Shoes, feet soreness -any tips?

[pinksand]

I got Crocs flip-flops too and have worn them to Disneyland all summer and they have been GREAT.

 

[hellotoyou]

A few years ago, someone on the WDW Disboards site recommended "wick" socks (which I bought at Wal-Mart) and a product called "Body Glide" (which I bought at Sports Authority). The Body Glide resembles a "stick deodorant" ... both items made a world of difference to me ... before I ALWAYS had blisters on each vacation ... and now I only have them on days I FORGET to apply the Body Glide to my feet!

 

[BeckWhy]

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.

If you do decide to go with inserts in your shoes make sure you test them out before you go! Because the inserts can change the way a shoe fits. I've never put them in my sneakers. I've only ever used them in boots, and I have really skinny feet so it helps my feet from sliding around in the boot.

I might also suggest talking to your doctor. Sometimes they know something we don't or have a prescription that will help too.

My ex has back and knee problems so the doctor gave him a script for Vicodin (I don't know why anyone would want to be on that stuff when their at the Happiest Place on Earth, but hey...).

 

[Satchmo128]

I echo everyone's comments that it is a good idea to bring shoes that are already broken in.

I usually switch back and forth between tennis shoes and Reef flip flops when we go to WDW (seriously, the flip flops are so ridiculously comfortable)!

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Another vote for Croc sandals!

 

[Midnightred]

I have a couple of tips for you too:

Take an inflatable foot bath with you in your luggage and put Johnson's Foot Soap in and soak your feet when needed. I am a nurse and I swear by it. The foot soap is cheap and it comes in a box filled with little packets. Throw the foot bathtub away when you check out.
Take some Alieve or Ibuprophen everyday, once in the morning, then again at night.
Take the shuttle back when you can instead of walking, save your feet.
I love the Crocs slide on wedges, my feet held up better than anyone's in my family. The shoes are cute too, received lots of complements.
Good luck!

Midnightred

 

[lurpee]

I will have to try the croc flats, flip flops and Keds. We have a croc store in town. I too have PF in both feet. Yesterday we went to Enchanted Forest outside of Salem, OR and had so much fun. My daughter went non-stop from 11 to 6 so I think I have hope for DL in December. I wore bad flip flops yesterday so hopefully the right shoes will help in DL. I have found in the past that switching them out was the key. OT--while in Enchanted Forest yesterday a 12 year old yelled to his friend, "Hey Derrick, lets go ride Splash Mountain again!" referring to the Log Ride that is like a smaller mix of BTMRR and SM. My sister-in-law and I just looked at each other and laughed--she already knew I was thinking about my DL trip in December.
Kerri

 

[SarafinaPink]

You know for years I have hated and openly mocked Crocs, but after this thread and finding actually cute Crocs online, I think I am going to my local store and trying them out. I am usually a flip flop girl and since I'm local, I just take day trips, but I find that lately my feet are just killing me the next day and I need to do something. Hopefully they work as well for me as they do others.

 

[PinkBudgie]

You know for years I have hated and openly mocked Crocs, but after this thread and finding actually cute Crocs online, I think I am going to my local store and trying them out. I am usually a flip flop girl and since I'm local, I just take day trips, but I find that lately my feet are just killing me the next day and I need to do something. Hopefully they work as well for me as they do others.

That was me until I found the Crocs flats right before my trip. I was also a die-hard tennis shoes only in the parks person. I love they are cute and comfy and have gotten lots of comments and where did you get those comments.

 

[BeckWhy]

I don't know about the Croc flip flops or sandals, but I have a pair of Croc flats (and two pair of regular Crocs) and both give me blisters BECAUSE I have really skinny feet and they are way too big or too small for my feet. So Crocs aren't for everyone. I also want to add that my Croc flats can be extremely hot when it's hot outside. If I spend a day in my car (which doesn't have air conditioning) my feet sweat so bad (even with socks). I have worn the "normal" Crocs when in WDW, but were really only good when I was wearing them with socks.

 

[Mitzicat]

I don't know about the Croc flip flops or sandals, but I have a pair of Croc flats (and two pair of regular Crocs) and both give me blisters BECAUSE I have really skinny feet and they are way too big or too small for my feet. So Crocs aren't for everyone. I also want to add that my Croc flats can be extremely hot when it's hot outside. If I spend a day in my car (which doesn't have air conditioning) my feet sweat so bad (even with socks). I have worn the "normal" Crocs when in WDW, but were really only good when I was wearing them with socks.

I totally agree that Crocs aren't for everyone. I know I spend a good 30 mins in the store trying on different styles because of the sizing. No half sizes. One style fits perfect and other looks like I am wearing boats on my feet. Unfortunately my favorite pair they don't make anymore.

 

[Eddygirl]

What a great thread!!!!! I got a lot of good tips I had not known about.....spray deodorant? Genius!!!!

Here's my $0.02.......

Properly fitted shoes are a MUST!! I go to a running store. You do not want a shoe that corrects over pronation when you should be in a neutral shoe! Owchie! I buy my exercise shoes a half size up. And I buy the elastic sport laces.....never too tight, always just right....and you can slip your shoes on and off!!!! If my feet get too hot and swell a bit no biggie!

