Shoes at Disney World

[Christine]

Well, I'm once again planning a last minute trip to the World this July. With the combination of GREAT airfare and a wonderful deal on a townhome, I'm going!!

My problem is my feet. They hurt.

I have a bunion on my left foot due to an injury that is getting worse year by year so I have to be careful about any type of strap that comes across the top of my foot, and a don't do well with a "thong" type sandal, although I do wear them around the house and for short shopping trips.

On my 2007 trip, I used Crocs Mary Janes and they did well. But obviously, it is WAY too hot for a covered shoe (and certainly they are not fashionable with shorts on me, at least--clothing is another issue and probably a whole new thread).

I've read good reviews on the Crocs Athens but there are more than enough comments about the wide thong and problems with it that have sort of ruled this out.

Tevas have NEVER done well for me. Something about the shape of the sole. I can never get comfy in them.

I have yet to try Chacos. Keen's are probably okay but they just seem so big and bulky.

Are there any recommendations of what I can try that you've had good luck with (if you have "problem" feet).

My feet are also on the more narrow side so I do have issues with regular Crocs and some other brands.

I am also more in the mood for a sandal. One year I had some neoprene sandals (Teva-lookalikes) that were made by a more fashionable brand (Unlisted) and they were heaven. But that was like in 1999 and I cannot find them. But the neoprene material was great--cool and comfy.

Thanks for any suggestions you can give!

 

[Kae]

I am the same ways as you with the thong thing & I prefer Croc Capris they are a fabic/nylon that goes between the toes. The athens are kinda bulky wide between the toes. do you have a kohls by you they have these Nike sandles that might be worth try on. I have also seen them at Dick's.

Kae

 

[Christine]

I am the same ways as you with the thong thing & I prefer Croc Capris they are a fabic/nylon that goes between the toes. The athens are kinda bulky wide between the toes. do you have a kohls by you they have these Nike sandles that might be worth try on. I have also seen them at Dick's.

Kae

Yes, I have a Kohl's and Dick's. I will probably hit both today, although our Kohl's seems to always be sold out of every shoe I want.

I was just on a website this morning and did not see a Crocs Capri but I will have another look. I can deal with a cloth/fabric between the toes.

 

[golfgal]

With foot problems I would forgo "fashion" for comfort. I would invest in a high quality walking or running athletic shoe. Since when are covered shoes not in fashion with shorts? My running shoes are also very lightweight, have a mesh upper so they breathe well and are very supportive.

 

[powellrj]

I have awful foot problems, but mine are because my feet are wide and thick. I have had really good luck with the Crocs Athens, BUT, they did take a week or so to get use to. Once I got use to them they are great and I wear them all the time. I love my mary janes, but I love my athens too. For summer I would go with the athens.

I have tried Tevas and Keens, but my feet are too wide for them so they have never worked for me, but I do know that others swear by them.

 

[cepmom]

the only thing I can wear with no problems is my Tevas. I had to try many styles before I found one that was just right. They are ugly as anything, and don't look cute with any of my outfits, but I suck it up and wear them anyway because of the amount of walking we do in WDW. I won't wear athletic shoes in the hot months there...too hot and too much rain (when we go anyway, rains every afternoon) These are the ones I got:

 

[geffric]

the only thing I can wear with no problems is my Tevas. I had to try many styles before I found one that was just right. They are ugly as anything, and don't look cute with any of my outfits, but I suck it up and wear them anyway because of the amount of walking we do in WDW. I won't wear athletic shoes in the hot months there...too hot and too much rain (when we go anyway, rains every afternoon) These are the ones I got:

those are the ones I wear too.. love them for all the walking and I bring a pair of new balance shoes for the drive down...

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

I wore Crocs 'Cleo' everyday duing our WDW trip last year and had no problems with my feet at all. They were great!

 

[golfgal]

the only thing I can wear with no problems is my Tevas. I had to try many styles before I found one that was just right. They are ugly as anything, and don't look cute with any of my outfits, but I suck it up and wear them anyway because of the amount of walking we do in WDW. I won't wear athletic shoes in the hot months there...too hot and too much rain (when we go anyway, rains every afternoon) These are the ones I got:

I have some of these too but I don't like the foot bed as much as the older ones they made with the cork foot bed-which they no longer make.

 

[Christine]

With foot problems I would forgo "fashion" for comfort. I would invest in a high quality walking or running athletic shoe. Since when are covered shoes not in fashion with shorts? My running shoes are also very lightweight, have a mesh upper so they breathe well and are very supportive.

I have tried these also at the parks and don't do well. I have Asics Gel Kayanos and some Nike Air type running shoes and my feet just get way too hot in them after a few hours. They are mesh also so I'm not sure why. My feet get hot, the skin on them starts burning almost and then they swell. They are just fine for a 45 minute jog or run, but they don't work for me all day in the parks.

Oh, and to be clear, fashion is NOT an issue for me. I'm 45 years old, pasty white, won't even be wearing "real" shorts because I think I look awful in them! Do you think I would be looking for something fashionable if I've admitted to wearing Crocs??

Speaking of shorts and fashion, my next issue is clothing.

Now, one year I went to Disney in June and it was about 105 degrees on some of the days. I remember being in Animal Kingdom with my white cotton shorts on, cotton Tshirt (and all cotton underthings). I was absolutely drenched and could not get dry. My shorts were so soaked that the waistband was getting loose and my shorts were dropping down.

