The Great NC Outdoors Mom

Tag: North Carolina summer

  • The Best Shoes for Walking the North Carolina Zoo (From a Mom Who’s Walked It for Years)

    If you’re planning a visit to the North Carolina Zoo, prepare to walk…a lot.

    Quick Answer

    Short on time? Here’s the quick answer.

    Do not, I mean do not wear uncomfortable footwear! Tevas save my feet in the summer and on cooler months when we visit I wear my Brooks with insoles. And don’t forget to pack a hat!

    Before We Dive In…

    If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably spent more time worrying about sore feet, uncomfortable gear, or whether you’re packed well enough than actually enjoying time outside with your kids.

    I’ve learned through plenty of North Carolina trails, splash pads, playgrounds, and family adventures that the right gear doesn’t have to be expensive—it just has to work.

    Why You Can Trust My Recommendations

    Hi! I’m Sara, a North Carolina mom of three boys who spends weekends exploring trails, parks, splash pads, and outdoor adventures with my family.

    After dealing with postpartum foot pain myself, I became determined to find outdoor gear that actually keeps moms comfortable while chasing kids.

    Everything I recommend is something I’ve personally used, thoroughly researched, or would confidently recommend to my own friends and family.

    Visiting the Zoo

    Several years, our family will get the annual membership to the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, and it’s one of our favorite day trips in North Carolina. My boys never seem to get tired of watching the polar bear swim, looking at the giraffes, or racing to the gorilla exhibit.

    But if you’ve never visited before, there’s one thing every mom should know before packing the snacks and loading the stroller:

    You’re going to walk miles.

    In fact, the North Carolina Zoo is the world’s largest natural habitat zoo, and that means the animals have huge, natural habitats that spread across hundreds of acres. It’s incredible for the animals—and amazing for visitors—but it also means your feet are definitely going to get a workout.

    By the end of most visits, my watch shows somewhere around 15,000 steps, even when we use the trams between sections. If you explore most of the zoo’s walking paths, you’ll cover close to five miles during the day.

    Why Comfortable Shoes Matter More Than You Think

    A few years ago, I wouldn’t have been excited about all those steps.

    After having my third son, I developed plantar fasciitis and ongoing foot pain that lingered far longer than I expected. Family outings that should have been fun often ended with aching feet before lunchtime.

    I remember standing in front of the giraffes, trying to enjoy watching my boys, while quietly wishing I could sit down because every step hurt.

    If you’ve dealt with postpartum foot pain, plantar fasciitis, or simply don’t have supportive shoes, a full day at the zoo can quickly become uncomfortable.

    That’s one of the reasons I started paying much more attention to the shoes I wear for outdoor adventures.

    My Top Picks

    Best Shoes

    Tevas Sandals

    Comfortable shoes for walking the zoo, they go with everything, last years and can go from wet to dry easily.

    Teva Women’s Comfortable Sandals

    Why I love these: I can wear them all day, walking miles at the zoo, and my feet feel fine at the end of the day. The best sandals for zoo walking.

    Best Hat

    This hat is not only ADORABLE but has great sun protection for your shoulders and neck.

    Eppie Wide Brim Straw Hat

    Why I recommend it: Thinking about what to wear to the North Carolina Zoo I used to not even think about a hat, and while there are lots of shady areas, I’m so grateful to not have to squint when I’m standing in a sunny spot seeing animals. The gorilla and monkey areas are not very shaded and my kids tend to linger by those animals.

    Best Shopping Source

    A few years ago I discovered ThredUp – the EASIEST way to consign clothes online. Literally stuff a bag or box of stuff you aren’t wearing anymore and send. They sort, price, and sell. You then have a credit to use toward clothes you need. Or you can simply shop their site. I’ve found some of my favorite outdoor wardrobe staples this way, including athletic tops, lightweight layers, and even supportive walking sandals. If you’re planning a day at the North Carolina Zoo, it’s a great place to look for comfortable clothing and trusted brands like Teva, Brooks, Columbia, Patagonia, and Athleta—often at a fraction of retail prices.

    ThredUp Shopping

    What I Wear to the Zoo

    After many visits, I’ve settled into a simple routine, one that prioritizes comfortable shoes for walking the zoo.

