Breaking-in new boots: advice needed.

[Sheffield James]

I am leaving for Spain in three weeks time and I need some practical advice on how I can overcome a problem I'm having with my new boots.

I bought a pair of hiking boots with ankle support a month or two ago. Both fit comfortably until I walk a few kilometres, which is when the right boot starts to chafe my right ankle and causes a break in the skin and a slight bleed. It is very painful, too. I have not worn them while my ankle has been healing; something essential to me as a diabetic for whom foot care is very important.

My question:
Does anyone know of any clever, practical ways of softening the material around the ankle area and top edge of the boot manually? I'm hoping that will help solve the problem and will get me back on the training ground as quickly as possible.

Please note: buying a new pair of boots is not an option.

Thank-you!
James

 

[GreatDane]

When I have my Achilles' tendon calcium deposit bouts, my orthopaedic surgeon has me put Dr Scholl gel heel cushions in my boots to raise my heel a smidge. Might work too to get your ankle elevated to wear it is not rubbing.

 

[alipilgrim]

If you have the option of changing boots, try a low ankle shoe paired with an orthopedic ankle brace. That is the only true way of supporting your ankle (saying someone who just two weeks ago had her 2nd ankle surgery on same foot). Hi-top boots rarely are fitted or tied tightly enough to give appropriate support.

In the USA you can buy such braces at local pharmacies in both low and medium support. Higher support braces can be bought online.

If you'd like to stay with your present boots, why not try an elastic compression ankle brace? The package says low support but I quite liked it and it would cover your ankle bone and above, providing protection from any rubbing.

 

[Rob the Slob]

Hi @Sheffield James, back when leather shoes were still the norm I had some good experiences sticking a large plaster on the inside of my shoe where it chafed. I believe that nowadays there are even specialist patches on the market.

 

[Tincatinker]

Hi James. Dubbin or Neet's Foot Oil ( try an old fashioned cobblers) worked vigorously into the leather will help to soften it. Something to do while watching repeat plays of 'The Way"

@GreatDane 's suggestion of heel-lifts may help too. Other ideas are dropping the lacing, that is don't use the top eyes when lacing: using a 'cuff'' - the top rib band cut from an old sock: or using some light taping over the abraded area once it has healed.

Good luck amigo.

 

[alipilgrim]

This photo is a perfect example why high top shoes do NOT offer proper ankle support. Look at how the ankle is free to move within the boot.

 

[dougfitz]

This photo is a perfect example why high top shoes do NOT offer proper ankle support. Look at how the ankle is free to move within the boot.

This is a wonderful example of a boot where the lacing hasn't been tightened properly. It is not about the boot not working, but rather that it isn't being worn properly. The top cuff of the boot should be tightened around the ankle so that it is a snug fit.

In response to the OP, you might find that, as @alipilgrim noted in an earlier post,

Hi-top boots rarely are fitted or tied tightly enough to give appropriate support.

and also provided a wonderful example of just that in her later post. When I had similar problems with chafing at the ankles, I switched to using a lock lacing method. (See http://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/locklacing.htm for an explanation of this.) Using this gives the additional leverage when tightening my boots needed to create a really snug fit around the ankle. As a result, the ankle is much better supported, has less movement in the top of the boot, and this resolved the chafing I was getting.

 

[Sheffield James]

I am indebted to you all for the advice given. I'm going to start walking again tomorrow + I'll try out the various solutions - starting with the laces - to find out which one(s) do the job. I'll let you know how I get on.
Many thanks!

 

[Mark Lee]

Boots rubbing your ankles till they bleed?
Man, I don't know. That doesn't sound good. I know you said boot replacement is not an option, but those things are going to grind you up after a few hundred kilometers.

 

[Sheffield James]

Boots rubbing your ankles till they bleed?
Man, I don't know. That doesn't sound good. I know you said boot replacement is not an option, but those things are going to grind you up after a few hundred kilometers.

Thanks for your concern, Mark. Hopefully, the solutions offered above will do the trick. I guess I'll find out soon enough.

 

[Rajy62]

If you don't really need the ankle support, I would carry a good pair of outdoor sandals (e.g ecco yucatan) with you. If the boot continues to gives you trouble, just put the sandals on. very common on the Camino.

 

[Deleted member 34316]

Yes. Teva Terra-Fi hiking sandals work miracles on the Camino as well. That's with black low-cut socks included (the exclusive Camino fashion).
I just love when the Germans (always in boots) give me this weird look at my sandals asking "how can you even walk in THIS"?
Well, thats one good way to avoid blisters, thats for sure.
I start walking in Salomon trail runners, after about 10-15 km, when my feet have warmed up, I switch to Tevas.
Please, don't follow my style. Who would buy the "no pain, no glory" t-shirts and badges anymore?

 

[dougfitz]

Yes. Teva Terra-Fi hiking sandals work miracles on the Camino as well. That's with black low-cut socks included (the exclusive Camino fashion).
I just love when the Germans (always in boots) give me this weird look at my sandals asking "how can you even walk in THIS"?
Well, thats one good way to avoid blisters, thats for sure.
I start walking in Salomon trail runners, after about 10-15 km, when my feet have warmed up, I switch to Tevas.
Please, don't follow my style. Who would buy the "no pain, no glory" t-shirts and badges anymore?

I'm inclined to believe that one can get blisters as easily in sandals as other footwear. The only time I blistered on the CF was the day I wore sandals in the afternoon, so I know that they do not keep one blister free necessarily.

 

[Deleted member 34316]

The only time I blistered on the CF was the day I wore sandals in the afternoon, so I know that they do not keep one blister free necessarily.

I have no reason not to believe it - everyone is different. And my posts are not always 100% serious... But since I learned that Sheffield James is planning to walk Via de la Plata from Seville in May, which means 30C or more, in a very, very flat terrain, I thought wearing sandals could be very comfortable, and ankle support is not a big challenge there. Statistically, I believe not many people wear boots on the way from Seville, that's just my observation, nothing more.
Edited : ... which doesn't mean most people wear sandals either - just regular trail hiking shoes.