The Best Shoes for Parks

[Love That Stitch]

Okay, so I have been going to Disney for awhile. I usually just bring my regular sneakers and my feet hurt. I have never even thought about getting a good pair of shoes for "Disney walking". However, it seems like everybody on this board has thought about! I want your opinion. Which type of shoes are the best for walking around the parks all day? I have heard Merrell's are good but any others? No crocs, though. I am sorry I am just not into them. Thanks!

 

[Lives4Disney]

I love these shoe threads.....I have gone for years suffering at WDW with gross blisters & major aches and pains, but now I KNOW what works for me. I have some fabulous Saucony running shoes, Keen Newports, Chaco sandals, and my good old Birkie soft sole AZs. If I buy a new shoe, it better feel great on my feet from the start - no breaking in time. That is really how it should be, you shouldn't have to "stretch" the shoe or get your feet conditioned to the shoe.

I highly recommend any of those brands, but I like to switch off daily or more so I recommend ALL of them!

Also, somebody a while back mentioned The Body Shop's peppermint lotion and footsoak. It feels SO GOOD after a long day at the parks. Very revitalizing.

Another recommendation is for Thorlo socks if you choose to wear gym shoes. I also buy my shoes a bit larger than I used to. That seems to be key to comfort as my feet swell after a long day on them.

Good luck!! Here's to Happy Feet!

Lives4Disney

 

[Love That Stitch]

Thanks Lives4disney. I am wondering where can I get these brand of shoes. Are they at well known shoe chain or do you need to go to a specialty shoe store? Known of these sound famaliar to me except for the Birkies. I like to wear shoes that are closed in. I don't like wearing sandals in case it rains.

I think I will try the peppermint foot soak. Thanks again.

 

[Bliss22]

Nike air max 360's hands down!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Thanks Lives4disney. I am wondering where can I get these brand of shoes. Are they at well known shoe chain or do you need to go to a specialty shoe store? Known of these sound famaliar to me except for the Birkies. I like to wear shoes that are closed in. I don't like wearing sandals in case it rains.

I think I will try the peppermint foot soak. Thanks again.

I buy almost all my shoes online at Zappos. They offer free UPS shipping & free returns - it is very easy and convenient and they ship them FAST. The Keens are awesome shoes with closed in toes. My Chacos are more like sport sandals - I actually broke my toe on my March Disney trip wearing my Chacos! So I agree with the closed in toes, lol. I accidentally rammed my foot into the back of my DD's foot while we were hustling up a monorail ramp and it just killed me! It wouldn't have happened if I were wearing my Keens or Saucony shoes, but I still like the Chacos because they have excellent arch support.

Good luck. I know achey feet and legs can really be a drag at WDW.

Lives4Disney

 

[Honeymooners1021]

Merells are good ( I used to sell ladies comfort shoes! ) I would also recommend Ecco but they cost a little bit more.

 

[dopeynme]

I second the vote for Keens newports. They were the absolute best. They are officially a sandal but the toes are closed in. I also had good luck with Clark's "muckers".

You can find most of these brands online: zappos.com, shoes.com or onlineshoes.com. They have free shipping and free return shipping, so it doesn't cost you anything if you don't like them. The Keens are at camping stoes, like REI or Eastern Mountain Sports. They usually run a bit small.

Remember to bring moleskin to put on "hotspots" before they become blisters. Also, Bodyglide is a good product: you slide it on your feet and it helps prevent blisters.

Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[Subrbnmommy]

I love my Mephistos Allrounder. I got the Niro, looks like a cross between a Mary Jane and and hiking shoe but has air shock absorbers. They were a bit more expensive but more versatile.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

The socks are so important!

Don't be afraid to wear two pairs of socks at the same time!

 

[Love That Stitch]

Remember to bring moleskin to put on "hotspots" before they become blisters. Also, Bodyglide is a good product: you slide it on your feet and it helps prevent blisters.

Moleskin? Pardon me for my dumbness . I don't know what that is and apparently I am missing out on some vital info for blisters. Could you please explain?

Thanks for the great info. I am heading to WDW in late Jan and I figure I need to do some research now.
You guys are great!

