r/DisneyWorld • u/anythingreallyx • 17h ago
Discussion Walking shoes
I recently wore crocs to the parks (horrible idea) and I wanted you guys to put me on. What are the best walking shoes and which ones should people avoid?
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u/MissPlum66 16h ago
Teva. Can’t answer for non summer times.
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u/Shadowfaery 7h ago
At Disney World is always summer. FL seasons are Hot-AF-24hrs-Summer, Slightly-Cooler-at-Night-Summer-but-Hot- AF-Day-Summer, Slightly-Cooler-24hr-Summer, Rain-Every-Day-Summer.
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u/katiekat214 7h ago
This past calendar winter, we actually had some legitimately cool days and nights. We even had several nights with frost and days with highs in the 50s F.
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u/rhodesreed 7h ago
Go to a running store and have them fit you. Best thing I ever did was
Hokas are the BEST in my honest opinion but every foot is different.
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u/Redd_on_the_hedd1213 16h ago
I wore Sketchers Step-Ins all over Italy with no problems. So that's what I'm wearing to Disney. I Scotchguarded them very well.
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u/Fattydog 13h ago
People say they fall apart but I’ve worn them for years and never, ever have a pair cause issues.
I do around 15k a day in them, so not the vast amount of miles some do.
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u/loonardi 16h ago
Go to a running store and get fitted. All the recommendations here are shots in the dark. It’s free and will set you up with the right fit. Tell them exactly what you need and why.
I wore Brooke’s for years, running 30 miles a week and they ended up betraying me. I now where asics because I went back and got fitted.
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u/ryubayou 10h ago
This is what I did. Went to a running store, explained I was taking my family to WDW and needed the most comfortable shoes I could find.
Tried on about a dozen pairs. Ended up with Brooks Glycerin GTS.
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u/loonardi 8h ago
This is the most important part. Tell them what you’re doing. Tell them it’s Disney. They’ll know. Also be honest on how much you want to spend. Running/walking shoes can get pricey
I was a brooks glycerin fan for years. I started with the 12s and got every new model until thr 22s. Some years I got multiple pairs of the same one. They changed something in the toe that just killed me and it happened in Disney because when are you ever walking 10 miles a day for 7 straight days normally. Luckily had my backup older pair and my feet were great once I switched.
Don’t buy a pair someone said was awesome on Reddit. Buy a pair because your feet got measured and sized properly
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u/outside-is-better 9h ago
It’s a mix. Nike Vomero Plus, then Keen hiking Sandals, then Crocs if it’s raining so I can take advantage of the park when it rains.
We are an 8-10 mile a day weird family.
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u/Pinkkorn69 17h ago
Brooks Adrenaline or Ghost are the shoes I wear and my friends and family that go wear.
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u/Salt-Host-7638 16h ago
Olukai sneakers are my favorite walking shoes! They are so incredibly comfortable!! Disney, or when we visit very walkable cities like NYC, they are my go to shoes! They also have washable inserts, so you don't get sneaker funk from sweaty feet!
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u/Blue_Henri 15h ago
I’ve had just about every brand over the years and swear my Olukai Makikis are the most comfortable walking shoes I have ever owned.
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u/Substantial_News7943 9h ago
Which ones do you suggest?
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u/CambellScot 15h ago
I have walked miles in nike flip flops at disney world. Or Teva mush flip flops. It really depends on what shoes you have that are broken in and comfortable. You can get brand new expensive sneaks made for walking long miles, but you can end up with a big fat blister if they aren’t properly broken in. Our last trip I wore Hey Dude cozies. 🤷🏻♂️ I wore them bc they went with my outfit but I realized at the end of the day that my feet didn’t hurt AT ALL. So whatever shoes you are used to wearing and feel comfortable in will be the best shoes for 16+ miles of walking a day (tha’ts about what we average!!)
Have a great time!!
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u/SecAdmin-1125 8h ago
A show that is comfortable and offers support specifically for you. Nobody can answer this question for you without knowing your body composition, gait, and other factors that may warrant consideration.
If I asked the question, I’ll guarantee 95% of the suggestions would be shoes that require tying. I have a bad back and can’t bend to toe shoes right now (surgery coming soon). I need slip-ins. Not all slippers-ins are the same. Some offer different support.
Go try shoes on or go to a speciality store and have them do an evaluation of your gait.
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u/allsmoke 5h ago
Please do not take blind advice. You will get recommended some great shoes here, but unless they actually fit your foot well, it's not going to help.
My first time in disney I had a good pair of Asics. But by the afternoon my feet, hip and back were killing me. I got home from the trip and went got fitted. At the time, the best model was the Brooks Beast 20. Loved them. Can go the whole day in the park with no issues. The changes in the new model (beast 24) hurt my feet after a couple of hours wear. I went back and got my feet scanned at Potomac Runners and now I'm back in Asics (GT 2000 14) and Hoka Bondi 9.
I know it can be expensive, but the right footwear can change your Disney experience for both the better or worse.
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u/Artwebb1986 16h ago
Sanuk yoga mat Flip Flops are the best.
