What shoes do you wear in the parks?

[angiejg]

We used to be Crocs people, but not so much anymore. Last year DD13 came home from Disney with swollen ankles and a lot of pain. She has fallen arches and bad feet in general. I know she spent too much time in her flip flops, even though they were the cushiony kind that don't usually bother her. Can anyone recommend a shoe that would be comfortable for her, still cute enough for a teenager, and cool enough for the summer heat?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[Dallas_Lady]

I find a Teva or Keens-style athletic sandal to be the most comfortable. It's like having the support of a tennis shoe but it's cool and comfy like a sandal and does fine when wet. I got a knock-off pair at Academy Sports for like $20 and I wore them every day on our trip last June.

 

[KayLuvsMickey]

I think it's key to have more than one type of shoe with you. I wear tennis shoes on magic kingdom day, and crocs to Animal Kingdom, and yes, tevas for Epcot!!! Sometimes switching shoes out mid day helps me too. I'm not an over packer, but I never go to the world with less than three changes of footwear. Good luck!!!!

 

[kg66]

I just picked up some Sketchers, they are ultra lite and my DH says they look like a boxer's shoe. I'm sure they will be a lot cooler than traditional tennis shoes and a lot lighter too!Average price $50/pair.

 

[elaine amj]

I wear sneakers with moisture wicking socks. I bring two pairs and alternate. That said, in my teens and twenties, I wouldn't have been caught dead in sneakers. I wore heels everywhere - even on walks! I remember in my mid-20s I went to the zoo with friends and my one friend gasped because it was the FIRST time in all the years she had known me that she had seen me in sneakers LOL!

I would suggest trendy sneakers. I have a pair of Adidas that are black and neon yellow and I love them. They're not as comfy as my boring Saucony runners, but they look cool and I'm always looking for excuses to wear them. Another alternative are canvas shoes like Converse. Skechers are also a cuter option.

Moisture wicking socks are the key in hot weather. I discovered them a year ago and now happily pay premium prices for socks (which I thought was foolishness as I wore my dollar store socks). The ones with cushioning are really nice - I like my UnderArmour ones.

 

[agavegirl1]

I bring four pair of assorted footwear. A good pair of sneakers, my waterproof walking sandals, my Ekko sandals and my Sketchers sneakers and alternate at least daily. I wear the waterproof sandals on days when I'm doing drenching water rides.

 

[Art 1]

Air Jordans. They breath very well and are designed for the rigors of an NBA game and practice. It's the only brand that I have ever wore to WDW. Maybe 1000 times and have never had sore feet.

 

[aubriee]

I'm a flip flop diva and pretty much live in flip flops year around (except at work). However, a few years ago I developed plantar fasciitis and could no longer wear my beloved Teva Mush, Yoga Mats, Nike Celso, Yellow Box, or Reefs (never did wear the cheaper flip flops down there). However, I hate tennis shoes at WDW. They are just too hot and always gave me blisters, so I spent a small fortune on the quest to find the perfect flip flop that would give me the arch support I need. Now my favorites in order of comfort are: Ohana OluKai (don't care for the other Ohana styles though--not as comfortable), Sketcher Tone Ups, Orthoheels, Fit Flops, Montrail Molokini, and Volatile Keralee (don't care for the other styles of Volatile--again not as comfortable as the Keralees).

 

[CampbellScot]

I live in flip flops as well. (Same as another reviewer, Teva Mush, Sanuk Yoga Mat, Reefs etc!) I can't do sneaks in WDW. Way too hot for me!! I have found that Clarks makes pretty cute flips that have great arch support. Reef does make a flip called the Slap. They are very cushy and comfy, although not all that supportive.

If you go to footsmart dot com you will find a TON of foot and arch friendly shoes from sandals on up. All the best brands live there!! Let your daughter have a look. She'll find something!! Montrail Molokini are SUPER comfy and supportive but I found that they are pretty clunky looking if you have small feet. I looked ridiculous in them, but when my sister tried them on they looked great. We wear the same size but she is much taller than me and somehow they looked better on her "tall person" feet! She stole them from me and tells me all the time how amazing they are!!! Your daughter may have try on a few before she finds the right Disney foot wear!!

good luck!!

