What Shoes To Wear?

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by stephwynn
I have one question, haven't been to the World for many many years, and I keep wondering one thing....are there NO restrictions about closed toes for the rides???? I know here at home when we go to the local fair, one of the stipulations is that you have closed toe shoes for certain rides? Can somebody confirm that open toe sandals are okay? If that's the case, I'm running out to get a new pair of birks! My absolute favorite, and I'll still have time to break them in!

I never had a problem wearing open toed sandals at WDW. You should be fine. Go with what is most comfy on your feet!

 

[cdpa4d]

How about trying this:
When we go every year, I buy cushioned socks. They have a cushion on the Heel, ball, and top of the foot. They really make a big difference in the way your feet feel at the end of a long day walking. You can buy them at any running, or specialty shoe store. If you try them let me know how they work out for you. Most people I have talked to that used them really liked them and in some cases live by them.
Good luck and have a great trip!
ADP

 

[MEM]

I also recommend Tevas -- I bought them for my entire family last August from Sierra Trading Post which often has great deals on "discontinued" styles. They are a very sharp Navy blue with lime green blazes...paid about $30 per pair with free shipping on all four pairs. I brought sneakers to wear on the plane and figured I would alternate them with the Tevas at the parks, but loved the Tevas so much, I wore them the entire time, with no blisters. My feet are also wide, but I had no problems -- I ordered one size up since my foot is more than a 7 but less than an 8. I did wear them for several weeks at home before the trip so there would be no "hot spots". DH has size 13EE feet and his Tevas worked well for him too. The kids liked theirs too, although I bought them a little big so they can wear this summer and they pulled the straps pretty tight to keep from shifting around.

 

[goofy4tink]

Land's End makes a straprunner type sandal also. I wore mine last August and they were terrific. Also took sneakers but since it rained a lot, we really needed the sandals. Dh has the Nike Straprunners and likes his and he is not a sandal person.

 

[NotUrsula]

Well, I personally don't think you need sneakers at all; at WDW our family wears sport sandals at all times in the parks. We used to bring sneakers, too, but we found we never wore them, so we leave them home now. I've only been in cold weather once, and waterproof hiking shoes were better than sneakers for that situation, IMO.

For those of you who worry about open toes on your sandals (not that WDW has any rules about it, but some people are just toe-stubbers) a brand you might like to try is "Keen" sandals. They have a molded toecap to protect your toes; kind of a fisherman style. DH got a pair at REI (marked down in the Outlet), and they have them on their website if you want to see what they look like: http://www.rei.com/online/store/Search?stat=7889&langId=-1&storeId=8000&textQuery=keen

BTW, for ladies who have wide feet and want to try sport sandals; try a man's style 2 sizes smaller than what you normally wear. (I find that the men's colors tend to be more neutral, too.)
I wear Straprunners in the parks myself.

Oh, and for those who want a good price on Thorlo sport socks, try your local Marshall's store. They often have them for $2/pr., as opposed the the usual $10 retail.

 

[Ann]

TEVAS! These sandals are the best! I have the "Circuit" style which is basically like strapping a really good walking shoe sole to your feet, and you have the advantage of a waterproof sandal. They are expensive, but mine have lasted me for years!

 

[stinkerbelle]

Originally posted by NotUrsula
Well, I personally don't think you need sneakers at all; at WDW our family wears sport sandals at all times in the parks. We used to bring sneakers, too, but we found we never wore them, so we leave them home now. I've only been in cold weather once, and waterproof hiking shoes were better than sneakers for that situation, IMO.

ditto ditto ditto.

during the warm months it's my Teva flip flop (yes - they make flip flops - the most comfortable in the world) and my Adidas soccer slides. (night time - different story, all new shoe) I'm just afraid of getting a 'sock tan line' hehehe.

i do have my nike's to slip into...but they are more like 'skateboarding' sneaks...so very comfy to walk in for me.

 

[pammy1027]

I wasn't used to that type of non stop walking, so even in my Tennis Shoes, I got a really bad blister I would recommend getting a pair of those trendy little tennis shoes that don't have a back on them just in case you run into problems. Bring bandaids and Dr. Scholls Gel inserts!

 

[RUDisney]

My feet know when we set foot on Orlando soil and begin to blister. The last time we were at WDW, we were there for 10 days and I never got one blister. Mine usually occur between my toes and the ball of my foot. The secret to my non-blistering success? Merrell Jungle Mocs and Thorlos socks. The jungle mocs are waterproof and the thorlos are padded enough to take the miles and miles of walking while keeping moisture wicked away from your tootsies.