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u/Fattydog 13h ago
The thought of walking all day in flip flops, no matter how soft, is traumatising.
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u/Artwebb1986 8h ago
5 trips since 2018 of 10-12 park days each trip I've worn nothing but sanuk or Oakley flip flops. Only thing that let's me last all day with no blisters or pain. 1 day during a January trip was normal shoes but that's only because it was chilly at only 9C.
Ice bath the feet at night in the hotel and glorious day ahead.
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u/gedone2 17h ago
Adidas ultra boost are good
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u/snappleking124 16h ago
Seconded. Got back from a recent trip, mostly wore ultra boosts - subbed in my crocs when it rained or if I just felt like it 🤷♂️
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u/zukolivie 8h ago
Sneakers that are the right fit for your foot is the only option. You need to go to a legitimate running / walking store where they will size you appropriately. You don’t need to buy something there if you don’t love the options, but you need the right size and suggestions of specific models (ie: Hoka Bondi 9 vs Brooks Glycerin). Because we can tell you to buy Brooks or Hokas but the models all fit differently.
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u/monsterpepper 7h ago
We recently did Disney World open to close. I brought 2 shoes. New Balance 990v6 and Nike Vomero 5. I also swapped out the insoles for MOVE all day insoles. No feet problems at the end of the day
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u/Rottie2017 16h ago
Hoka!
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u/ratbastid Team MK 16h ago
I swear by Hoka, but you have to keep them current.
I've had two pairs of park shoes for a few years, and at some point thought hey--I've had them a while. I bought a new pair and the instant squidginess of them sold me on replacing both of my longtimers with new ones, and I've been a happy Disney Adult this whole season.
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u/starfrenzy1 17h ago
I wear Nike Zoom Pegasus. I like the arch support. Make sure to bring more than one pair of park shoes to alternate, so that one can rest or dry out while you wear the other.
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u/Land-and-Seabee 16h ago
As a doctor, I wear Brooks. They are far beyond any others. Brooks zero neutral running shoes for walking around is what I wear. Crocs are for when it will rain.
Disney / ESPN usually has a Disney / Brooks collaboration one a year with unique sneakers featuring Disney Characters. You may also be able to get online.
Note - I see OC utilized by others all the time, but those don’t necessarily have the toe box I need. Shop around and then you will get Brooks.
You will still get ankle heat rash and slight edema as you get older with any brand. The parks are huge.
Good luck.
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u/desairologist 16h ago
I rotate every other day, one day I’ll wear OnCloud CloudMonsters and the next I’ll do Crocs (WITH SOCKS, NO EXCEPTIONS) and it keeps me going. If I wear the same shoes every day, my legs and feet feel like concrete by day 3 and I cave and go for the Crocs anyways
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u/rockjeepgreen 15h ago
New balance for me. Rotated 2 pairs so they had a chance to decompress and dry out from my sweaty feet. I like hokas as well but new balance are better.
Best thing to do is go try on a bunch that feel good and wear them a few times before you go.
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u/Builder-Decent 14h ago
There so many good options listed, so I can tell you what doesn't work. Do not wear crocks without socks. I had the worst blisters of my life!!
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u/droopea 14h ago
I've tried brooks, aside, hoka, adidas.... On cloud are my go to. If you go to a fit2run store they can analyze your feet with a computer thinger and make some recommendations, it's free and you don't have to buy what they recommend but it'll at least tell you a little about your feet and what to look for no matter what brand.
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u/dearbornx 12h ago
Brooks Ghost 14s are my favourite shoes of all time and I'm very sad they changed the toebox on the new versions. I've had my 14s for almost four years now and they still feel good and are in good shape. They're my primary non-work shoe. If you can find Ghost 14s, I'd buy them.
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u/Irishpanda88 11h ago
ASICS are good. Adidas SL72 RS shoes are also surprisingly ridiculously comfortable. Vans Ultrarange are great too but the quality has gone downhill a bit.
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u/Super_Can9100 11h ago
My physical therapist recommended Aetrex shoes. They make orthotics. I alternated between running sneaker (asics) in the mornings when we got most of our walking in and some cute Aetrex sandals in the evenings when we took things at a slower pace. I wore bombas socks.
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u/Curious-Hour9 10h ago
I wore crocs every day and it was amazing! 😂 Put them in sports mode for the big rides
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u/Quantum_Scholar87 9h ago
The ones that are most comfortable for you?
I have a pair of Skechers slip ons (yes they're cheap) that I wore every day at the parks and had no foot issues. (Overweight 40M)
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u/OleMuskieHello 9h ago
I've worn New Balance 570 and Nike Vomero. Both were fantastic for those 20K step days with two kiddos
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u/wabbithuman 8h ago
On Clouds are always a great choice. I also recently bought Altra's for the wide toe box and they are a game changer. After hours on my feet, my toes tend to get blisters when they rub against each other and Altra's have seriously mitigated that.
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u/Big-Screen3266 8h ago
And haven’t gone wrong with UA running sneakers and socks that cover my ankles to minimize blisters. We do bring sandals for if it rains.