    Cooler Months

    When temperatures are cooler, I wear my Brooks running shoes paired with my Super Feet inserts. The extra support makes a huge difference when we’re covering several miles on an outdoor adventure.

    Summer Visits

    During North Carolina’s hot summers, I almost always reach for my Teva sandals.

    They’re supportive enough for long walks while still keeping my feet cool in the heat. Since many zoo paths alternate between sunny stretches and shaded forests, breathable footwear makes the day much more comfortable.

    These have become my go-to sandals for most of our outdoor adventures and the zoo is no different. The zoo has a few water areas and misting stations and they dry easily so that is key!

    Don’t Forget Sun Protection

    One thing I appreciate about the North Carolina Zoo is the mix of shady wooded trails and open sunny areas.

    Even though you’ll find plenty of shade, there are long stretches where the North Carolina sun can be intense—especially during summer.

    I usually wear:

    • A lightweight tank top
    • Sunscreen
    • Sunglasses
    • My favorite wide-brim Eppie Hat

    The wide brim helps shade my face, neck, and shoulders while still feeling comfortable enough to wear all day.

    If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you already know this hat comes with me on almost every outdoor adventure.

    Helpful Planning Resources

    If this is your first visit, I highly recommend checking out the excellent planning guide from NC Tripping. They have great tips about the North Carolina Zoo for families. It covers everything from parking and tram routes to what food is offered and what animals live in which section. From their guide they state that the NC Zoo has: “1,800 animals and 200-plus species”!

    Final Thoughts

    The North Carolina Zoo is one of my favorite places to spend a day with my kids. We have explored it in different seasons and watched our boys grow from stroller rides to walking the entire zoo themselves.

    Yes, you’ll probably hit 15,000 steps before you head home.

    But when you’re wearing supportive shoes, staying cool, and protecting yourself from the sun, those miles become part of the adventure instead of something you’re dreading.

    If you’re planning a visit to the world’s largest natural habitat zoo, pack comfortable footwear, grab a wide-brim hat, and enjoy one of North Carolina’s best family attractions. Your feet will thank you by the end of the day.

    Before You Head Outside…

    💜 I hope this guide helps make your next adventure just a little easier.

    Whether you’re heading to a neighborhood park, the North Carolina zoo, or your favorite splash pad, I hope you spend less time worrying about gear and more time making memories.

    See you outside!

    — Sara

    Affiliate Disclosure

    This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I genuinely believe are worth your money and that I’d recommend to my own friends and family.

  • The Best Shoes for Sports Moms Standing on Hot Turf All Day

    The Best Shoes for Sports Moms Standing on Hot Turf All Day

    Mom Tips and How to

    Quick Answer

    Short on time? Here’s the quick answer.

    These outdoor comfortable sandals aren’t just for the hiking trails – they are a lifesaver for sports mom standing on hot turf all day. My favorite Teva midform sandals support my feet and keep them as cool as humanly possible considering the circumstances.

    In this photo: You can spot the brim of my favorite sun hat peeking into the frame. Duck Camp no longer has that hat on its site but I really like this one from American Hat Company!

    What you can’t see is that my feet are happily tucked into my favorite Teva walking sandals, ready for another lap down the sidelines before the next big play.

    Picture This…

    It’s 95 degrees. The sun is beating down. The black rubber pellets in the turf are radiating heat back at you, and every few minutes you’re power walking (or flat-out jogging) to the other end of the field because your kid’s team just switched directions. You think about sitting down…but by the time you do, the play has already moved 60 yards away.

    Why You Can Trust My Recommendations

    Hi! I’m Sara, a North Carolina mom of three boys who spends weekends exploring trails, parks, splash pads, sports fields and outdoor adventures with my family.

    After dealing with postpartum foot pain myself, I became determined to find outdoor gear that actually keeps moms comfortable while chasing kids.

    Everything I recommend is something I’ve personally used, thoroughly researched, or would confidently recommend to my own friends and family.

    ✔️ Supportive for all day wear.

    ✔️ Cool enough for North Carolina summers.

