Ugh, shoes! Why does this have to be so difficult??

[NicPie]

I don't know what shoes to pack!!!

When we went last time, it was June so it was warm enough that I wore my Teva Mush flipflops the whole time and was fine. Now we're going over Christmas and I know it'll be a little cooler, so I doubt I can pull off flipflops again. I have plenty of comfy sneakers that are well broken in, but I don't care to wear them much so I don't usually use them days in a row. I'm worried now that day after day of sock rubbing and all will end up causing me issues. (When it's cold here, I wear my Uggs and stuff mostly.) I'm more concerned about blisters than comfort.

Does anyone have any advice on socks? I was going to go buy some new ones, but I don't know if that's a good idea or a bad one.

 

[cgattis]

Smartwool. The only thing my DH worries about packing when we go to Disney is his socks! They're great for hot or cold; they wick sweat like mad. I run in them year-round. They're pricey (but on par with all other tech socks) but worth every cent; they really last.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I got a pack of New Balance No-show Mesh Lifestyle Socks (just looked them up on Amazon which is where I got them) before our last trip. I think they have that Coolmax which wicks the moisture away from your feet.

Anyway, I thought they were great socks and I have all sorts of sensitive skin issues. I didn't get one blister and it was August and we walked a lot.

I think you'll be fine in a good pair of broken-in sneakers and the right socks.

 

[RebeccaRabbit]

I personally always wear comfortable, well broken-in tennis shoes at Disney. I've never had a problem with wearing them every day. I do have a lighter, mesh-type tennis shoe that dries relatively quickly, so maybe that would be an issue with something heavier.

For me, comfortable shoes are a must at Disney. I'm pretty active and in good shape (walk and bike daily at home, exercise regularly, ...), and STILL my dogs are aching after a couple of long Disney days! There is just SO much walking, and you are on your feet all day. The activeness is part of what I love about a Disney vacation, but I can't imagine doing that in flip-flops or similar. Also would not dream of breaking in a new pair of shoes at Disney - it would really suck to get blisters or discover that the shoes are not comfortable mid-trip. I would say wear what is comfortable for you in the rest of your life.

 

[IWannaBuildASnowman]

Bring the sandals. I have been wearing my birks all week and they have been perfect.

 

[Mikie]

Assuming the shoes are decent and not brand-new, I think socks are more the anti-blister key.definitely get some tech socks that are NOT cotton (cotton breaks down, stretches and rubs when sweaty and is slow to dry when wet). Bring moleskin (found near foot care or band aids at a drug store) to put on any spots where you detect any friction to prevent a blister from forming.

 

[elaine amj]

I would bring your flips too if you are comfy in them. Would make a nice change on warm days.

I am planning to be in my sandals unless it is really cold at which point I will switch to sneakers.

 

[soniam]

Definitely bring your sandals, because the weather is unpredictable. Bring closed toed shoes too though. For socks, I like Smartwool or REIs version. I also like the the Champion wicking socks from Target. I'm sure other places have them too. I wear them for working out and when I have to walk a lot.

 

[ougrad86]

I had trouble with blisters, and I finally got some of the running socks that prevent blisters - they were perfect! Now I just have tired feet at the end of the day!

 

[Asellus]

My last trip was in December. I wore my Naot sandals for the entire trip with no issues or blisters. (although I swear every time I go in winter, its always about as warm as it gets)

 

[kerplop]

My go to sock with enclosed shoes is Powersox, Gold Toe in whatever style you like (I like the lowest rise). They do run a bit small and they are thick, so not great if your shoes aren't kind of loose. You can buy 3 pairs for about $12 or so and they're totally worth it. Even in the rain in soaked socks, walking in the park all day, I never got a blister

 

[NicPie]

Thanks so much for all of the recommendations!

 

[Vernie822]

I don't know what shoes to pack!!!

When we went last time, it was June so it was warm enough that I wore my Teva Mush flipflops the whole time and was fine. Now we're going over Christmas and I know it'll be a little cooler, so I doubt I can pull off flipflops again. I have plenty of comfy sneakers that are well broken in, but I don't care to wear them much so I don't usually use them days in a row. I'm worried now that day after day of sock rubbing and all will end up causing me issues. (When it's cold here, I wear my Uggs and stuff mostly.) I'm more concerned about blisters than comfort.

Does anyone have any advice on socks? I was going to go buy some new ones, but I don't know if that's a good idea or a bad one.

Old Navy Active makes some really, really good socks! I wear them to run and have run 3 half marathons in them - they are that awesome and the only socks I will trust for long races. They have very little show around the ankle and are very breathable. I think they usually sell 2 pairs for $10.

 

[ellie05]

Smartwool are great socks, but I wore my uggs our past trip and had no issues. You can fit some nice insoles if they are worn in for extra comfort.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I don't know what shoes to pack!!!

When we went last time, it was June so it was warm enough that I wore my Teva Mush flipflops the whole time and was fine. Now we're going over Christmas and I know it'll be a little cooler, so I doubt I can pull off flipflops again. I have plenty of comfy sneakers that are well broken in, but I don't care to wear them much so I don't usually use them days in a row. I'm worried now that day after day of sock rubbing and all will end up causing me issues. (When it's cold here, I wear my Uggs and stuff mostly.) I'm more concerned about blisters than comfort.

Does anyone have any advice on socks? I was going to go buy some new ones, but I don't know if that's a good idea or a bad one.

Low friction running socks. They mitigate against blisters.
They are not cheap though.

My feet get hot and it just doesn't get cold enough here for me to wear "winter" socks.

Forecast is not projecting any temps to warrant that, IMHO.

So I would go with running socks. Check a running store or a place like Dick's Sporting goods.

And I would bring flip flops anyway. I wear then over 50 degrees as I hate my feet enclosed.

 

[OldSlowGoofyGuy]

Popping up here from the running forum.

Wrightsocks. They are 2 layer running socks. The idea is the 2 layers rub against each other and not your foot. Don't worry that 2 layers would make them too thick; it does not. I've run hundreds of miles in wrightsocks and wouldn't wear anything else.

They come in a variety of heights and colors. You can even get them as dress socks.