Double layer anti-blister socks. Or just athletic socks......but no cotton! Remember......"Cotton is rotten for sweaty feet"

The band-aid blister stick or any anti-chaffe stick is great....catch a hot spot before it is a blister. I also used the sticks for our necks......the lanyard was rubbing us raw the first day....never bothered us again.

I love the band-aid or elastoplast blister band-aids. They stay on and keep a blister from forming or keep it from hurting.

We walk a lot...every morning for an hour before work and we are pretty fit people, however, we know from last time that the amount of walking and STANDING at DL is insane. We found the 15 min. walk to and from the parks to be nice! Kinda stretches things out!

I am wearing my athletic shoes.....they are best for me even if they are kinda ugly! Besides 99% of the pictures we ended up with last time you could not see my shoes!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

My Disney shoes are Croc flip flops *spent 10 days walking around WDW and had no problems* I also like Teva Mush flip flops, and right now I'm wearing these.

 

[kristie73]

What a great thread!!!!! I got a lot of good tips I had not known about.....spray deodorant? Genius!!!!

Here's my $0.02.......

Properly fitted shoes are a MUST!! I go to a running store. You do not want a shoe that corrects over pronation when you should be in a neutral shoe! Owchie! I buy my exercise shoes a half size up. And I buy the elastic sport laces.....never too tight, always just right....and you can slip your shoes on and off!!!! If my feet get too hot and swell a bit no biggie!

Double layer anti-blister socks. Or just athletic socks......but no cotton! Remember......"Cotton is rotten for sweaty feet"

The band-aid blister stick or any anti-chaffe stick is great....catch a hot spot before it is a blister. I also used the sticks for our necks......the lanyard was rubbing us raw the first day....never bothered us again.

I love the band-aid or elastoplast blister band-aids. They stay on and keep a blister from forming or keep it from hurting.

We walk a lot...every morning for an hour before work and we are pretty fit people, however, we know from last time that the amount of walking and STANDING at DL is insane. We found the 15 min. walk to and from the parks to be nice! Kinda stretches things out!

I am wearing my athletic shoes.....they are best for me even if they are kinda ugly! Besides 99% of the pictures we ended up with last time you could not see my shoes!

I agree! Thanks for everyone's responses. It's so helpful. I do walk regularly for exercise but I probably don't stretch like I should. I really want to get a handle on those blisters. I will look for the band-aid blister things. I'm going to Dick's Sporting Goods this weekend to check out those Keen sandals. I looked at the other crocs online and some do look cute, and I will see if I can find a store that sells them nearby so I can try them on. I will also purchase some different socks because I'm pretty sure I have cotton. I will look for elastic laces. ???

I'm loving all these tips and hopefully my feet will be better for this trip.

 

[tarotmancy]

Really, a well broken in pair of doc martin boots with memory foam insoles, you can't go wrong there. I'm not a fan of Dr scholls, they just don't hold up. Make sure you give your boots a good rubbing with mink oil to soften them up and to maintain their waterproofing. Also, gold toe athletic socks are the greatest socks ever made, get the heavy cotton ones with just a little spandex to them. I have a spur in my left heal, but can still be comfortable for 12 hours plus walking around the park with this combination.

 

[ParkHopper1]

I am used to being on my feet all day, but at DL if I don't stay ahead of it, my feet are toast by day 2 after logging the miles. For me I have a simple plan...change socks mid day and rotate different shoes each day and I am a happy camper!

 

[isisisme]

I agree with most folks, don't wear the same shoes the whole time. I wear a pair of walking tennis shoes in the morning. When we go back to the room, I change to a pair of flip flops since my feet have swollen during the day.

I bought a pair of teva's that work great any other time, but at DL, they don't work for me because of the sole of the shoe. It rubs my feet when they get a little sweaty and cause too much friction.
I also agree on the mint foot lotion. When we are back in the room for the night, I soak my feet for a little while in the tub, then smear mint foot lotion on them and put socks on before bed.

The next morning, my feet are ready for another day in the parks.

 

[Susie63]

I bought Crocs Rx for my next trip which is 12 days long.I love how comfy they are and I don't care what they look like.
I have these insoles in my everyday shoes.I love them but they are a little pricey.When I am standing around I just rock back and forth and my feet get a little masssage

http://www.massaginginsoles.com

 

[SA mom]

Really good running socks can make a huge difference in friction on the bottom of your feet, and can really help with blisters.

So true, I walk a minimum of 3 miles every morning. I bought new socks to wear with the shoes that were about 1 month old. I had blisters within 10 minutes. Stupid socks. Went back to old socks, no problems.

Band-Aid makes some great blister bandages, but you will have to pay attention to ones on the bottom of the feet.

Switching shoes is a great idea.

I think most people underestimate how much they walk and stand. Even with walking everyday, my legs were killing me at Disneyland.

 

[nana50]

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.

Totally agree. I LOVE my ecco's. I have 4 pair in different colors. Also I swear by my croc sandles.