Originally Posted By wonderingalice Wow! You guys are awesome! SO many great suggestions! I need to research a couple more brands now. I looked at and read about Danskos yesterday and those seem to be the favorite of a LOT of people, too. Just need to find a store here that carries them so I can check it out. And *LMAO* TDG! (I loved The Chris Farley Show! I've got high arches, too... That's part of the problem - getting the support in just the RIGHT spot has been a struggle for me for a long time now. I'm leery of flip-flops at Disneyland because of all the toe-smashing risk factors and it'll be chilly while we're there. There are definitely some styles out there made for walking, though... I wore a pair of Sketcher flip-flops in Hawaii that were VERY comfy, but I'm not sure I could survive Disneyland in them - there was a bit of slipping/friction going on in the soles. Tried on some Crocs last night at Sports Chalet. They're pretty comfortable and I couldn't believe how extremely lightweight they are... Like wearing nothing! The weirdest thing was that I seem to need a 7-8, which they don't make... The sizes went 6-7, 8-9, etc. I was 'swimming' in the 8-9, and my big toe was pushing too much in the front of the 6-7. Soooooo... They didn't have an 8-9 in the "Off Road" style in stock, but I think those might work nicely for me (along with swapping back and forth with, hopefully, a great pair of Ecco or Dansko shoes) at Disneyland. I tried that style because they're a bit more rugged (and even uglier... *LOL*) AND the rear strap is adjustable, which I think will make up for the extra space in the size 8-9. The too-big pair I tried on last night actually snugged-up enough to work well, but looked especially ridiculous because there was about an inch+ of extra sole sticking out the back. Hee hee hee hee... Thanks again for all the great advice! I'll let you know what I wind up getting AND how they work out! Right now, I'm nursing a stubbornly healing blister on my right heel that I developed during a four-mile breast cancer fundraiser walk last Saturday. If it's better by tomorrow, I'm heading out shopping again.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ Wow, I feel really lucky. I don't get blisters from my shoes, nor does anyone in my extended family. I'm trying to remember the last time I got one.
Originally Posted By wonderingalice I think I've made sock mistakes, SuzieQ... Cotton made sense - until it slayed me. Last night I bought some really nice walking socks with CoolMax - that SHOULD make the difference, I hope. And I just ordered two pair of Crocs online - One "Off-Road" and one "Mary Jane"... Figured it's definitely worth trying them out!
Originally Posted By Wavesprite1 I can't wear crocs because I'm in between sizes, but I would COMPLETELY wholeheartedly suggest Keen's. They are a more sturdy sandle/shoe (google them) and while more expensive, are so GREAT!!
Originally Posted By Wavesprite1 Oh, and I wanted to say, too, that I was looking at the Crocs website and they have some strap for inside the back strap to make them fit better... Oh, and I wore my Keens' for two weeks touring China, no problems.
Originally Posted By wonderingalice Hey Wavesprite1... I'm going to check out Keen's in a store here that's on my way to the Ecco store... I'm hoping that the adjustable strap on the Crocs will make the difference. Something I noticed online, too... The Beach model is the one that comes in the funky sizes... everything else comes in whole sizes, so I ordered my regular size 8. I'm hopeful!
Originally Posted By fkurucz I think that it depends on lot on the shape of your foot. For me, nothing beats Columbia hiking shoes, but thats just me.
Originally Posted By SDmom I have high arches and highly recommend Merrell. They have a great sturdy sole. I have several pair and don't wear anything else to DL. <a href="http://www.merrellboot.com/Shop/Detail.aspx?NavID=FT-TW-MOC&PID=11087" target="_blank">http://www.merrellboot.com/Sho p/Detail.aspx?NavID=FT-TW-MOC&PID=11087</a>
Originally Posted By nk28 hi everyone...I'm heading down to Disney soon but am not sure what kind of footwear to bring? Any suggestions for someone with arthritis in their feet plus any suggestions for kids?
Originally Posted By 2much2do I wore Crocs (3 days) and Eccos (1 day) at Disneyland in April. I wouldn't even have known about Crocs had I not read so much recommendations on this site. I was more comfortable in the Crocs. I have high arches and chronic problems with my feet. I had to give up running because my feet get hot and uncomfortable when I'm on them too long. The Crocs were wonderful. My kids loved them too. We were one of those families with four people wearing different neon colored Crocs (DH can't bring himself to wear the ugly things). I heartily recommend them. I can't say my feet weren't tired after a day at Disneyland, but I had no real problems. For me, that's pretty amazing. I wear my Crocs every chance I get - I don't care if they're ugly.
