Discovering the most effective sneakers 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. Nonetheless, 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 “excellent” sneakers 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 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 sneakers everybody wears. As a substitute, 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, digital camera physique, or tripod is ideal–all of them include compromises. With sneakers, these embody weight, cushioning, responsiveness, breathability, assist, dryness, and so forth.
Might 26, 2024 Replace: Simply needed to provide everybody a fast heads up that the official Crocs storefront on eBay has choose males’s, girls’s and children’ kinds (121 totally different varieties, to be actual!) on sale if 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 ought to be mechanically 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 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 season?
Both method, count on one other replace to this checklist of the most effective sneakers for Walt Disney World very quickly. On the behest of readers and runners, we’re presently placing pairs of Hokas and On Clouds by way 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. (Up to now, 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 after I’d be on my ft loads. (No complaints about previous pairs of Glycerins, however I’ve tried different kinds 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 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 ft gained’t damage after logging miles within the parks. So far as sandals go, each supply a shocking quantity of arch assist.
A number of years in the past, circumstances have 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 received again to regular, these marathon park days have been much less widespread as locals, so Nike Free Runs turned our sole soles.
As soon as we resumed touring, I used to be rapidly “reminded” of the necessity for higher cushioning and assist when logging tens of hundreds of steps day in and time out. That restarted my quest for the right shoe, which led us to a few very totally different choices…
The primary fruit of that quest is the Crocs LiteRide 360 Pacer Sneakers. Through the years, this weblog has had a love-hate relationship with Crocs. I feel the conventional clogs are hideous, however the consolation is simple. (I additionally love loads of the over-the-top Walt Disney World Crocs designs–may as effectively 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 Trend Week, however they’re far much less eye-catching. They don’t stick out in individual or in photographs, as a substitute 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 a substitute 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 Footwear supply 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 snug, 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 evaluation of Crocs clogs. So probably not 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 most effective of each worlds–the consolation and springy steps of Crocs, coupled with the model and construction of sneakers. One factor that’s additionally crucial to me in a shoe is pace. This may occasionally not matter to many individuals, however I would like to have the ability to energy stroll by way 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 occasions are low. Common Crocs are too loose-fitting and informal for that. The LiteRides are usually not–they’re speedy sneakers.
In terms of Walt Disney World, one other large promoting level is how sneakers deal with warmth, humidity, and storm season. A part of the explanation I like Crocs–and all extra breathable sneakers–is as a result of my ft have an unmatched capacity to supply appalling odor. This could be TMI, however after sporting most common sneakers for a full day throughout the summer season at Walt Disney World, my socks are basically poisonous waste. That isn’t a difficulty with Crocs.
Equally as vital, Crocs are quick-drying. Afternoon showers can come out of nowhere at Walt Disney World, and regardless that we’re diligent about watching the climate radar and avoiding spontaneous storms, we nonetheless get caught in them occasionally. I’ve had pairs of sneakers completely ruined on account of the one-two punch of my smelly ft and getting (and staying) moist at Walt Disney World. (The truth is, 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 mates who put on the LiteRides with out socks; extra energy to those that can do this, however I can’t!) This can be a actually huge deal to me and the principle cause the Crocs LiteRide is now my go-to Walt Disney World shoe for the months of Might by way of October.
With that mentioned, 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 unfavorable 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 incessantly or with out socks. Your mileage might differ on that, although. I don’t put on common Crocs with out socks, both.
I additionally don’t presently plan on sporting Crocs LiteRides for November by way of April. I feel Crocs LiteRide Footwear are essentially the most well-rounded footwear for Walt Disney World, however the entire aforementioned qualities are usually not all the time wanted. Different months of the 12 months, there are extra snug choices that work higher for me.
At the moment, choose kinds of Crocs LiteRide 360 Pacer Footwear (for Males) and Crocs LiteRide 360 Pacer Footwear (for Ladies) are 50% off on Amazon. I don’t know that that is truly a sale, as this deal was obtainable after I purchased my first pair just a few months in the past. Regardless, that is the most cost effective value 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 very totally different path: Adidas Ultraboost. I had heard folks singing the praises of the Enhance foam for years, however frankly, discovered the model’s sneakers 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 assumed truly seemed good…mere days earlier than the affiliated designer lastly and totally went off the deep finish. Excellent timing.
Nonetheless, 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 sneakers supply an amazing 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 a minimum of 20,000 steps per day in the identical pair of Boosts over the course of a complete 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 Enhance believer, and utterly get the cult-like following.
I’ve had different sneakers 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 sneakers, however none even come near rivaling what Adidas has completed with the Ultraboost. The choices from Nike and Brooks are robust–and I undoubtedly favor Nike Flyknit materials–however the consolation didn’t evaluate.
All the sneakers I’ve had between these two manufacturers both skewed in the direction of softness or responsiveness. They didn’t do each just like the Boosts. (Completely totally different model, however about the one sneakers I like in addition to Boosts are Nike Air VaporMax Flyknits. Sadly, somebody has mentioned she gained’t exit in public with me if I’m sporting these.)
With that mentioned, 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 troublesome promote for me. The Florida warmth and humidity paired with my ft’s terrible capacity 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 testing. I hope each supply varieties with Flyknit model uppers at some point; I’d love to provide them a shot.
In the end, as ought to be apparent right here…or from buyer critiques…or just the vary of footwear obtainable in numerous kinds and shapes…there isn’t any excellent shoe answer. Nonetheless, I’ve been extremely happy with the Crocs LiteRide 360 Pacer Footwear, and admittedly a bit stunned at how effectively they mix the strengths of Crocs and common sneakers, whereas eliminating lots of the drawbacks at a comparatively cheap value.
At the least for me, that makes them near the right sneakers 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 sizzling 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? Study resorts on our Walt Disney World Accommodations Opinions web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Opinions. To save cash 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 Trip Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the most effective place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the pieces you should know!
Your Ideas
What are your favourite sneakers 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’ sneakers? Have you ever tried the varied kinds 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 effectively within the sizzling, 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 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!
