Shoe suggestions....Plantar Fasciitis and also Kids

[scndbaswmn]

I know there was a thread going somewhere on shoes but I'm thinking that it was several years old. I remember reading months ago.

I have plantar fasciitis in both feet (UGH)! It's just about gone in my left foot (started several years ago) and about a year ago started in my right foot. I try to stretch my feet before getting out of bed and whenever I think about it so I'm not looking for help on how to treat the plantar fasciitis, but I'm hoping someone with plantar fasciitis might have a few good suggestions on walking shoes. We'll be at WDW Sept 10-17. I have a decent tennis shoe that I was fitted for earlier this year, so I'm really looking for a sandal and/or flip flop possibly since it will be hot. (But will take other shoe suggestions as well).

Also, what should my 4.5 year old son wear? Any good shoes for kids? We will have his stroller and I'm sure he'll ride some in there, but I don't want his feet to hurt because I didn't pack him the right shoes. He does wear crocs a lot and I just bought a new Mickey Mouse pair, so I know we'll be bringing those. But are there any others I should look at?

Thanks!!

 

[kaligal]

As I'm sure your podiatrist told you, the "right shoe" is the one that is comfortable. This varies from person to person. You can get a really good, comfy shoe without spending anywhere near $100. Good shoes come in almost all price ranges.

I like the Crocs. They're hideous, but they're comfy.

I wouldn't go to WDW if I had plantar fasciitis, but that's me.

GOOD LUCK!!!!

 

[SnapesGirl]

I wore my Birkenstock Gizeh sandals and found that my knees and back didn't hurt too badly, however the key (for me anyway) is changing shoes half way through the day. My mom brought her Crocs and she felt great with those. As long as you break in the shoes before you go!

 

[stargazertechie]

As I'm sure your podiatrist told you, the "right shoe" is the one that is comfortable. This varies from person to person. You can get a really good, comfy shoe without spending anywhere near $100. Good shoes come in almost all price ranges.

I like the Crocs. They're hideous, but they're comfy.

I wouldn't go to WDW if I had plantar fasciitis, but that's me.

GOOD LUCK!!!!

Eh, it's not the end of the world. I have flare ups when I'm down there, but normally not until the end of the trip.


OP- I also have PF, and I alternate between teva flip flops (which really have no support whatsoever, but are comfy as all get out) and crocs with socks.

 

[angryduck71]

I have it too (cursed flat feet!). I found some sandal crocs and they really do well. I still wouldn't walk THAT much with them -- I'd do my tennis shoes (new balance) WITH inserts. You might think -- if you're doing some water rides -- about getting a locker and storing some shoes so you have both? Just a thought (and a hassle, I realize). I'm taking a stroller for storage (and to lug my DS around!).

 

[Karbase8]

I have plantar fascitis, tight calf muscles and achilles tendonitis. I purchased orthoheel tide or wave online and they did take a few weeks to break in but my fascitis and tendonitis goes away wearing these shoes! I would try and get them as soon as possible. I also bought the Merrell Via III now they initially flared the fascitis, others may say differently but after breaking them in they work well. I am flat footed not sure you are, but teva mush have little arch support, I would try Keen's, Merrell's and the Orthoheels that's my suggestion

 

[4HOLIDAYS]

I was just thinking about getting new crocs for upcoming trips. I have same sit as OP. Crocs are great for the walking. I even walk on my treadmill in them when my feet are really bothering me. I have been trying to find a sneaker that is as comfortable to work out in and have yet to find one.
I have the crocs capris,thong sandals, ..my DH and 2 DS all wear them at the parks as well. they are the best for hot weather and comfort.

 

[scndbaswmn]

Eh, it's not the end of the world. I have flare ups when I'm down there, but normally not until the end of the trip.


OP- I also have PF, and I alternate between teva flip flops (which really have no support whatsoever, but are comfy as all get out) and crocs with socks.

I have a pair of Teva flip flops (only wore them a few times so far) but they are very comfortable. Haven't walked long periods in them yet though...and that's the key. Sure, a sure can be comfortable, but will it be after walking 5-7 miles in them??

THANKS!

 

[cinderella'smommy]

I have PF, and Keens. The Keens sandals really help.

And I wouldn't skip WDW just because of some aching feet!!

 

[beattyfamily]

I have PF which started on a trip to Disney in 2006 while wear what I thought were the perfect sandal for Disney (Teva Pretty Rugged). come to find out even though they were so comfy, they didn't have enough arch support and actually caused my PF to occur.

I saw a doctor, got shots, medicine and did stretching etc.. to make it better. He told me to stay away from Crocs. He is NOT a fan of them.

To keep my PF gone forever, I ALWAYS wear shoes. I never go barefoot and I ALWAYS have arch support in my shoes, either built in or with an insert.

