Wild Africa Trek - Shoes?

[chuff88]

I just booked the Wild Africa Trek for 8 am on 10/3, and I’m so excited! My mom thinks we’re doing Caring for Giants and I’m surprising her with this experience (she’s not familiar enough with Disney’s offerings to know that’s Caring for Giants isn’t available that early). I’m trying to preserve the surprise, so I want to give her as little info as possible. We’re planning to wear Keens sandals for most of the trip. We both have a pair that are closed toe with back straps. Has anyone worn Keens sandals on one of these tours?

 

[reluctantredhead]

We wore sneakers. I can't remember if they said just "no open toed shoes" or "no sandals at all"...hopefully someone will chime in with an answer to your question soon.

I hope you and your mom enjoy the Wild Africa Trek...it was one of the highlights of our April trip, and my H said it was his favorite thing he's ever done at WDW!

 

[Allison]

You should be able to find the details in the description on the website.

 

[chuff88]

You should be able to find the details in the description on the website.

The website basically just says close-toed shoes and no flip flops. Our Keens are close toed and not flip flops, but I really don’t want to show up and not be able to participate because of our shoes. But I also don’t want to wear my running shoes all day if I don’t have to.

 

[GillianP1301]

I haven't done it myself, but if "closed-toed shoes" is the description then you should be just fine with Keens with closed toe and heel strap. You could always call and double check - which is probably what I would do because if there is something to stew over and worry about, I'll find it and won't stop until I can confirm otherwise.

 

[WishICouldSpeakWhale]

We wore sneakers. They do provide a locker to store any loose stuff while you're on the tour. You could always put a more comfortable pair of shoes in the locker and take your sneakers off after the tour. (Of course, you then have to carry those sneakers around for the day...)

I agree with other posters, call and ask about the shoes you have. The tour requires a lot of walking; you'll want to be comfortable.

 

[Gwmort1]

The rule is just closed toe, I wore my water shoes when I did it in 2012.

I had been training for 6 months to lose enough weight to go on the tour and the water shoes were 0.6 lbs lighter than my sneakers. It was a great experience have fun.

 

[loves to dive]

I wore tennis shoes but I'm sure the closed toe keens will be fine. I regret not wearing mine because I have ingrown toenails on my big toes and after wearing tennis shoes for 4 hours, I lost the nail on one toe from the pressure. I agree with others, if it's really worrying you, just call and ask but really as long as they are closed toe I don't think it will matter.

 

[drwadadli]

Here is what the website says...

Closed-toe shoes with a back strap or hiking boots are required. No flip-flops will be allowed.

My wife says she would wear sneakers instead.

 

[Sugardimples]

Keen's will be fine.

 

[chuff88]

I wore tennis shoes but I'm sure the closed toe keens will be fine. I regret not wearing mine because I have ingrown toenails on my big toes and after wearing tennis shoes for 4 hours, I lost the nail on one toe from the pressure. I agree with others, if it's really worrying you, just call and ask but really as long as they are closed toe I don't think it will matter.

Neither of us have ingrown toenails, but we're both prone to getting really hot feet, and the Keens are nice because they're sturdy, breathable and waterproof, which is why I'm inclined to wear them. They are specifically designed to be "adventure" type shoes, so this seems like exactly the situation for them.

For anyone curious, I can't remember the EXACT shoes my mom and I have, but I think we both have either a Venice or Newport style.