suzie Gibbons
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Future- April 2017
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I cannot stress how important properly lacing of shoes/boots each day is. Although I am a novice, I have expended time energy and money to hopefully have a pain/blister free Camino and over the last six months have ended up between a rock and a hard place.Often. Steep descents do it for me.
It hurts but that's not that big a deal--it's temporary and the pain goes away in a day or so.
You may need a bigger toe box if you haven't gotten that black toenail on downhills (as others have said), but if you get them on downhills, make sure you lace the boots or shoes so that the foot cannot slip forward; here's a thread on the forum and you'll find a lot info if you search online. REI had a nice video.
Your post led me to Keen's website where I find that they have two new lightweight hiking shoes in addition to the McKenzie. The Versavent, and the Versago. they both look awesome.Not to dangle candy in front of you, @Tigger, but I'm sold on these Keens. I wouldn't walk the Camino in boots now if you paid me to. Of course unless it were winter with lots of snow on the ground...though I've been in a bit of snow in these and while it was cold all was well.
Oh, edit...apropos the thread topic? Only one black toenail in these and it was my fault entirely. Another story.
And Edit # 2. I lie. To be honest? If anyone were to pay me to walk the Camino, I guess I'd walk in boots. Figure of speech.
Also a good idea!.What about trying the little gel/fabric toe separator tubes available at chemists. You cut them to length and slide them up over the toe. They give protection from pressure spots, separate the toes, and position the toe perhaps more correctly if it is inclined to slide under it's neighbour.
I think you are coming to the Camigos get together - we can talk boots etc then and how we manage. It does sound as though your boots were either too tight or not tied securely enough for downhill sections of your walk.So, Ive been training for 6 weeks now, getting up to a couple of 4-5 milers during the week plus a couple of 10-12 milers at weekends and have been so pleased my feet haven't suffered despite having a small corn on my third toe of left foot. I managed to get rid of this completely, but after the 11 mile walk last sunday, I discovered the toe next to the previous one with a corn, had turned black- well the nail in any case!
People have told me this is common in runners because their shoes rub and my walking boots were probably too small. Has anyone else suffered from this- is the nail going to fall off, and do I really need to buy new { larger } boots so close to leaving on April 24th? TIA
So, Ive been training for 6 weeks now, getting up to a couple of 4-5 milers during the week plus a couple of 10-12 milers at weekends and have been so pleased my feet haven't suffered despite having a small corn on my third toe of left foot. I managed to get rid of this completely, but after the 11 mile walk last sunday, I discovered the toe next to the previous one with a corn, had turned black- well the nail in any case!
People have told me this is common in runners because their shoes rub and my walking boots were probably too small. Has anyone else suffered from this- is the nail going to fall off, and do I really need to buy new { larger } boots so close to leaving on April 24th? TIA
Thank you Freda1, Ive deduced this toe is due to all the steep decents Ive had lately...everywhere I walk is a hill!!As a hiker, I always have a couple black toenails. In my case I think it comes from toes pounding against shoes on steep descents. It really isn't important unless you have pain, at least for me.
Damn!Not to dangle candy in front of you, @Tigger, but I'm sold on these Keens. I wouldn't walk the Camino in boots now if you paid me to. Of course unless it were winter with lots of snow on the ground...though I've been in a bit of snow in these and while it was cold all was well.
Oh, edit...apropos the thread topic? Only one black toenail in these and it was my fault entirely. Another story.
And Edit # 2. I lie. To be honest? If anyone were to pay me to walk the Camino, I guess I'd walk in boots. Figure of speech.
So, Ive been training for 6 weeks now, getting up to a couple of 4-5 milers during the week plus a couple of 10-12 milers at weekends and have been so pleased my feet haven't suffered despite having a small corn on my third toe of left foot. I managed to get rid of this completely, but after the 11 mile walk last sunday, I discovered the toe next to the previous one with a corn, had turned black- well the nail in any case!
People have told me this is common in runners because their shoes rub and my walking boots were probably too small. Has anyone else suffered from this- is the nail going to fall off, and do I really need to buy new { larger } boots so close to leaving on April 24th? TIA
My experience as a runner who gets black toes is to grease them up with something like Vaseline. Solved my problem while running. I tried everything else but the grease works.