 

[MomofKatie]

Moleskin? Pardon me for my dumbness . I don't know what that is and apparently I am missing out on some vital info for blisters. Could you please explain?

Thanks for the great info. I am heading to WDW in late Jan and I figure I need to do some research now.
You guys are great!

Moleskin is a felt-like material with adhesive on the back that you cut to the size you need, then stick on your foot (or shoe) like a Band-aid. You can find it in the same aisle as the insoles and Dr. Scholl's products.

I used moleskin for the first time last fall, and it worked really well. It cushions and reduces/eliminates the friction on your problem areas.

I haven't tried BodyGlide, but I hear it is really good for blister prevention. I used aerosol spray antiperspirant on my feet every morning- it really helped. I usually end up with at least 2 or 3 blisters per foot at WDW- last fall, I only got one (my socks got wet early in the AM, and I walked around in them the rest of the day- they rubbed on the side of my foot).

 

[Love That Stitch]

Thank you so much for that info. I had no idea they made a product like that. I will be sure to get some for my next trip. Imagine all these years I never knew.
Thanks.

 

[sebastian75_99]

Merrells are great. I would also recommend Dansko clog style shoes. I am a registered nurse and during a 12 hour shift I walk 8 to 12 miles. I only wear Dansko shoes despite the fact that my husband works for the company that sells Merrells. Dansko shoes always make my feet happy.

 

[aubriee]

You didn't say what time of the year you are going, but if it's not during the winter I'd go with Teva Mush flip flops. I've worn all kinds of shoes down there and almost always wind up in my Teva Mush flip flops. I can wear them all day and never know they're on. Any kind of tennis shoes hurt my feet after a few hours.

If you do want to wear tennis shoes I'd coat my feet with Arrid cream antipersperant, wait a few minutes then apply Avon antiblister balm (or Bodyglide antichafing), let that dry then wear really good socks. Also change out your shoes every day. I'd also carry a snack size baggie with precut moleskin to apply at the first sign of a hot spot.

 

[Love That Stitch]

You didn't say what time of the year you are going,

If you do want to wear tennis shoes I'd coat my feet with Arrid cream antipersperant, wait a few minutes then apply Avon antiblister balm (or Bodyglide antichafing), let that dry then wear really good socks. Also change out your shoes every day. I'd also carry a snack size baggie with precut moleskin to apply at the first sign of a hot spot.

We are going in January/February 07. I am not one for flip flops. I like to wear closed in shoes. I feel that these are more comfortable for me. Thanks for the tip on the Arrid cream and Bodyglide stuff. I think those are great ideas.

You guys are great! Keep it going!

 

[Thumper_ehhhhh]

Last time we went I used new balance walking shoes. That was in 2004 I still use them today. I already have a new pair for the trip next year. Great shoes.

 

[zoesmama]

I'm just back from a week at WDW and I wore my Crocs with socks and without for 3 out of the 4 park days. My feet were blister free and felt great. Then on the last park day I wore my Keen's that I've had for awhile. I wore them with socks because it was so chilly and I ended up with a blister.

So in my opinion the Crocs were perfect. I know you said you don't like them, but you should give them a go.

 

[missdramaqueen]

my friend and her family just came back from disney...they wore sneakers and everyone got numerous blisters. My other friend also just came back she wore crocs and was blister free.

 

[DisneyJo]

Does any one know where to get body glide or similar in the UK as I can't find it and no one seems to know what it is? By the way I would recommend any type of walking sandels, mine are Timberland, as when we go in August your feet roast in socks and trainers. Also they dry off very quickly with the showers!

 

[M-I-C-K-E-Y]

There's nothing better than switching into my old, broken in Nike shoes after wearing my dress shoes all day at work. With that said, on our last trip to Disney I had a thought. I'm a huge fan of simply wearing my trusty, broken in gym/tennis/running shoes (whatever they're called these days) down to WDW. However, on the next trip I'm also going to bring along a second pair, perhaps Crocs (since I did wear my DS's pair around POR at times this summer). In my opinion, variety in footwear, in addition to the correct socks and anything else, is KEY. Switch it up, wear them every other day or whatever works for you...