**I received a pair of shoes to “test drive.” All personal and professional opinions are completely my own, free of influence, and posted with full integrity.
I could blame it on aging (hallux valgus), running (foot spread), or simply a lack of tolerance, but I have been SO challenged to find a comfortable theme park shoe this past decade. If you read this blog, you know I spend a fair amount of time in certain Disney Parks globally- Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris specifically. I am not alone. A typical Guest at Walt Disney World Resort may log 10 miles a day on their feet. Extra weight, knee injuries young and old, back ailments, and any number of alignment issues will create distress with that kind of extreme mileage.
So the quest is real. And my answer came one day while perusing Twitter. I stumbled across the most sensational loafer-looking shoes that claimed lighter than air qualities. (Think Dumbo’s feather light.) Enter Floafers.
Available for both men and women in over 10 colors for each, these stylish shoes multitask on land, beach, and wet terrain. Those OTHER resin-type clogs you may have seen around the parks have their own aesthetic, but these appealed to a more classic and mature sensibility. Made of anti-microbial ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), Floafers perfectly intersect form with fashion. Adventure-lovers and magic-seekers alike will love these shoes!
Floafers
My chilly 14-hour Floafers day went from Disney Springs to Magic Kingdom to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. These are my impressions:
- I can’t say enough about the look; not too preppy, not too cutesy.
- Floafers are not available in half sizes, so size guides are available.
- The environmentally-friendly EVA construction was a plus for me.
- The odor-resistant quality will be oh-so-beneficial in the upcoming, more typical humid Orlando weather.
- 360 degree ventilation allows for a walk through water features and kiddie play areas with a quick air dry.
- Built-in “massage pod” embedded in the sole might be more apparent if socks are not worn. (I picked a chilly day in December for my “run.”)
- Therefore, I did not test their buoyancy feature! But they are certainly lighter than a Dumbo feather, so I do not doubt that they float in water. (Think the perfect Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon shoe??)
- Non-slip soles. PERFECT for klutzy me!!
- After 10 hours, I found that I was wishing that there was some insole arch support. THIS IS AN EASY FIX Floafers- call me! Meantime, I will bring my running shoe inserts with me as I return to the parks next week. Stay tuned for my impressions on this modification.
Need more magical footwear choices? Our pals at Verawise Travel have assembled a complete guide for the Best Shoes For Disney!
Top PT Tip
Touring theme parks will load the foot and lower body in extraordinary ways, creating fatigue and overuse that the structures of the forefoot and shin may not be able to respond well to. If you typically require an insert or prescription orthotic (whether semi-rigid or rigid) to correct pronation, supination, or other alignment issues (such as a high fixed arch), bring them along with you on your vacation. No matter the shoe chosen, always up size at least 1/2 to allow for additional room for the insert.
Floafers tend to run a bit shy of true-to-size to allow for stretch with wear, so factor this into your choice. This company offers a 5 day exchange/refund policy.
OH BOY! These sound just like what I need! After 3 foot surgeries and several broken foot bones, I’ve finally been hit with arthritis in both feet! My really excellent foot surgeon did warn me this would happen. I can’t even wear orthotics any more … or a basic walking shoe that laces up.
Our next Disney trip is coming up. I’ve looked all over for comfortable shoes and probably have tried on a couple dozen! On a slow day, we log 9 miles in the parks. We actually hit 13 miles on one busy day! But I love it and want to keep doing it. (What better way to get some much-needed exercise than at a Disney Park)?!!
Well these might just be your answer Linda! Depending upon your exact situation, a generic insole (with some forefoot support) might be an advisable addition; I will be trying same next week on those 13 mile days!!! Can’t wait to get my next pair!
I would wear my Floafers to Magic Kingdom Park first, and maybe Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom later in the day 😉 Thanks for the giveaway!
I do believe these shoes could handle four parks in one day!! 😀
These look nice. They sound like they have similar qualities (no stink, lightweight, etc.) to another popular brand, but they look a little less chunky and more trendy. I’d love to give them a try in ANY park. I think the reason I often opt for flip-flops is that I’m getting the start of an (old lady) bunion and it’s hard to find shoes that don’t exacerbate that.
I know that bunion! I must say, these seemed wider than that other brand, so I had no issues. They even accommodated the socks I needed to wear because it has been so COLD in Orlando recently!! 😉
Magic Kingdom of course!!!
What else?!
I would use these at the theme park near me, Kennywood Park! Thank you for the chance to win.
I would have to say I would wear the Floafers in Epcot because it seems that the distance around the lake gets longer every year!
I would go to the Magic Kingdom first.
Nice floaters! But don’t forget to wear a pair of socks with them, or your feet will look like a chameleon skin. 😛
Interesting thought- I was wearing socks due to the cold, but I do believe some peds might be in order as it gets warmer. Thanks!