Shoes, feet soreness -any tips?

[IBLarsen]

I switch between my super comfy tennis shoes and my croc slides (cleo style, not the bulky traditional crocs). I know you aren't a fan of crocs OP, sorry, I swear by them, and don't have other sandal suggestions....however, I can highly recommend no matter how comfy your tennis shoes are, buy the Dr. Scholls Gel inserts. I just buy the 1/2 ones, either arch support or heel support, as there are a few choices. Makes a big difference for achy feet.
For blisters, I read on one dis forum a few years back about spraying your feet with spray deoderant, and I swear it works! It keeps your feet from getting so sweaty and seems to help with blisters as well, although I'm not super prone to blisters to begin with. Also, as others have said, true athletic socks make a big difference, the rule is NO cotton. I don't wear wool, but just some lightweight athletic socks, and just make sure they aren't cotton.

 

[MrsMears]

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.

Stretching is such a good suggestion. I use the hotel pool to do just that!

 

[indygirl99]

Also remember that our feet swell the longer we are on them. And the extra salt we ingest in the parks don't help.

If you have shoes or sandals that can be loosened during the day AND remember to loosen them that will also help.

 

[Eeee-va]

You just might find that whatever shoes you wear day-to-day are most comfortable. I wear simple flats at work and I'm always surprised to find that when I wear shoes in the same style at the parks, my feet feel better than when I wear my broken-in tennis shoes. I wear the flats 6 days a week, and the tennis shoes 0-1 days a week.

I also saw a pair of women at the parks, one in a pair of bright red heels. My mom said the one in heels must be really hurting, but it was actually her FRIEND who was limping. Granted, I can't imagine they'd spent the whole day at the parks, but sometimes the shoes you're used to are the best.

 

[daisyifyoudo]

If you well and truly love sandals, I recommend Naot sandals. These are the only ones that served me not only in Disneyland, but touring across the Southwest, hiking in Colorado, and touring Israel. They can take a huge licking and still keep your feet safely nestled in loving comfort. They are an investment, but worth every penny. I have two pair! The Kayla style (Sorry, cannot post links yet) are the ones I wear. They come in a million different colors and have a backstrap for stability. You can find them on Zappos.

 

[MaloCS]

The most important factor in shoes is getting a pair that fits. Seriously, a pair that fits.

For decades I've been dealing with people telling me that the unusual tightness of the shoe was due to them not being broken in. As a result I suffered through years of foot pain while waiting for the shoes to break in which ultimately never happened.

Then on one random afternoon of shopping for shoes at a local store I had a knowledgable sales person measure my foot to see if I needed a wide width shoe. As it turned out I did, and not just a regular wide width shoe but a 4E width which is pretty wide. He brought out a few different models and I couldn't believe the difference. After decades of dealing with feet that felt like they were clamped in a vice I was in heaven. It didn't even feel like I had shoes on.

From that point on I learned that properly fitting shoes should feel like you're not even wearing shoes. Since then I've eliminated most if not all foot discomfort from wearing shoes. My feet just don't hurt anymore.

Additionally, and this may be a sore subject for some, one of the biggest things you can do (aside from wearing properly fitting shoes) to eliminate foot discomfort, knee discomfort and lower back discomfort is losing the extra weight. Our feet, knees and back just get overly stressed from hauling around all the extra weight we tend to pack on.

 

[Hoku]

I also saw a pair of women at the parks, one in a pair of bright red heels. My mom said the one in heels must be really hurting, but it was actually her FRIEND who was limping.

Funny story! Maybe they both went in heels and the limper just changed shoes after "enough is enough". Maybe the one in red heels won the bet and is now $50 richer!

 

[DisneyZach]

I wore Nike free runs and Nike elite double layered socks when I just went. I also had a pair of everyday vans and I would switch them out periodically whenever my feet got sore.

 

[Congo Queen]

I have a new secret weapon to avoid blisters when I want to wear sandals or tennis shoes plus socks at the parks. Its called Band-Aid Friction Block and you get it at the drugstore in the foot care section (near the insoles and stuff.) It comes in a two inch blue container. Its a non-greasy solid that you rub on the part of your foot that is bothered by your shoe or sock. It creates a barrier that allows your shoe/sock to slip over your skin instead of rub against it. I first purchased this stuff in June for hiking trip in Yellowstone, and it really worked to stop hotspots caused by my boots. So brought it along last week to DL and worked like a charm with both my tevas or tennis shoes.

