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

[aviva5675]

I got a pair of Payless Crocs knock offs for about $15 and I love them. I got the black so theyre very versatile. Wonderfully comfortable. Only complaint is my feet get hot, an d a bit sticky. Thinking of getting Crocs Niles to be more like sandals. I hate hot feet in the summer. Anyone have Niles? What do you think?

 

[hunnypotmama]

So what about socks? Do you wear socks with your Crocs? Heh. And if you don't, do your feet get hot and sticky? Just wondering how I should wear mine, as they will be arriving any day now.

 

[Tiger926]

Thanks again for all of the suggestions! I love the look of those Dansko sandals - have never heard of them, nor seen them in my city, so I'll do some searching today.

I found Crocs at two small stores near my city, none in my city though and we have over 300,000 people - very confusing! I am reading that despite the fact that they are made here in Canada, they are hard to find here - go figure, I guess it's because they are shipping them all to you crazy Crocs fanatics in the US - LOL!!

I am going to go shopping in Michigan, and so I found some stores that have them there as well, as I wanted to try a pair on my daughter as well. I am not interested in the fake Crocs as I've seen several of those in my city as well.

Thanks again for the awesome suggestions. I'll let you all know what shoes I end up with!

Tiger

 

[pdarrah]

For those that are asking about the Niles. I have 1 pair of Niles and 6 pair of Beach style. Although the Niles are comfortable, they do not seem to provide as much support at the Beach style. The sole is a lot thinner and I don't think they could build in as much. I like them, but I don't wear them if I know I'll be doing a LOT of walking or standing.

I wear my beach crocs both with and without socks. Today is with socks since it is only in the 30's outside! Occasionally, on a really hot day I'll notice my feet sweating a little when I don't wear socks - but they dry off almost as fast as they sweat and it doesn't cause my feet to stick to them or anything...

pdarrah

 

[Tiger926]

Update from OP: I just got my first pair of Crocs! Our fav sport store just started carrying them (Crocs website needs to be updated as it doesn't list it, but I saw them in store myself), and because they are moving to a huge new building, whole store is 20% off! I got my Crocs for $27.00 CDN. I'm still not sure what to make of them as they seem to be too snug. I take an 8.5, but the M Crocs were huge, so I got the small, 6-7, and my toes are right to the end. Since I wear a half size, I'm not sure if they are going to work for me. Would any of you Crocs experts know if this is how they are supposed to fit, as I've only been wearing them for 20 mins? I know that they are made big, but I'm not sure if they are right for my feet.

I also saw a nice pair of Merrills, so my hubby and I are going to go back tomorrow and buy those as well since I'm not sure about the Crocs, so between the Crocs, Land's End shoes and Crocs, I should be set for WDW - I hope! If not, I'll continue on my shoe quest. My hubby and I laugh because everything in our lives is related to the 'castle' as my almost 3 year old affectionately calls our fav place. It's funny that we buy special shoes, clothes, bags, etc. to wear at our castle - I know all of you DISers can relate to this too - LOL!

Thanks again for shoe suggestions, Tiger

 

[Lives4Disney]

I have also been constantly looking for the perfect WDW shoe. I have had KEENS since they came out a few years ago. I wear my Newport H2Os all summer and to WDW several times and they have been great. I have many many pairs of Keens in different styles I wear year round.

I have started wearing CHACO sandals last Thanksgiving WDW trip and I LOVE them! I think I have found MY perfect park shoe in them. They have wonderful support and nice arch support (my arches are usually the first to start aching) and easily adjustable straps, and are waterproof. I don't get achy or sore at all in my legs or back when I wear my Chacos all day at WDW.

Last trip (spring break) I brought Chacos (2 pairs) Keens (2 pairs) Birkenstocks, and Born sandals. Even though my family laughed at me, it was a good thing I brought all those shoes because I broke my toe going up a monorail ramp (big clutz!)and only the Chacos and Birks would fit after that!

Happy shopping! I also LOVE LOVE LOVE Zapppos. They are awesome for a shoe freak like me.

Lives4Disney

 

[#1DizGal]

Thanks again for all of the suggestions! I love the look of those Dansko sandals - have never heard of them, nor seen them in my city, so I'll do some searching today.

I found Crocs at two small stores near my city, none in my city though and we have over 300,000 people - very confusing! I am reading that despite the fact that they are made here in Canada, they are hard to find here - go figure, I guess it's because they are shipping them all to you crazy Crocs fanatics in the US - LOL!!

I am going to go shopping in Michigan, and so I found some stores that have them there as well, as I wanted to try a pair on my daughter as well. I am not interested in the fake Crocs as I've seen several of those in my city as well.

Thanks again for the awesome suggestions. I'll let you all know what shoes I end up with!

Tiger

On the Crocs website, it states that your toes and the sides of your feet should actually not touch the shoes, and they should be worn big. Even the strap in the back. I really think you need to get the bigger pair, cuz the ones you have are too small. It's been told on these boards that you can actually put your Crocs in the dryer for five minutes, put them on your feet (with socks) and they mold to your feet. Hope that helps!

 

[checkwriter]

I liked the Crocs but found I needed to balance them out with a good pair of sneakers (K-Swiss). You can't walk on marshmallows all the time. Some of the time, yes, but my feet and legs felt better when I mixed it up a little (Crocs in the morning, sneaks in the evening).

