What ARE the best shoes?

[minniebride]

What are the best shoes to wear in the parks to best minimize blisters and sore feet?

I have yet to find a pair to do the job right & I always end up returning home with blisters!

Any advice is much appreciated!!

 

[iggler]

I have seen several treads on this subject already, with that being said, I am going to stick with my running shoes. I have run a half marathon in them so I am sure they will be perfect for this. I wear the Brooks addiction, I have fallen arches and needed a good stability shoe. Running shoes have good cushioning, and if you spend enough time breaking them in before you go, you shouldn't have much trouble. I know some people think no way are they wearing shoes with shorts, they just have to wear flip flops!!
Not me, I want to be able to keep walking pain free!!

 

[MickeyMouseMomofSix]

I have seen this question so many times on here, and I notice that the answers that people give vary as much as the people themselves. What works best for one might not work at all for another. That said, my family wears Crocs to the parks every time and never get blisters or sore feet. Last time we went, one of my older kids had a pair of "fake" crocs and he got blisters.

I have heard a lot of people mention Teva Mush flip flops on here. And just as many seem to like their sock/shoe combo the best. I think the best advice though is not to buy something new just before going on your vacation. Buy ahead of time and wear them around often to break them in.

 

[Costino1]

I wore a broken in pair of Adidas sneakers. made it through Disney 3 trips! No leg/foot pain or blisters at ALL! and thats with being wet on Kali river rapids!!!

 

[rwdavis2]

I always wear broken in tennins shoes. Don't wear something new. Hiking shoes are also very good, again, broken in.
BD

 

[Lilo&Stitch]

Merrell sneakers work best for me

 

[minniebride]

Thank you~I know that this is the neverending question on the Dis!

I've tried Crocs 2x~got blisters both times. I tried alternating days of sometimes wearing Crocs and other days wearing my Teva sandals (not Teva Mush-they are strap sandals with a strap around the ankles that I have broken in doing light hikes and daily use~got blisters. I have a broken in pair of sneakers that I use on the treadmill, but they are ready for the trash. I looked up Teva Mush and I can't wear flip flops like that (with that thing in between my toes).

Maybe I'll try a pair of Merrill sneakers~are those good for treadmills as well? I could buy them now and break them in on the treadmill.
Which style of Merrill sneakers are best for long walking, like at WDW?

 

[agoofybeast]

I have worn my Vibram FiveFingers KSOs on multiple trips and have never gotten a blister....a word of advise though...make sure you let your body get used to them before any extending wearing.

 

[Barnhill9586]

Sandals=Keens (Newport for me) or running shoes and I agree with others that they should be broken in before you get to Disney. I've gone with several different brands of running shoes (Nike, New Balance and Saucony) and the main thing is good support and cushioning for me more than brand.

 

[Winue]

I think the shoe question needs its own forum!!!

keens. waterproof, so good no matter the weather or ride.

 

[humboldthny]

I've always been very happy with my Croc Cleo sandals, but be aware that they have changed the style - now called the Cleo II. No idea if they would be as comfortable...on the plus side neither is a thong style sandal.

I also wear my broken in Nikes without an issue....

The only shoe that's given me a problem was a wedge style of Croc that fired off my shin splits horribly...but don't have a problem with a flat shoe.

 

[RandFamily]

I feel your pain (literally!) I've spent years trying to find out how to prevent blisters and I've tried just about everything on these boards. I used to be in agony by the third of forth day. Now I'm doing fine. Here's what I finally found works for me:

- good-fitting sneakers (I wear easy spirit now)
- I put fabric Band-Aids (only the brand new ones, only fabric) on the places I usually get blisters - on the first day and every day. I don't wait!
-I put "glide" on all the other areas of my toes especially the areas that usually get sore. Every day, every time. http://www.amazon.com/Footglide-Skin-Protectant-Stick-Formula/dp/B00115UN9Q
- I wear pricey socks specially made to wick water away
- If things start to get sore, I ice my feet for a while before bed.

My family laughs at my routine, but I don't care because I've finally found relief!!!

 

[emer95]

I survive Disney with Earth Spirit sandals from Wal Mart. They are cute, and feel like walking on clouds. They cost $19.99. I've worn them through 2 trips and plan on wearing the same pair this summer. They're fabulous.