 

[jory29]

This is the best foot thread ever!! I've learned a lot of techniques that I want to try on our next trip to DL resort. Thanks everyone!

 

[nikkislaght]

I have metal pins in my lower back....
and my left hip is grinding in the socket. so with those problems I expected some kind of pain.. I have Teva and Merills hiking sandals, I got both from REI, and they cost a bomb, but I did not have any pain or trouble with my feet, legs or back while wearing these shoes....

 

[julieheyer]

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.

This! No matter what shoes you choose, walking at home before your trip is the best advice! Get the fam in their DL shoes and go for a few nice long walks. 3 miles? Good to prepare a bit stamina wise too.

Also DL is WAY smaller than WDW. You'll cover much less mileage, IMHO, in DL and DCA, but you'll still be walking .

That said, for warm weather I love, love love my Keens!! Had them for years, hiked all over in all kinds of conditions, even water, up the Narrows in Zion, all over the West actually. They're not super fashionable, but I decided long ago fashionable footwear was a hindrance at Disney!

For cooler weather, which my Nov trip will likely be, I wear my hiking shoes. They're lightweight and low tops, and very comfortable. Merrill's right now, but I've worn Oboz, Keens and Vasques on previous trips too. Sneakers are my alternate plan.

For blisters? I'm bringing "new skin" which is easily purchased at the drug store. Looks like clear nail polish to me. You apply to any hot spots, or even open blisters (ouch!!) and it seals them rot up, protecting them. Works well.

Take breaks if you need them. Have a blast!

 

[dcraytho]

I have planter facititus in both feet and walking has been horrible. I found Easy Spirit shoes to be the best for walking all day. Try the Level 3 shoes. I also use Ecco sandals. Very pricey. $130 a pair, but I know that I can wear them all day. I also take both pairs each day and switch out if needed. I also use gel inserts.

 

[lk2500]

If you are really having that many problems with your feet/shoes I would recommend you visit a local running store (like Road Runner Sports) that has equipment and staff to get you a properly fitted walking (or running) shoe. Perhaps you have wide feet or a very straight or curved foot or arch shape. Most specialty stores have a pretty liberal return policy as well.

And then make sure the shoes are broken in before you go to DL.

They may also recommend some custom or 3rd party insoles. I bought some Super Feet insoles for both my pairs of running shoes and love them. I bought the custom fit insoles for my kids XC shoes and wasn't terribly impressed with them.

 

[Ashlotte]

When I have gone in cooler weather, I just wear my Dansko clogs and my feet have been perfect at the end of the day. I have fairly high arches, and most other shoes don't cut it for me and, even if they don't give me blisters, they leave my feet very tired. Crocs don't cut it, and my Salomon running shoes work okay, but not as well as the Danskos. This upcoming trip will be warmer, so I bought a pair of Chaco sandals after reading a lot of reviews. http://www.zappos.com/chaco-z-1-vibram-yampa~2 They are on sale at REI right now for $50! I hope the do the trick. I tried Keens on at the store and although the sole feels good, the sides go up too high and rub near my ankle.

 

[kristie73]

Thank you all for your suggestions. It seems it's definitely an issue for everyone and I just have to find what works for me. Like I said, I thought going to Disney World, I was bringing my comfortable broken in shoes. I brought two pairs of sandals and two pairs of tennis shoes.

I hadn't even thought of the socks making a difference. I will look into that. I want to look for the gel inserts too and whatever products can prevent the blisters. It really seemed like the blisters made it so much worse. If it was just sore feet and legs I could deal with it, but the blisters made it awful! Also my feet just burned on the bottoms. Not sure what that was all about, but I definitely iced and rubbed them down every evening in the hotel. And soaked at the pool, put them on the hot tub jets, etc.

I still have a few months before we'll be there, so I'm going to look for the sandals. I know where the running store is so I'm going to go there and ask for their opinion based on my feet and how I walk. I know weather can still be warm in October so we'll see, but I plan to bring multiple shoes. I just hope I don't blister.

