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Post by wondermonkey on Dec 17, 2015 6:21:10 GMT -8
I wear Superfeet inserts ALL the time. There are other inserts that are good as well. Most will cost you between $25 to $50 and are worth every cent. From my reading on the magic internet good inserts have frequently solved or reduced the problem. In addition to making sure the boots are broken in and other things I'm going to find a good pair. The Superfeet inserts are referenced several times. As far as being worth the money if they help I'm good with it. I made a decision to not to to a further camp because of that foot pain. While I still had a tremendous time I didn't get to see what I had planned. When I get into camp I take my shoes/boots off and wear Crocs. They are butt ugly but they are light and soft. Yes, Crocs..... I'm resisting that but I think I'm going to have to. On the second night when I got into camp I went barefoot on my ground tarp and it was glorious. I know the value of camp shoes and usually I take some with me but with an already heavy pack I left them at home due to weight. I knew it wasn't the right thing but I did it anyway.
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Post by wondermonkey on Dec 17, 2015 6:22:37 GMT -8
Although my toes don't hit the end of my shoes' toebox, the nails did and left me with sore nail beds and roots. I've had that happen and while it doesn't take you off the trail it does leave things sore. It makes me wonder how people can have long toenails?
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Dec 17, 2015 8:04:42 GMT -8
When I get into camp I take my shoes/boots off and wear Crocs. They are butt ugly but they are light and soft. If I stop on the trail for more than 10 minutes, I at least loosen my shoes if I don't take them off. I use hiking poles and make sure I am not over striding. Good advice. I like to take off my boots/shoes and let my feet and socks dry thoroughly whenever I get the chance--my feet sweat a lot. And camp shoes are heavenly. These camp shoes are super-light sneakers from Payless--actually lighter than Crocs, though not as good for swimming and wading (they don't dry as fast, being fabric). Although my toes don't hit the end of my shoes' toebox, the nails did and left me with sore nail beds and roots. Ouch!
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Post by Lamebeaver on Dec 17, 2015 8:48:37 GMT -8
I've experiences sore feet due to having too much cushion as well. If you have heavy socks, you might try switching to a medium weight sock to see if that helps.
I also experienced this with a set of Itaska boots. They seemed to fit well in the store, but on the trail my feet were in pain.
IMHO it's not so much the quality of the boots, but how well they fit. You can have the best boots in the world, but if the lasts they were build on don't match your feet, then you're going to have problems.
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Post by rwtb123 on Dec 20, 2015 7:42:06 GMT -8
My guess is you may have an arched foot which causes it to roll outward(supinate) and land on the heel and ball areas not as stable a landing base as people with flat feet or pronators who tend to be bow legged rolling inward.In a running shoe this is usually solved by a slip last (curved toward the landing areas)and extra cushioning to absorb the extra shock to the heel/ball areas.However,most hiking boots are built with a board last(straight)which allows a more solid,durable and supportive construction.
You can tell by the foot wear pattern on an old pair of shoes(or a wet foot print on the foor)your foot type and the answer if arched would be to add a cushioning insole as mentioned(assuming it won't cause the boot to not fit properly).The other answer that I use with my highly arched foot is to just let any blisters and hot spots(in this case)heal and callus using the theory that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
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Post by wondermonkey on Dec 20, 2015 8:08:48 GMT -8
I've been wearing these boots around to break them in and have been paying close attention to how they handle a step. What you are saying about many having a "board last" I think is correct here because quite a bit of the pressure is just on heel and ball areas. I do think a proper insert would do very well for me.
As far as looking at old shoes when I went to get a pair of running shoes "way back" when I was on the phone with the owner of the store he told me to bring an old pair in and it instantly made sense. He also watched me walk then jog (trot, actually) and made suggestions on my running form. He turned me into a mid-sole striker away from forefoot-striker due to my size and other factors that he knows about because of his knowledge. I worked on it and it certainly helped.
So... I'm going to look at a few pair of shoes and the wet footprint thing or even go do one of the commercial things where walk and it shows the pressure. Standing is one thing and I would imagine only walking (or the activity) will show what happens in motion.
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Post by wondermonkey on Dec 20, 2015 8:10:20 GMT -8
IMHO it's not so much the quality of the boots, but how well they fit. You can have the best boots in the world, but if the lasts they were build on don't match your feet, then you're going to have problems. I think you are right. The boot I have has been out there quite a bit and is reviewed favorably. The combo of breaking them in and a proper insert will get the boots where they need to be. I also need to make sure I'm climbing more hills.
