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Les BrassThanks Doug... I've not walked with liners so I'll get some decent liners and a decent pair of socks and see how I get on. I'm walking longer distances now on my walking days and in a week I'm going to walk for 3 days in a row - hoping to get 60km done... this will be a good test for me and the shoes and socks!
There are many ways of preparing one's feet, but with liner socks I normally dust the insides with a bit of foot powder before putting them on. I find that sufficient to keep my feet dry during the day, even on very warm days here in Australia. Like socks, finding something that works during your training and sticking to it will stand you in good stead on the Camino.
Les Brass
You're getting into your walking/training prep now. I'm wondering what your decision was in the end for footwear?
Annie
Good luck, I know exactly how confused /frustrated you are. I've just recently bought a larger sized Keens but they aren't going to be it either.Annie - the footwear issue is a nightmare for me! I bought one parir and they are ok now, better with wear but only for walks up to around 8-10km... after that I am getting friction.
So I bought some merrells... half price in the sale so I thought i had a bargain. But, they're too big and today was my second big walk out and my feet really hurt and i've got three blisters. had to stop at 15km as they really weren't good... so luckily I'm in Bordeaux tomorrow and I'll buy lucky pair number 3!! (I hope!)
@Tia Valeria, I agree that this is an advantage of boots over shoes - being able to make sure the heel is securely in place in a boot is much easier than with a shoe. For those who haven't had a look, Ian's Shoelace Site (http://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/lacing.htm) has a truly wonderful collection if different lacing techniques and knots.I think that this is where those of us who favour boots have an advantage over those who wear shoes/trainers. We can stop our feet slipping by the way we tie the boots around the ankles, so long as the boots are not way over big. I know that my feet slip in my home walking shoes and that I manage better with the boots. Getting the sock combination right matters too. If it is very hot I wear 2 very thin inner layers and the cushion soles, normally I would wear the thin layer, a medium layer and the cushion soles. No blisters and it is the middle layer that always wears out first. Then I tighten my boot laces before going downhill, or at least check them.
Which tendons? I have always thought tendonitis was an overuse injury, so I am wondering why it would be caused by tight lacing.Lock lacing can be useful but just watch that very tight lacing high up on the foot does not cause tendonitis.
For boots I use a combination of lacing techniques, starting with a criss-cross pattern to the last eyelet, at which point I tighten well and secure with a simple double overhand, rather than a full knot (similar to the knotted segmented lacing technique, but without a full knot). This secures the forefoot as well as ensuring the heel is firmly in place. For the top of the boot, I then finish with lock lacing, which gives me a good secure fit around the ankle. I use a freedom knot at the end.
Doug, if I remember correctly (from a previous thread) you have bunions. Is that correct? I have bunions and was looking at sock liners at REI and they look very tight to me. A tight, narrow sock does not work well with my bunions. Have you found a liner that works well?There are many ways of preparing one's feet, but with liner socks I normally dust the insides with a bit of foot powder before putting them on. I find that sufficient to keep my feet dry during the day, even on very warm days here in Australia. Like socks, finding something that works during your training and sticking to it will stand you in good stead on the Camino.
I have a bunion on my right foot, but not on my left. I have been using a Horizon liner sock, which comes in several sizes. I think I am at the boundary of two of the size ranges, and buy the larger size.Doug, if I remember correctly (from a previous thread) you have bunions. Is that correct? I have bunions and was looking at sock liners at REI and they look very tight to me. A tight, narrow sock does not work well with my bunions. Have you found a liner that works well?
I thought of that as I was writing this up yesterday in the evening. All in good time.Photos please, dougfitz.
I have a bunion and my podiatrist gave me a very simple foam sleeve to put over it. It absorbs all the friction without the need for a liner. No blister on the bunion either.Doug, if I remember correctly (from a previous thread) you have bunions. Is that correct? I have bunions and was looking at sock liners at REI and they look very tight to me. A tight, narrow sock does not work well with my bunions. Have you found a liner that works well?
I have tried various strapping and dressing techniques, but they only address the bunion. Liner socks provide anti-blister protection for the whole foot.I have a bunion and my podiatrist gave me a very simple foam sleeve to put over it. It absorbs all the friction without the need for a liner. No blister on the bunion either.
I am planning ot take 3 pair of icebreaker mid-weight and 3 pair of silk toe sock liners that are very thin and light weight.Hello folks... I'm really starting to get my gear together now and I'm looking at socks.
Should I buy 4 pairs the same and wear 2 pairs each day or should I get 2 normal and 2 lightweight pairs?
If I get them now I can wear them over the next 2 months to make sure they're working ok? i'm just not sure which way to go... at the moment I'm thinking 4 pairs?