Originally Posted By nk28 thanks 2much2do...I'll definitely look into getting some pairs of crocs...I think my girls would really like them because they're so different than what they normally wear
Originally Posted By wonderingalice Thanks for the additions to my research list! And 2much2do... Thanks for the glowing recommendation. I hope they'll work as well for me as they did/do for you!
Originally Posted By DlandJB I hope I'm not too late. I totally and completely love my Crocs!! I have three pairs now -- black, white and olive. I have heel spurs and my Crocs are the only shoes that I can wear without orthodics. For someone like me who lived barefoot for many years, it is almost liberating. When I wear sneakers to the park my feet last only about a day. I get much more time out of my crocs. I just wore my Crocs, with socks, for the CHOC Walk (how Dr. Suess is that???) about 4+ miles plus we stayed on at the Park for several more hours -- my feet never complained. Yes, I did wear them at my wedding RECEPTION. I hid them under the table and switched out of the lovely but killer heels after the ceremony. My dress was long enough to hide them. I also think they are ugly, but frankly, no one is looking at my feet anyway, so I will choose comfort over style when I'm allowed to make that choice (which is alot of the time) The sizes are strange. I wear an extra small shoe by their standards (a size 6 women's) Your feet are supposed to have some "swimming" room, so don't worry if they feel a little loose. Socks are a good idea for this time of year because it can get chilly. I'm going to buy a pair for my mother in law who lives in Portland that are made without the holes (you can get them from the Croc web site) because there is too much cold and rain up there. My son and I count crocs when we are around the Park. We are seeing an increasing number of them -- the most recent was on a father and son. And the bright yellow crocs do make you look like you have Donald feet. Let us know what you decide and have a wonderful trip!
Originally Posted By DlandJB The Beach model is the one that comes in the funky sizes... everything else comes in whole sizes, so I ordered my regular size 8. I'm hopeful! >>> Yes, I have whole size ones.
Originally Posted By SoThisIsLove DlandJB, your timing is perfect. I'm going to take the plunge this weekend and buy a pair for our trip to DL next week. Do you recommend trying them on with or without socks? My feet are quite wide (think Fred Flintstone). Will they be okay with Crocs? Thanks to everyone on this thread!
Originally Posted By wonderingalice Yes, JB! Your timing is FAB! I love all of this encouragement toward Crocs... I feel like there's real hope for my troublesome feeties! Though I was disappointed last night when trying them on (my feet were beyond swimming in the Beach-style size that was supposed to work for me), I'm excited to receive the two pair I ordered online this morning. And I'll be doing a LOT of walking in them between now and December... Just to make sure. SoThisIsLove... Have you been stopping the car with your feet again?? ;-)
Originally Posted By atinkfan nk28, While I can't recommend Crocs or any other suggestions since I have not tried them myself, I can tell you what we did for our kids when there a couple weeks ago. Both boys, ages 7 and 4, took 2 pairs of sneakers and 1 pair of sandals to wear if we went to the pool. Having that 2nd set of shoes is a lifesaver for your feet. I would alternate days on which shoes the boys wore so they did not wear the same shoes 2 days in a row. (you wouldn't believe what a difference it makes!) Also, if we came back to the room to change for dinner or for the evening, the boys and I would all change into another pair of shoes.
Originally Posted By triskybear I just returned from DLR on Monday and spent 5 days in the parks - I brought my sneakers and a pair of crocs. Well, I spent the entire time in my crocs!! They are great!! Not only are they comfy but if you go on a ride that gets wet (Splash Mountain & Grizzly River Rapids) your shoes and feet dry out in no time. They have a variety of styles to choose from so you can pick the one you think looks the most fashionable. Also, both of my kids (age 3 & 5) wore them all 5 days in the park and they never complained that their feet hurt or got any blisters. I highly recommend Crocs!
Originally Posted By quincytoo Shucks....now I am wondering if I should throw my crocs into the suitcase that is going to hold at least 5 pairs of shoes....just for me!!!!! The males in my family will tease me endlessly.. Sigh...this thread has not made this easy for me ..