 

[chrissiecutie]

Here's what we do:

Good, broken in WALKING shoes 1st thing AM. Switch with Teva Mush sandals mid-day, then back to the walking shoes in the evening. Switching is KEY!!

Do NOT let your feet get wet & stay wet. So if you are going on GRR, there's a good chance your feet will get wet so switch to your sandals.

Start daily walking in the shoes you will be wearing- regardless of if they are already broken in. We start this about a month out. This is very important because even though your shoes may be broken in, your body may not be used to so much walking. Or you may have been wearing a different type shoe. For example, we are going the 1st week of October. I have been living in flip flops and have not worn any type of closed toed shoe for months. Whenever I transition from flip flops to actual shoes, there's about a week or so where my heels rub or toes rub. Better to get that over with BEFORE you are at Disney.

I swear by Band Aid brand blister band-aids. They come in larger sizes and then smaller ones for toes. I have literally had THE WORST blisters where I think the only way I can continue at Disney is in a wheelchair- these saved my trip!!!

Drink alot of water to combat all the salt/sodium from the park food. This will help with swelling.

Put your feet up every chance you get. It may be tacky but when we are eating and there's any empty chair across from me, I will rest my feet on the chair. But please be kind and keep your shoes on- no one wants to smell stinky feet while eating.

Each night before bed, pop an Ibprofen, put your feet up HIGHER then your head, put ice on them if they are really hurting and beg the DH to rub em!!

 

[chrissiecutie]

Thank you all for your suggestions. It seems it's definitely an issue for everyone and I just have to find what works for me. Like I said, I thought going to Disney World, I was bringing my comfortable broken in shoes. I brought two pairs of sandals and two pairs of tennis shoes.

I hadn't even thought of the socks making a difference. I will look into that. I want to look for the gel inserts too and whatever products can prevent the blisters. It really seemed like the blisters made it so much worse. If it was just sore feet and legs I could deal with it, but the blisters made it awful! Also my feet just burned on the bottoms. Not sure what that was all about, but I definitely iced and rubbed them down every evening in the hotel. And soaked at the pool, put them on the hot tub jets, etc.

I still have a few months before we'll be there, so I'm going to look for the sandals. I know where the running store is so I'm going to go there and ask for their opinion based on my feet and how I walk. I know weather can still be warm in October so we'll see, but I plan to bring multiple shoes. I just hope I don't blister.

I seriously recommend Band Aid brand blister band-aids. I had some awful blisters, they actually started bleeding and were SO painful. I put ice on my feet, then put these on right over the blisters. No meds, no moleskin, nothing- just these. My trip was saved, can't recommend them enough! And put them on when you feel like you are starting to get a blister- you don't have to wait until you actually get one.

The other thing I would highly suggest- is to switch out your shoes. Either wear tennis shoes one day then switch to a flip flop with arch support (I like Teva Mush) OR switch mid-day & wear both- so tennis shoes in the AM & flip flops in the PM. Sadly it took me a few years to figure this out. And I suggest starting with the tennis shoes in the AM because usually by the end of the day your feet may have been swollen and its much easier to put a flip flop on swollen feet then a tennis shoe.

Good luck!

 

[pinksand]

Walking socks can make a big difference if you're wearing sneakers (or any shoes you'd wear socks with). When a friend told me about them, I thought it sounded nuts ("Aren't all socks walking socks?") but they really helped me at Comic-Con, at Disneyland - wherever I'll be on my feet all day. Thorlos makes good ones for both men and women.

 

[Mitzicat]

What have others found helpful besides Crocs?

QUOTE]

I have been in the same boat as you. And I too did not want to go the Croc route, but they opened an outlet at the local mall and I was surprised to find the different types of crocs that they have. Not just those ugly (sorry for anyone who wears them) boat looking shoes with all the holes in them.

I now own 3 pairs of crocs.

1. Flip Flops - wore these during my 10 day trip to WDW and my feet never hurt.
2. Keds/Fishhead looking shoes - they look like little sneakers but in fact are crocs! again wore these during my 10 day trip and my feet never hurt.
3. Dressy flats. Saw on the DIS that someone bought some of the "dressy" flats, went last weekend and got myself a pair. Love them. Feels like walking on supported marshmallows.

Another thing that I found that helps (thanks to my sister). Mosture wicking socks. Or socks that prevent blisters. They helped a lot.