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RumiDude
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Post by RumiDude on Dec 20, 2015 11:53:33 GMT -8
Find a pair of boots/shoes you really like, and then have reconstructive surgery on your feet to match your footwear.
Rumi <~~~~tongue in cheek
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Post by catsquirrel on Dec 22, 2015 18:32:43 GMT -8
I think the first thing I would look at is the boot itself. Some makes/models of boots simply don't fit certain people well, despite favorable reviews.
When I started backpacking in the late 80's, I used a pair of Hi-Tecs that I cringe thinking about now. They barely lasted through a 250 mile hike on the AT and I threw them away once I reached our pick up point. I switched to Vasque Sundowners and was happy as a clam. They fit my foot just right, and for 15 years, they were my go to boot. Alas! I had two consecutive pairs that the soles simply fell off after few miles and I've never been compelled to look at them again.
I switched to Asolos and simply hated them. The fit was okay, but they leaked like sieves, despite being gore-Tex boots. Besides backpacking, I also train retrievers, and those boots would get my feet wet on the top of the toe box just walking through ankle high grass.
Nowadays, I use Danner 453's. Kinda heavy, but they fit me very well, and no complaints after several pairs. They just fit my foot well, after a good break-in period. And they haven't leaked on me yet.
Also, I would look at your sock/liner combination. I tend to be old school and prefer a poly liner under a wool sock. It has always worked for me, and I've been packing for about 30 years and have never had a blister (yet).
The other posters have given you very good advice, but I think before you jump into custom inserts, etc., you may want to look at the basics first.
On a side note, geeeez, it's great to be back. I haven't posted on this forum in almost 8 years! HYOH!
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Post by Coolkat on Mar 20, 2016 6:54:14 GMT -8
These camp shoes are super-light sneakers from Payless--actually lighter than Crocs, though not as good for swimming and wading (they don't dry as fast, being fabric). I haven't bothered with "camp shoes" after switching from boots to trail shoes. However, last time when it rained so much I really wished I could have gotten out of my drenched shoes. These would be a very very expensive pair of "camp shoes" but I'm wondering if anyone has had any experience with these.... good or bad? xeroshoes.com/shop/feeltrue-products/ztrek-men/
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Post by Lamebeaver on Mar 20, 2016 14:40:20 GMT -8
I experienced a similar thing a few years ago with a pair of Itasca boots. Wearing a lighter-weight sock helped some, but switching to another boot was what solved the problem.
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amaruq
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Post by amaruq on Mar 20, 2016 17:22:58 GMT -8
These camp shoes are super-light sneakers from Payless--actually lighter than Crocs, though not as good for swimming and wading (they don't dry as fast, being fabric). I haven't bothered with "camp shoes" after switching from boots to trail shoes. However, last time when it rained so much I really wished I could have gotten out of my drenched shoes. These would be a very very expensive pair of "camp shoes" but I'm wondering if anyone has had any experience with these.... good or bad? xeroshoes.com/shop/feeltrue-products/ztrek-men/I recently put together new camp "shoes" by slathering silicone caulk all over the soles of a decent pair of cushioned merino hiking socks. Have yet to put them to the dirt, but they are very cozy around the house.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Mar 20, 2016 17:26:37 GMT -8
I recently put together new camp "shoes" by slathering silicone caulk all over the soles of a decent pair of cushioned merino hiking socks. Have yet to put them to the dirt, but they are very cozy around the house. That's UL! I have to have a bit more--one reason I use camp shoes is that I have some foot issues and barefoot is very painful, so I want something easy to slide into at 2 a.m., as well as for jumping in the lake.
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Post by Coolkat on Mar 20, 2016 18:20:28 GMT -8
I recently put together new camp "shoes" by slathering silicone caulk all over the soles of a decent pair of cushioned merino hiking socks. Have yet to put them to the dirt, but they are very cozy around the house. Now that is my kind of thinking! If you ever get to dirt test them let me know but I might just try the same thing.
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daveb
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Post by daveb on Mar 21, 2016 6:24:10 GMT -8
I honestly think you'd save yourself future problems if you found the right boot. If the boot don't fit, the boot don't fit.
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