 

[harding0010]

Teva hiking sandles. If its cold out then a good pair of running shoes.

 

[AlohaKeke]

I highly recommend Toms! I have 4 or 5 pairs and have worn through at least 2. They are lightweight and provide arch support. I wear mine everywhere!

You can find them at the Toms website and also Nordstrom (other places are beginning to carry them as well). They run about $43 for a basic pair. They are also available at Curl in Downtown Disney and there is usually a person there who will paint a design on them to make them unique!

The other great thing about Toms is their philanthropy. They have a program called 'One For One' whereby when you purchase a pair of Toms they will donate a pair to a child in need.

 

[aubriee]

I live in flip flops as well. (Same as another reviewer, Teva Mush, Sanuk Yoga Mat, Reefs etc!) I can't do sneaks in WDW. Way too hot for me!! I have found that Clarks makes pretty cute flips that have great arch support. Reef does make a flip called the Slap. They are very cushy and comfy, although not all that supportive.

If you go to footsmart dot com you will find a TON of foot and arch friendly shoes from sandals on up. All the best brands live there!! Let your daughter have a look. She'll find something!! Montrail Molokini are SUPER comfy and supportive but I found that they are pretty clunky looking if you have small feet. I looked ridiculous in them, but when my sister tried them on they looked great. We wear the same size but she is much taller than me and somehow they looked better on her "tall person" feet! She stole them from me and tells me all the time how amazing they are!!! Your daughter may have try on a few before she finds the right Disney foot wear!!
good luck!!

I love my Montrail Molokini and turned my elderly mom onto them too. I prefer my OluKai Ohanas, but my mom wears her Molokini's most of the time. She says they're the most comfortable pair of shoes she owns. Those babies are comfortable right out of the box, but put them in the oven for a few minutes and then wear them around like the instructions say and they conform perfectly to every curve of your feet. You can see every swirl of your toeprints, ball of foot, and heel. The first pair I got her, she tried them on right out of the box and swore they were perfect and was afraid to put them in the oven. When I told her they'd be even more comfortable after baking them and wearing them around, and insisted on putting them in the oven as the instructions say, she threatened me if I scorched her shoes. She didn't trust me, even though I already had three pairs I had heated up in the oven.

Clarks are cute and comfortable for the most part, but seem to be heavier than my other favs and also rub a blister just below the ball of my foot if worn for long periods. My Reef Slaps and Reef Fannings both kill my plantar fasciitis and will also give me a blister under my big toe. I used to love them though, along with the Reef Ginger, Sandy, and Butter. I still wear the Reef Ginger every once in a while for short periods, because I love the way they and the Teva Ulani look (same flip flop, just different manufacturers--like the Teva Mush, but thinner straps and not quite as much arch support). I have yet to find a flip flop to compare to my beloved OluKai Ohanas though. Even with my wonky feet, I can wear them all day at WDW with no problems.

 

[Offsides]

I really like my Keen shoes. Outside of WDW, I live in flip flops (glad to see I'm not alone there!! ).. but tried wearing them while at the parks and it was disaster. I usually bring a pair and wear them around the hotel, or for about a half day in the parks. The rest of the time I wear the Keens.

 

[Debbie24020]

I'm a fit flop fan. Started off with a pair of sandals which are walked in now, then I got a pair of the black suede clogg design at christmas, which are now well on the way to being walked in. Today my best friend as presented me with a pair of the trainers for my birthday. At the minute they are killing me, but fingers crossed they will be well walked in and comfy by August.

 

[AshleeH]

New Balance tennis shoes which I break in months in advance (I just bought a new pair and I'm already breaking them in for our October trip) and Tevas for lighter days when my feet need a break from the socks and heavier shoes.