Shoes, feet soreness -any tips?

[kristie73]

So when I did WDW earlier this year in March, I thought I was prepared with shoes that felt comfortable, but by day 2 I was HURTING!!!

I prefer slip-on sandals over flip flops. I had 2 different pairs that are normally very comfortable. I had two pairs of sketchers slip on tennis shoes - totally comfortable but not after days of walking. I had so many blisters and the bottoms of my feet just burned. I used that mole skin stuff, but it really didn't help much.

Every night I came back to soak my feet and calves with ice and rub down with lavender lotion. It really sucked. And made some of the trip awful because of the walking.

I'm not super overweight or out of shape. So I don't understand.

I don't own crocs and never had, that's just not my style. Should I just plan to wear my gym walking shoes? I will miss wearing some sort of sandal. Are there some inserts I can use. What have others found helpful besides Crocs?

When I did Disneyland a few years ago, I remember my feet were sore, but they didn't burn and have blisters. I just don't want to go through this trip again with such sore feet.

 

[KateDrake]

I don't recommend buying shoes specifically to walk in the parks. It has worked much better for me to wear well-broken in shoes that I wear at home when I know I'll be doing a lot of walking. For me, that's my Toms, a pair of Clarks ballet flats, and maybe a pair of flip flops for the pool. But I think it is different for everyone. If your running shoes are the most comfortable, and they are well broken in, I'd say take those. I haven't tried Crocs, but I've heard mixed reviews.

One thing that does work really well for me is to change what shoes I wear each day. DH does this as well. So he, for example, will wear running shoes one day, but then his Keen sandals the next. Trading off seems to help, because they rub different parts of the foot and offer different support, so you are working different muscles. Helps your sore spots from the previous day get a rest!

I've been running for a few years, and that has given me some tricks, too. I usually take a warm bath or a soak in the pool at night to relieve aching muscles, and take an Aleve(or something like that) before bed and again in the morning. Staying hydrated also helps. And if it gets really bad I rub my legs down with Tiger Balm, or IcyHot, in a pinch. You also might want to try stretching before bed. That may sound silly, but your legs get quite a workout during a day in the parks!

I hope you can find a solution that works well for you! It's no fun to be so sore you can't walk!

 

[Butterfly123]

Really good running socks can make a huge difference in friction on the bottom of your feet, and can really help with blisters. I also like to switch shoes during the day (like my Keen sandals in the morning, and my running shoes in the evening). I find my feet feel less tired this way.

 

[Ride Junkie]

I was recently looking for some comfortable sandals to wear to the parks, and a lot of people recommended Keens. They are a bit pricey (usually around $80), but I bit the bullet and got a pair of Keen Whisper sandals. I wore them on our 3-day trip to DL a few weeks ago. They were amazing! They don't require a break-in period and are extremely comfortable. If your feet get wet, no problem, they're waterproof and dry quickly. My legs may have been tired from all the walking, but my feet felt great. No pain, no blisters. Totally worth the money!!

I would recommend trying them on at a store (I found them at REI) so you know what size fits best, then look for sales online. I found that they were more comfortable after I went up 1/2 a size.

 

[pixiewings71]

I always wear comfy tennis shoes, I take 2 pair and switch them off by day, or even the same day if we take a break. I have good socks and put Dr Scholl's gel inserts into the shoes, it really does help. My feet hurt, yes, but I don't get blisters or anything like that and by the next day my feet are ready to walk all day again.

 

[Girimama33]

My feet never hurt and I wore my Reebok gym shoes. I felt like I was walking on air.
My husband was hurting really bad on day one. He was wearing gym shoes as well. He bought some insoles at the Big 5, and did much better.


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[jory29]

Wool socks worked great for me one time - it is said that the natural fiber is better for your feet.

I did try running socks (double layer) but they didn't stop the blisters from forming.

As SOON as I felt a hot spot on my foot (pay attention, anyone who has ever had blisters!!!) I placed several bandaids on top of the red hot spot, THEN cut out a patch of 'moleskin' (padded, felt-like cushiony material, Dr. Scholls makes it, you can buy it at any pharmacy, etc..) WALK around like that, change out the bandaids and moleskin frequently, a couple of times a day.

I didn't get one blister on our 20th wedding anniversary trip to Disneyland last April because of the bandaid and moleskin on a hotspot trick!

Take your own washcloths, dampen them, and lay them on your feet at night to take out some of the heat that tends to build up in them.

I tried blister balms, (anti blister balms) but they didn't work that well.

I also use comfie broken in shoes like running shoes, but had a heel pain insole in them. I might try Pixiewings71 gel insole idea.

And yes, I second the advil, etc. (aleve) idea - I did take that daily when in the parks, don't normally ever take it. It helped tremendously I think.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I find that whenever I wear my tennis shoes for long periods at the parks I get blisters. I usually wear Nike flip flops, Crocs, or my Keen sandals, usually I'm blister free with those. I also rotate my shoes too, even if I go back to the room in the afternoon I will change my shoes.

