Discovering one of the best footwear for Walt Disney World and Disneyland is tough. In our pursuit of perfection, we’ve discovered that there’s no one-size-fits-all ‘favourite’ footwear. However, we’ve gained tons of expertise and worn out dozens of soles on the parks and share our findings with you right here. (Up to date Might 26, 2024.)
Once more, there isn’t any such factor as “good” footwear for Walt Disney World. Like footwear itself, there are two elements to this. The primary is that non-public choice, particular person consolation, and the distinctive contours of your toes and physique are large components. In the event that they weren’t, the scientists would’ve simply perfected footwear a long time in the past and there’d be one pair of footwear everybody wears. As an alternative, there are hundreds.
Second, it’s all about tradeoffs. This has been a tough lesson that I’ve discovered when chasing my different theme park white whale, which is images. No lens, digicam physique, or tripod is ideal–all of them include compromises. With footwear, these embody weight, cushioning, responsiveness, breathability, assist, dryness, and so forth.
Might 26, 2024 Replace: Simply wished to provide everybody a fast heads up that the official Crocs storefront on eBay has choose males’s, ladies’s and children’ types (121 completely different varieties, to be precise!) on sale once you apply the promo code MEMORIALTWENTY at checkout. With this, save an additional 20% off orders $50+, 25% off orders $75+ or 30% off orders of $100 or extra. The low cost needs to be robotically utilized at checkout, and transport is free.
This contains all kinds of Crocs (together with the LiteRides we suggest beneath), most of that are discounted earlier than the Memorial Day coupon code, too. Simply figured it was value mentioning this as a result of we haven’t seen gross sales on these footwear through Amazon shortly. They was half-off with regularity (making them cheaper than the eBay worth), however that hasn’t been the case shortly. Maybe throughout Prime Day once more this summer season?
Both means, count on one other replace to this checklist of one of the best footwear for Walt Disney World very quickly. On the behest of readers and runners, we’re at present placing pairs of Hokas and On Clouds by means of the paces–fairly actually. We’ve been logging over 10,000 steps per day in varied pairs for the final month, and can report our leads to one other month or so. (To this point, the Hoka Bondi 8 is the winner!) So keep tuned.
We’ve been across the block a number of instances with footwear at Disney. I initially began utilizing Nike Free Runs ages in the past to enhance my mechanics, alternating between these for lighter use and Brooks Glycerins for longer runs or days after I’d be on my toes loads. (No complaints about previous pairs of Glycerins, however I’ve tried different types of Brooks in the previous few years and wasn’t as a lot of a fan.)
Sarah additionally was an enormous fan of Nike Free Runs for some time, however blended it up with a pair several types of sandals. She wears each the Crocs LiteRide Stretch Sandals and the OluKai Ohana Sandal. Each of those steadiness consolation and cuteness, and supply sufficient assist so your toes gained’t damage after logging miles within the parks. So far as sandals go, each supply a shocking quantity of arch assist.
Just a few years in the past, circumstances had been such that we weren’t touring in any respect and most of our strolling was restricted to some miles round our neighborhood or, as soon as the parks reopened, laps round EPCOT’s World Showcase. Even after issues bought again to regular, these marathon park days had been much less widespread as locals, so Nike Free Runs grew to become our sole soles.
As soon as we resumed touring, I used to be shortly “reminded” of the necessity for higher cushioning and assist when logging tens of hundreds of steps day in and day trip. That restarted my quest for the proper shoe, which led us to a few very completely different choices…
The primary fruit of that quest is the Crocs LiteRide 360 Pacer Sneakers. Over time, this weblog has had a love-hate relationship with Crocs. I believe the conventional clogs are hideous, however the consolation is plain. (I additionally love lots of the over-the-top Walt Disney World Crocs designs–may as effectively lean into the ugliness of the footwear!)
For me, these have all the regular upsides of Crocs with out (most of?) the hideousness. They’re definitely not going to be noticed throughout Milan Vogue Week, however they’re far much less eye-catching. They don’t stick out in individual or in pictures, as an alternative having a impartial or ‘invisible’ look that disappears or blends into the background. After all, magnificence is within the eye of the beholder, so let’s as an alternative discuss efficiency.
