Walking Sandals - LAST UPDATE

[RC Fan]

I have a sport sandal problem! I can't seem to stop buying them! I have several pairs of Keens, a pair of Tevas, and a pair of Merrells. I wore Birkis years ago, and I have just bought my sister a pair of Crocs. Right now my favorite brand is Merrell. Their shoes seem to be truly built for high mileage performance.

 

[MareQ]

Just wanted to update you on my shoe choices. As a reminder I have VERY flat and wide feet so shoes in general are a hard fit.

Yesterday I received the Merrell Reactors (I am still waiting for the Crocs and Keens) So far I am very impressed. 99% of the time when I buy any kind of a new shoe - even with wide width shoes- they do not feel great until they are broken in. These feel wonderful and are PLENTY wide for my feet in a regular width.

They have a webbing of sorts - an elastic material much like a wetsuit that you slip your foot into - it in two spots between your feet and the toe strap and the mid foot strap so the straps are never directly rubbing against your feet. I did 3 miles on the treadmill with them and even with sweaty feet my feet did not slide within the sandal like they do with my Bass "dressy" sandals.

The very back strap that goes across your heels is nice as well. There's a fabric "pad" centered on the back and the back strap is adjustable from both sides of your foot so you can get it as tight as you need while still keeping the pad centered.

Definitely a great pair of walking sandals!!!

 

[Hoosier Mom]

Question for you Keen wearers, I'm alfully tempted to order the Newports, but I read a few reviews that say they stink. Is that true? Also I read that they are hot to wear in 80 degree heat. I was hoping they would be cooler than my Nike sneakers. $80 is a lot to plunk down for stinky shoes.

 

[Twinprincesses]

I love Columbia sandals.

 

[Luv2Diz]

My vote is for Birkenstock sandals. I bought a pair of the Rio Grande style on clearance for $57 for our trip to Disney World this past August. I have my share of foot problems so was looking for a sandal with good foot support. I started the day wearing my athletic shoes, but when we took our mid-day break back at the hotel I switched to the Birkis for the remainder of the day. They are extremely comfortable with good support and an excellent tread. They were advertised as "the sandal that thinks it is a hiking boot" and I believe it. It is the first time ever I have done this much walking and had no problem with blisters. I liked them so much I bought a second pair, so I'll have them for Disney trips for years to come!

 

[bicker]

Question for you Keen wearers, I'm alfully tempted to order the Newports, but I read a few reviews that say they stink. Is that true? Also I read that they are hot to wear in 80 degree heat.

I never noticed anything of the sort.

 

[cajunfan]

Keens...

1st, I bought mine from Pro Bass Shop. I liked that I was able to try them on first.

2nd, I have had trouble with them smelling, but you just wash them (I just washed them in the tub with some dishwashing detergent. I don't think it was the shoe that was the problem as much as the "stuff" getting on the shoe!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Question for you Keen wearers, I'm alfully tempted to order the Newports, but I read a few reviews that say they stink. Is that true? Also I read that they are hot to wear in 80 degree heat. I was hoping they would be cooler than my Nike sneakers. $80 is a lot to plunk down for stinky shoes.

That's funny! No, they do not smell!! They have an anti odor antibacterial lining, too. I have had my first pair of Newports for 2 years now. They have done two Illinois summers with me and 4 trips to WDW (one of them in August). My Newports are basically the only shoe I wear in the summer - they are soooo comfy. I have been really happy with them. So happy that I have 7 pairs of Keens in different styles. I like to wear mule type tennies w/out socks in summer, but THOSE smell!! Keens are great.

Lives4Disney

 

[snowbunny]

Well I haven't gotten the Newports yet, but I did buy a pair of Keen Saratogas (like a backless comfy Mary Jane) yesterday as they are 40% off at Zappos in citron

 

[MareQ]

I apologize for dragging this thread up again but I wanted to update everybody on all three of my shoe choices. Aching feet is something most every Disney veteran has had to face but it's even worse for people like me with flat, wide feet. It's hard to find shoes that FIT let alone COMFORTABLE shoes that can get you through an entire week of Disney World

As I said beflre the Merrell Reactors are FANTASTIC. I also received my Crocs - I got the Niles. They are not the most attractive pair of shoes (LOL) I really did cringe when I opened the box, however I put that aside as my primary concern needs to be function and fit not "beauty" LOL! I put them on and low and behold - AGAIN another pair of sandals right out of the box that fit my feet perfectly. I did 2 miles on the treadmill with them - my feet were sweaty afterwards however the Crocs have little nubs that help keep your foot from slipping around and they also have a little massaging feel to them so my were feeling good.

