WDW in Birkenstocks?

[miniwinnie]

I'm returning to WDW this fall and I'm in the market for a comfortable pair of walking shoes/sandals. I usually don't opt to wear sneakers to the parks, so I thought I may try Birkenstocks! From what I hear from a friend that works at a comfort shoes store, they're extremely comfortable when broken in and they'd be a good option. Has anyone ever spent their WDW trip in Birkenstocks -- namely for miles upon miles of walking?

 

[gatorlisa]

If you have never worn Birkenstocks, I'm not sure a Disney trip is the best time to start. Even beyond breaking in, they take effort to become comfortable, particularly for many hours on your feet. I can wear Birkenstocks for short periods, but cannot do them for something like Disney. I do much better with my Keens as far as sandals go. Have also done Tevas in the past.

 

[prairiesarah]

I second that. I LOVE my Birkenstocks but they took forever to break in. Even now, I wear them all summer for pretty much everything, but not sure I'd wear them for all day park going. That said, I have other sandals from The Walking Company that I 100% would wear to the parks all day (flip flop style, but super comfortable for me).

 

[JenSPF]

I wear my Birks to the park only when I'm not doing a full day. I only wear them if I'm only going for a few hours or know that I won't be standing/walking for a majority of the time. My lower back and feet get more sore when I stand/walk in Birks than when I wear running sneakers.

 

[Pkltm]

I have done it for a a day but then the next day would switch to runners and alternate.

 

[Ellie Webbs]

Skechers for me all day I'm afraid! My feet have grown accustomed to memory foam

 

[unrequited23]

I have worn my birks in park when I know it's not going to rain. I have comfortably done 19,000-22,000 step days in them. On days with a lot of rain expected I like my tevas with an ankle strap. I have higher arches and under pronate, so that may play a part in it.

 

[Suzalini]

I’m here now, and was just saying to my husband earlier today that my feet and legs are happiest when I wear my Birks to the parks! A couple of caveats though, we always take a mid-day break, and I never wear them when I might get wet (Kali, Splash, rain, etc) Also I’ve been wearing them for years—they are def rough to break in and I wouldn’t risk it if you’re not used to them yet.

 

[Princessclab]

I am one who has worn Birks in the parks for years without issues, even for long days.
That said I do not have to break them in, they are my most comfortable sandal I wear.
It probably depends on how well they fit and how comfortable they are for you.
Good luck!

 

[igrsod]

I live in my Birks... so naturally I wear them all day every day at the parks. But I agree with others, that if you don't wear them all the time, they can be hard to break in and even uncomfortable for some.
My daughter can only wear hers for a short time, as they rub on her arch.

I say try them out for a day at home and see how you feel in them. Like others said, also be aware that it can down pour on a moments notice too. So keeping them dry is a challenge.

 

[katherine52478]

I read a thread here last year where someone recommended FitFlops for the parks. I got some before my April 2018 trip and they were a lifesaver! Normally my feet feel broken after Day 2 but I made it all week comfortably wearing them!

I’ve worn them on two more Disney trips plus walking all over NYC, Philly, Chicago and New Orleans!

 

[TwinkleKS]

I'm a tennis shoes only person at the parks. Each person and each foot is different. I have a 25+ year old pair of Birks that are broken in at this point and I could probably wear without blisters. But the pair of Birks I bought last year would tear up my feet if I wore them all day.

 

[miniwinnie]

Thank you for your perspectives on wearing Birks in the parks, everyone! It seems like the general consensus is that while it takes quite a while to break them in at first, they're overall a good park shoe when alternating them with others/keeping them dry.

 

[Jefftr66]

I wear my Birks to the park only when I'm not doing a full day. I only wear them if I'm only going for a few hours or know that I won't be standing/walking for a majority of the time. My lower back and feet get more sore when I stand/walk in Birks than when I wear running sneakers.

Agree with this 100% - I only wear birks when I'm off work at home. (And even on casual days) But a full day in the parks and my arches get really sore. But a partial day they are fine.