The doctor gave me Superfeet arch suppor inserts which I bought more of and put in all my (enclosed) shoes. I also bought a pair of slip on New Balance sneakers to use as my slippers at home (and put the Superfeet insert in them too).

I hate wearing socks/sneakers at Disney so I purchased a pair of Orthaheel "Tide" flip flops. I LOVE them. They have great arch support, are waterproof and do not cause blisters.

I've worn them for a week at Disney and a week in Bermuda with no issues.

Orthaheel Flip Flops


Superfeet Inserts

Good Luck!

 

[scndbaswmn]

Thanks everyone! So, Crocs for kids, you think?

Oh, and I won't be skipping WDW just because of my feet! They aren't THAT bad!!

 

[Sandi]

I have PF, too, and I sure wouldn't give up WDW due to a flare up. We were there last week and I wish I would have brought another pair of sneakers/walking shoes. I have two pairs of the same running shoe with different extra arch support inserts. Then I have another pair of sneakers with a less intense arch support insert. I brought both pairs of running shoes because I thought I'd do better in those. I should have brought one pair of running shoes and the other sneakers with less support. (I also brought Birkenstocks and Tevas, but I can only wear those for a few hours.) The big thing for me is to switch things up during the day -- at our afternoon break, I'd switch to different shoes. That helped a lot.

 

[stargazertechie]

I have a pair of Teva flip flops (only wore them a few times so far) but they are very comfortable. Haven't walked long periods in them yet though...and that's the key. Sure, a sure can be comfortable, but will it be after walking 5-7 miles in them??

THANKS!

I've done 15 mile park days in them. Sure, I was a bit tender at the end of the day, but I also took some eucalyptus/menthol epsom salts to soak my feet in at night.

 

[hgreene87]

I have plantar fasciitis as well, only in my right foot...I'm planning on wearing the Nike's I bought a few months ago and leaving the sandals for pool side....the Nike's have great arch support in them, I don't have much pain at the end of the day at all when I wear them. When I'm barefoot (which is my preference, but a no no) all day, or in sandals all day, I really pay for it.

 

[Peaseblossom]

I found Birkies good for shorter days & evenings.

For the longer & hotter & rainier days, Skechers with cotton ankle socks could not be beat - no blisters, hot spots, swelling, etc - and they even look fine with sundresses, no Melanie Griffith / Working Girl look!

 

[Krisscot]

FIT FLOPS are a must. And I mean the brand... I have had the PF surgery on both feet. I danced ballet all through college and have pretty much ruined my feet. I was miserable for the longest time walking anywhere and then I discovered fit flop. I can wear them all day and all night. They have flip flop versions, tennis shoes, and even boots. They even have dressier sandals for work. I am a high school teacher and that is ALL I wear anymore. They even have kids sizes but you have to get them online. I have even worn their boots all over Europe with no problems. These shoes have honestly been a miracle for me!

 

[momtoejanda]

I have PF too and I love Crocs flip flops!!!!

For the kids..I love Keens. comfortable, no socks and can get wet. What more can you ask for!

 

[DznyCrzy11]

My husband has the same problem with flat feet. It got so bad that his feet were always hurting and he was doing the tennis ball trick in the mornings to stretch out his ligament. He tried numerous Dr. Sholl's inserts but they only worked well for about a month and then wore out. He bought some inserts called Walkfit and has been using them for a little over a year. He loves them! It comes with 3 levels of support....low, medium, and high. You start with the low support and work your way up, of course it also depends upon the shoe you are using it in. The packet comes with some "peel and stick" velcro that you can use on the inserts if you are wearing them in sandels or flip flops. The website is www.walkfit.com and the packet is only $20! Good Luck!

 

[MyJuliet]

Crocs are great for walking. I even walk in them when my foot is really bothering me, my treadmill. I have been trying to find a sports shoes, comfortable work, have yet to find one.

 

[TacoBaco]

I've had PF for about 5 years now. Defiantly wouldn't let it stop me from going to Disney world, it sucks, but I'm not dead! I'm not sure if your familiar with taping? But my old school, hippy, podiatrist taught me how to tape the bottom of my foot and arch with athletic tape. If you've never done this, Google it. You may find some pretty detailed tape descriptions, but don't let that intimidate you, you can probably modify their suggestions just enough to work for you, and then you can make ANY shoe have sufficient arch support, even a flat flip flop!

I USE to LOVE Crocs, but in my opinion the new Crocs don't have near the arch support that they use to have. I can't wear the new ones, there just isn't enough support for me.

I have since moved on to Birkenstocks, they take a GOOD 1 to 2 months to break in, and if you've never wore them before they can be very uncomfortable and discouraging at first, almost painful at times. BUT once they finally mold to your foot, there good as gold. I can't think of any other shoe that offers the same arch support as a Birkenstock.

I plan on switching between Asics and Birkenstocks on my upcoming trip.