I need some help with finding a good pair of shoes/inserts for my trip.

[Disney_Belle]

I'm hoping someone can help me out here...

We are going to WDW in 36 days wooooo :sohappy:

But anyways lol - Last year I developed plantar fasciitis in my feet, and it can cause quite a bit of pain in my arches. I have it pretty much under control seeing that I use a night splint and stretches that I do. However when I went to WDW last year on my honeymoon, when I woke up in the morning I could barely put my feet on the ground because it felt like the arches were just going to rip it hurt so bad. When I was walking around they didn't bother me, but it was late at night after a day at the park and was always at its worst in the morning.

So what I was wondering is if anyone has any suggestions for shoes/inserts to help this. I know its a pretty common problem so I'm hoping someone can help me.

I have a pair of crocs, as ugly as they are, they are really comfortable and seem to help with the pain, althought I don't use them for long distances (usually just around the house and stuff) but I don't know how they will work in WDW. I know everyone is different but I'm just looking for some advice from people who may have experienced the same thing if there are shoes or inserts, etc that helped you???

Thanks!!!

 

[yankspy]

My wife is a marathon runner and she manages a specialty running shoe store. I would advise trying to find one of these stores in your area and have them fit you for a pair of shoes. Everyone is different so a pair of shoes that works for one may be horrible for another. If the store knows what they are doing they should spend at least a half an hour with you, watching how you walk, etc.

Whatever you do, stay away from soft inserts like "Dr Scholl's gels" or anything like that. Your feet need support, it sounds like especially your arches. These stores also sell special inserts that are sturdy if you need them as well. Hope this helps.

 

[wdwCC]

I don't know how much you want to spend, but take a look at Z-coil shoes. I have had knee trouble due to sports. They have had a habit of popping out a number of times, and these shoes help big time. I used them to walk around WDW in October for 4 full days without a problem. Take a look, maybe they can help.

 

[krankenstein]

The best shoes I have found are the Crocs Flip-Flops. I used to have a horrible time with my feet until I started wearing them. No problems since.

 

[jjbuster2]

If your out trying on shoes anyway, try the hybrid shoes made by Keen. The sell them at the outdoorsy hiking stores. They are open air (like sandals) but with hiking shoe soles. I don't have any specific physical problems (other than being perpetually out of shape) but i got a pair before my 1st trip and now with 7 trips (plus countless attempts at the tread-mill) on the original pair, I finally bought my 2nd pair.
You just might like these...beware, the usually run in the neighborhood of $100.

 

[Wolfclan Dan]

first of all, I am no doctor, however i am not sure if 36 days is enough time to properly wear in a pair of sneakers.

i would go with brand spankin new crocs.

 

[Master Yoda]

I agree with yankspy 100%. Go to a store that specializes in therapeutic foot wear. A good one will not only have the equipment to properly determine what you need but have good staff that really knows what they are doing.

 

[Disneykidder]

I had surgery on both of my tootsies last October. Since then I cannot walk barefoot (wear slipper at home) or kneel or stand on my tippy toes. So, when we went to WDW in August, I was concerned about my feet, as well.

I bought a pair of Mary Jane crocs to try. They were so comfy with or without socks. (I would only wear them with black socks since they were black with black slacks) I was also a skeptic, since they are quite unappealing. They worked out great in Disney. I didn't wear them everyday, though. I switched off with sneakers and socks. Dr. Schols also make sneakers and slippers. I have a pair of sneakers from them with no back. They are very comfy.

I have orthotic inserts and they make my feet feel tight and not so comfy. The crocs did the trick. Check with your foot doc to see what they reccommend, though.

 

[GoofyDadKB]

Just food for thought. I had the same pain in my left foot and suffered through a trip to Disney with it. After trying sever different shoes and stretches I found out the problem wasn't in my foot but in my lower back. I felt no pain in my back so I didn't even think of it. My hip was out of alignment and causing strain on all of the muscles in my left leg. I went to a chiropractor a couple of times and now I don't have the problem anymore. Something to think about.

 

[Phonedave]

I had posted a response, but then the site went down.

Short and sweet, you need arch support for the condition you have. Your arches hurt when you stand on them first thing in the morning because you are "ripping" the healing that happend when you rested them overnight. Wearing somthing soft and squishy with no real support (like a croc) is not the answer. It can feel better, because if you completely detach the ligament from the stretching, it will not hurt from stretching anymore.

You have a diagnosed and understood injury. Go to a specialist and get the correct orthotics to let your injury heal.


-dave

 

[faeryhollow]

I feel your pain! I also had plantar fasciitis in both feet, and made 3 trips to WDW while suffering with it. I agree with phonedave, the off-the shelf inserts don't work, and I also suggest that you consider having custom orthotic inserts made for your feet. They are expensive, but I was fortunate that my insurance covered the complete cost as well as the podiatrist visit (except for a co-pay). It took about 3 weeks to get them made, and I wore them for a couple of weeks before we went on our trip to get used to them. I even wore them in my slippers. I wore nothing but running shoes with the inserts for over 2 years, and am happy to report that I no longer have a problem. I don't see how I would have made it through 8-9 days of walking at WDW without them. It did take over 2 years, but I'm fine now. I also want to recommend some shoes that I've worn the last 2 trips, our last one being last week. I wore WalMart Faded Glory Mary Jane slide style shoes. They are about $10-$12, and are the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn. My feet didn't even hurt at the end of the day in these (or very little), and I didn't get a single blister either trip. I always had miserable blisters every other trip. They come in different colors, also. They won't work with orthotic inserts, but when your feet are better or for those people who don't have your condition, they are great. When your feet hurt it's really hard to enjoy yourself, and WDW is an expensive endeavor, so I recommend that you take care of your feet before you go if possible.

