DarcyWalksThe World
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2021
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Sorry about your feet . I've been there and done that .I think it all goes back to your shoes are not a whole size larger. Yes a whole size ! Send them on and take them home to wear . I have learned the hard way about feet on the Camino . My feet any way . They sweat and thus get blisters with all the agonizingly painful dead end . I do bring walking shoes but wear Teva sandals 90% of the time . Sandals have eliminated most blisters and despite dirty feet and a few small stone getting in , I'm happy to say I can walk most anywhere in them . You are going to lose that toenail that was pinched by your tight shoes so let it be ,it will slowly drop off unless you play with it and it gets infected. Tape it together lose . My idea for hiking feet are : first buy your socks ,good merino wool ,not too tight . Then shop for walking shoes with those socks . Buy light weight and breathable and a whole size larger than you'd wear at home .you can add a sock liner to add space in your feet while training . Buy hiking sandals, I like Teva, and wear them for a month almost every day to break in the sandals ,BUT your feet will dry up and hardin and there is nothing worse than blisters on pink and soft feet . I use a lubricant I make of 1/2 lanolin and 1/2 beeswax melted together to coat my feet and toes each morning on the trail . After your shower at the end of waking day let your "dogs" air out and dry with those sandals . After about ten Camino and long treks I've finally figured it out for me. Good luckRookie Mistake:
WARNING:
Photos of Ugly Toes Ahead
Brought my Solomon trail runners that I’ve been walking in for the last year. Easily walk 10Km+ and never have a single issue with my toes or feet.
They are not a 1/2 size bigger than normal.
I started with these and thin Injinji socks with lanolin-moisturizer and tape around any possible “hot spots”.
Great for 2 days.
Bought new Injinji socks—slightly thicker—in Pamplona and wore them on Day 3.
I knew they felt “snug” when I put my Solomons on but shrugged it off.
By the end of the day I could no longer wear the shoes. My second toe was red and inflamed, with a blister. Pharmacist said leave it but cover it. I switched to socks and my Merrell sandals which are not “truly” a hiking sandal….but they are working now for 4 days.
The toenail is lifting up more everyday. I wear one of those silicone toe sleeves on it and tape or Compeed every single toe. When I arrive and shower I take everything off and let it air out to breathe.
But the top area of the toe and directly under the toenail on the skin is still quite red and swollen.
This is long. Sorry.
questions: normal for the redness? Just keep going with sandals and wait for the toenail to fall off? Can I keep walking directly after that?
Also, ditch the shoes? I see no way I can wear them again. This means 3 more weeks of hiking in the Merrill’s…not ideal but I’m scared to buy new sandals…
A short term expedient measure if you don't have sandals is to tighten up your laces, both routinely when you have a rest stop, and on steeper slopes. This prevents the foot sliding forward if any wriggle room has developed as you have been walking.If you have brought hiking sandals with you change into them before steep descents to avoid the toe problem.
This is excellent advice, Trecile. I never even thought of this before. Thanks!If you have brought hiking sandals with you change into them before steep descents to avoid the toe problem.
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