Water shoe/sandal for teen boy?

[sksjasams]

My DS13 went to a waterpark with some friends on Wednesday. He spent the whole day walking around barefoot on blacktop and his feet are in horrible shape.

He has flat feet and by the end of the day he said he was limping his ankles hurt and his feet are covered in blisters. Two days later his feet still hurt.

He leaves on Sunday for a mission trip, then he will be going to another water park in a couple weeks, and up to a friends cabin after that. I think we really need to get him some sort of water shoe/sandal. I would like to find something for him with more support and comfort than regular walmart-type watershoes. They also need to be very lightweight and not pull him down when he is swimming or get caught on anything in waterpark slides.

I have no idea what to look for! Please share you suggestions with me!

Thank you in advance

 

[brennicksmom]

My kids both wear crocs to waterparks.

 

[skw444]

We like the Skeletoes.

 

[ChrisinNJ]

We all have Teva Hurricanes. They aren't the cheapest sandals around, but they are comfy and hold up well. You can get them discounted at sierratradingpost.com

 

[pigletto]

Teva would be your best bet for that age I think.
And boy can I relate to the flat feet issue!!!
My 8 yr old son has flat feet and is developing issues with his heels and his knees because of it. He's in tennis and soccer and this summer he's been in and out of commission with it. We start physio therapy and are getting orthotics made starting next week!

 

[HillPete]

Keens are a good option as well. They have some arch support and are totally water-safe. I can't wear Tevas (the straps hit funny spots on my feet), but I can wear my Keens all day. I've worn them river-walking, water-parking, Disney Park-ing, to Castaway Cay (in and out of the water), and just around town running errands. They work well for everyone in my family.

 

[minniefan65]

Adidas has some great sandles. They have a memory foam type feel to them and are very comfortable.

 

[sksjasams]

Thanks for the suggestions!

Since I had a 30% off coupon we decided to stop at Kohls.

We ended up getting these Croft & Barrow Sports Sandals for less than $20...

http://www.kohls.com/upgrade/webstore/product_page.jsp?PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524892898847&crosssell=true

Does anyone have any experience with these? In the questions/answers section it says they are not for water use. I can't imagine why they would not be ok in water. One review said her husband used them to step in the water when boating and they dried quickly.

Thanks again!

 

[Chelley00]

Keens are a good option as well. They have some arch support and are totally water-safe. I can't wear Tevas (the straps hit funny spots on my feet), but I can wear my Keens all day. I've worn them river-walking, water-parking, Disney Park-ing, to Castaway Cay (in and out of the water), and just around town running errands. They work well for everyone in my family.

Keens Keens Keens. My DH was born with club feet and has had multiple surgeries, and even he can wear the Keens. DD and DS both have a pair.

 

[Hanover]

My DS11 is very flat footed and has been wearing custom orthotics for a year now. Before the orthotics, his feet were hurting pretty bad and his tendons in his toes were shortening and pulling them up. His podiatrist even recommended surgery, but we went the orthotic route. He said that many of his younger patients get slight archs to regular archs with years of use. Luckily our insurance cover the $650 orthotics fee every 2 years and we bought outgrowth insurance to cover new orthotic molds more frequently. His podiatrist said he highly recommends Keens as sandals, but to wear his sneakers/inserts as much as possible. He wears them in all of his shoes except his wrestling shoes and sandals (which he wears only to pools/water parks). He just got fitted for his 2nd pair of orthotics last week and is getting a very small arch from using them each day. His toes look a lot better and the pain has pretty much gone.