TJ Maxx also sells thorlos socks for much less than retail.

 

[crazelion]

I have the best of both worlds. I wear tennis shoe sandels. I have a pair of skecters at Marshells. I bought a pair of tennis shoe sandels a K-mart for 9.00 dollars.

New Balance walking shoe is exellent shoe for walking. I take tese WDW me to. Also I worked in the summer new balance walking shoes and my feet never hurt.

I always bring two pair shoes with me just in case it rains.

 

[Ronda93]

I second the Teva's, but I do like variety. It takes a lot of space in the suitcase, but we usually take two pair of running shoes and some Teva's on every trip.

Nothing is worse than getting caught in a downpour and not having backups for the next day. Shoes take forever to dry. Disney resorts have a sign in the laundries talling you not to dry shoes and they make their point by having very loose catches on the dryer doors. After two minutes of shoes banging around in there the door gets knocked open and your, what is it, two dollars, buck fifty is wasted and your shoes are still wet.

If it's warm we can go with the Teva's all the time.

 

[DreAnna Clayton]

I thought the same thing, tennis shoes were a must. That is until I tried Teva's they were the most comfortable sandles I have ever worn. Teva sandles were the only shoe I wore during our last trip to the world. And were were there for seven nights and eight days. I only take my tennis shoes as an emergency back up.

 

[zumbergc]

To aid in the drying of your tennis shoes.
Take the daily newspaper, and crumple it up
and stuff it into the shoe. I think most of the
resorts give you the paper, at least I'm thinking
Swan & Dolphin do, I can' t remember about theregular
disne resort.
It absorbs the water.
Just be careful of the black ink with your
after stuffing, and removing the newspaper.
Your hands may get the ink on them so don't
wipe them on your clothing. Also dispense
the paper into the trash and not onto something
that could possibly get stained by the wet newpaper.

You may want to switch the paper more
than once to help in the drying.

Like if you get back in the afternoon,
stuff the paper in, then change again at night.
Same would be true if the shoes were all wet at
night. Change the paper in the morning.

Connie

 

[laurabelle]

REI Outlet Store
I just bought a pair of Teva women's flip flops here for $10, and if you have an REI store nearby, you can get free shipping by picking it up at the store.

 

[tinkie]

I just checked back after posing the original shoe question! What a wealth of knowledge you all are! I am going to have to get busy today checking out some stores !!! Thank you so much!

And my feet thank you!

*T&B - I think I will do the haircut for my son - sounds like a fun idea! Thanks!

 

[stinkerbelle]

Originally posted by laurabelle
REI Outlet Store
I just bought a pair of Teva women's flip flops here for $10, and if you have an REI store nearby, you can get free shipping by picking it up at the store.

ooohh...you're going to LOVE them! they are so comfortable! (I have 3 or 4 pairs. heheh...but I bought them at Bob's for like $20 each...but so worth it!) Might have to get some new ones from REI...thanks for the link!

 

[tinkie]

I was having trouble finding some of the brands mentioned here locally and I couldn't have gotten it shipped fast enough so...I found a great substitute:

The brand is Chaco -kind of pricey but they are VERY comfy and should do the trick!

http://www.chacousa.com/products/performance/z2co.html

check em out in the above link. I found them at a local outdoorsy store (not REI)

THANKS SO MUCH for all the great advice....I would have been one blistered girl if not for you!

 

[grammagail]

this is off the subject (sorry) - but where did you get your pink breast cancer ribbon icon - I too am a 2 year survivor!!!!!

 

[sue Z]

so far every yr for the past few in january when Easy Spirit has there big sale in the stores and in its own store I buy my self a new pair to use at WDW!!!

one yr I totally for got the sale and wore a pair of Nikes and did my feet hurt!!

After that time I vowed never to miss that sale!!

I already have my new pair broken in for my trip in a week and half!!

Last yrs pair I know use at work!!!

 

[laurabelle]

Originally posted by grammagail
this is off the subject (sorry) - but where did you get your pink breast cancer ribbon icon - I too am a 2 year survivor!!!!!

Congratulations!!! I'm a 5 yr survivor! Here's a link to a bunch of pink ribbon clipart, the one I have is on there. Pink Ribbon Clipart
Here's to our good health for many, many more years.