 

[taniapacheco]

I bought teva sandals before we left and I have to say they were awesome. The only thing is on my left foot the strap on top started rubbing but not on my right I was very happy with them. I have bad feet to start with and they hurt daily so it was nice to not have feet that were hurting more.

 

[Geemo]

The only tip I have is to have shoes you know will be fine for walking about 10 miles a day.

Several years ago my husband and I took our son and his family to Disneyland. Three months before we were to go, I got everyone a new pair of shoes for the trip. With my instructions to break them in, so the shoes would be good for the trip.

On our first day my son tore the sales tag off the shoes and put them on. I asked him why he hadn't broke them in???? He gave me a look and said it wasn't necessary.... By the end of the day his feet were a MESS. He was miserable. He ended up going to Target and buying a pair of slippers. For the next six days he hobbled around in those slippers. I didn't have the heart to give him the "I told YOU so!"

Now when we go to Disneyland EVERYONE gets their shoe ready for the trip. That's number one on our list.

In the past I've done just fine with my cross-trainer running shoes. However, I'm going to check into the Keen Sandals people are talking about.

 

[sweethannah]

I just bought a pair of these:

I'm going to wear them around the house to test out their comfortableness.

 

[kathie859]

I like to wear enclosed shoes in a crowd so mostly I wear a well broken in pair of walkers with good support and a cushiony sole. The only time I had any trouble was once I got a pedicure before a trip and the tech removed some calluses--my feet were soft but oh so tender!! I suffered thru a few days of "ouchies".

 

[Eclectic Goddess]

I have to second some of the things other people said: Don't buy new shoes just for the parks if you have a decent comfortable pair of broken-in shoes. Bring a couple different pairs of comfortable shoes and rotate them. Different shoes put pressure on different parts of the feet. If you're wearing athletic shoes, invest in a good pair of athletic socks. They're made to cushion and minimize friction from rubbing.

If your troubles are more about aching than blisters, do not forget the value of a good foot rub! I always bring my pumice stone along on my Disney trips, and each night before bed spend a couple minutes soaking my feet, giving them a good scrub with the pumice, and finally giving myself a deep tissue foot massage. It gets the circulation going and relaxes the tense muscles. In the morning, my feet feel brand new!

 

[PinkBudgie]

I just bought a pair of these:

I'm going to wear them around the house to test out their comfortableness.

I just ordered that very shoe this morning from Amazon! I have two pairs of crocs flats that look like jellies. I wore those to DLR this summer and switched out with two pairs of tennis shoes- often on the same day. DH was kind enough to let me carry an extra pair in the backpack since I wasn't sure how they would do for all day.

Now I'm back at work and I'm missing my crocs. I'm standing all day but can't wear shoes with all those holes out on the playground -for safety and because of the rocks and woodchips. So I ordered those above and a pair crocs loafers for the fall. Their sizes are always iffy, so I hope they fit.

 

[Zbugz]

I alternate between Nike walking shoes with cotton socks and leather Teva sandals. Both have been very good, but I prefer the Tevas for hotter weather. I just make sure they are well broken in before going.

 

[Lucille1963]

Like others on this board, I always bring broken in shoes and change them during the day.

I also prefer wearing two pairs of thin socks, a tip I got from a man interviewed on a documentary about the Battan Death March. I figured if it worked for him...

 

[BeckWhy]

I've never had a problem with blisters, but for the pain I can give you my opinion. It is not really the best, but it has worked for me (and my ex when we've gone to WDW).

1) I take ibuprophen in the morning before I head out, and then at lunch time.
2) Stretch stretch stretch. I take 15 minutes in the morning to stretch my calves, my shins (though I'm not good at this), my quads, my hamstrings, my upper and lower back, my stomach, and my toes. I looked online and found some techniques. I also use a little bit of yoga to help stretch. If I head back to the room midday, I stretch then too, especially any muscles that feel tight or sore. And I stretch for about 20 minutes before bed.
3) Mint foot spray and lotion (there's soaks, scrubs, etc but I don't bother with those). This can help keep your feet "cooler." I apply some in the morning to my feet and calves, some in the afternoon if I go back to my room, and then some before bed.

I think like most things, what works for one person may not work for the next.

I suggest walking a bit at home before you go and try somethings out. You'll get a feel for what will make you feel better.

 

[marcemc]

Sanuk (junebug style)

IMHO, the most comfortable shoes, they also make flip flops out of yoga mat material, so soft!

They have a store in DTD, otherwise you can order online.

 

[Zbugz]

I suggest walking a bit at home before you go and try somethings out. You'll get a feel for what will make you feel better.

I forgot to mention that I go for long, daily walks in the shoes I plan to wear a couple of months in advance to train my footsies.

 

[jlwhitney]

If going the sneaker route get walking sneakers not running sneakers...big difference there. Running and walking are different montions and you use different pressure points. Walking shoes are designed for the way you hit the ground when you walk ....

I bought a pair of walking shoes and even just walking around the mall I can tell a difference in them over running shoes.