So, I decided for these trip, since I truly can't find any shorts that look good on me, I was going to the park in "activewear." I want to find some tanks with built in bras that also look decent enough that they can sort of look like casual wear. I also want to wear the bottoms (either a skort or longer exercise shorts) so that I can be comfy and cool but also I need to be able to go into a restaurant and not look like I walked out the gym. Does that make sense? Do you think they have stuff like this? I didn't see anything in Marhsall's or Target yesterday that fit the bill so I will going to the higher end stores today.

While I am not concerned with being fashionable, I *am* concerned with my appearance. As I said, I'm 45 years old and I don't want to wear low-rise booty shorts, nor do I want to look like a lady golfer. While I am only a teensy bit overweight and look fine in most jeans and shirts, I am not toned or tanned by any means and don't want to have all my flab exposed. It's just a personal thing with me. I know plenty of people don't care, but I do.

So, anyone know any good active wear brands that look presentable outside the gym?

 

[Kimberle]

I love my Berkenstocks. I can't wear sneakers as they give me blisters.

 

[mickeyboat]

Have you tried Reef flip flops? I have bunions, too, and swore I would never be able to wear flip flips. But the Reefs are great. There are even a few models with some arch support.

Denae

 

[geffric]

Clothing - I wear capris that are the quick drying kind ( also has a sunscreen in them) I got them at REI

 

[Ohiodislover]

Have you tried Merrel? My mom has bunion issues, and LOVES them

 

[crred96]

Another vote for Merrell. They are the most comfortable sandals I have ever had. I bought my 1st pair on a trip to Las Vegas and my feet never hurt at all doing all the walking there. When you try them on you will feel like you are wearing comfy slippers. I love them.

 

[arminnie]

Christine - I have finally discovered the quick dry polyester. Living in a hot and humid area I have avoided poly like the plague - but this woven stuff really works.

I first bought a man's Columbia fishing shirt. I found some female ones (which I prefer) at the Columbia outlet in Orlando. I bought two pair of bcg shorts ($15 each) at Academy. Very lightweight.

I was at WDW during the monsoons last month. Somedays I had on a cotton tee with quick dry shorts or vice versa. I could not believe how much difference the quick dry material makes. My shorts are more bermuda length. I also love the quick dry shortsleeve shirts from llbean. Neither the shorts nor the shirt are knits so they don't really look like "sports gear".

No advice on shoes. I sort of vary between Teva flip flops (can't stand the other Tevas), Chaco (great arch support) and privo (by Clarks). Merrell's are great too. My feel are kind of narrow too - until I finally found some comfy flip flops I would have trouble with sandals as my foot would slide all the way thru.

 

[Christine]

Christine - I have finally discovered the quick dry polyester. Living in a hot and humid area I have avoided poly like the plague - but this woven stuff really works.

I first bought a man's Columbia fishing shirt. I found some female ones (which I prefer) at the Columbia outlet in Orlando. I bought two pair of bcg shorts ($15 each) at Academy. Very lightweight.

I was at WDW during the monsoons last month. Somedays I had on a cotton tee with quick dry shorts or vice versa. I could not believe how much difference the quick dry material makes. My shorts are more bermuda length. I also love the quick dry shortsleeve shirts from llbean. Neither the shorts nor the shirt are knits so they don't really look like "sports gear".

No advice on shoes. I sort of vary between Teva flip flops (can't stand the other Tevas), Chaco (great arch support) and privo (by Clarks). Merrell's are great too. My feel are kind of narrow too - until I finally found some comfy flip flops I would have trouble with sandals as my foot would slide all the way thru.

I have the narrow foot problem, although in a regular shoe I wear a regular width. I have the same problem with my foot sliding through some sandals.

I agree that Merrell's are really comfy but of all the ones I've tried, they are little wide. Now, actually, the width of the sandal is fine but it's like the top part that goes over the top of your foot is too high, if that makes sense? It hits the sides of my foot just fine but I have a gap at the top and my foot slides. But I will keep trying.

What I am looking for is the quick-dry clothes. Many years ago, in Marshalls, I did buy some Columbia shorts that were quick dry. They are long gone but I am looking for something similar. I also like the feel of "yoga" type pants (in capri length) but so far, the ones I already own are very thin.

Guess I'll be hitting the stores today!

 

[diznygirl]

Clothing - Kohls had some skort and shirt sets in the activewear section - I think they were tennis outfits.

Shoes - have you tried the regular crocs? Cayman or Beach? DH loves them for his bunion. If you want open they have Cleo and some other strappy slide-on type sandals.


Good luck!

 

[Christine]

Clothing - Kohls had some skort and shirt sets in the activewear section - I think they were tennis outfits.

Shoes - have you tried the regular crocs? Cayman or Beach? DH loves them for his bunion. If you want open they have Cleo and some other strappy slide-on type sandals.


Good luck!

Cayman and Beach are WAY to wide for me. I do have a few pair of these at home from our last trip that the kids bought as an emergency.

I tried some Capri Crocs on today and they didn't feel to bad. They didn't have any good selections at the mall, though, so I'll probably just order online now.

I had some decent luck with clothes.

Got a pair of Trail shorts at LL Bean on sale, plus some of their tanks that are UV rated.

Got a pair of quick-dry capris at Eddie Bauer on clearance. The fit well but, due to my pasty skin tone, I look HORRIBLE in the khaki color but, oh well.

Also got some of the same type of capris and Coldwater Creek that look really nice. Surprised me because I haven't been able to buy anything there in years, but these fit really well.

I would have liked more shorts but all my sizes were sold out. Looks like summer clothes are on the way out!

 

[Mrs.Milo]

Try this website and see if anything looks promising: www.footsmart.com.

I have their latest catalog, 70 pages, and they carry a ton of stuff in regular and wide widths.