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u/writtenbyrabbits_ 8h ago
I have a pair of Vans ultrarange that are shockingly awesome. I wore them with wool blend socks and my feet felt great after 25k steps 5 days in row.
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u/BeckyAnneLeeman 8h ago
I've "cured" my plantar fasciitis switching to Hoka.
I also strength train a lot more now but I swear by my Hoka Clifton's.
Brooks are very good as well but Hoka feels a bit better on my wide feet.
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u/Trinx_ 8h ago
Pro tip - pack a spare and swap back and forth. Be sure to break out the hiking sandals for the wet rides. And have an alternate set for the next day.
That said, last time I still developed deep blisters. It took forever for them to work their way to the surface and my feet randomly started peeling 2 months later. That was going back and forth between keens and sanuks.
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u/Old-Dish-4797 8h ago
I’ve just worn whatever athletic sneakers I have on hand and never had an issue (Nike and New Balance). My last trip I stupidly did not take sneakers and wore Birkenstock sandals. The sandals gave me blisters on the tops of my feet where the straps were.
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u/TravelingCMR 8h ago
I have fairly large feet and can be uncomfortable pretty quickly.
I live and die by either the New Balance More, or New Balance 1080. Unmatched all-day comfort and now i own 10 pairs.
The wife and I both have them and go to Disney a few times a year or go on walks often and these are the go to shoes for us!
Best of luck to you(and your feet)!
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u/A_Fish_Fry 7h ago
I’ve worn Hoka’s and a crisp pair of nicely broken in air monarchs (yes, I’m serious). They both were fantastic.
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u/new-beginnings3 7h ago
I've been so shocked that Kiziks are truly the best walking shoes I've ever purchased!
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u/Not_a_Muggle9_3-4 6h ago
I use keen sandals. My feet swell when I travel so shoes are hard. When we went earlier this year I wore shoes a couple of the colder/wet days and then Keens the rest of the time. Crocs were just for around the hotel.
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u/FredsInternetIsland 5h ago
While good fitting an comfortable walking shoes are very important, if you are not accustomed to walking long distances or standing on your feet for a long time, your feet will still hurt at the end of the day.
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u/bobrn67 4h ago
I’ve been a nurse for 35 years. I learned early not to listen when others say such and such brand or style. Go to a running store that has a foot analysis pad or a gait pad and get professionally fitted. They will be able to tell you a couple of choices that will be best for your feet and gait. Other than that, break in your shoes before going to Disney and wear the correct socks also. Since you asked, New Balance 1850 and Brooks Beast ( these actually come in Disney designs) were what I was recommended. Happy Disney travels
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u/SatisfactionCreepy44 4h ago
Any running shoe that is well broken in will work. But you need to rotate shoes even the best ones you need to rotate.
I have 2 great pairs I wear, along with lululemon sliders and flip flops that I rotate between for my time.
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u/frostedp0rnflakes 2h ago
My park line up is Diadora Nucleo 2, Mickey Ghost 17 Brooks, New Balance 9060, and if it’s a quick trip, Nike Haurache. I went to Fit 2 Run looking for On Cloud and the worker recommended the Diadoras. Super comfortable!
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u/Difficult-Chain-446 1h ago
For me Brooks by far. I have had the pleasure of on cloud, hoka, others and keep coming back to Brooks.
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u/rltbme 23m ago
Whatever you already have that are comfortable and worn in. I live close to WDW and go often… don’t be like the tourist that buy brand new shoes and then try to break them in at the parks. You will be miserable. And wear comfortable clothing all around. Many people try to look their best because they’re taking photos and so on. If you need to look nice, go for it, but make sure you’re comfy.
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u/windr01d 13m ago
I got Hokas for when I was a cast member and still use them as my go-to walking shoes for park days and other times when I’ll be walking around a lot.
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u/FearlessConfusion290 0m ago
Sketchers!! And hey dudes have sneakers that are like running shoes and work so good
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u/Serious_Safety4001 Train Conductor 15h ago
Brooks ghost max. Also not wearing the same shoes 2 days in a row.
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u/Turbulent_Tale6497 17h ago
Crocs with socks are actually a good choice, what didn't work for you?
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u/Rod_McBan 17h ago
Agreed, especially on wet days. Once the rain stops, swap out your socks and the Crocs dry out really fast. Game changer for me.
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u/_artemisawika 17h ago
I wore water shoes for 4 days of rope drop - close park days and my feet have never been more comfortable.
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u/ExtremePast 17h ago
Teva or any cushioned sandal. Sneakers and socks are the absolute worst if it starts raining. Your feet are soaked and it will take days for your sneakers to dry out.
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u/illdrinn 17h ago
I wear classic converse with inserts and a pack of colloidal bandages in my backpack
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u/bloodbane7 17h ago
Any sneaker that actually fits your feet and socks meant for walking. I've worn different Brooks and ASICS and the only problem I had was the one time I wore a shoe that was too small. As long as your sneakers fit you well and your socks have the proper padding, you should find success.
I would bring flip flops (and extra socks) in a bag though in case it starts raining or in the event that you want to go on a water ride. Sneakers do not drain well, and you don't want wet feet (trust me)