Shoes for the parks maybe flats?UPDATE post 66

[nkereina]

A couple things....

1. I disagree with the comment that Toms have zero arch support. The shoes are not cheap even though they are canvas, and I actually find the inside of the sole to have some good support compared to some of the no name brands. The inner sole is leather and surprisingly, they don't stink from sweaty feet like some cheaper shoes do.

2. I've had my Toms get soaked all the way through but haven't had my feet get cold yet. I see where that could be possible though. If I know rain is in the forecast, I do try to avoid wearing them because they do take a while to dry due to the material.

3. Payless has some Toms knock offs right now for half the price. May be a good alternative for Toms virgins or the uncertain

4. All of these recommendations you can really take with a grain of salt. I could wear my Toms for days and my feet are fine, but others have said the opposite even though theirs were broken in. I also disagree with the Crocs fans - I bought some Croc flip flops to wear based on the recommendations of these boards. I wore them everywhere at home and broke them in, got used to them, and found them comfortable. Within two hours in the Orlando humidity, I had a sizeable blister forming where the flip flops were rubbing thanks to the material they are made out of. This really drove home for me how much everyone is different when it comes to something as simple as feet

 

[AthenaBolina]

to quote the OP, I worry about my footwear too lol. But I invested in some Chaco sandals last year and they are the best thing ever for my feet. Best $100 ever spent! They have a fantastic arch too. But I will prob switch between sneakers and my chacos.

 

[Disneychick75]

I only wear flip flops-usually Teva Mush but sometimes Merrells or Mephistos. No blisters rubbed and my legs and back don't hurt at the end of the day.

 

[anelson81993]

I wear ballet flats in the parks all the time. I did before I moved here for my college program, and I still do. Mine are American Eagle by Payless brand, very cute, but also well broken in and comfortable. I wear them with dresses in the park (don't especially love flip flops, and I'm not comfortable enough in heels to wear them for a full day in the parks), as well as with jeans, and they are fine. Even days of commando-style touring, which I do often, my flats are still super-comfortable.

OP, if your flats are comfortable and broken in, wear them! If being comfortable to you means feeling like you look good and put-together, then you'll be uncomfortable any other way anyway.

 

[EmilieK]

Bumping couse I hope people have some moore good sugestions

 

[ellie05]

UPDATE! Ok so I got the Cole Haan flats and I have been wearing them all day for 2 days. So far they have been really comfortable. Tomorrow I will walk the dogs in them (about 4 miles) and see how good it goes. I cancel my reef order because I like the look of this ones better. For anyone that is interested this are the flats. They have them in many different colors. Let me now if you have any more questions.

 

[xie]

But why should you be worried about how you look? You're at Disney World, not out on a date. No one's going to be pointing at you and laughing because you're wearing sneakers instead of cute flats. (Although they might if you're wearing high heels or something equally impractical for the amount of walking you'll be doing. )

Seconded.

Most people at WDW look like crap, no matter what. Even if they primped by the time they have spent a few hours outside in the Central Florida weather, they look like crap. It's humid. It's hot. It rains. Slap on a sun hat, a good sunscreen and your tennis shoes and get on with your day.

I must say - one of my favorite downtime activities is people-watching. Particularly at EPCOT, the outfits can be wildly inappropriate, not sure why (maybe it's all the drinking on WS :shrug: ). I've seen women teetering around EPCOT during the day with stuff that befits a nightclub (and in a few cases, a street corner).

 

[AThrillingChase]

For those of you who recommended reefs, which ones do you have? I went to 6pm and they have sooooooooo many! I like the skinny profile ones. Wondering if they are as comfy as the other ones.

I really like the "heartbreaker" line. They have a thicker sole and a slight raise in the heel that helps with arch support and is great for shock absorbing. The straps are also cushioned a little on the underside, so I've never gotten a blister of any kind!

It doesn't sound like anyone here is trying to walk a runway at fashion week. It is possible to be comfortable and look cute at the same time. As others have noted, I'm just not following why some insist it is either A or B. Seems like that's a topic better suited for its own discussion since here she had already chosen to try flats. Anyhoo, I like what you chose OP!