    ✔️ Can get wet and dries easily

    ✔️ Stay on for chasing kids

    Story

    Travel Sports Turf Field Charlotte, NC

    …and why

    Whether it’s soccer, lacrosse, flag football, or football, many outdoor sports don’t come with shaded bleachers. You’re standing. Walking. Cheering. Carrying water bottles. And doing it for hours.

    As a travel sports mom, I learned pretty quickly that a baseball cap wasn’t cutting it. At one tournament in Charlotte, I actually stopped another mom to ask where she got her wide-brim sun hat because it looked so much cooler than mine. I ordered one before the next game even started, and it has been one of my best sideline purchases ever.

    Looking for a deal? ThredUp is a 2nd hand online retailer and there’s usually several good deals to be had on Teva walking sandals. Highly recommend checking there first for a good deal.

    TEVA Walking Sandals on REI

    Comfortable walking sandals have been a game changer for this mom!

    For me, supportive walking sandals have become my go-to shoes for soccer moms during the hottest months of the year. My Teva sandals keep my feet supported through miles of walking the sidelines while letting them breathe much better than sneakers. Are my feet still hot? Absolutely. But they’re nowhere near as overheated as they are when I’m wearing closed-toe athletic shoes on a blazing turf field.

    Pros

    ✓ Adjustable straps

    ✓ Can get wet if I’m literally dying from heat and want to squirt the water bottle on myself!

    ✓ Enough arch support that my plantar fasciitis, tendinitis issues don’t flare up.

    Cons

    • My feet are still hot.

    Best For Sports Moms

    If you’re looking for comfortable outdoor sports mom shoes, don’t just think about style. Think about how many hours you’ll actually spend on your feet during tournament season. Good arch support, adjustable straps, and breathable materials can make a long day at the fields much more enjoyable.

    Mom Tip 💜

    Here’s something I learned the hard way…

    If you’re like me, pregnancy left you with different feet than you had in your younger adult years and keeping up with active children means having the right footwear. I’ve struggled over the years with plantar fasciitis, tendinitis in my foot and ankle issues. I’ve had to come to accept the fact that fashionable footwear is not always going to be an option for me in this phase of life with 3 active boys!

    Whether you’re a soccer mom, lacrosse mom, baseball mom, or football mom, supportive walking sandals can make long tournament weekends much more comfortable.

    Reminders for Sports Moms on hot turf all day:

    • Don’t skip out of ensuring you have the right supportive sandals for summer.
    • Bring a wide brim hat, ball caps don’t cover enough.
    • Freeze water bottles the night before.
    • Spray bottles or misters are must haves!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What are the best shoes for sports moms who stand all day?

    The best shoes for soccer moms are the ones that keep your feet supported for hours while matching the weather. During hot summer tournaments, supportive walking sandals with good arch support and adjustable straps can be much more comfortable than sneakers. If you’ll be walking the sidelines, standing on turf, or carrying chairs and coolers between fields, choose footwear designed for all-day comfort rather than just style.

    Are sandals better than sneakers for summer sports tournaments?

    It depends on the weather and the amount of walking you’ll be doing. On hot days, breathable walking sandals can help keep your feet cooler than closed-toe sneakers while still providing the support you need. I reach for my Teva walking sandals during summer tournaments because they let my feet breathe without sacrificing comfort for long days at the soccer, lacrosse, or football fields.

    What should moms wear to outdoor sports tournaments in the summer?

    Comfort is everything. I recommend supportive walking sandals, a wide-brim sun hat for extra shade, lightweight clothing, sunscreen for your face, arms and sunscreen lip balm, sunglasses, and a refillable water bottle. You’ll likely spend hours in direct sunlight walking between fields and cheering from the sidelines, so dressing for comfort can make tournament days much more enjoyable.

    Related: Looking for more comfortable shoes for busy moms? Check out my complete guide to the best supportive outdoor walking sandals for moms.

    Final Thoughts

    If I were recommending just one option to my best friend, I’d choose these Tevas because it offers the best balance of comfort, durability, and value for busy moms who spend lots of time outside – on trails, turf and splashpads.

    Before You Head Outside…

    💜 I hope this guide helps make your next adventure just a little easier.

