My Weird Feet

[Jami Gray]

Not sure if this is actually a question, or if I'm just venting my frustrations, but I'd gladly take any advice anyone can give. I've walked the Camino Frances twice before. One time the entire way from SJPDP, the second from SJPDP to Burgos. Both times, I wore wonderfully comfortable Merrell Moab ventilators, a size larger than my normal shoe. I had a few toe blister issues that were easily dealt with using tape and bandages. My toes do the walking-on-each other thing -- my pinkie toe sits slightly under the edge of the next toe.
Well, I am preparing to walk the Portuguese here in less than four weeks (Sept 18). I always walk, a lot. Typically 8-10 miles (12-15km) daily, wearing my running shoes with absolutely no issues. For the last four to five weeks, I've been adding my pack and Merrells, and I'm struggling with blisters on the tips (hard to bandage) of my pinkie toes!! Never had that issue before. Any blisters I had before were always on the bottoms of my last two toes because my toes do that weird lapping thing. And my toes are not hitting the end of my shoe. Weird. Anyway, it is so frustrating since i cant' find a good way to bandage the tips of my little toes! Any suggestions? Everything I try seems to slip off and end up wadded between my toes! I've tried Injinji toe socks. I've considered going a size bigger is shoes...actually ordered a pair; but when I tried them on they just really seemed to move around a LOT.

 

[Anniesantiago]

I have this problem and I've found what's best for me are little gel tubes I can slip over my pinky. They are tight enough to stay on but don't constrict. You cut them to size. You should find them in most drugstores and all along the Camino. I've also become quite fond of KT Tape.

 

[VNwalking]

Lambswool or gel toecaps?
Check this out - there's a ton of useful information:

Home

Foot blisters are THE most common foot injury in sport. Take advantage of our expert foot blister treatment and foot blister prevention tips.

blisterprevention.com.au

 

[K Turner]

I wear the Merrells as well and today I have my first blister (I'm in Los Arcos today). It's on the tip of my toe and indeed it's an awkward spot. I hope the suggestions from the others helps; I'll be trying them too!

Buen Camino!

 

[VAtoNC]

I have this problem and I've found what's best for me are little gel tubes I can slip over my pinky. They are tight enough to stay on but don't constrict. You cut them to size. You should find them in most drugstores and all along the Camino. I've also become quite fond of KT Tape.

I've tried the toe caps during my training hikes and I find that they change the fit of my shoes, so I'm going to try taping them with Leukotape and/or use lambswool.

 

[William Novak]

I had the same problem with my toes doing the Camino a couple of times. Think it was because I spend so much time in Birkenstock’s prior to trekking.. I just could not adapt to a typical trekking shoe. I now exclusively use Chaco’s and waterproof socks whether they are gore-Tex, neoprene laminated, or plain wool. Never a problem. Very comfortable. If nothing else pack a pair just in case all else fails.

 

[Jami Gray]

I had the same problem with my toes doing the Camino a couple of times. Think it was because I spend so much time in Birkenstock’s prior to trekking.. I just could not adapt to a typical trekking shoe. I now exclusively use Chaco’s and waterproof socks whether they are gore-Tex, neoprene laminated, or plain wool. Never a problem. Very comfortable. If nothing else pack a pair just in case all else fails.

Thank you! Planning on my old Chacos as my backup/evening shoes!

 

[Priscilla NC]

Sounds like you need a wider toe box. This was my issue and Merrills did not work for me at all, they just aggravated this problem. After getting professional advice, I move to Altras, which have a wider toe box and I walked 2 Caminos blister free.

Plus I wrapped my pinkies in hikers wool.

Buen Camino!

 

[Meggie]

Not sure if this is actually a question, or if I'm just venting my frustrations, but I'd gladly take any advice anyone can give. I've walked the Camino Frances twice before. One time the entire way from SJPDP, the second from SJPDP to Burgos. Both times, I wore wonderfully comfortable Merrell Moab ventilators, a size larger than my normal shoe. I had a few toe blister issues that were easily dealt with using tape and bandages. My toes do the walking-on-each other thing -- my pinkie toe sits slightly under the edge of the next toe.
Well, I am preparing to walk the Portuguese here in less than four weeks (Sept 18). I always walk, a lot. Typically 8-10 miles (12-15km) daily, wearing my running shoes with absolutely no issues. For the last four to five weeks, I've been adding my pack and Merrells, and I'm struggling with blisters on the tips (hard to bandage) of my pinkie toes!! Never had that issue before. Any blisters I had before were always on the bottoms of my last two toes because my toes do that weird lapping thing. And my toes are not hitting the end of my shoe. Weird. Anyway, it is so frustrating since i cant' find a good way to bandage the tips of my little toes! Any suggestions? Everything I try seems to slip off and end up wadded between my toes! I've tried Injinji toe socks. I've considered going a size bigger is shoes...actually ordered a pair; but when I tried them on they just really seemed to move around a LOT.

