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What I've learned so far from reading these forums is that the right shoes are crucial for a good Camino experience.
I would like to know how you know when you have the right shoes.
My feet are somewhat duck shaped - wide at the ball, and quite narrow at the heel. What seems to happen is that my big toe is either hitting the end, or there is too much heel slippage. I have ladies' size 11 feet, which means that I am usually shopping from the men's section.
I've tried on exactly 29 pairs of shoes so far, and exchanged them 3 times. The first were the merrel moabs that everyone raves about on this forum. They were awkwardly shaped for my feet. The second were salomons, but a half size too small. I exchanged them for a half size larger. I think I may have found the right pair. They are salomon trail shoes... light weight, breathable, flexible.
I've been wearing them around town but have not yet worn them on a longer hike. So far they seem great, though there is a small amount of slippage in my right heel. How much slippage is too much? How can I predict whether this will become a problem down the road? Will certain socks help? Insoles?
Liz
When it comes to insoles, I started with Superfeet Green insoles, they worked Ok, for my next Camino, I am testing out SOLES brand insoles (you heat them in a microwave and form them to your feet) and like these better than Superfeet.
I fixed the problems with filing rough spots on big toe and always taping it, smoothed rough callus on a side blister, and put a spacer between toes for the developing pinch blister. No problems since with preventive measures.
It seems like you are aware of all the issues. Your size would mean limited selection in women`s shoes, and the Salomon is a great shoe for the wide foot, narrow heel. I have that type of foot but in a smaller size. My sister-in-law wears your size and has similarly searched high and low, finally choosing a Salomon as well. I`m sorry I can`t help you with a simple way to predict how they`ll work in the long run - you`ll just have to experiment with socks, inner soles, lacing techniques, etc. Good luck and welcome to the forum!
LizziM, the tape I'm using is a 3M Durapore. It doesn't seem to stretch so it's good enough to work as a mini-girdle for the fat between my big toe and the next one. It doesn't seem to stretch when walking. I make sure to overlap it a bit on the upper side of my foot since I don't want to create a point of friction I'm walking on. I had tried a toe spacer but never was able to get used to it. I make sure the tape isn't too tight before I go out on the road.
I couldn't copy the link but you might try looking for the "lace lock" or "heel lock" method for tying your shoelaces. This method is supposed to help keep your heel in place.
What I've learned so far from reading these forums is that the right shoes are crucial for a good Camino experience.
I would like to know how you know when you have the right shoes.
My feet are somewhat duck shaped - wide at the ball, and quite narrow at the heel. What seems to happen is that my big toe is either hitting the end, or there is too much heel slippage. I have ladies' size 11 feet, which means that I am usually shopping from the men's section.
I've tried on exactly 29 pairs of shoes so far, and exchanged them 3 times. The first were the merrel moabs that everyone raves about on this forum. They were awkwardly shaped for my feet. The second were salomons, but a half size too small. I exchanged them for a half size larger. I think I may have found the right pair. They are salomon trail shoes... light weight, breathable, flexible.
I've been wearing them around town but have not yet worn them on a longer hike. So far they seem great, though there is a small amount of slippage in my right heel. How much slippage is too much? How can I predict whether this will become a problem down the road? Will certain socks help? Insoles?
Liz
This may be why I get a good fit from my non gore-tex Salomon Speedcross 3s.flexible.
New Balance Shoes on an SL-2 Shoe last which is narrow at the heel and wide at the front with a very deep toe box.
Here's something I've been thinking about every time I read that the presence of blisters mean the shoes aren't right. Why is that so? Aren't there physical aspects of your feet that cause blisters. My thinking comes partly from my own experience with my own foot issues and from what I've been reading.
Pinch blisters are the ones you get when one toe overlaps over its adjacent toe. With repeated injury of long hikes blisters appear that don't usually when mileage is lower.
Morton ' s toe, or a longer second toe, causes calluses near the ball
of your foot. These calluses are a common site of blisters.
Rough calluses on other areas on your feet can increase shearing forces that lead to blisters.
Morton ' s toe and improperly clipped toenails can also be a site for blisters on the tips of your toes.
Shoe width may cause problems but there are things like spacers, taping and other methods called for, no matter what shoe you're wearing.
I found the book Fix Your Feet to be helpful.
I have Morton's toes!
Yesterday, on a very hot day, I hiked 24km. I developed a blister on the second toe of my right foot, at the tip, just beyond where the second toe touches the big toe. I can see that it's there from the slight pinching that happens when these toes are pressed together.
I'm pretty sure that I have the right shoes (New balance trail runners). There is plenty of room in the toe box, and no other discomfort or hot spots.
Taking your advice that certain issues, like this toe problem, will happen no matter how well your shoes fit, I want to investigate spacers and taping techniques. I was actually thinking as I was walking yesterday that a toe spacer could be the right solution, if it's the right material and fits properly.
Are spacers something that one would buy, or make? What are they usually made from?
LizziM: I had the same problem on previous caminos then I found a great liner sock by Injinji...they have five separate toes. I use a product called "glide" on my feet first then use the sock as a liner sock under my main sock. Never had a blister or problem once I started to use this method. It is much easier than trying to tape the toes. You can get both products at sporting goods stores for runners or hiking.I should add that I'm beginning the Camino in just over a week. I'm a bit distressed about encountering this issue now, but hopefully there's a still time to sort out some solutions.
I have never needed to look closely at them, but I've noticed various toe spacers available in pharmacies. Have a look in the footcare section.Are spacers something that one would buy, or make?
Perhaps you could save weight, and not bring the casino each time!!I had the same problem on previous casinos ...
Ha ha! Love spell checker...it creates a lot of humor for everyone from us dumb ones that don't read our posts before we hit sendPerhaps you could save weight, and not bring the casino each time!!
I've bought gel spacers at a large grocery store, too. Pedifix visco gel toe spacers were the brand. I have cut them in half for one foot. You might also look for gel tips. They are a stockinette tubular fabric lined with gel that fit onto the tip of your toe like a little toe glove. I have tried injinji socks but don't like the way they feel.I have never needed to look closely at them, but I've noticed various toe spacers available in pharmacies. Have a look in the footcare section.
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