    Whether you’re heading to a neighborhood park, a North Carolina trail, or your favorite splash pad, I hope you spend less time worrying about gear and more time making memories.

    See you outside!

    — Sara

    Affiliate Disclosure

    This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I genuinely believe are worth your money and that I’d recommend to my own friends and family.

  • Finding Time for Yourself Outdoors: summer self-care for moms – my day with the sunflowers under the longleaf pines.

    Summer Self-Care for Moms: Journaling Outdoors with Kids

    Somewhere along the way, summer became all about making memories for my kids—and I forgot it could be for me too. Simple ways I find summer self-care for moms.

    On one of the hottest afternoons of the summer, my youngest son and I packed snacks, binoculars, plenty of water, and headed to Raleigh’s sunflower field… every summer the city plants acres of sunflowers in a once unused field that is slowly progressing to become a unique city park. Today I threw in this journal – one that I’ve really come to love, something tangible, something that helps, something summer self-care for moms.

    Journal Link

    Grateful to have grabbed my supportive walking sandals, plenty of water and some activities for my son we really enjoyed chill time after seeing the sunflowers. Luckily this park strategically placed hammocks under the long leaf pines providing ample shade from the North Carolina summer sun.

    This is your summer too – how can you work in a few moments of self-care outdoors?

    The journal prompt I chose today was about reflection – which about brought me to tears thinking about how time has passed. The first trip to see the sunflowers was with my older two and our old dog long before my youngest was in the picture. I think back to that time and self-care for moms to me was booking a spa appointment or making sure to book a girls night.

    Outdoor self-care

    The reality is that like most adventures, the novelty of this experience wears off pretty quickly for my kids. And in the summer heat the whining can be frequent. Over the years their discomfort and boredom was often something I struggled to find enough energy for. Especially when I myself was uncomfortable.

    Summer self-care for moms

    I’ve realized that taking care of my own comfort isn’t selfish, it’s one of the best ways I can take care of my kids. When my feet don’t hurt, when I’m hydrated, when I’ve had ten quiet minutes to myself, I’m a calmer, more present mom. Coming back to supportive walking sandals that are comfortable – it may seem silly but the difference this makes for me cannot be understated. Its not just the spa, self-care can look like prioritizing my physical comfort, choosing to sit in the shade and experience the calm of journaling outdoors. Slowing down in a shady spot while the kids wander, noticing the sound of the birds.

    Comfortable sandals for moms

    Today I chose a favorite pair – always reaching for my comfortable walking sandals for our all-day adventures. Mine are over five years old now. They’ve been to splash pads, playgrounds, botanical gardens, state parks, and countless North Carolina summers. They stay secure when I’m chasing kids, they’re supportive enough for hours of walking, and now knowing how after pregnancies my feet have changed I’m so grateful for these.

    :

    They actually don’t sell the colorway in my picture anymore so including my solid black Teva Sandal for reference...

    Teva Midform

    We both have our own hammocks, the shade from the long leaf pines, the sunflowers off in the distance and I’m not doomscrolling, I’m leaning into a little self-care with this space to color.

    “Studies have shown that expressive writing — which involves writing about emotional experiences — enhances neural processing in areas related to cognitive control and memory (DiMenichi et. al, 2019). This isn’t just about feeling better in the moment, but building long-term mental and emotional strength.”

    – Child Mind Institute https://childmind.org/blog/how-journaling-rewires-your-brain-for-resilience/

    Sitting quietly beneath the longleaf pines, I could actually feel that happening. Instead of merely replaying old memories in my head, I was giving them somewhere to land, leaving me feeling more grounded.

    Emotional writing – reflecting on phases and stages of life. How is that not going to bring forth emotions. Journaling about these helps my brain process those emotions in real time and gives those emotions kind of like a physical transference – a place for them to go. Depositing emotions on paper in this environment is my opportunity for mom mental health outdoors.

    Why Journaling Outside Feels Different

    The sunflowers were beautiful, but they weren’t what I’ll remember most. Years from now, I think I’ll remember sitting beneath the longleaf pines with my youngest nearby, realizing this wasn’t just another summer for my kids—it was my summer too.