Planning long days at Disney? A practical UK guide to the best walking shoes for men, women and children, including budget picks, wide-fit options and what you can buy on the high street.
Estimated read time: 6 minutes
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If you're walking around a Disney park properly, you're not doing "a lot of steps". You're doing distance. Twenty-five thousand steps is normal. Thirty thousand happens without you trying. And it's not trails or grass. It's concrete. Endless, unforgiving concrete.
I've done Disney in bad shoes before. Once. By mid-afternoon my feet felt bruised, queues were torture, and I was counting down until we could leave. Since then, footwear has been non-negotiable.
Here's what actually works, and just as importantly, what's easy to buy in the UK.
If a shoe wouldn't cope with a half marathon, it won't cope with Disney.
It doesn't matter how stylish it looks in photos. Vans, Converse, flat trainers, fashion Nikes. All a mistake. I've watched grown adults limp out of Magic Kingdom at 7pm because of them.
Running shoes win. Every time.
You want cushioning, decent airflow, and a sole that doesn't feel like a brick after eight hours. Waterproof shoes sound sensible, but they're usually warmer and heavier. I'd rather have breathable shoes and accept the odd rain shower.
And buy them before you go. Walk in them. A lot. Orlando is not the place to "break them in".
The HOKA Clifton 9 is one of the safest bets you can make. Loads of cushioning, light on the foot, and that slight rocker shape takes the edge off long walks. They're not flashy. They just work. I've finished fireworks feeling tired, but not sore, which is exactly the point.
The ASICS Gel-Nimbus 26 is softer underfoot and feels more structured. If you get heel pain or your feet ache across the whole sole, this one's hard to beat. Slightly warmer, yes. But solid from rope drop to park close.
Then there's the Brooks Ghost 15. Less squish, more balance. If you don't like that sinking feeling some cushioned shoes have, this sits nicely in the middle.
The New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v13 deserves a mention for one reason alone. Width options. If you've got broader feet, this saves you from blisters and hot spots.
The HOKA Clifton 9 shows up again, because it works just as well here. Light, forgiving, and very kind after hour ten. I've seen fewer blisters with these than almost anything else.
The ASICS Gel-Nimbus 26 is brilliant if you want max cushioning and support without feeling locked in. Long queues are where these really earn their keep.
The Brooks Glycerin 21 is heavier, but comfortable in a slow, dependable way. If you're standing around a lot, waiting for parades or fireworks, these are easy to live in.
Some people swear by the On Cloudmonster. I like them for fast walking days. They're firmer and more responsive. Less forgiving if you shuffle.
Kids burn out faster than adults, and once their feet hurt, the day's basically over.
The ASICS GT-1000 or Contend (kids) range is the safest choice I've seen. Proper cushioning, stable heel, and they cope with full park days without complaints.
New Balance kids' 680 or 990 models are excellent if you can find the right size. The 990 isn't cheap, but it lasts and supports properly.
The Nike Revolution (kids) is fine for lighter kids and shorter days. For heavier mileage, ASICS or New Balance wins.
Avoid light-up shoes. Avoid Crocs. Avoid anything stiff that doesn't bend properly at the front.
You won't struggle to find these, but some places are better than others.
Online, SportsShoes.com is excellent for discounts and size availability. Runners Need is great if you want advice or to try them on. Buying direct from the brand sites works too, especially for wider fittings.
High street chains like JD Sports and Sports Direct stock some models, but not always the full range or widths.
Expect adult shoes to sit somewhere between £120 and £170. Kids are usually £40 to £75. Discounts happen often, especially online.
You don't have to spend top-end money to survive Disney. You do have to be sensible.
Under about £100, your options narrow, but there are still shoes I'd trust for long park days.
The ASICS Gel-Pulse range is a quiet winner here. Not as plush as Nimbus, but cushioned enough and built for distance. They regularly dip under £90 online, sometimes less if you're not picky about colour.
New Balance Fresh Foam 680 is another solid budget pick. It's basic, but that's not a bad thing. Decent foam, breathable upper, and none of the stiff nonsense you get with cheaper lifestyle trainers.
From Nike, the Downshifter is about as low as I'd go. It's lightweight and flexible, but don't expect miracles. Fine if you're lighter on your feet and not prone to aches.
What I wouldn't do is buy a £60 "running-style" trainer from a fashion brand. They look the part, but the midsoles collapse fast. By day two, you'll feel it.
If money's tight, prioritise cushioning over looks and accept you might replace them sooner.
This is where a lot of people go wrong. They buy the right shoe in the wrong width and then wonder why their feet are on fire.
If you've got wide feet, start with New Balance. Their Fresh Foam models come in wide and extra-wide in the UK, which is rare and genuinely useful. The 1080 is the gold standard, but even the 680 in wide does a decent job.
Brooks is next best. Ghost and Glycerin both come in wide fittings, and they actually mean wide, not just "a bit less narrow".
ASICS can work, but it's model-dependent. Nimbus is forgiving. Some others are not. Try them on if you can.
Be cautious with HOKA. Some people with wide feet love them, others feel pinched despite the cushioning. If you're ordering online, check return policies and walk around the house properly before committing.
One tip that sounds obvious but gets ignored. Don't just go up a size to fix width. That usually causes toe bang and blisters instead.
Sometimes the trip's close and online delivery isn't an option.
If you're walking into a shop this afternoon, aim for JD Sports, Sports Direct, or a proper running shop if you have one nearby.
In JD Sports, you'll usually find ASICS Nimbus, some Brooks, and basic New Balance models. Stick to those. Ignore anything marketed as "street" or "retro".
Sports Direct is hit and miss, but they often carry ASICS Gel-Pulse, Gel-Cumulus, and Nike Downshifter. Try them on properly. Walk around the shop. Don't rush.
A specialist running shop is ideal if you can get to one. You'll get better sizing advice and fewer bad choices to dodge.
And if the only thing available is flat, stiff, or feels heavy in the hand, walk away. Even if it looks fine in the mirror. Your feet will call you out on it by lunchtime.
This gets overlooked constantly.
Thin running socks. Not cotton. Ever. Cotton holds moisture and causes blisters. A cheap pair of technical socks will do more for your comfort than most people realise.
Your feet carry the entire holiday. If they're unhappy, everything else suffers.
Spend the money. Wear them in. And leave the stylish trainers at home. Disney will still be there. Your feet need to last the week.
Guide Updated: 31 January 2026