Update pg. 4 - Quest for the perfect park shoe continues!

[Tiger926]

I guess I'm going to have to try Crocs seriously now based on all of the raves here! My chiropractor is away this week, so no appointment for me, but I will definitely ask her about them next week. I'm going to put on a pair of Crocs this week and walk around the store for a good long while to see what I think. I guess I may be pleasantly surprised!!

Thanks a bunch, Tiger

 

[pdarrah]

Oh - just a thought - I really doubt that the fake crocs that are popping up all over have the same sort of support as real crocs. I KNOW they aren't the same type of plastic since I have looked at them. They are less "squishy" (harder) and MUCH heavier than real crocs (I looked at Target and Walmart - both times I happened to have my crocs on so was able to do a direct comparison.) It seems unlikely they would have duplicated the support that is hidden in the sole since they whole point of these is a cheap, look-alike to cash in on the current fad...

pdarrah

 

[Tiger926]

Can you only get Crocs online then? I swear the pair I saw last night were real Crocs - it was at a big atletic store at our mall - sell Merrill, Birkenstock, etc., but I better double check to make sure. I so hope you can get Crocs somewhere else besides just online - if they sell at stores, what stores will I find them at in the US?

Thanks, Tiger

 

[annej]

I have a real hard time finding comfortable shoes. I have perfectly flat feet and sever varicose veins so a ot of leg pain. I recently purchased a pair of Walking shoes by NEw Balance. They are by far the best shoes I have ever had on my feet. They come with either lime green or pink trim. I do not know what style they are but when I bought the second pair from Lady Foot Locker the girl informed me that they call them the "Oprah shoe" as i guess she has endorsed them. Hope that helps finding them. Also, the pink ones are in support of Breast cancer. I have not worn them to WDW but wore them all over Williamsburg and Busch Gardens the week of Easter and then Boston this past week. No pain in my feet, legs or hips! and I have a 10 year old and a 13 year old so we were moving pretty quickly! Best shoe ever. I have 2 pairs but may buy a third just incase they ever go away! My hubby thinks I am crazy but when I find a shoe I can wear well, I stock up!

 

[fabumouse]

I caved in this morning and ordered Crocs for myself and my 10 year old daughter.

Where oh where did you order them? I'm a big Teva fan, but wanted to see what all the hype on Crocs was about. Crocs. com does not have anything in stock (3/4 of the shoes I tried to order were "not available") and I had the same rotten luck on some other sites.

 

[pdarrah]

I can get crocs locally (Chicago area) at Sports Authority and Von Maur. Just look for the name molded into them. On some it is on the strap. On ALL of mine it is at least molded into the bottom.

Strangely enough, I even bought 1 pair at Hallmark! I haven't a clue why they had them, but there was a rack in the store with about 4 colors and most sizes....

There are also several online stores. Try using Froogle (Google's shopping search) and just search for Crocs - they are all over.

pdarrah

 

[NewCrew42]

I am going to wear Aasics. I have a high arch and also have artheritis (38 years old). I tried Crocs and they do not have enough support for me. I tried on a pair of Teva Pretty Rugged Leather II the other and I am considering those for my alternet pair of shoes. We will see!

Crocs are available here at Academy Sports, Hallmark stores, & Dillard's just to name a few places.

 

[NYDisneyMom]

Okay...I'm a Teva/Merrells kinda girl, but this discussion on the Crocs has me curious. I looked at the website and the only ones that I think I'd be seen in are the Niles. Anyone have those? Are they as comfy as everyone says?

 

[opal]

Tiger 926......Not sure where you are shopping this side of the border but in the Buffalo area Dicks Sporting Goods carries Crocs. So far I have only seen the clog-like version. I bought the Nile which is more like a sandel so I ordered them online right from Crocs. So far, I have only worn them around the house so the jury is still out on how they will be for "extreme walking"

 

[PlutosFriend]

I just bought some Teva "mush" flip-flops today, thanks to the DIS So far so good. I have 2 weeks to go til our trip, so I want to break them in a bit. It doesn't seem like they need to be broke in actually. They are quite comfy already. Very cushy. I prefer a flip flop on warm days, or where there are chances of my feet getting wet on a water ride. I don't love the look of Crocs, so I was happy to hear others posting about the Teva's. I bought them at a discount shoe store for $21.99.

