My Mom and I Swear by Teva Sandals for Walking 25,000+ Steps Pain-free, From Disney World to Italy

Travel + Leisure

13 hours ago

As a New York City resident of 10-plus years and a frequent Disney World visitor (some might say a Disney adult, but that's neither here nor there), comfortable walking shoes are a major priority. I've tested out brands like Adidas, Brooks, Ryka, and more, and while I have favorite pairs from each of them, nothing quite compares to my beloved Teva sandals. In particular, the Teva Flatform Sandals are my go-to pair for warm weather, whether I'm trekking through the sweltering summer city streets or racking up 25,000+ steps across the Disney World parks. I've even got my mom hooked on the celebrity-approved brand, and we're often sporting our Teva sandals together, whether on our annual trip to Disney or a 12-day vacation to Italy.
I've been wearing Tevas for years, but the flatform style is easily my favorite; I love that this design keeps my feet elevated above the ground (crucial when walking through New York City), yet it offers a supremely comfortable base for all-day walking. $70 $52 at Amazon $75 at Zappos $75 at Teva.com
The first time I wore these Teva sandals was on a week-long Disney vacation. Like previous Tevas I've owned, these didn't require a break-in period, which was great because I wore them for a full 15,000-step day before running a 10K race the next morning. I certainly couldn't afford any blisters! From first wear, I found the platform base to be extremely supportive and comfortable. The EVA midsole is designed with a heel cup for stability, while there is plenty of arch support in the middle to save my flat feet during a long day of walking and standing in lines. And, their ultra-lightweight design makes these sandals easy to pack in my carry-on.
What I love about these sandals is that they offer an often much-needed break from restrictive sneakers on a walking-heavy vacation. Yet, unlike many other sandals, you aren't sacrificing support for comfort. I was so happy to wear these sandals after one of my most intense Disney days to date, which included 44,000 steps. My feet were unsurprisingly exhausted when I woke up the next day after being shoved into sneakers for roughly 20 miles, so I slipped on my Teva Flatforms instead. I racked up 25,000 steps with zero foot, leg, or back pain, despite the trials I put my body through the day before. $75 $70 at Amazon $75 at Zappos $75 at Teva.com
Clearly, my Teva platform sandals are comfortable, but the perks don't stop there. These shoes double as waterproof sandals and are ready for everything from the beach to the waterpark. I wore them all day at Blizzard Beach, one of Disney's water parks, and was shocked at how quickly they dried, even after submerging them completely underwater on the lazy river and down a few waterslides. I thought for sure they would rub and give me blisters, but I was left in complete comfort all day.
But don't just take my word for it—my mom swears by her Teva sandals at the parks, too. Because she's a waitress who is on her feet for hours, my mom takes her footwear pretty seriously. Although her pair is thrifted and isn't sold in stores anymore (it's the Terra-Float 2 Knit Evolve Sandals), these sandals are the first thing she packs, right alongside her MagicBand and sunscreen. 'My Tevas are not only comfortable, but they make everything so easy,' she says. 'They provide excellent arch support, so my feet never get tired, and they're adjustable so I can make them a bit tighter if I'm on a crazy ride, or I can loosen them when I'm resting in the shade, having a snack on top of a Disney garbage can.' (If you know, you know.)
Because they're thrifted and a discontinued style, her shoes definitely had a life before her—so the fact that they're still holding up to tens of thousands of steps is a testament to Teva's durability. $70 at Amazon $75 at Zappos $75 at Teva.com
Clearly, my mom and I have nothing but fantastic things to say about our Teva shoes, whether you're headed to Disney or on a walking-heavy vacation, like when we wore them across Venice, Florence, and Lake Como. For more supportive, comfortable sandals for women, read on for styles at Amazon, starting at $36.
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