Let's talk blisters (gross, sorry)

Seriously, you can't imagine the trouble I had. Last time we went, I actually missed a ton of stuff because my feet hurt so bad. I stayed home one day so I wouldn't hold my family back - I skipped all the pavilions at Epcot. I was seriously considering a wheelchair it was so bad. I ALWAYS get really, really bad blisters - I'm prone to them anyway, and the heat and humidity makes it so much worse. Really - I can't overstate how bad and gross it is. My husband could barely stand to look at my feet. I get them under my toes, on my instep, and on the outside of my heels. So what REALLY works? Other than wearing good running shoes, has anyone found what really works - powder, blister sticks, moleskin - or is it all in the socks?

Yeah, powder can really create a lot of friction.

What I do.

Buy new shoes, 4-6 weeks before I go. Put new Dr. Scholls or some other 40-50 buck inserts in fresh, when I arrive. Buy fresh, thick socks.

Moleskin, pre-cut, ready to go. I do put a couple strips where I know my feet tend to get them.
Also, bring some IBU in case.

Change socks about 1ish at the park. Inspect feet.

Good to go.

That sounds like an excellent strategy! I hadn't thought of the inserts, but I bet they help.

I will only wear moisture-wicking running socks at WDW. They are a little expensive but your feet will thank you!

Have you considered seeing a podiatrist? They may be able to help you get some properly fitting shoes.

Have you tried wearing a walking sandal? I have two I alternate between, one a New Balance and one a Ryka. Both have a great arch support, neither was cheap but well worth the price IMO.

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Originally Posted by VWL Mom

Have you tried wearing a walking sandal? I have two I alternate between, one a New Balance and one a Ryka. Both have a great arch support, neither was cheap but well worth the price IMO.

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I was thinking the same thing. I find when in heat/humidity a good supportive sandal that works with your foot would be helpful. Finding a good brand that works well with your feet is the key and could take some time, but makes a huge difference.

I cannot wear enclosed shoes in the heat and humidity of Disney, especially in the dead of summer. I can't stand for my feet to sweat inside of closed shoes. I have never had any blistering in Disney either. Find yourself a good pair of walking sandals.

Do you walk a lot during your regular life? If not, it's tough for anyone if they go from not walking at all to walking 4-8 miles a day and so the best thing is to be walking several miles a day for weeks before the vacation. 30 minutes in the morning, 15 minutes at lunch, 30 minutes after dinner, they all add up.

If you are already very active on your feet and it only happens at Disney, maybe it's the humidity causing your feet to sweat? Or do you wear different shoes than what you wear in your everyday life?

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Originally Posted by dnickels

Do you walk a lot during your regular life? If not, it's tough for anyone if they go from not walking at all to walking 4-8 miles a day and so the best thing is to be walking several miles a day for weeks before the vacation. 30 minutes in the morning, 15 minutes at lunch, 30 minutes after dinner, they all add up.

If you are already very active on your feet and it only happens at Disney, maybe it's the humidity causing your feet to sweat? Or do you wear different shoes than what you wear in your everyday life?

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This is most likely the answer to your problems. If you don't walk much, your feet do not have callouses built up to take all the walking. So walking regularly would solve most of the problems you are having.

The other important things are to wear good socks meant for activity, working or athletics. They are thicker and cushioned. They do two things: Absorb moisture and create a barrier between your feet and your shoes so there isn't all that friction between them. One of the most important things is to wear good quality, properly fitting shoes. If your shoes are moving/sliding on your feet, it creates friction which pulls on your skin on your feet resulting in blisters. Good running/jogging type shoes are great just find some that fit your feet well and do not slide back and forth as you walk.

This will sound crazy to anyone that has never had any but some of the best shoes for being on your feet all day and moving around a lot are actually high quality work boots. I know you won't wear work boots to WDW but I wear them every day and I am on my feet running around and getting in and out of my truck and my feet never hurt or get blisters. I used to have problems with my feet hurting before I started wearing good work boots every day. They are so comfortable, I don't even take them off when I get home. I usually wear them up until I am about to go to bed because it is like wearing soft slippers all day long and feels better than walking barefoot on hardwood floors. My point is if you are wearing the proper shoes and then fit right, you will immediately notice the difference.

Find you a pair of good shoes, break them in and only wear them occasionally and use them mostly as your WDW shoes for a few years. I have a pair of really good under armour running shoes that I have had for about 4 years that I take to WDW. I tried on numerous pairs of shoes including all the well know athletic brands and the under armour fit the best and were the most comfortable.

