If you’re trying to figure out which shoes are the most ideal for walking around Walt Disney World, you’re in the right place. We’re going to take a look at which shoe brands are most often worn to the parks, based on a study performed by Zach Thomas.
Zach, who’s most commonly known as Foot Doctor Zach, recently logged shoes during his time at Walt Disney World to see which shoe brands were worn the most frequently. After seeing the results of his study, which can be seen in this reel, we decided to take a further look at the benefits of these shoes.
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10. Crocs – 1,421
In last place for the most commonly worn shoes at Walt Disney World are Crocs. Medically speaking, many podiatrists don’t recommend wearing Crocs for long periods of time. The biggest reason being their lack of arch support. This can make walking in them for a long amount of time uncomfortable, especially for those who have flatter feet. The lack of arch support can also lead to knee and back pain.
Even so, Crocs are one of the most common shoes that you’ll see at Walt Disney World. Many Guests swear by their comfortability. Crocs are made out of Croslite, which is a closed-cell resin material that is soft, lightweight, and waterproof. They also provide an ample amount of space inside, which not only creates a roomier space for your foot, it’s also ideal for those who suffer from things such as bunions or swelling of the feet.
My husband and son both wore Crocs all day, everyday, on our last Disney vacation. Neither one complained of discomfort during or after our trip. Whether they wore socks or not depending on how hot it was outside. In Foot Doctor Zach’s reel, he noted that he saw about a 50/50 split between those who were wearing Crocs with socks and those who were wearing them without.
9. Asics – 1,895
The next most common shoe that Foot Doctor Zach saw at Walt Disney World were ASICS. ASICS creates walking shoes that support the natural motion of your feet and lower limbs. This makes them exceptional for walking long distances and for long periods of time. Their walking shoes are made with GEL technology and DUOMAX support, which reduces stress on the foot.
If you’re considering ASICS for your time at Walt Disney World, there are multiple styles that would be ideal for all of the walking. The WALKRIDE FLYTEFOAM provides extreme comfort and support with synthetic leather overlays, breathable mesh underlays, and FLYTEFOAM cushioning in the midsoles. The shoe is also lightweight and keeps your feet cool. The GEL-CONTEND WALKER offers support and comfort throughout the entire shoe. In the back, there’s a supportive internal heel counter as well as rearfoot GEL technology. The rest of your foot is cushioned with the AMPLIFOAM midsole. Possibly the best ASICS walking shoe is the GEL-ODYSSEY. This shoe has a more responsive rebound, which prevents the foot from rolling inwards. With DUOMAX technology in the midsole and GEL technology in the rear, this shoe provides the perfect amount of support and cushioning for walking long distances.
8. Under Armour – 2,132
Under Armour is next on our list, with 2,132 pairs counted. Unlike the other brands on this list, Under Armour doesn’t have shoes that they specifically categorize as “walking shoes”. However, there are multiple options that are great for long days at Walt Disney World.
One great choice is the Charged Assert 10. This shoe has a lightweight, breathable, and supportive upper along with a Deluxe Comfort System sockliner. Comfort is provided with the Charged Cushioning midsole, which is not only responsive, but durable as well. The solid rubber outsole also aids with durability, while not weighing the shoe down and causing strain.
The Phantom 4 is another great option. This shoe possesses the comfort and durability of a performance sneaker, while offering a more stylish look. It features Under Armour HOVR, which is an extra-springy cushioning. HOVR helps reduce impact while storing and returning the energy to the wearer. It also has a rubber outsole, which has great traction and adds extra durability.
7. Skechers – 3,395
It’s not surprising that SKECHERS are one of the most common brands of shoes worn at Walt Disney World. Not only do they produce high quality walking shoes, they’re also quite affordable. The only downfall to SKECHERS is that they have so many good options, it may make it difficult for some to find just the right pair.
SKECHERS offers a variety of technologies within their shoes, including foams, fits, cushioning, and more. When it comes to picking a shoe that’s beneficial for the high-walking demand of Walt Disney World, the most beneficial technologies are the Arch Fit removable insole and ULTRA GO cushioning.
The ULTRA GO cushioning is designed with physical activities in mind. Even though it’s lightweight, the cushioning has a high-rebound responsiveness. This helps take away the stressful effects that walking generally has on your body. Meanwhile, the Arch Fit insole provides cushioning and support, which gives you a more pleasurable walking experience.
SKECHERS also offers a Hands Free Slip-In technology, which allows you to simply slide your foot into your shoe and go about your day. Your foot will be held securely in place, without the hassle of shoestrings, with the built-in Heel Pillow that the shoe features. While this is a convenient feature for everyone, it’s exceptionally nice for children. Especially at the busy parks!
6. Brooks – 3,868
Brooks has a number of exceptional walking shoes. All of which would be fantastic for a day of walking around Walt Disney World. However, you can’t go wrong with the Ghost Max 2 or Glycerin Max. Both of these shoes are in the Comfort Collection, which features comfortable shoes with a linear platform, plush cushioning, and a roomy toe box.