I wore liner socks on 2 caminos and never got a blister.

Injinji Liner Crew Socks | REI Co-op

Wear these light and breathable liner socks under thicker outer socks as a first line of defense against moisture and blisters, or wear them alone as your go-to socks for everyday adventures.

www.rei.com

 

[Jami Gray]

Sounds like you need a wider toe box. This was my issue and Merrills did not work for me at all, they just aggravated this problem. After getting professional advice, I move to Altras, which have a wider toe box and I walked 2 Caminos blister free.

Plus I wrapped my pinkies in hikers wool.

Buen Camino!

Altra Lone Peaks? I've been considering...was there a very long break-in period? I walk in four weeks.

 

[Wokabaut_Meri]

I developed this problem after a phone zombie trod on my foot and fractured my fifth metatarsal last year tried all sorts but finally worked my way through the Blister Prevention recommendations. Written by a podiatrist who specialises in helping long distance adventurers it’s a wealth of information, some of which could prove useful for your problem.

As always, whatever works for you is the right option. Good luck and Buen Camino!

 

[Anniesantiago]

I've tried the toe caps during my training hikes and I find that they change the fit of my shoes, so I'm going to try taping them with Leukotape and/or use lambswool.

Oh yes! I've also used lambswool with success! But it seems, unfortunately, that every year, I get that danged little toe blister. It eventually hardens into a callous and becomes pain free, but the days of the blister are uncomfortable.

 

[Kathy Jaudegis]

Not sure if this is actually a question, or if I'm just venting my frustrations, but I'd gladly take any advice anyone can give. I've walked the Camino Frances twice before. One time the entire way from SJPDP, the second from SJPDP to Burgos. Both times, I wore wonderfully comfortable Merrell Moab ventilators, a size larger than my normal shoe. I had a few toe blister issues that were easily dealt with using tape and bandages. My toes do the walking-on-each other thing -- my pinkie toe sits slightly under the edge of the next toe.
Well, I am preparing to walk the Portuguese here in less than four weeks (Sept 18). I always walk, a lot. Typically 8-10 miles (12-15km) daily, wearing my running shoes with absolutely no issues. For the last four to five weeks, I've been adding my pack and Merrells, and I'm struggling with blisters on the tips (hard to bandage) of my pinkie toes!! Never had that issue before. Any blisters I had before were always on the bottoms of my last two toes because my toes do that weird lapping thing. And my toes are not hitting the end of my shoe. Weird. Anyway, it is so frustrating since i cant' find a good way to bandage the tips of my little toes! Any suggestions? Everything I try seems to slip off and end up wadded between my toes! I've tried Injinji toe socks. I've considered going a size bigger is shoes...actually ordered a pair; but when I tried them on they just really seemed to move around a LOT.

If you’ve had no problems with your running shoes, why not wear them? I wore running shoes with no problems!

 

[Kathy Jaudegis]

Not sure if this is actually a question, or if I'm just venting my frustrations, but I'd gladly take any advice anyone can give. I've walked the Camino Frances twice before. One time the entire way from SJPDP, the second from SJPDP to Burgos. Both times, I wore wonderfully comfortable Merrell Moab ventilators, a size larger than my normal shoe. I had a few toe blister issues that were easily dealt with using tape and bandages. My toes do the walking-on-each other thing -- my pinkie toe sits slightly under the edge of the next toe.
Well, I am preparing to walk the Portuguese here in less than four weeks (Sept 18). I always walk, a lot. Typically 8-10 miles (12-15km) daily, wearing my running shoes with absolutely no issues. For the last four to five weeks, I've been adding my pack and Merrells, and I'm struggling with blisters on the tips (hard to bandage) of my pinkie toes!! Never had that issue before. Any blisters I had before were always on the bottoms of my last two toes because my toes do that weird lapping thing. And my toes are not hitting the end of my shoe. Weird. Anyway, it is so frustrating since i cant' find a good way to bandage the tips of my little toes! Any suggestions? Everything I try seems to slip off and end up wadded between my toes! I've tried Injinji toe socks. I've considered going a size bigger is shoes...actually ordered a pair; but when I tried them on they just really seemed to move around a LOT.

Oh and Buen Camino!

 

[Priscilla NC]

Altra Lone Peaks? I've been considering...was there a very long break-in period? I walk in four weeks.

Yes, I've had Altra Lone Peaks and the Timps. I personally had no break in needs at all, but I'm used to zero drop shoes. Those who are not used to them may have to adjust more slowly, like starting with 15 minutes and adding some each day. I'm an optimist at heart, so I think you might be able to do this in a couple of weeks. I know people who have.

Good luck!