I did alternate with my Crocs once in a while just to change it up a little. But I preferred the Earth Spirits.

 

[minniebride]

I feel your pain (literally!) I've spent years trying to find out how to prevent blisters and I've tried just about everything on these boards. I used to be in agony by the third of forth day. Now I'm doing fine. Here's what I finally found works for me:

- good-fitting sneakers (I wear easy spirit now)
- I put fabric Band-Aids (only the brand new ones, only fabric) on the places I usually get blisters - on the first day and every day. I don't wait!
-I put "glide" on all the other areas of my toes especially the areas that usually get sore. Every day, every time. http://www.amazon.com/Footglide-Skin-Protectant-Stick-Formula/dp/B00115UN9Q
- I wear pricey socks specially made to wick water away
- If things start to get sore, I ice my feet for a while before bed.

My family laughs at my routine, but I don't care because I've finally found relief!!!

What kind of socks do you recommend? I'm trying to prepare for our December honeymoon trip. When we went last May, the blisters started after day 1-which I think may have also had to do with how sweaty my feet got (I was not used to May heat in Florida!). I really want to have a nice trip with no blisters!

I tried the glide from another company....I think it was Blistex? I put it on before we headed to the parks and it did nothing for me. Maybe I'll try this brand instead.

 

[Hemlock]

Has anyone tried Birkenstock sandals?

 

[MistressMerryweather]

Always waving my "Keens" flag. They are excellent and the perfect cross between a sandal and sneaker/tennis shoe. You could definitely "break them in" on the treadmill, though I have never had a pair that needed breaking in. Newports or Venice are awesome.

 

[IlliniMouse]

First time we were there, I wore broken in sandals that were made for my feet. Well, all the walking caused more movement of my feet, and I had horrible blisters!

Second trip I had blisters again...I think I wore my Croc Cleos. (Blisters again from rubbing) Ended up buying Fit Flops at WDW and got blisters from those, but between my toes. However, my heels felt wonderful! I'd rotate the two shoes so the same areas werne't getting aggravated.

Today I found some Khombu Trail sandal/shoes.Never had this brand before, so I hope they are great. They felt great going on in the store, so I am taking them with me. I'll also have my Fit Flops, my broken in Nikes, and a pair of Crocs sandals.

The biggest thing I've found is be prepared! Body Glide, or some sort of product like that, moleskin if needed, shoes that are broken in and you've worn for awhile so you don't end up with blisters between your toes because your skin is not used to it. Sometimes shoes that are broken in and are always comfortable at home aren't comfortable at WDW.

Hope everyone finds shoes that work for them! Having blisters as WDW should be illegal!

 

[housemouse]

I have heard a lot of people mention Teva Mush flip flops on here.

Love my Teva flip flops. I bought a pair of them before my last Disneyworld vacation and didn't have time to break them in before I left. It didn't matter. I put them on and ran all around the world without a problem. I usually can't wear any kind of sandal with a strap between my toes without breaking them in first. But these caused me zero problems.

 

[CathieArms]

I don't tend to get blisters unless I wear sandals or flip flops of some sort, so I always wear regular shoes My biggest problem is plantar fascitis (sp?). My heels start to hurt so bad that I can barely walk the next day, and it doesn't seem to matter which shoes I wear.

About 6 months ago, I bough some crocs strictly for the purpose of wearing around the house. This was at a time when my feet were REALLY hurting from being on them so much when my inlaws were here. I'd take my shoes off and my feet hurt so bad I wanted to cry. Interestingly, as soon as I put the crocs on, my feet stopped hurting.

Since then, I've started putting them on as soon as I wake up in the morning and I've noticed that they really do make my feet stop hurting when I wear them. If I have to walk a few steps before putting them on, I notice that they feel so much better once I put them on.

They're really ugly and I swore I'd never wear them out of the house. But, to be honest, they make my feet feel so much better that I'm seriously considering bringing a couple of pair with me this summer.

 

[wintershawl]

Has anyone tried Birkenstock sandals?

I usually wear Birkenstock sandals to Disney. But, I always alternate days with different pairs. And, sometimes at night when it is less hot, I wear sneakers. I do find, like others, that switching shoes is a good plan.

I love my Birks, and don't go too many places without them. If you are used to wearing them... go for it! =]