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Originally Posted by 1DisneyNut

This is most likely the answer to your problems. If you don't walk much, your feet do not have callouses built up to take all the walking. So walking regularly would solve most of the problems you are having.

The other important things are to wear good socks meant for activity, working or athletics. They are thicker and cushioned. They do two things: Absorb moisture and create a barrier between your feet and your shoes so there isn't all that friction between them. One of the most important things is to wear good quality, properly fitting shoes. If your shoes are moving/sliding on your feet, it creates friction which pulls on your skin on your feet resulting in blisters. Good running/jogging type shoes are great just find some that fit your feet well and do not slide back and forth as you walk.

This will sound crazy to anyone that has never had any but some of the best shoes for being on your feet all day and moving around a lot are actually high quality work boots. I know you won't wear work boots to WDW but I wear them every day and I am on my feet running around and getting in and out of my truck and my feet never hurt or get blisters. I used to have problems with my feet hurting before I started wearing good work boots every day. They are so comfortable, I don't even take them off when I get home. I usually wear them up until I am about to go to bed because it is like wearing soft slippers all day long and feels better than walking barefoot on hardwood floors. My point is if you are wearing the proper shoes and then fit right, you will immediately notice the difference.

Find you a pair of good shoes, break them in and only wear them occasionally and use them mostly as your WDW shoes for a few years. I have a pair of really good under armour running shoes that I have had for about 4 years that I take to WDW. I tried on numerous pairs of shoes including all the well know athletic brands and the under armour fit the best and were the most comfortable.

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Amen. I quit wearing dress shoes to work, some time ago. I wear dressier black boots now. So much better. But yeah, can't wear boots to WDW w/ shorts, without looking like a rube. :)

First I would be sure you are wearing the correct size shoe! Did you know that most people wear shoes that are actually too small for their feet? They are wearing the same shoe size they did for years and it is actually the wrong size. (our feet continue to grow as we age)

Go to a running shop and get yourself properly fitted.

At first they felt big on me, but now I cannot imagine how I wore my old ones

Nanc

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Originally Posted by texas211

Amen. I quit wearing dress shoes to work, some time ago. I wear dressier black boots now. So much better. But yeah, can't wear boots to WDW w/ shorts, without looking like a rube. :)

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Same here, I quit wearing dress shoes and started to wear my boots years ago.

I will get this back on topic now, make sure to properly break in whatever shoe you choose to wear. Buying a new pair of shoes and wearing them for the first time at Disney will guarantee that you get blisters.

I always have moleskin ready to go. You should begin to feel where it's rubbing wrong and when you do immediately apply the moleskin. If you let it go too far the blister will form and you're toast .... I always wear Sperry's or a tennis shoe. I do alternate and when I wear the tennis shoes I use pretty good wicking socks.

hey, if it saved my feet I wouldn't care what I looked like! LOL

I feel for you. I was there September 2014 when Orlando had record rainfall.I also got very bad blisters. I bought gauze pads and heel size bandaids at the resort, it did help some. Now when I go to Disney I pack them and tape my feet as a precaution. I also wear good socks as many other have recommended.

I always wear Crocs there and no blisters ever

Okay, I bought new runners (really good, really expensive ones - ack) but I know I can't wear crocs or sandals - I think I need a well cushioned, supportive shoe. I also bought good hiking socks. I'll start a walking program, and hopefully in addition to conditioning my feet it will also help me find any possible pressure points in the new shoes. I think the crocs would save me from blisters and be great on the water rides - I just don't know if I could walk around all day in them. Maybe I'll take a pair to switch on and off.

So, I'm just going to tell you what has worked for my husband and me.

We have not run in awhile, but when we did, in order to prevent blisters, there were two different products we would use. We would not use them at the same time, but we were successful using either one.

Flexitol Heel Balm - this can be found in the foot care section of your grocery store or Walgreens or Walmart. It's a lotion/cream- just put it on like you would a lotion, you don't need a whole lot, then put your socks and shoes on.

The other product we would use is Body Glide. This comes in a stick form like a solid deodorant and is ordinarily used to prevent chafing. This is also good for the prevention of blisters. Just put it on your feet. My husband would put it between his toes in places that rub and are more likely to get blisters.

These products have worked over and over for us.

I agree that you must have proper fitting shoes. These products cut down on friction between your sock and foot. Once you begin noticing a "hot spot", that's when I would turn to moleskin for added protection.

Once you start adding miles as you prepare to go, you will figure out what works for you.

Good luck!

One thing I do only at WDW b/c of so much walking. I wear no show socks, but wear them inside out to make sure the seam is as much out of the way as possible. Course, I tend to get blisters near the front of my foot, by my toes.