Discovering the most effective footwear for Walt Disney World and Disneyland is tough. In our pursuit of perfection, we’ve realized 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 July 17, 2024.)
Once more, there isn’t a such factor as “excellent” 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 ft and physique are enormous 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 realized when chasing my different theme park white whale, which is pictures. No lens, digicam physique, or tripod is ideal–all of them include compromises. With footwear, these embrace weight, cushioning, responsiveness, breathability, assist, dryness, and so forth.
July 17, 2024 Replace: Simply wished to provide everybody a fast heads up that there are some nice footwear on sale for Amazon Prime Day:
The opposite large replace is that we’ve been testing a wide range of footwear over the past 12 months at the most effective of readers and runners within the feedback to the unique publish and on social media. This primarily revolved round placing Hoka and On Clouds via the paces–fairly actually.
Sarah ordered 5 pairs of Hoka footwear and three fashions of On Clouds to put on round our home, and see what labored greatest for her. Slightly than embracing the zany and eclectic colorways that outline each manufacturers, Sarah purchased muted pairs of On Clouds and all-black Hokas. (Actually each pair is all-black.) After just a few days of testing, she eradicated all pairs of On Clouds from competition and stored the Hoka Bondi 8 and Hoka Clifton 9.
The clear winner for Sarah is the Hoka Bondi 8, which affords most cushioning for an ultra-plush experience. It’s their softest and least responsive shoe, providing a better mattress of super-soft cushioning and extra forgiving influence. The Hoka Bondi could be very “cloudlike,” to borrow a time period from that different model. It’s additionally one of many ugliest footwear I’ve ever seen. The only real and heel are enormous and clunky, enormously outsized to the purpose of trying comical. No offense to Sarah, however they seem like clown footwear.
No matter appears, Sarah loves them. She additionally factors out that it’s not like my footwear are hip, and in addition that outsized soles are presently in model for some dumb cause (she’s proper on each counts, sadly). We logged roughly 20,000 steps per day in Could and June, and Sarah wore the Hoka Bondi 8 nearly each single day. She by no means had any foot ache or accidents (apart of the norm) and she did so whereas babywearing more often than not.
Publish-pregnancy and babywearing is the primary cause Sarah wanted new footwear. Previous to final 12 months, her go-to footwear had been the Nike Free Runs, that are basically the reverse of the Hoki Bondi. She went from barefoot-like to ultra-cushioning, mainly a full 180. It was a bit extra gradual than that, as she used different footwear throughout later months of being pregnant.
Regardless, the Nike Free Runs are a no-go now, and I doubt there’s ever any going again from plush footwear. Though she may dial it again a bit–after we’re strolling much less, she now wears Brooks Glycerin.
Talking of which, the Brooks Glycerin StealthFit is now my go-to common strolling shoe for Disney–however I additionally rotate footwear much more than Sarah. I’ve used a wide range of Brooks, additionally together with the Levitate and Ghost. I desire both of these for his or her vitality return when operating, whereas favoring the Brooks Glycerin when strolling.
I even have a wide range of Nike and Adidas (as mentioned beneath) that provide related cushioning. And I likewise examined out each Hoka and On Clouds (albeit in-store, a lot extra restricted testing). The kinds I attempted of each had been nice–undoubtedly one thing I’d’ve worn! Nevertheless, they had been additionally all full value, which was like $140+ for each single pair. I can get Brooks or Nike on sale for round half of that and these had been nothing actually revolutionary to my ft, so I opted in opposition to shopping for them. The distinction was extra pronounced for Sarah–and could possibly be for you, too.
For me, the Brooks Glycerin had been the candy spot of high quality, cushioning, and value. As somebody who’s an enormous fan of Nike Flyknit and just about any shoe with sock-like uppers, I cherished the StealthFit particularly and acquired that model. In opinions, I see that not everybody agrees with that sentiment and most runners desire the usual model. To every their very own on that, I suppose. Like footwear normally, there’s no one-size-fits-all reply!
I’m additionally a really large fan of the Crocs LiteRide 360 Pacer Sneakers in relation to Walt Disney World, particularly. Through the years, this weblog has had a love-hate relationship with Crocs. I feel the traditional clogs are hideous, however the consolation is simple. (I additionally love a whole lot of the over-the-top Walt Disney World Crocs designs–may as nicely lean into the ugliness of the footwear!)
For me, these have the entire regular upsides of Crocs with out (most of?) the hideousness. They’re definitely not going to be noticed throughout Milan Style Week, however they’re far much less eye-catching. They don’t stick out in particular person or in images, as an alternative having a impartial or ‘invisible’ look that disappears or blends into the background. In fact, magnificence is within the eye of the beholder, so let’s as an alternative discuss efficiency.
I’ve worn the Crocs LiteRide Sneakers extensively on a number of days on each coasts and completely love them. The froth insoles are super-soft, extremely gentle, and springy. The Crocs LiteRide Footwear supply sink-in softness whereas placing a little bit of pep in your step, with the attribute consolation of Crocs. (Which means that in case you assume regular Crocs are comfy, you’ll additionally like these; in case you discover regular Crocs uncomfortable, these received’t be what wins you over.)
Crocs LiteRides are my go-to footwear throughout storm season at Walt Disney World or for carrying to the seaside. Exterior of these circumstances and wet days, I don’t put on them a lot within the ‘actual world.’ They’re nonetheless Crocs, c’mon.
Previous to being pregnant and changing into a Hoka convert, Sarah additionally wore each the Crocs LiteRide Stretch Sandals and the OluKai Ohana Sandal. Each of those steadiness consolation and cuteness, and supply sufficient assist so your ft received’t damage after logging miles within the parks. So far as sandals go, each supply a shocking quantity of arch assist.
That’s precisely how I’d write a succinct overview of Crocs clogs. The distinction, from my perspective, between these sandals or Crocs clogs and the LiteRide footwear is that they’re basically regular footwear. As a lot as I really like the consolation of Crocs or their sandals, I can’t do a full day clocking 20k steps in them. They’re not as responsive as common footwear and my ft have a bit an excessive amount of freedom in them, with the tip outcome being blisters.
The Crocs LiteRide Footwear are the most effective of each worlds–the consolation and springy steps of Crocs, coupled with the model and construction of footwear. One factor that’s additionally essential to me in a shoe is velocity. This will likely not matter to many individuals, however I would like to have the ability to energy stroll via the parks, undertaking loads throughout Early Entry and knocking out as many rides as doable on the finish of the evening when wait occasions are low. Common Crocs are too loose-fitting and informal for that. The LiteRides should not–they’re speedy footwear.
Relating to Walt Disney World, one enormous 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 ft have an unmatched skill to provide appalling odor. This is likely to be TMI, however after carrying most common footwear for a full day through the summer time at Walt Disney World, my socks are basically 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 sometimes. I’ve had pairs of footwear completely ruined because of the one-two punch of my pungent ft and getting (and staying) moist at Walt Disney World. (In actual fact, that is how/why most of my footwear have been “retired” over the past a number of years.)
With the Crocs LiteRide Footwear, I merely swap out my socks after a day storm and am able to roll. (I’ve associates who put on the LiteRides with out socks; extra energy to those that can try this, however I can’t!) It is a actually large deal to me and the primary cause the Crocs LiteRide is now my go-to Walt Disney World shoe for the months of Could via October.
With that stated, I nonetheless received’t put on the Crocs LiteRide on consecutive full days within the parks. It’s not that I’ve tried and have had destructive outcomes, I’m simply not keen to danger 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 regularly or with out socks. Your mileage could differ on that, although. I don’t put on common Crocs with out socks, both.
As hinted at above, I additionally don’t put on Crocs LiteRides for November via April. I feel Crocs LiteRide Footwear are probably the most well-rounded footwear for Walt Disney World, however the entire aforementioned qualities should not all the time wanted. Different months of the 12 months, there are extra comfy choices that work higher for me.
Presently, choose kinds of Crocs LiteRide 360 Pacer Footwear (for Males) and Crocs LiteRide 360 Pacer Footwear (for Ladies) are on sale at Amazon. I don’t know that that is truly a sale, as this deal was accessible once I purchased my first pair.
For the opposite days once I don’t want the Crocs qualities, I’ve gone in a very completely different route: Adidas Ultraboost. I had heard individuals singing the praises of the Increase foam for years, however frankly, discovered the model’s footwear a bit ugly and was skeptical that Adidas may truly ship. Quick ahead to final fall and I lastly pulled the set off on a ‘pop-culture’ pair of Boosts that I assumed truly seemed 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 gentle. The footwear supply an amazing quantity of cushioning and are plush consequently, however by some means additionally supply responsiveness and velocity. They’re maybe probably the most paradoxical shoe I’ve ever worn, like an especially exaggerated model of Crocs.
After logging at the least 20,000 steps per day in the identical pair of Boosts over the course of a whole month, my ft nonetheless felt nice. For his or her half, the footwear additionally nonetheless seemed nice—they’re sturdy and grippy along with being bouncy. I’m now a Increase believer, and utterly get the cult-like following.
I’ve had different footwear that ‘borrow’ from the Increase 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 sturdy–and I undoubtedly favor Nike Flyknit materials–however the consolation didn’t examine.
With that stated, there are some drawbacks–at the least 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.
One other shoe that does come shut is the Nike Pegasus. This is without doubt one of the hottest and iconic trainers of all-time, with responsive cushioning for an energized experience, together with lighter-weight vitality return because of the ReactX foam midsole. Whereas I feel these are nice trainers, that serves a unique want than visiting the parks. I desire only a bit extra plushness and barely much less responsiveness for days at Disney, so the Pegasus aren’t my most popular shoe for that.
The one exception is when doing runDisney occasions. For these races, the Nike Pegasus is my go-to shoe…for now. I just lately ran the Disneyland Half Marathon within the Pegasus, though I debated whether or not to make use of the Brooks Ghost or Levitate, two different footwear I additionally use for operating. However once more, strolling vs. operating is a unique dynamic.
Finally, as needs to be apparent right here…or from buyer opinions…or just the vary of footwear accessible in numerous kinds and shapes…there isn’t a excellent shoe resolution. Nevertheless, I’ve been extremely glad with the Crocs LiteRide 360 Pacer Footwear, and admittedly a bit shocked at how nicely they mix the strengths of Crocs and common footwear, whereas eliminating most of the drawbacks at a comparatively cheap value.
No less than for me, that makes them near the right footwear for Walt Disney World, with the most effective 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 price sharing. For many 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 Motels Opinions web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Opinions. To economize on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a singular take a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Experience Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the most effective place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for every part it’s essential to know!
Your Ideas
What are your favourite footwear for Walt Disney World or Disneyland? Do you go for particular footwear that provides added consolation, assist, or springiness when doing the parks, or simply your ‘regular’ footwear? Have you ever tried the varied forms 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 notably nicely within the scorching, humid, and moist climate of Central Florida? Do you agree or disagree with our recommendation? Any questions we may also help you reply? Listening to your suggestions—even if you disagree with us—is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