Hi, I've been trekking for 50 years and noticed everyone is a little different but there are some cardinal rules to follow in order to avoid foot and toe problems. Firstly the shoes; go to a large outdoor shoe store and ask someone there for a podiatrist's name and have that expert give you the best possible explanation you need about what your feet need. Ask an expert, not product reviews. I did that and voila, my life and feet are much happier. The podiatrist will recommend some brands of shoes. I now use Vasque Breeze Gortex because they breath really well and they come in all possible widths. Forget about waterproof shoes. There's no such thing. When it rains hard the water will trickle into your shoes and will wick down from your socks. If you wear rain pants you'll sweat making you feet wet in no time. Secondly, the socks. High end merino socks made specifically for trekking. There are many brands but few have as many options such as thickness, height, gender specific and composite blends as do Smart Wool socks. I get about 1,500 kilometres from them. Change your socks every 2 hours then tie or safety pin your moist set on your pack to dry as you walk. Thirdly; sandals are not trekking shoes. Always use the right tool for the job and if you want to walk wear shoes with laces and toe protection. Fourth; tighten your laces from the toes on up before going downhill; this will keep your toes from squishing into one another and from hitting the front of your shoe's toe box. If you rub anything long enough a blister will form or a toenail will be forced out of position to end up looking like you've developed toe nail leprosy. I've had every type of foot problem in the past 50 years and you will probably experience some minor problem even if you take my advice seriously but if and probably when you develop a blister go to a drugstore and ask specifically for COMPEED® blister bandages. They come in every imaginable shape and size for exactly what ails your feet, toes, nails and any combination there of. They are the best. First wash you feet and apply. There is special medication in the adhesive that accelerates the healing. Leave the bandage on for at least 3 days even if you shower. They are expensive but hey, pain has no cost. Fifth; lighten you pack to the bare minimum. The more weight on your feet, the more likely you will have a foot problem. Six; walk at your own pace. You are not as invincible as you think you are. Never run with a pack on your back, never for any reason it takes only a couple of minutes to cause damages to your feet like that. Seven; vented shoes dry faster than so called waterproof shoes. If they are really wet, if available, stuff newspaper really tightly into your shoes at the end of the day. That really helps. If your soes are still damp in the morning, if you have well vented shoes and quality merino wicking socks, your feet, if everything is just right, will heat up and dry your shoes by the time you change your socks. Remember ? Change them evey two hours, religiously. Eight; check your feet carefully at every socks change and apply COMPEED® immediately if you see a problem and slow the heck down. Nine; use quality trekking poles like Leki or Black Diamond poles. They make an enormous long distance walking difference and take some stress of basically all of you to include your feet.So, Ive been training for 6 weeks now, getting up to a couple of 4-5 milers during the week plus a couple of 10-12 milers at weekends and have been so pleased my feet haven't suffered despite having a small corn on my third toe of left foot. I managed to get rid of this completely, but after the 11 mile walk last sunday, I discovered the toe next to the previous one with a corn, had turned black- well the nail in any case!
People have told me this is common in runners because their shoes rub and my walking boots were probably too small. Has anyone else suffered from this- is the nail going to fall off, and do I really need to buy new { larger } boots so close to leaving on April 24th? TIA
I use these a lot, also protects toe when new nail is growing backWhat about trying the little gel/fabric toe separator tubes available at chemists. You cut them to length and slide them up over the toe. They give protection from pressure spots, separate the toes, and position the toe perhaps more correctly if it is inclined to slide under it's neighbour.
Regards
Gerard
My experience as a runner who gets black toes is to grease them up with something like Vaseline. Solved my problem while running. I tried everything else but the grease works.
I cannot stress how important properly lacing of shoes/boots each day is. Although I am a novice, I have expended time energy and money to hopefully have a pain/blister free Camino and over the last six months have ended up between a rock and a hard place.
I first purchased a pair of wonderfully comfortable Merrell Moab trail shoes and thought them perfect and never thought about my feet when training over many kms. Then I got into the habit of just pulling my shoes on and tieing them at the top without tightening the lower laces to hold my foot firmly in place and I gradually got sore, thickened toes nails despite keeping them ultra short as my foot was slipping down into the toe on descents. (Having been a former ballet dancer with many years in pointe shoes also didn't help despite my strong foot muscles)
My original purchase had been expensive AUD$250 so when I was able to buy a second pair for $AUD100 online in the next size up, I jumped at it and made the purchase. NOW I have two pairs from which to choose , and one smaller is correct if I am scrupulous about shoe lacing, and the other is easier but I tend to trip over the slightly longer shoe. (sigh) Moabs are quite heavy so I will only take one and my absolutely gorgeous Teva extra light sandals. Like Kanga, I am almost tempted to try barefoot as recommended by one of the speakers (the lovely Sue Kenney) we had at the Camino festival at Blackheath over last weekend as I wear no shoes 90% of the time at home as I live 50 metres from the beach in a casual tourist atmosphere.
So, Ive been training for 6 weeks now, getting up to a couple of 4-5 milers during the week plus a couple of 10-12 milers at weekends and have been so pleased my feet haven't suffered despite having a small corn on my third toe of left foot. I managed to get rid of this completely, but after the 11 mile walk last sunday, I discovered the toe next to the previous one with a corn, had turned black- well the nail in any case!
People have told me this is common in runners because their shoes rub and my walking boots were probably too small. Has anyone else suffered from this- is the nail going to fall off, and do I really need to buy new { larger } boots so close to leaving on April 24th? TIA
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