 

[Disneysue]

I'm hoping someone can help me out here...

We are going to WDW in 36 days wooooo :sohappy:

But anyways lol - Last year I developed plantar fasciitis in my feet, and it can cause quite a bit of pain in my arches. I have it pretty much under control seeing that I use a night splint and stretches that I do. However when I went to WDW last year on my honeymoon, when I woke up in the morning I could barely put my feet on the ground because it felt like the arches were just going to rip it hurt so bad. When I was walking around they didn't bother me, but it was late at night after a day at the park and was always at its worst in the morning.

So what I was wondering is if anyone has any suggestions for shoes/inserts to help this. I know its a pretty common problem so I'm hoping someone can help me.

I have a pair of crocs, as ugly as they are, they are really comfortable and seem to help with the pain, althought I don't use them for long distances (usually just around the house and stuff) but I don't know how they will work in WDW. I know everyone is different but I'm just looking for some advice from people who may have experienced the same thing if there are shoes or inserts, etc that helped you???

Thanks!!!

I have the SAME issue! My insurance would not cover custom inserts so I went on a quest to find "off the rack" tennis shoes with good arch support and found 3 kinds. For traditional tennis shoes, New Balance shoes are AMAZING!! I didn't need any break in time at all. I took a new pair to my first WDW trip last year and my dogs were great. I also wear Sketchers. I can tromp all day in either one of these brands of tennis shoes and my heals do not hurt at all. I also found a GREAT brand of flip flops that I used when I went to Hawaii this past February, Bite Shoes. They have sandals, tennis shoes, flip flops, and a web site :sohappy:. There is also another brand that is more expensive but IMO, worth it. The brand is Naot. The insoles are cork and can be replaced. I have had my Naot's for 5 years and they are not showing any sign of wear. They did cost $130 but since I've had them for so long, they have been worth it. I am a retail manager and was a teacher for 4 years. I am ALWAYS on my feet and the brands I have listed make my feet feel great and pain free!

 

[KC82271]

Been there, done that! Just down in the World 4 weeks ago. Was diagnosed with PF back in August. Received cortisone shots, did PT and got specially ordered orthodics. Took NSAIDs. Even wore a boot at night. Have it in both feet - it was more so in the left. Podiatrist talked my into $140 New Balance sneakers with the above orthodics. Got to Disney on Saturday night, and half-way through Sunday, the pain in my right foot was so bad. I didn't let it stop me, it just slowed me down. Each night I would use Icy Hot and each mornig, I would rub my foot down again. Seemed to help some.

On another board, I had read about these special crocs for PF available at crocsrx.com. They are the Crocs Relief. They were as ugly as could be because they have no holes on the top, and unfortunately, they only had an ugly tan color. I bought them, and figured "if" I needed them, I had them. Let me tell you, they were worth it. I switched between the sneakers and the crocs during the day and although I wasn't 100%, I could walk.

Good luck!

 

[tigsmom]

As ugly as you may think they are crocs are the way to go. I bought some during our last trip and wore them for 3 days. I NEVER had any pain in my feet/ankles/knees and I always have problems when I walk. I could not believe how comfortable they were and even though it was August my feet never sweat and there were no blisters.
There are many different styles of crocs so you could probably find a pair that are esthetically pleasing to you. My niece has the mary janes and they are cute, I have sandals as well as the cayman and I even saw croc pumps!

 

[Captain Disney]

I have 2 jobs and am on my feet for qpprox 15 hours a day. I had a female coworker tell my about Birkenstock shoes and sandles. I looked into buying a pair on sandles and could not beleive how expensive they were. I finally broke down and bought a pair, took them to Disney on our honeymoon, had tham on my feet almost non stop for 7 days. I now own 5 pairs of Birkenstock shoes, 1 pair of clogs, and that same pair of sandles. We have been married now for 6 years. I have had the sandles resoled 4 times. My recommendation would be to wear Birkenstock shoes or sandles. I have the same problem as you do with your feet. The Birkenstock shoes and sandles have done wonders for the way my feet feel after being on my feet for so many hours every day. Good Luck with you shoe decision.

 

[SewIn2Disney]

I wear crocs every single day of my life---I own over 10 pairs, so of course I'm going to tell you to go that route.
If you love crocs, but don't like how they look, crocs now makes shoe insoles that you can put into another pair of shoes---and it works great.
You can order them directly from the crocs website, but do it soon, because in the past they've been a little slow on the shipping.

 

[YankeeMouse]

Crocs, crocs, crocs, the beach model. I used to get blisters on my little toes and pain from heel spurs. After discovering Crocs about 5 years ago, my feet are no longer an issue on our 3 or 4 time a year trips to WDW. Trust me. I tried everything else before them.

 

[maryszhi]

i use doctor soles (SP?) ones in everything. i have big feet with big arches and it helps. i use them in gym shoes, my irish dance shoes, heels, exc.

 

[maryszhi]

also try crocs they are a god send

 

[disneypearl]

I was told that asics are a great brand for plantar faciitis. My arch is slowly getting better and am concerned about my trip in 19 days. I was told by a couple people that asics are a nice shoe for arch support. I also have a pair of Tacco arch support inserts ordered and coming in the mail any day now. These inserts are not made of gel (which I have been wearing).

A few tips that seem to work:

Fill the bathtub with cold water and sit on the edge while soaking your feet after a long day of walking in the park. I did this last time, and while being tired and soaking your feet in very cold water isn't fun, it really seemed to help my feet.

Never go barefoot or walk around with only socks. Keep your shoes on as much as possible. I even keep my shoes next to my bed so that I can put them on first thing in the morning. I wear a night splint as well.

Hope your arch feels better soon! It seems to take a long time for them to get better though. Enjoy your upcoming trip! :wave: