Discovering the very best sneakers for Walt Disney World and Disneyland is troublesome. 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 Might 26, 2024.)
Once more, there isn’t any such factor as “good” sneakers for Walt Disney World. Like footwear itself, there are two components to this. The primary is that non-public desire, particular person consolation, and the distinctive contours of your ft and physique are big elements. In the event that they weren’t, the scientists would’ve simply perfected footwear many years in the past and there’d be one pair of sneakers everybody wears. As a substitute, there are 1000’s.
Second, it’s all about tradeoffs. This has been a troublesome lesson that I’ve realized when chasing my different theme park white whale, which is pictures. No lens, digital camera physique, or tripod is ideal–all of them include compromises. With sneakers, these embody weight, cushioning, responsiveness, breathability, help, dryness, and so forth.
Might 26, 2024 Replace: Simply wished to offer everybody a fast heads up that the official Crocs storefront on eBay has choose males’s, girls’s and children’ types (121 totally different varieties, to be actual!) on sale whenever 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 routinely utilized at checkout, and delivery 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 price mentioning this as a result of we haven’t seen gross sales on these sneakers by way of Amazon shortly. They was once half-off with regularity (making them cheaper than the eBay value), however that hasn’t been the case shortly. Maybe throughout Prime Day once more this summer time?
Both approach, count on one other replace to this record of the very best sneakers for Walt Disney World very quickly. On the behest of readers and runners, we’re at the moment placing pairs of Hokas and On Clouds by 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 date, the Hoka Bondi 8 is the winner!) So keep tuned.
We’ve been across the block just a few occasions with sneakers 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 once I’d be on my ft rather a lot. (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 combined it up with a pair various kinds of sandals. She wears each the Crocs LiteRide Stretch Sandals and the OluKai Ohana Sandal. Each of those stability consolation and cuteness, and supply sufficient help so your ft gained’t damage after logging miles within the parks. So far as sandals go, each provide a stunning quantity of arch help.
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 acquired 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 rapidly “reminded” of the necessity for higher cushioning and help when logging tens of 1000’s of steps day in and day trip. That restarted my quest for the proper shoe, which led us to a few very totally 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 feel the conventional clogs are hideous, however the consolation is plain. (I additionally love numerous the over-the-top Walt Disney World Crocs designs–would possibly as properly 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 particular person or in images, 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 area examined the Crocs LiteRide Sneakers extensively on a number of days on each coasts and completely love them. For these acquainted with Crocs, the froth insoles are super-soft, extremely mild, and springy. The Crocs LiteRide Footwear provide sink-in softness whereas placing a little bit of pep in your step, with the attribute consolation of Crocs. (That means that in case you assume regular Crocs are comfy, you’ll additionally like these; in case you 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 sneakers. As a lot as I really like the consolation of Crocs, I can’t do a full day clocking 20k steps in them. They’re not as responsive as common sneakers and my ft have a bit an excessive amount of freedom in them, with the top end result being blisters.
The Crocs LiteRide Footwear are the very best of each worlds–the consolation and springy steps of Crocs, coupled with the fashion and construction of sneakers. One factor that’s additionally crucial to me in a shoe is velocity. This may occasionally not matter to many individuals, however I need to have the ability to energy stroll by the parks, carrying out rather a lot throughout Early Entry and knocking out as many rides as doable on the finish of the night time when wait occasions are low. Common Crocs are too loose-fitting and informal for that. The LiteRides should not–they’re speedy sneakers.
With regards to Walt Disney World, one other big promoting level is how sneakers deal with warmth, humidity, and storm season. A part of the rationale I like Crocs–and all extra breathable sneakers–is as a result of my ft have an unmatched capability to provide appalling odor. This may be TMI, however after sporting most common sneakers for a full day through the summer time at Walt Disney World, my socks are basically poisonous waste. That’s not a problem with Crocs.
Equally as necessary, 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 every so often. I’ve had pairs of sneakers completely ruined because of the one-two punch of my pungent ft and getting (and staying) moist at Walt Disney World. (In truth, that is how/why most of my sneakers 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!) This can be a actually huge deal to me and the primary cause the Crocs LiteRide is now my go-to Walt Disney World shoe for the months of Might by 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 unfavourable 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 continuously or with out socks. Your mileage might fluctuate on that, although. I don’t put on common Crocs with out socks, both.
I additionally don’t at the moment plan on sporting Crocs LiteRides for November by April. I feel Crocs LiteRide Footwear are essentially the most well-rounded footwear for Walt Disney World, however all the aforementioned qualities should not all the time wanted. Different months of the yr, there are extra comfy choices that work higher for me.
At present, choose types of Crocs LiteRide 360 Pacer Footwear (for Males) and Crocs LiteRide 360 Pacer Footwear (for Girls) are 50% off on Amazon. I don’t know that that is really a sale, as this deal was out there once I purchased my first pair just a few months in the past. Regardless, that is the most affordable value I’ve seen and we simply picked up a pair for Sarah to check out.
For the opposite days once I don’t want the Crocs qualities, I’ve gone in a completely totally different path: Adidas Ultraboost. I had heard folks singing the praises of the Increase foam for years, however frankly, discovered the model’s sneakers a bit ugly and was skeptical that Adidas may really ship. Quick ahead to final fall and I lastly pulled the set off on a ‘pop-culture’ pair of Boosts that I believed really seemed good…mere days earlier than the affiliated designer lastly and absolutely went off the deep finish. Good timing.
However, the consolation of the Boosts was instantly obvious and I opted to put on them throughout our month-long journey to Japan. One of the best ways to explain Boosts is springy but delicate. The sneakers provide an amazing quantity of cushioning and are plush in consequence, however by some means additionally provide responsiveness and velocity. They’re maybe essentially the most paradoxical shoe I’ve ever worn, like a particularly exaggerated model of Crocs.
After logging a minimum of 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 sneakers additionally nonetheless seemed nice—they’re sturdy and grippy along with being bouncy. I’m now a Increase believer, and fully get the cult-like following.
I’ve had different sneakers 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 sneakers, however none even come near rivaling what Adidas has achieved with the Ultraboost. The choices from Nike and Brooks are sturdy–and I positively favor Nike Flyknit materials–however the consolation didn’t evaluate.
All the sneakers 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 totally different fashion, however about the one sneakers 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–a minimum of 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 sneakers, 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 tricky promote for me. The Florida warmth and humidity paired with my ft’s terrible capability 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 price trying out. I hope each provide varieties with Flyknit fashion uppers sooner or later; I’d love to offer them a shot.
In the end, as needs to be apparent right here…or from buyer opinions…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 glad with the Crocs LiteRide 360 Pacer Footwear, and admittedly a bit stunned at how properly they mix the strengths of Crocs and common sneakers, whereas eliminating lots of the drawbacks at a comparatively affordable value.
At the least for me, that makes them near the proper sneakers for Walt Disney World, with the very best stability of qualities and compromises for visiting the months of the yr 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 sneakers that work finest for us at Walt Disney World and past proved helpful to you!
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about accommodations on our Walt Disney World Inns Critiques web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Critiques. To save cash on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets put up. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys put up takes a novel have 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 very best place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the pieces you’ll want to know!
Your Ideas
What are your favourite sneakers for Walt Disney World or Disneyland? Do you go for particular footwear that provides added consolation, help, or springiness when doing the parks, or simply your ‘regular’ sneakers? Have you ever tried the varied styles of Crocs within the parks? Did you want or dislike their efficiency? Do you prioritize operate over style, or vice-versa? Any choices that carry out significantly properly within the scorching, humid, and moist climate of Central Florida? Do you agree or disagree with our recommendation? Any questions we will help you reply? Listening to your suggestions—even whenever you disagree with us—is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!