Shoes...

[MouseketeerMommy]

So, I have a pair of wonderful Keens, and I really do love them, but they're green, and just don't go with everything. Not that I'm any fashion diva (far from it - I'm more about comfort, really).

With that said, my most comfortable pair of shoes, even more comfy than the Keens, is a pair of flip flops. Old, worn, I've-had-them-for-six-years-comfortable flip flops.

Is there a reason that I'm not thinking of that I should NOT wear flip flops? At least some of the time? Meaning, more than just walk down to dinner and around the resort? Like actually to the park?

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I recently went to WDW in Skechers Premium Kudos in Nubuck.

They were super comfy and very attractive.

Always break in shoes before going to WDW.

 

[Patience]

I wore Nike comfort thongs everyday at the parks last week. They were super comfortable and my feet didn't hurt at all.

 

[aubriee]

I'm a flip flop Diva and freely admit it. I live in flip flops year around. The only place I don't wear them is to work and I'd wear them there, if my supervisor would let me. Anyway I have a closet full. Before developing plantar fasciitis I wore mainly Teva Mush, Sanuck Yoga Mats, Havianas, Nike Celso, Reefs, Chaco, and Crocs down there. Since developing plantar fasciitis I have spent a fortune trying to find the perfect flip flop. Now in order of comfort I like: OluKai Ohanas (don't care for the other OluKai's though), Skecher Glam Punk Tone Ups (don't care for the other Tone Ups though), Orthoheel Tides or Waves, Volatile KeraLees (don't care for the other Volatile's though), Fit Flops, and Montrail Molokini. They are more expensive than the regular cheap rubber flip flops, but are soooo worth it for the comfort and support they provide.

 

[evildiva]

I wore my Reefs last October while I was in the parks and never had an issue with my feet. However, this year I am having pain in my achilles tendon and will most likely stick with my Keen Venice H2's. However, to answer your original question, I would NOT wear flip flops if it is raining in the parks. The concrete can get very slippery.

 

[MouseketeerMommy]

So, comfortable = good.
New = bad.

I think I'm good.

 

[carrie1626]

wear what is most comfortable (who cares what they look like)

bring at least 2 pair of footwear ( I bring 3)

anything new has to be broken in


prepare for a blister or sore spot regardless ( band aids etc)

2 pair of socks with athletic shoes

IMO- treating a WDW vacation like a mini-marathon ahead of time and start walking to build up your stamina

 

[wdwgrannyb]

"prepare for a blister or sore spot regardless ( band aids etc)"

use Mole Skin for blisters
spray your feet and let dry with antiperspirant, cheap works fine, so your feet won't sweat.

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

I'm a flip flop Diva and freely admit it. I live in flip flops year around. The only place I don't wear them is to work and I'd wear them there, if my supervisor would let me. Anyway I have a closet full. Before developing plantar fasciitis I wore mainly Teva Mush, Sanuck Yoga Mats, Havianas, Nike Celso, Reefs, Chaco, and Crocs down there. Since developing plantar fasciitis I have spent a fortune trying to find the perfect flip flop. Now in order of comfort I like: OluKai Ohanas (don't care for the other OluKai's though), Skecher Glam Punk Tone Ups (don't care for the other Tone Ups though), Orthoheel Tides or Waves, Volatile KeraLees (don't care for the other Volatile's though), Fit Flops, and Montrail Molokini. They are more expensive than the regular cheap rubber flip flops, but are soooo worth it for the comfort and support they provide.

I have the worst feet! I have many issues besides PF, but that is probably the worst and most painful issue I have. I can't do the Teva mush-I don't know why mine aren't mushy??? They say Teva mush. hmmm??? I can't do ANY tone ups, which is really unfortunate. I tried before my 2011 trip on the recommendation of several disers with PF. Ended up having another bout of PF which moved into my right ankle making me think I broke my foot since I couldn't put my foot down! I ended up with cortisone shots, oral steroids (which resulted in me becoming a total mess and ordering about 15 different pairs of shoes online), foot wraps, etc... That was two months before my trip! Somehow I was okay by the time our trip rolled around. Anyway, here was what worked for me...My $150 Nike Bowman series tennies every day until about 4 PM with inserts and moisture wicking socks with arch support built right into the socks (I ended up putting moleskin on the bottom of my socks b/c the inserts were rubbing my feet!), then I would change once or twice depending on my pain level (which I managed with tylenol and vicodin. Nice, right?). I would change to crocs then. I love Crocs Malindi b/c they are cute and mushy. I once again trusted disers and tried the Crocs Capris, and was glad I did! They were my best Disney shoes! I realized I already had some once I wore them for a bit. I had worn a pair out two years before without knowing what style they were! Anyway, long story short...PF may be the leading cause of excessive shoe purchases!!! I think all in all during that bout of PF I ended up with 9 pairs of new shoes for myself (8 crocs and 1 tennies-New balance) and 6 for the rest of my family.

