandals - they are comfy for me - but am facing a similar dilemma. We usually go during HOT weather - and are doing late Nov/early Dec this year. I also have a comfy pair of "clogs" and will take a nice pair of sneakers.

If the Borns are comfy for you - I say wear 'em. I feel comfort comes first!!!

 

[jcemom]

I get blisters no matter what I wear.

 

[DrTomorrow]

I wear my Teva's year 'round - easy, since we're in Phoenix, AZ! If it's really too cold for you to wear them in WDW, whatever you do, do NOT wear 'new' shoes....

 

[LvsTnk]

I bought a pair of Chaco's last summer to wear because I wanted something more than a flip flop for support and we keep going even in the rain so no gym shoes. Can you say BLISTERS, I ended up in the flip flops anyway.

I am bringing my Dansko's this trip I have worn them to several museums just to try them out and they seem ok. They have a higher heel too but who cares. Wear your Born's if they are comfy!!

 

[bicker]

Often, the right socks make a difference between blisters and no blisters. If you have a problem with blisters, I highly recommend considering upgrading the socks you wear. It's not so much the material the socks are made from (though that does have some bearing) but rather the technology applied to the socks to make them less likely to cause blisters. Some of the best I've found are SmartWool's Adreneline brand. The key is that the socks should feel like they're holding your feet together when you put them on. They shouldn't be simple tubes.

 

[Skroops]

I know what you mean, I also dislike wearing athletic shoes outside of the gym. I am the type of person who likes an afternoon break back to the hotel. I have had no problem with my shoes because I like to switch shoes when I return to the park for the evening. I like my Dansko shoes that are like a clog with a back, and I have some Cole Haan slides with an athletic type sole,and a few different sandals. I'm just not the type of person who likes to wear tennies! I have very comfortable shoes, but I think I don't have trouble because I change them frequently. Of course this means that I need more luggage space...but that is another thread!
Good luck!

 

[88Keys]

I always bring moleskin to protect from blisters -- works beautifully and you can get it at any drug store

 

[curiouser]

Personally I need a lot of heel and sole support when I'm trekking WDW... so I can't imagine wearing slides!! If they are comfortable I say go for them, but my only concern is them sliding off since there's nothing really holding them on and someone accidentally stepping on the back of your bare heel.. OOOUCH!!

 

[liamsaunt]

I usually wear my sneakers (merrell) in the parks because we do so much walking, but I also have a pair of lace up black shoes from nine west's cloud nine collection that are super comfortable. I think the most important thing is to be sure that you have adequate support in your shoes, I looked at the born shoes and I would try them--chefs wear clogs in the kitchen and they are on their feet all day!

Second vote for the moleskin, it can be a lifesaver. I just cut it into different sizes back in the room and throw a few pieces in my pocket when we are heading out.

 

[Lives4Disney]

I bought a pair of Chaco's last summer to wear because I wanted something more than a flip flop for support and we keep going even in the rain so no gym shoes. Can you say BLISTERS, I ended up in the flip flops anyway.
!

Uh OH!!! I am sitting here wearing my NEWISH CHACO Z2s preparing myself for wearing them in 8 days for my trip!!! I thought with the great arch support, they would keep me ache free and bouncy on my feet all day! WHAT HAPPENED??? The only thing with these Chacos- and the reason I am wearing them around the house - is the sole feels a bit rough on my feet.

I usually wear KEEN shoes everyday and at WDW. They have styles that are in between sandals/shoes and they also have mule/clog styles & maryjanes.

I feel like a major over packer, I am going to WDW for only 5 nights/6 days and probably bringing 5 pairs of shoes!!! I try something new everytime, but usually wind up wearing my Keens. I think Keens are great. They have been extremely comfy for me and my girls. One of my daughters also likes her Tevas.

Lives4Disney

 

[GurGie]

They may be ugly but they are comfy. Just spent a week at the parks and the Crocs saved my feet.

 

[LvsTnk]

Lives4Disney--My DD and I bought the adjustable Chaco's without the backs and hers were fine. Mine just kept adjusting themselves. So who knows but for $80 I was not happy

Now my DH bought the keens and he didn't realize his little toe hit in the wrong spot and hung out of the shoe. Good for you that you had good luck with them they seem like a great shoe.

I actually have worn Born's to the parks with no problem except for the die all over my feet from the sandles.

My DH also bought a pair of sandles from the African outpost in Epcot for me. GREAT and I get compliments on them all the time. They were black and beaded with just a strap across the big toe and arch, but you can't wear those in the rain!!
ETA--I love puddles especially at WDW!!

 

[solferino]

Last trip we did I wore my slide on White Mt. clogs the whole trip with no problem. This time around I'm wearing clogs again (Sanitas) but they have backs this time around. Clogs , especially well made ones such as Danskos, Sanita and Born's are great shoes, which is probably why many chefs and medical professionals choose dansko "professional" clogs to wear. (Always backed though for safety reasons). Actually several of the teachers I work with who are also on their feet wear them most days.

Personally I *loathe* sneakers and any snug fitting shoe. If they're not clogs I usually don't wear them. Even my DD 6 wears danskos and more than likely will bring hers along with her sneaks.

I say go for it based on past experience. Just becase a clog has a higher heel doesn't make them unsafe. The bottoms, especially the heel is large and solid- unlike high heels that aren't made for standing in and walking around the parks all day long.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If your TEVAs work well, wear socks with them. Lots of people do.

 

[ellyn2000]

I like the idea posted above of changing shoes occasionally on vacation so I don't have a chance to get a blister to begin with. I never have a problem with blisters because I just take my most comfortable walking shoes and never wear anything new. I did that one year with a new pair of Teva's and ended up putting them in a trashcan @Epcot. Bought a pair of sneakers in a gift shop to make it back to the hotel and then gave the sneakers to my aunt who was with me. If they're really comfy at home and you're running around in them alot they will be fine for vacation. Have a wonderful time!

 

[GurGie]

The brand is Quark ... the shoe style is called Quasar. They are the most heavenly shoes I've ever had on my feet. Your feet may get sweaty but the shoes wipe out with a washcloth. My MIL has been having heel problems and my mom as well ... we got them each a pair and they loved them.

 

[Uuaww]

hahaha, older people and shoe problem, give me a pair of rainbow flip flops and im good all year for any amount of walking, i only wear rainbows except for when i play sports.

 

[LiteBrite]

The brand is Quark ... the shoe style is called Quasar. They are the most heavenly shoes I've ever had on my feet. Your feet may get sweaty but the shoes wipe out with a washcloth. My MIL has been having heel problems and my mom as well ... we got them each a pair and they loved them.

GurGie, I noticed you posted about both crocs and quarks - are they anything alike? I love my crocs, but I've never heard of quarks before. My hubby doesn't think crocs have enough arch support for him, but looking at the quarks online, I saw they have a removable footbed with arch support, so I'm really curious about them!

 

[Lives4Disney]

I just wanted to add that even though the shoes ARE comfy for running around in your daily life, they may not be the best for a WDW vacation. Both of my girls had Crocs that they wore throughout the summer and they loved them and thought they were the best thing ever. On our August WDW trip, the FIRST day of our trip, they both got hideous open blisters from the Crocs. They had the model with the hinged back strap. The metal that connects the strap to the shoe (on the inside) rubbed them horribly wrong after standing on their feet for hours in the heat. We had to cut our day short, get the first aid kid and revert to Keens and Tevas from then on. Neither of them has slipped those nasty Crocs back on their feet.

I still think you usually get what you pay for with shoes.

Lives4Disney