 

[Carirae]

I just ordered a pair of Skechers Go Walk shoes in gray. Hope they feel as good on my feet as they do on everyone else leaving the rave reviews. Thinking about trying the GoWalk2 just in case. Looking at the navy blue one. These look smallish to me while still providing support. With that said, I haven't actually seen these in person. Will report back after I try them out. I have a treadmill here waiting for them....

I had GoWalks as one of my 5 (!!!) shoe options. They were sooo comfy when I wore them around at home. However, I wore them without socks and, while in the parks, the inside edge of the shoe's insoles started rubbing badly on the soles of my feet. I carried my LL Bean flip flops with me every day to the parks in my bag and switched to those. I did try the GoWalks a few days later on a shorter day and they were fine, but they didn't feel like clouds like they did/do when I wear them at home!

 

[agavegirl1]

I had GoWalks as one of my 5 (!!!) shoe options. They were sooo comfy when I wore them around at home. However, I wore them without socks and, while in the parks, the inside edge of the shoe's insoles started rubbing badly on the soles of my feet. I carried my LL Bean flip flops with me every day to the parks in my bag and switched to those. I did try the GoWalks a few days later on a shorter day and they were fine, but they didn't feel like clouds like they did/do when I wear them at home!

Good to know..I have two pair and will certainly break them in for my October trip. I did check out the flats but, the location of the expected pressure points on my actual foot will likely not work. I did like the yellow ones for a minnie outfit I thought about though.

 

[Jetta8300]

SKECHERS used to make a shoe called the GoWalk Bright Side that is their walking shoe that looks like a ballet flat. http://www.amazon.com/Skechers-Wome...392553992&sr=8-1&keywords=go+walk+bright+side

you can no longer get them from skechers, however i ordered mine off of amazon.com and they are absolutely amazing. i have both the blue pair and pink pair. I would reccomend any gowalk shoe though, these just look really nice with skinny jeans.

 

[Jetta8300]

UPDATE! Ok so I got the Cole Haan flats and I have been wearing them all day for 2 days. So far they have been really comfortable. Tomorrow I will walk the dogs in them (about 4 miles) and see how good it goes. I cancel my reef order because I like the look of this ones better. For anyone that is interested this are the flats. They have them in many different colors. Let me now if you have any more questions.

eek! those look really uncomfortble to walk miles and miles in. id bring a backup if i were you... but i hope they work out, they're cute!

 

[emilymad]

UPDATE! Ok so I got the Cole Haan flats and I have been wearing them all day for 2 days. So far they have been really comfortable. Tomorrow I will walk the dogs in them (about 4 miles) and see how good it goes. I cancel my reef order because I like the look of this ones better. For anyone that is interested this are the flats. They have them in many different colors. Let me now if you have any more questions.

These are the main shoes I wear to work on a daily basis. They are very comfortable for daily walking around. I would never wear them to Disney. I once wore them just to the airport and to the hotel. I had blisters by the time I got to the hotel. And these were shoes I had worn almost daily for months so they were very broken in. Overall I like the shoes although they don't hold up that well for the price. They don't have enough support or cushion for the walking required at Disney.

 

[eeyoresmom]

I really like the "heartbreaker" line. They have a thicker sole and a slight raise in the heel that helps with arch support and is great for shock absorbing. The straps are also cushioned a little on the underside, so I've never gotten a blister of any kind!

It doesn't sound like anyone here is trying to walk a runway at fashion week. It is possible to be comfortable and look cute at the same time. As others have noted, I'm just not following why some insist it is either A or B. Seems like that's a topic better suited for its own discussion since here she had already chosen to try flats. Anyhoo, I like what you chose OP!

Thanks. Off to check them out!

 

[patty57]

UPDATE! Ok so I got the Cole Haan flats and I have been wearing them all day for 2 days. So far they have been really comfortable. Tomorrow I will walk the dogs in them (about 4 miles) and see how good it goes. I cancel my reef order because I like the look of this ones better. For anyone that is interested this are the flats. They have them in many different colors. Let me now if you have any more questions.

They look like they have no support for walking. I, again, recommend Skecher's Go Walks.

 

[LittleFlounder]

My vote is for comfortable. Both in how you feel mentally and physically.

Speaking of shoe options I have had amazing luck with the Merrell Barefoot shoes. They have sneakers and casual shoes including ballet flats. I have bad knees and ankles and my DS is similar. Both of us have no pain with these. Everyone is different and obviously what works for one person does not work for another.

Yes, Merrell Barefoot shoes!! I have worn a sneaker style of these shoes every day since last August, on my feet for 8 hours a day and my feet never hurt! I also have their ballet flat style and they are equally as comfortable! I've not tried to wear them at Disney yet, but I imagine they would be amazingly comfortable. I wear both styles with my skinny jeans all the time and I think they look super cute!

 

[amberpi]

Seconded.

Most people at WDW look like crap, no matter what. Even if they primped by the time they have spent a few hours outside in the Central Florida weather, they look like crap. It's humid. It's hot. It rains. Slap on a sun hat, a good sunscreen and your tennis shoes and get on with your day.

I must say - one of my favorite downtime activities is people-watching. Particularly at EPCOT, the outfits can be wildly inappropriate, not sure why (maybe it's all the drinking on WS :shrug: ). I've seen women teetering around EPCOT during the day with stuff that befits a nightclub (and in a few cases, a street corner).

I'm not suggesting inappropriate clothing but I would NEVER go to WDW or anywhere in shorts and sneakers outside of the gym. Some of just care more about our personal appearance and I'm not suggesting we dress up, but a light weight sundress and moisture licking appropriate under clothes look better and are more practical IMHO, but I also don't get all the posters that talk about chaffing, so maybe its me. During the day, My DH, wears a short sleeve button down and khaki shorts. I wear a sundress with undergarments enough to cover my rear (think boy shorts/bike shorts)! We both tend toward sandals and I've spent over 10 trips (out of 40 and some in heels!) in jellies and kitten heels, but thats just me. And yeah, I hate the idea that everyone at WDW has to look like crap. That's a choice. I don't run to my resort often but seriously, you can still project a good imagine and be 100% comfortable.

I'm putting on my flame suit, but I believe in the times where people took pride in their appearance like during the first days of WDW/DL. Just a different perspective.

Also, I have multiple pairs of cole haan and coach flats, all have been brilliant in the parks.

 

[amberpi]

I also have some Merrel barefoot/Vibram walking mary janes that are awesome for long hikes and still super cute. Couldn't recommend them more. Is that that what you are talking about?

 

[wordwitt]

I'm not suggesting inappropriate clothing but I would NEVER go to WDW or anywhere in shorts and sneakers outside of the gym. Some of just care more about our personal appearance and I'm not suggesting we dress up, but a light weight sundress and moisture licking appropriate under clothes look better and are more practical IMHO, but I also don't get all the posters that talk about chaffing, so maybe its me. During the day, My DH, wears a short sleeve button down and khaki shorts. I wear a sundress with undergarments enough to cover my rear (think boy shorts/bike shorts)! We both tend toward sandals and I've spent over 10 trips (out of 40 and some in heels!) in jellies and kitten heels, but thats just me. And yeah, I hate the idea that everyone at WDW has to look like crap. That's a choice. I don't run to my resort often but seriously, you can still project a good imagine and be 100% comfortable.

I'm putting on my flame suit, but I believe in the times where people took pride in their appearance like during the first days of WDW/DL. Just a different perspective.

Also, I have multiple pairs of cole haan and coach flats, all have been brilliant in the parks.

I would personally find moisture licking clothing pretty creepy . . .

 

[amberpi]

I would personally find moisture licking clothing pretty creepy . . .

Imb, lol on that. I hadn't even thought about but I see where your mind is...hahaha.