I wore my Reefs last October while I was in the parks and never had an issue with my feet. However, this year I am having pain in my achilles tendon and will most likely stick with my Keen Venice H2's. However, to answer your original question, I would NOT wear flip flops if it is raining in the parks. The concrete can get very slippery.

I suggest visiting your podiatrist for this if you haven't already. Part of my issues with PF and my other stuff was caused by a shortening of my achilles. That resulted in a different bout of PF than the one I described above a couple years earlier. I had to have my achilles lengthened with physical therapy. Now I manage it myself with the exercises I learned in therapy. You may be able to do band exercises to help with achilles pain. I would check with the doc first though to make sure you haven't torn something. Some mornings I wake up and my achilles are terribly tight and painful (apparently they were hard to stretch b/c my legs are very muscular, so now I have to keep them stretched or the same thing will happen.), and all it takes is a couple band exercises, and I am usually pain free for the whole day! Good luck!

"prepare for a blister or sore spot regardless ( band aids etc)"

use Mole Skin for blisters
spray your feet and let dry with antiperspirant, cheap works fine, so your feet won't sweat.

My daughter LOVES moleskin after our last trip. Her crocs rubbed her terribly. They were the Lily style I believe and had some odd adornments that rubbed. I ended up having to buy her some mickey flip flops! We both used the moleskin though. Mine was just in a wierd spot since I attached it to my sock instead of directly on my skin. I'm wierd like that.

Just a question for MousketeerMommy...Do your keens happen to be lime green??? I figure no, but thought I'd ask b/c you could just always pass them off as the shoes of a Diser!

 

[baseballgal]

My BIG shoe tip - bring at least two pairs where you can swap out. Even the most comfortable shoes might be miserable if they haven't dried out from the day before!!!


3 months, 2 days for DS and DD's FIRST TRIP!!!

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

My BIG shoe tip - bring at least two pairs where you can swap out. Even the most comfortable shoes might be miserable if they haven't dried out from the day before!!!


3 months, 2 days for DS and DD's FIRST TRIP!!!

At least 2...or 9! I think I brought about that many for myself. You never know till you get there how your feet are going to react on any given day to whatever shoe. Boy baseballgal, we seem to be in all the same threads today!

 

[HappyGal]

Also someone mentioned that you shouldn't get a pedicure befor WDW b/c you want your feet tough with calluses?

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

Also someone mentioned that you shouldn't get a pedicure befor WDW b/c you want your feet tough with calluses?

Never heard that one before, but I see your point!

 

[Graykamirat]

I was about to post a question about shoes! I've heard so many good things about Crocs, but I worry that they won't offer enough support for my high arches. I have ordered a pair of Vibram FiveFingers to try. Typically I wear Danskos when I have a lot of walking to do, but I don't think they'll be practical/attractive in August! Eager to read what others select for footwear choices.

 

[janabananas]

Never heard that one before, but I see your point!

I wish I would have read this before I went this past trip. I got a pedi and they sawed off all my calluses... I got the worst blisters in those places.

 

[M&MGirl1]

When we went last October I packed 2 pairs of shoes. Both tennis shoes, both very comfortable and well broken in. By the end of the third day my feet were so miserable from being in socks and heavy tennis shoes out in the muggy Florida weather, I ran to Target and bought a pair of sandals. I will ALWAYS take sandals to Disney from now on. My biggest mistake that trip was NOT listening to everyone on these boards that rave about how comfortable it is to walk around all day in those Teva Mush sandals!!!

 

[dprice72]

Another blister prevention tip... use anti-chafing 'stuff' very liberally. I picked this up in my marathon training and it's a godsend. My preference for my feet is Monistat Soothing Care Chafing Relief Powder-Gel, though my wife has to buy it cause I'm not going through check-out with anything Monistat. The stuff goes on as a liquid of sorts but dries very quickly (seconds). A harder-to-find option is 2Toms Blister Shield.

 

[meljean]

I completely hear you! We went to Disney this past Sept and I wanted a pair of comfy yet stylish sandals. I ended up buying Teva sandals. They came in a brown leather. All I have to say is not 1 time were my feet sore. My hubby on the other hand had sore feet due to wearing flip flops because he thought the sandals I bought for him were too girly These sandals were great!