I’ve now discipline examined the Crocs LiteRide Sneakers extensively on a number of days on each coasts and completely love them. For these accustomed to Crocs, the froth insoles are super-soft, extremely gentle, and springy. The Crocs LiteRide Sneakers supply sink-in softness whereas placing a little bit of pep in your step, with the attribute consolation of Crocs. (Which means that for those who assume regular Crocs are snug, you’ll additionally like these; for those who discover regular Crocs uncomfortable, these gained’t be what wins you over.)
That’s precisely how I’d write a succinct assessment of Crocs clogs. So not likely something earth-shattering–they’re precisely what you’d count on of regular Crocs. The distinction, from my perspective, is that these are regular footwear. As a lot as I like the consolation of Crocs, I can’t do a full day clocking 20k steps in them. They’re not as responsive as common footwear and my toes have a bit an excessive amount of freedom in them, with the top consequence being blisters.
The Crocs LiteRide Sneakers are one of the best of each worlds–the consolation and springy steps of Crocs, coupled with the fashion and construction of footwear. One factor that’s additionally essential to me in a shoe is pace. This will likely not matter to many individuals, however I would like to have the ability to energy stroll by means of the parks, undertaking loads throughout Early Entry and knocking out as many rides as doable on the finish of the night time when wait instances are low. Common Crocs are too loose-fitting and informal for that. The LiteRides are usually not–they’re speedy footwear.
In relation to Walt Disney World, one other large promoting level is how footwear deal with warmth, humidity, and storm season. A part of the rationale I like Crocs–and all extra breathable footwear–is as a result of my toes have an unequalled potential to supply appalling odor. This could be TMI, however after sporting most common footwear for a full day through the summer season at Walt Disney World, my socks are primarily poisonous waste. That isn’t a problem with Crocs.
Equally as vital, Crocs are quick-drying. Afternoon showers can come out of nowhere at Walt Disney World, and despite the fact that we’re diligent about watching the climate radar and avoiding spontaneous storms, we nonetheless get caught in them once in a while. I’ve had pairs of footwear completely ruined because of the one-two punch of my pungent toes and getting (and staying) moist at Walt Disney World. (Actually, that is how/why most of my footwear have been “retired” over the past a number of years.)
With the Crocs LiteRide Sneakers, I merely swap out my socks after a day storm and am able to roll. (I’ve pals who put on the LiteRides with out socks; extra energy to those that can try this, however I can’t!) It is a actually massive deal to me and the principle motive the Crocs LiteRide is now my go-to Walt Disney World shoe for the months of Might by means of October.
With that stated, I nonetheless gained’t put on the Crocs LiteRide on consecutive full days within the parks. It’s not that I’ve tried and have had damaging outcomes, I’m simply not prepared to threat it. There are areas of the uppers the place the material meets the mesh that appears and feels to me prefer it’d be a recipe for blisters if worn too often or with out socks. Your mileage could differ on that, although. I don’t put on common Crocs with out socks, both.
I additionally don’t at present plan on sporting Crocs LiteRides for November by means of April. I believe Crocs LiteRide Sneakers are essentially the most well-rounded footwear for Walt Disney World, however all the aforementioned qualities are usually not at all times wanted. Different months of the 12 months, there are extra snug choices that work higher for me.
At present, choose types of Crocs LiteRide 360 Pacer Sneakers (for Males) and Crocs LiteRide 360 Pacer Sneakers (for Ladies) are 50% off on Amazon. I don’t know that that is truly a sale, as this deal was out there after I purchased my first pair a number of months in the past. Regardless, that is the most cost effective worth I’ve seen and we simply picked up a pair for Sarah to check out.
For the opposite days after I don’t want the Crocs qualities, I’ve gone in a completely completely different course: Adidas Ultraboost. I had heard individuals singing the praises of the Enhance foam for years, however frankly, discovered the model’s footwear a bit ugly and was skeptical that Adidas might truly ship. Quick ahead to final fall and I lastly pulled the set off on a ‘pop-culture’ pair of Boosts that I believed truly appeared good…mere days earlier than the affiliated designer lastly and absolutely went off the deep finish. Excellent timing.
