health.clevelandclinic.org
Thanks so much. Glad I discovered it now instead of closer to my next Camino. It does make sense I guess. I had the same size since my first Camino 7 years ago. Now at almost 60 I think I need to reevaluate my shoes.Hi, @duchwalking pilgrim.
The Cleveland Clinic‘s website is one of my go-to places for questions like these, because of the unbelievably great treatment they provided a relative years ago.
Shoes Getting Tight? Why Your Feet Change Size Over Time
The years can literally reshape your feet
Bottom line is, yes feet change over the years. I think a lot of us have found that our feet have widened, usually not dramatically from one year to the next. But there is a tipping point, when you just have to change your footwear. I had always used Solomoon hiking shoes, but my toe box was widening, and I made the happy transition to Altras a few years ago. Anyway, you should not be surprised to learn that you need a longer and/or wider shoe.
So much info on the forum about shoes, overwhelming in fact, but I hope you can get yourself to a good store and get some professional advice in addition to all that you will find here! Buen camino, Laurie
I would go so far as to say that most of us experience this over the years. It may also be that the shoes were always a bit tight, but your tolerance for that has decreased. Cushioning fat pads diminish and other little things happen.
Beg, borrow, or buy (cheap discount store) a pair if shoes one size too big. At first they will seem like clown shoes. But after a few days they might feel like the right size. Then you might have a better idea what a good fitting shoe feels like.
Or, as we get older, comfort becomes more important than vanity. Yes, we are a big foot size 11. Why did I squeeze my foot in a size 10 all these years?
I found that if you want a good fitting go to a store that only sells shoes, particularly work safety shoes. In my area they are the Red Wing stores. I found REI to tend to up sale. They are patient but not necessarily "experts". The "Red Wing" type stores carry or can order shoes in all sizes. In many cases we don't pay for the pair, our employer pays for them. They have an account. So you walk out with a shoe that fits correctly for the purpose intended.
Would consider looking at socks use a liner with a lighter sock have you left your boots near heat if thier leather may shrink you coud put them on and go through shallow streams up to your ankles to see if that helps them swell just a few options the main thing is if their not right dont wear them on long hikes such as the camino 4 years is good for a boot i may be lucky if i get 2 years just through mountain use but i would be a bit rough on them Keep Safe
I do the same, not just for Camino. I change my walking shoes almost every year, depending on usage. Yes, feet change. Your body “settles” as you age (info from my doctor). I have gone from size 5 to size 7, now 80 years young, have scoliosis. Hooka are my most favorite walking shoes.
Google has a number of definitions of "up sale". Some may or may not apply. It depends on your experience.I'm not sure what "up sale" means, but I have found that REI sells quality shoes. I've always received good guidance from the people in their footwear department.
Good luck, @dutchwalkagain ! May you and your feet have another Buen Camino!
Got my Keen sandals at an REI. Also backpack. Was there in the store a couple of hours as the salesman tried several shoes, and more than one backpack, to find the right item and fit for each. Still using the sandals, though the straps are wearing some. Haven't done a trip with the backpack in to long.I'm not sure what "up sale" means, but I have found that REI sells quality shoes. I've always received good guidance from the people in their footwear department.
Good luck, @dutchwalkagain ! May you and your feet have another Buen Camino!
Ah, yes. I was a runner for a quarter century, and my US women's shoe size went from 7 to 8 or 8.5.
If we take it as a misspelling of "upsell", that's a common technique in sales generally, where the customer is encouraged to try and hopefully buy the more expensive item. Though in REI's defense, they don't pay commissions to the store staff.I'm not sure what "up sale" means, but I have found that REI sells quality shoes. I've always received good guidance from the people in their footwear department.
Good luck, @dutchwalkagain ! May you and your feet have another Buen Camino!
Muscles get bigger when they get stronger. My feet are two and half sizes bigger than when I first walked the Camino in 2015.
Brilliant, @kelleymac ! Hadn't thought about my feet developing muscles! Of course! Time for a little chat with the feet -- why didn't you TELL me? WE could have been a lot happier a long time ago!!Muscles get bigger when they get stronger. My feet are two and half sizes bigger than when I first walked the Camino in 2015.
I had very weak feet before I walked. I visited a sports doctor before I went on the Camino, and he was the one who pointed this out. (I had previously seen podiatrists and physical therapists.) He also suggested I buy a new pair of shoes half-way through as my feet would change.Brilliant, @kelleymac ! Hadn't thought about my feet developing muscles! Of course! Time for a little chat with the feet -- why didn't you TELL me? WE could have been a lot happier a long time ago!!
Sometime in my early 50's, feet went from narrow size to wide.
Had to get all new shoes, boots. Feet do change with age!
And that's what leaves me puzzled. With all the expert assistance provided why does it seem that the ability to return merchandise so important. My preference is to make my purchases at independent stores with the goal of getting it right the first time.
Not always. I bought a pair of discounted boots sight unseen online (knowing I could return them) and they walked me in total comfort 800km (Frances). They fitted much better than the two "expert"fitted pairs I had already purchased.The thing is not all of us live near hiking /outdoor gear suppliers or athletic shoe stores. Buying online is fine if you do your homework about size and fit and have a free return. So , of course, as soon as I was home I ordered another pair which lie in wait for another Camino. They have been very disappointed the last two years.
Had a physio appointment yesterday during which I got exercises to waken and strengthen my feet and other related leg muscles as I am preparing for my first Camino. I'll be doing them alongside my distance training.
