Since you are all so helpful, I wonder if you can give me some advice about boots. I have spent all summer trying to find the right combination of boots & socks (wish I could trade in my feet, too) in preparation for a Sept 1 pilgrimage. Here I am with the latest combination falling through less than 3 weeks before I leave.
So far I have gotten new orthotics, figured out the mysterious ankle rash (with a lot of help from this forum and Arn especially), and found socks that seem not to aggravate it (Bridgedale A.T. Boots Plus). I took my socks and orthotics to a good hiking store and after many hours came home with a new pair of Asolo Stynger boots. I wore them inside for a few days and on a number of short hikes, and they felt fine if a little heavy, but when I wore them this weekend on longer hikes of 8 - 10 miles, the balls of my feet started to hurt like crazy after two-three hours. I have always had bad feet -- blisters, plantar fascitis, plantar warts, twisted ankles, tendonitis -- but this is a new one.
I'm not sure what to do next. Does this sound like something that will go away as the boots get worn in? I've put about 28 miles on them so far. Do I bail out and look for other boots, or give up on boots and go to trainers? I've noticed a few references in the forum to people having the "wrong" boots and wonder what that means. Because of my history of other foot problems, I'm nervous about going to something less supportive. I can walk forever in trainers in the city or in boots on short hikes.
I'm so excited about this trip but scared that I still don't have good footware at this point! Thanks for any advice.
So far I have gotten new orthotics, figured out the mysterious ankle rash (with a lot of help from this forum and Arn especially), and found socks that seem not to aggravate it (Bridgedale A.T. Boots Plus). I took my socks and orthotics to a good hiking store and after many hours came home with a new pair of Asolo Stynger boots. I wore them inside for a few days and on a number of short hikes, and they felt fine if a little heavy, but when I wore them this weekend on longer hikes of 8 - 10 miles, the balls of my feet started to hurt like crazy after two-three hours. I have always had bad feet -- blisters, plantar fascitis, plantar warts, twisted ankles, tendonitis -- but this is a new one.
I'm not sure what to do next. Does this sound like something that will go away as the boots get worn in? I've put about 28 miles on them so far. Do I bail out and look for other boots, or give up on boots and go to trainers? I've noticed a few references in the forum to people having the "wrong" boots and wonder what that means. Because of my history of other foot problems, I'm nervous about going to something less supportive. I can walk forever in trainers in the city or in boots on short hikes.
I'm so excited about this trip but scared that I still don't have good footware at this point! Thanks for any advice.