However, the consolation of the Boosts was instantly obvious and I opted to put on them throughout our month-long journey to Japan. The easiest way to explain Boosts is springy but comfortable. The footwear supply an incredible quantity of cushioning and are plush consequently, however by some means additionally supply responsiveness and pace. They’re maybe essentially the most paradoxical shoe I’ve ever worn, like an especially exaggerated model of Crocs.
After logging no less than 20,000 steps per day in the identical pair of Boosts over the course of a complete month, my toes nonetheless felt nice. For his or her half, the footwear additionally nonetheless appeared nice—they’re sturdy and grippy along with being bouncy. I’m now a Enhance believer, and fully get the cult-like following.
I’ve had different footwear that ‘borrow’ from the Enhance playbook, together with the Nike React Infinity and ZoomX, in addition to Brooks trainers with their DNA expertise. These are all nice footwear, however none even come near rivaling what Adidas has achieved with the Ultraboost. The choices from Nike and Brooks are robust–and I positively favor Nike Flyknit materials–however the consolation didn’t examine.
The entire footwear I’ve had between these two manufacturers both skewed in direction of softness or responsiveness. They didn’t do each just like the Boosts. (Completely completely different fashion, however about the one footwear I like in addition to Boosts are Nike Air VaporMax Flyknits. Sadly, somebody has stated she gained’t exit in public with me if I’m sporting these.)
With that stated, there are some drawbacks–no less than for me. My Boosts are heavy and clunky, and even with the extra breathable primeknit higher, they’re nonetheless too hefty and thick for me to put on to Walt Disney World in the summertime (when the Crocs come out to play). Not all Ultraboosts are like this–many have a sleeker profile and use thinner materials for even higher breathability.
Talking of which, this has been the dealbreaker for me with Hoka. I’ve heard nothing however good issues about these footwear, and a seemingly ever-increasing variety of Disney followers swear by Hoka. I don’t doubt the refrain of reward for its consolation, however the thicker higher makes them a troublesome promote for me. The Florida warmth and humidity paired with my toes’s terrible potential to sweat and produce odious odors is just too a lot. On Clouds is one other similarly-styled up-and-coming model that’s additionally doubtlessly value testing. I hope each supply varieties with Flyknit fashion uppers sooner or later; I’d love to provide them a shot.
Finally, as needs to be apparent right here…or from buyer critiques…or just the vary of footwear out there in several types and shapes…there isn’t any good shoe resolution. Nevertheless, I’ve been extremely happy with the Crocs LiteRide 360 Pacer Sneakers, and albeit a bit shocked at how effectively they mix the strengths of Crocs and common footwear, whereas eliminating most of the drawbacks at a comparatively cheap worth.
A minimum of for me, that makes them near the proper footwear for Walt Disney World, with one of the best steadiness of qualities and compromises for visiting the months of the 12 months when Central Florida is scorching and/or moist. (Learn: most months!) Given what number of Disney followers additionally appear to like Crocs, we figured sharing a heads up about this new-to-us shoe line from the favored model was value sharing. For individuals who are vehemently anti-Crocs, hopefully a few of our different suggestions and ideas on footwear that work greatest for us at Walt Disney World and past proved helpful to you!
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about resorts on our Walt Disney World Inns Critiques web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Critiques. To economize on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys submit takes a singular have a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Experience Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, one of the best place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for every little thing that you must know!
Your Ideas
What are your favourite footwear for Walt Disney World or Disneyland? Do you go for particular footwear that gives added consolation, assist, or springiness when doing the parks, or simply your ‘regular’ footwear? Have you ever tried the varied styles of Crocs within the parks? Did you want or dislike their efficiency? Do you prioritize operate over trend, or vice-versa? Any choices that carry out significantly effectively within the scorching, humid, and moist climate of Central Florida? Do you agree or disagree with our recommendation? Any questions we may help you reply? Listening to your suggestions—even once you disagree with us—is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
