Doing something so wrong has never felt so right — especially at Disney World!
Busy day in Magic Kingdom
We don’t usually advocate for illegal activity, but for this one, we’ll make an exception. Bear in mind, the kind of “illegal” we’re talking about isn’t quite what you’re thinking. We’re talking about illegal shoes — the kind BANNED from competition. So while these shoes are a no-go if you plan on competing in some kind of race, rest assured that these illegal shoes are totally LEGAL at Disney World!
Nearly a decade ago, a new type of shoe was introduced into the distance-running sport, and sport officials were taken aback. In a Wall Street Journal report, it was noted that folks weren’t truly prepared for “Nike shoes with chunky soles injected with a carbon-fiber plate to suddenly make runners more efficient and so much faster.”
As these types of shoes became more popular among other brands, records started falling, and these shoes were quickly labeled as performance enhancers. The World Athletics — the governing body of running — eventually made it a rule that a shoe’s sole thickness (also known as “stack height”) could not exceed 40 millimeters/1.6 inches.
©Disney
The reasoning behind the ban? It’s actually quite simple: the more foam under your foot, the more comfort you’ll experience and the longer you’ll be able to run.
The fallout from this ruling is still being felt, as companies have not stopped making these “illegal” shoes. Of course, you still have controversies come up in elite races where participants accidentally (or intentionally) run with these shoes.
2022 Walt Disney World Marathon
That’s the bad news. The good news is that visiting Disney World leisurely isn’t a regulated event by a sports commission — meaning YOU’RE MORE THAN WELCOME TO WEAR THESE ILLEGAL SHOES!
Considering many folks consider these larger-sole, carbon-fiber plate-infused shoes to be extra comfy with extra lift, these shoes could be PERFECT for a Disney trip. We’ve picked out a few shoes that would be considered “illegal,” and you can legally buy them right now on Amazon!
These Running Shoes Are Recommended For Long Walking Days
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The ASICS Women’s Magic Speed 4 Running Shoes come in slightly over the slack height limitations and are available in several different styles and sizes on Amazon. One recent review called these shoes “fast, comfortable, and versatile.”
These Next Shoes Break The Rules By A Lot
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The Adizero Prime X 2.0 Strung Shoes by Adidas have a whopping 50 millimeter slack height and are outright banned by certain running organizations. Fortunately, Disney World doesn’t care, so feel free to wear these running shoes that are lauded for their comfort and weight reduction efforts.
This Popular Brand Dabbles In Delightfully Illegal Sneakers
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Coming in with a 48 millimeter slack height, the Hoka Women’s Skyward X Sneaker provides extra elevation and cushioning compared to regular running shoes. We’re big fans of the Hoka brand, and this particular sneaker is available online on Amazon in several different sizes and styles.
ASICS Makes The List Again With A Well-Regarded Entry
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We’re capping off this list with another ASICS shoe, the Superblast 2 Sneaker. This shoe has a stack height of 45 millimeters and is available on Amazon in several different men’s and women’s sizes. The sneaker has strong reviews, praising its larger size, firm midsole, comfy cushioning, durability, and style.
And there you have it? What kind of style of shoe do YOU prefer to wear at Disney World? Would you give a pair of these illegal shoes a try? Let us know and continue to follow us right here at DFB for more tips on how to win Disney World!
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We zealously AVOID all race weekends and the chaos they create.
As a distance runner, I can attest to the comfort of a good fitting race shoe…here are some things to consider though…super shoes break down quickly…where a daily trainer can last 200-300 miles depending on the runner, the terrain and the shoe, some superb shoes are only designed to last 1 or 2 marathons …and the energy return that increases your speed is really nist noticeable when you are running in the 5-6 minute mile pace…most runners don’t even need to be in super shoes.. thebother thing to consider is the shoes are designed to be RUN in, ie, with your center of mass well in front of your feet, and using a mid footbish strike. No one walks like that lol… I think lots of max cushioned running shoes could be very comfortable for park days but carbon plated super shoes might be way less usefull for just walking…not to mention the price point!
As a runner AND frequent Disney goer, I’ve been wearing the vapor fly shoes at Disney for 3 years. They have a great center of balance and once they’re done being useful for competitive events they still provide that extra spring whilst walking and the support is much needed.