 

[bozley0621]

Update from OP: I just got my first pair of Crocs! Our fav sport store just started carrying them (Crocs website needs to be updated as it doesn't list it, but I saw them in store myself), and because they are moving to a huge new building, whole store is 20% off! I got my Crocs for $27.00 CDN. I'm still not sure what to make of them as they seem to be too snug. I take an 8.5, but the M Crocs were huge, so I got the small, 6-7, and my toes are right to the end. Since I wear a half size, I'm not sure if they are going to work for me. Would any of you Crocs experts know if this is how they are supposed to fit, as I've only been wearing them for 20 mins? I know that they are made big, but I'm not sure if they are right for my feet.

I also saw a nice pair of Merrills, so my hubby and I are going to go back tomorrow and buy those as well since I'm not sure about the Crocs, so between the Crocs, Land's End shoes and Crocs, I should be set for WDW - I hope! If not, I'll continue on my shoe quest. My hubby and I laugh because everything in our lives is related to the 'castle' as my almost 3 year old affectionately calls our fav place. It's funny that we buy special shoes, clothes, bags, etc. to wear at our castle - I know all of you DISers can relate to this too - LOL!

Thanks again for shoe suggestions, Tiger

Please don't give up on the Crocs!!! You bought them waaaay to small. I really think you will be incredibly happy with them. I bought my first pair yesterday and my second pair today!

 

[2angelsinheaven]

I wear really thin socks with mine to prevent the sticky feeling. I even wore them today during my tour of the airport ops and no pain at all, and I have BAD feet.

 

[RN2BIA]

I work in a hospital and I wear KLOGS that is the brand name. They come in many styles and the price is around $70.00 I love the squish and support. I wear the DUSTY to work in - I love them. They have some with holes in them for ventilation. http://www.osteopathicequipment.com/centinal.cgi?page=cats/Shoes_KlogUSA.html

I also wear Dansko's - these have great support in them. No leg cramps and I have osteoarthritis due to being obese up until last year. These run about $100 a pair. They come in many styles http://www.dansko.com/Home.aspx

The ortho doc I have said it is VERY important to have a couple of different pairs of shoes to switch off with in order to support your entire leg and back.

So I switch up one day I wear my KLOGS and the next Dansko. I plan on doing the same with my shoes to WDW. I found a great pair of backless Nike at JC Penny's that are not pretty but oh so comfy and seem to have good support. I am also going to purchase a pair of RYKA's because I like the way they feel on me.

Personally I do not like New Balance - they wear out way too quickly. Hope any of this helps.

 

[aubriee]

Update from OP:I'm still not sure what to make of them as they seem to be too snug. I take an 8.5, but the M Crocs were huge, so I got the small, 6-7, and my toes are right to the end. Since I wear a half size, I'm not sure if they are going to work for me. Would any of you Crocs experts know if this is how they are supposed to fit, as I've only been wearing them for 20 mins? I know that they are made big, but I'm not sure if they are right for my feet.

I'm afraid you bought them way too small. I wear an 8 and all of my Crocs (except the Aspens, which run small) are Med. When I bought my first pair I thought they were too big, but the salespeople (who were all wearing Crocs, by the way) assured me that's the way they're supposed to fit. Please take yours back and get a Med, then let them mold to your feet.

 

[Tiger926]

That's what I thought, but I confused myself at the store because I read on several other shoe boards to get a size smaller. The M size literally falls off of my feet, so you are saying this is how they are supposed to fit?

I totally trust you Crocs experts (I've been on the Crocs website a bunch of times too, but I can't seem to find any sizing info at all - where is it?), and so hopefully, I'll be able to exchange for the bigger size today or tomorrow. My hubby and I need to go back to buy our Merrell sandals and pick up my daughter's new big girl bike tomorrow - more shoe shopping for me!

Thanks a bunch, Tiger

 

[MareQ]

I take an 8.5, but the M Crocs were huge, so I got the small, 6-7, and my toes are right to the end. Since I wear a half size, I'm not sure if they are going to work for me. Would any of you Crocs experts know if this is how they are supposed to fit, as I've only been wearing them for 20 mins? I know that they are made big, but I'm not sure if they are right for my feet.


Thanks again for shoe suggestions, Tiger

Crocs are supposed to be worn big - you probably should have gotten the correct size. However - Crocs can be "adjusted" - LOL - I would take the ones you have - throw them in the dryer on a low/medium setting for 5 minutes - then take them out and immediately put them on and walk around with them for a bit - that should stretch them

 

[Tiger926]

Well after trying on more Crocs (returned mine, I just don't find them that comfortable), as well as sandals by Columbia, Teva, Merrill, Ecco, Clarks and Rockport, nothing was comfortable to me at all, until I tried on Adidas running shoes - Climacool Cypher. These shoes feel amazing - very lightweight, tons of support and cushioning and breathability. My hubby and I used to be runners, so we totally prefer running shoes, so we decided that is what we need to get. We have basic Nike water sandals for beach and pool (not that great for support) and a few other leather sandals, but we totally prefer running shoes, so our quest took us to all of the new Adidas and Nike ventilated shoes. I came to the conclusion after trying on literally 20 or more pairs of sandals (pretty much all over $90.00, except Crocs), that this is what my feet prefer, and so I needed to find shoes that would give breathability (matching socks will help with this as well).

I thank you all for your awesome suggestions, and well wishes while on my shoe quest. Only 9 more weeks from today until we will be wearing our new shoes at WDW!!!

Thanks, Tiger