The Ghost Max 2 is equipped with a GlideRoll Rocker, protective cushioning, and ultra stability. The GlideRoll Rocker helps create heel-to-toe movements that feel lightweight and effortless, resulting in less stress on your body. Beyond the lightweight movements, the protective cushioning helps to continue the experience by creating smooth and easy landings. As you walk, your foot will feel stable and secure thanks to the broad base and raised side walls.
The Glycerin Max also shares the same GlideRoll Rocker technology for easy heel-to-toe transitions. Its number one feature is the DNA Tuned foam. This nitrogen-infused foam consists of both larger and smaller cells. The large cells help create smooth, airy landings, while the small cells help create a more impactful toe-off.
5. New Balance – 4,579
New Balance offers walking shoes that are designed specifically to help cushion, balance, and protect your foot throughout the entirety of your walk. One shoe that would be ideal for the walking at Walt Disney World is the FuelCell Walker Elite. This shoe helps protect your foot as it lifts off the ground and as it lands. The Walking Strike Path outsole assists with guiding your foot with a proper landing, while the FuelCell foam helps give your foot a push forward. The Stability Plane gives your foot the stability that’s needed, while also providing comfort.
New Balance is a brand that has a shoe for everybody. With a large selection of sizes, styles, and colors, everyone can find a shoe that’s uniquely them. Unlike some brands, New Balance also offers their shoes in both narrow and wide widths.
4. Hoka – 4,816
HOKA is well-known for their ultra cushioned, high platform shoes. These shoes are built to withstand high impact and give you the support needed for everyday wear as well as long-distance use. Two of the most popular HOKA shoes that are chosen for walking are the Bondi 9 and Clifton 9.
The Bondi 9 provides an increased plush feel. With an increased stack height of 2mm and a new supercritical foam midsole, this shoe provides extreme comfort while simultaneously providing a less impactful experience. Durabrasion rubber has also been used to help prevent high-impact zones from wearing down. The Bondi 9 also features a 3D molded collar and a breathable knit upper, which help stabilize your foot and give you a comfortable fit.
The Clifton 9 provides more height with even less weight. The shoe is stacked 3mm higher and weighs 4 grams less than before. This gives your foot extra cushion and impact resistance, while also removing stress from your body with the lower weight. The breathable knit upper is paired with a plushy heel to give you comfortable support. The Clifton 9 has been studied by podiatrists and awarded The American Podiatrist Medical Association Seal of Acceptance.
With HOKA’s focus on comfort, support, and impact-resistance, their shoes are a phenomenal option for days of long walking at Walt Disney World.
3. Adidas – 7,579
Adidas offers a variety of walking shoes that are cushioned, lightweight, supportive, and stylish. These shoes also have a grip traction that keeps you stable in all types of conditions. This is exceptionally nice for Walt Disney World, where you may frequently go from dry to wet conditions, whether that be from a water ride or rainy Florida weather.
There are many different styles of Adidas shoes that are great for walking. However, their Ultraboost shoes are some of their best. The BOOST midsole cushion not only absorbs energy, it returns a portion of that energy to the wearer as well. Continental Rubber is used to give the shoe durability and traction while the Stretchweb feature allows it to flex naturally as you walk.
I personally wear Adidas Superstar as my everyday shoe and frequently wear them on my visits to Walt Disney World. I’ve never had any issues with discomfort when wearing these. The padded tongue and collar are designed for all-day comfort, which they do provide. I’ve not once had an issue with rubbing or blistering during my time wearing them at the parks.
2. ON – 8,053
The second most common shoe brand that Foot Doctor Zach saw Guests wearing at Walt Disney World are On shoes. All On shoes feature a special CloudTec technology. CloudTec is designed to provide soft landings and powerful take offs, which results in minimal-effort steps. CloudTec is special, because it reacts specifically to each wearer's unique moves. It compresses horizontally and vertically to provide cushioning wherever it’s needed.
A great On shoe to consider for Walt Disney World is the Cloud 6. These shoes are made for all-day wear. Like all On shoes, the Cloud 6 has CloudTec technology for ultimate cushioning. They also feature the On Speedboard. While the Speedboard is intended to help runners, it’s also beneficial for walking by absorbing your energy and turning it into momentum. The comfort and durability that these shoes provide is what makes them such an excellent option for Walt Disney World.
1. Nike – 10,895
Coming in at #1, the most common shoes worn at Walt Disney World are Nike. There are numerous amounts of Nike shoes and we’re not sure which styles Foot Doctor Zach saw when he was at the parks. Even so, we’re going to take a look at some of the best walking shoes that Nike has to offer and what we recommend for all-day wear at Walt Disney World.
The Nike Motiva is a walking shoe that focuses on comfort. It features a high stack of foam cushioning as well as an exaggerated rocker, which helps propel you forward, and make your steps smoother than ever. The Motiva also comes with Comfortgroove innovation. This is a specially patterned outsole that’s intended to help absorb bumps and leave you with a smooth stride.
My husband frequently wears Nike basketball shoes to the parks and is able to experience all-day comfort. He usually leans more towards the shoes that are put out by specific players, such as LeBron James and Kevin Durant. However, there are lots of different options, both player-specific and not.
Many of the shoes on this list we have listed in our article on best shoes for Disney World so all of this data lines up nicely!
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