My Keen's also arrived. I love the way they look - however I had to fight to get my feet into them. The Merrells and Crocs were standard widths that were roomy enough for my wide flat foot, the Keens however are not roomy enough. I will have to send them back. It's a shame too because I really like the sporty look of the Keens.

Thanks for all the advise everybody. I am excited to finally have a trip where I don't have to wear the same pair of sweaty sneakers all day every day

 

[MommyPoppins]

I'm sure this was mentioned already, but you HAVE to get a pair of CROCS. (CROCS.com) They were a life savor for me last year. I always have really horrible back and foot pain and then last year I developed shin splints that get so bad when I do WDW walking that I limp. So I got some CROCS and at the end of the day my feet were only tired, not sore and no shin splints or back pain. For next year my whole family is getting them and that's my final decision on the subject I am not even packing DH sneakers.

 

[NotUrsula]

If your feet are wider you might try Men's Keens; just size down two numbers to get the correct size. (Ladies 8 = Mens 6, etc.) I had this problem with the Nike sport sandals I had before the Merrells; the mens were just right, and honestly I liked them better because the colors were not so garish.

 

[SammieG]

Mquara - the niles are the least comfortable of all the crocs.. a number of people have had problems with them.. so if you do, dont judge all crocs by the niles..

Try the Beach shoes.. they are just like air!

 

[crisi]

Keens run small. I can do a seven in darn near everything, but need a 7 1/2 in Keens (which is why I don't own a pair, they didn't have 7 1/2s left on sale - but did have sevens). My husband loves Keens and you can try them on at REI.

My sandals are Chacos - which no one has mentioned.

http://www.rei.com/online/store/Pro...ategory_rn=4501270&vcat=REI_SSHP_FOOTWEAR_TOC

Nice sandals with a high built in arch. They aren't cushy and I do need socks if they get wet (but I have tender feet - most people don't)

I hate my Tevas. Should have returned them the day I bought them.

 

[BraveMom3]

I got the Keen's for my husband's birthday - at the time I was afraid he might not wear them. Katrina hit a few weeks later, and he had them on everyday for about 2 months (since he couldn't dress for business that was gutted! ), and he loves them. He normally would never wear a "sandal" (die-hard tennis shoe wearer), but he really likes these. He's been on the roof, cleaning yard debris, cleaning yucky flood mess, and everything else with them. He does say they smell, but he gets in the shower with them on, and next day they're good to go. I don't know if it's the shoes, his feet, or what he is doing in them that causes the smell!

 

[SeaChristine]

I'm personally a big fan of both Birks and Tevas. I've worn both in the parks and those were the most comfortable days I've spent there. Be careful in open toe shoes, however. I accidentally kicked a fixture in a store and nearly ripped a toenail off! Due to a rule, no CM's were allowed to give me a band-aid! (Having recently been diagnosed with a severe latex allergy, I now understand this restriction!) I had to sit outside while BF ran to buy some!

 

[RC Fan]

Thanks for letting us know how you found the others.

The Merrell sandals I currently have sound very much like yours, only they are an older version. I really like the look of the Merrell Outback sandal as well.

 

[rie'smom]

I love my Merrells. This May will mark the 3rd year in a row@ WDW and Universal for the same pair. We are commandos and my legs never hurt-nor did my back.

 

[k_k_100]

If you like the Niles you will LOVE the beach/caymen Crocs! Give them a try -you can probably find them locally.

 

[Hoosier Mom]

Thank you Thank you Thank you! I'd never heard of most of these brands or of Zappos. I ordered a pair of Keens Newports and received them today. I've had them on for 4 hours. Very comfy!