 

[jbdreamer]

I have worn my Brikenstocks all over WDW without problems. I also just ordered this pair of Dansko sandles for my next trip. They are adjustible in 3 places! Dansko is one of the most comfortable brands I know.

 

[hunnypotmama]

Where oh where did you order them? I'm a big Teva fan, but wanted to see what all the hype on Crocs was about. Crocs. com does not have anything in stock (3/4 of the shoes I tried to order were "not available") and I had the same rotten luck on some other sites.

fabumouse, I did order them from the crocs website. I couldn't, however, order any for my DH cause those sizes were all out. I thought that was strange. My hubby did a little research and they are carried at Dick's, Dillard's and another shoe store in our area, though, so he's just going to go there and try them on. Good luck to you!!!

 

[SueM in MN]

www.zappos.com has Crocs.
I tried some on in a little shop in Mall of America and didn't really like them. My DH bought some though and likes them very much (although he doesn't like them for really long days walking).
I bought a pair of Salomon Techamphibian shoes from zappos. They have mesh sides, but still have lots of support. I didn't wear socks with them and didn't get any blisters, rubs, etc. They also didn't need any breaking in.

 

[#1DizGal]

I found my Crocs at Dick's Sporting Goods, certain Hallmark Gold Crown stores, and my local bike shop. On the crocs.com website, there is an icon to click to find a store near you that carries them. Good luck!

 

[fabumouse]

Thanks for the websites - I'll try Zappos. I really really dislike shopping in stores, so I was super disappointed that Crocs.com seeemed to be out of everything I wanted. I also agree with jbdreamer - Dansko are amazingly comfortable. I wear their leather clogs all winter long and have walked in those for miles.

 

[DizneyNutz]

While I think shoes are IMPORTANT, the right sock is equally as important! Our first trip, I wore regular Nikes with Gold Toe athletic socks, good quality socks, but NOT good once the foot gets hot and the threads start making hot spots...the best socks I've found are from Hanes, very soft, no threads to break down and make sore spots. Good luck. Hurting toes make for a miserable time! One thing we ALWAYS do is when we've been at the parks all morning and head back to the resort for a little R&R, take those shoes and socks OFF! Slip on a pair of comfy slippers or flops that let the tootsies breath and cool off---it'll make the afternoon much more enjoyable!

 

[mama2sam]

If there's any sort of running or athletic store in your area, have them fit you for athletic shoes. I bought an extra pair of Asics running shoes just for serious walking/shopping/ festivals etc. Great investment!

 

[NotUrsula]

One more suggestion, which may be useful if you have custom orthotic inserts: Bites. They are best-known for their golf shoes, but they make other sport shoes, most notably sandals that can accomodate custom orthotics. http://www.biteshoes.com/orthosport/index.htm

 

[aubriee]

I have heard (but never bought) SAS shoes are great for those with back, knee or foot problems. From what I've heard they are not the most attractive shoes, but are extremely comfortable. You might want to do a search on the DIS for them and read some reviews for yourself.

Good luck in your search!

My 73 y/o mom is a diabetic with serious knee problems (needs surgery, but refuses). Anyway she's always worn SAS shoes per her doctor's advice, until she discovered CROCS. Now that's all she'll wear. She has five pairs. Neither her back nor her knees bother her anymore when she walks.

I've got five pairs also. She was with me when I bought my first pair and laughed saying she'd never wear shoes that ugly. However when I bought my second pair she decided to 'just try a pair on and walk around the store in them'. Immediately she was hooked and now recommends them to anyone who will listen. I like my Crocs, but really prefer my Teva Mush flip flops and Teva Pretty Rugged Leather sandals.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

DFiance' and I recently bought CROCS from Dillards after reading all the hype here. LOVE THEM! I prefer them to being barefoot on my tile floors, comfy. I prefer them with socks though, without my feet feel a bit sticky. I know you said no crocs, but have you tried them. They uglier than, well, they are ugly, but I've bought three pairs since I got my first Friday.