I'm a girl with a wide foot so I'm thinking I'll get mens...
normal http://www.bridgedale.com/men-s-trekker-merinofusion-2
lightweight http://www.bridgedale.com/men-s-trail-merinofusion-1
all thoughts welcome
Great question from a first timer. Lots of good advice - here's mine - I am a two sock walker - a thin liner sock and the thicker (not super thick) outer sock. The rationale is that your foot rubs on the inner sock/ it sides against the outer/ which then slides or rubs against the boot or shoe. In 10 years of walking (including Mt Kilimanjaro) I think I have had 3 blisters. The idea to get a couple of pairs first as a "trial" is good one!!Hello folks... I'm really starting to get my gear together now and I'm looking at socks.
Should I buy 4 pairs the same and wear 2 pairs each day or should I get 2 normal and 2 lightweight pairs?
If I get them now I can wear them over the next 2 months to make sure they're working ok? i'm just not sure which way to go... at the moment I'm thinking 4 pairs?all thoughts welcome
Which tendons? I have always thought tendonitis was an overuse injury, so I am wondering why it would be caused by tight lacing.
Thanks, that might be the way to go for me. I have seen those and they were recommended to me by an owner of a dance shop, although I've yet to try them. She called them "jelly toes." That might be a trade mark name.I have a bunion and my podiatrist gave me a very simple foam sleeve to put over it. It absorbs all the friction without the need for a liner. No blister on the bunion either.
I'm a girl with a wide foot so I'm thinking I'll get mens...
normal http://www.bridgedale.com/men-s-trekker-merinofusion-2
lightweight http://www.bridgedale.com/men-s-trail-merinofusion-1
all thoughts welcome
They are a "soft gel toe stretcher and exerciser." They look like brass knuckles for your feet and are used by dancers, especially ballerinas who cram their feet into pointe shoes.
When I get up in the morning my feet are flatter! I walk more normally. This is a good thing, because with my bunions my feet tend to curl up from side to side from being in shoes all day. I didn't even realize my feet were doing this until I started using these. They really do seem to relieve my feet. .
I use corrymoor have done since they began - excellent socks not too thick - I like to feel how I am treading underneath - if that makes sence?We use Corrymoor mohair socks, which don't get smelly so don't need washing much (if at all) with Rohan inner and hot socks as thin liners which we wash every day.
Our Corrymoor choice is for the sportsman, which we wear as a middle layer with the cushion sole (Companion or Woodlander) depending on whether you like mid or long length socks. So far we have always been pleased with them and have had no blisters.
My Grisport boots were too warm and the Hi-tec were right with the same socks, so the comment about boots is my experience too.
I know what you're referring to. This is just a SINGLE sleeve cut from a piece of tubular foam and then cut out so that it fits your big toe.Thanks, that might be the way to go for me. I have seen those and they were recommended to me by an owner of a dance shop, although I've yet to try them. She called them "jelly toes." That might be a trade mark name.
I should probably start a new thread, but as long as we're on the subject I'm going to bring up something else. When I complained about my bunions, this same shop owner gave me something called Toe Tantra by Bunheads. They are a "soft gel toe stretcher and exerciser." They look like brass knuckles for your feet and are used by dancers, especially ballerinas who cram their feet into pointe shoes. They are made of gel (but look like a firm foam). The package says they "help relieve stress, tension and help increase circulation. Moisture infused with 6 botanical oils: avocado, olive, jojoba, grape seen, canola and soybean. Enriched with ceramides, green tea, willow fragrance and alie vera. Ideal for toe pain, overlapping toes, bunions, forefoot pain and shoe fatigue. Massages and may help soothe sore feet, straighten and realign toes, stretch tendons, improve flexibility and circulation."
Well, they were a gift and I have been using them. They really do something positive for my feet. I have used them for a few hours at night before going to bed, (I don't wear them to bed but I suppose you could). When I get up in the morning my feet are flatter! I walk more normally. This is a good thing, because with my bunions my feet tend to curl up from side to side from being in shoes all day. I didn't even realize my feet were doing this until I started using these. They really do seem to relieve my feet. The most amazing thing is that I also suffer from restless leg syndrome. The first time I put the stretchers on I was right in a RLS spasm and it stopped it! I could tell that the RLS was trying to happen but couldn't. I hope this makes sense.
I am not a dancer. I have no connection to Bunheads or any dance accessory company, but these things certainly work on my feet. I recently bought a pair for my sister who complains constantly about her feet. I will be eager to see if they work for her too. It occured to me that this might be something good for people who walk the camino as well. They are virtually weightless and cost $15.00.
Every muscle attached to a bone is by a tendon - including those in the ankle, foot and lower leg.
I took your suggestion. The first article was a chiropodists anecdote noting that one runner's unhappy experience with conventional medical practice, the other was an article based on a more substantial survey that had appeared in a peer refereed journal. The latter made the observation that loose lacing created problems, and that lacing needed to be tight enough for a snug fit. It also recommended lock lacing. I think I would prefer the advice of the peer refereed journal!Common injury - just google tendonitis and tight lacing.
I think you are right. What I cannot tell is when does a snug fit become too tight, and cause the sort of problems you observed.I walked with a young doctor from the Canary Islands and he developed tendonitis. In spite of his medical knowledge. Diagnosed problem in Burgos - lacing his boots too tight. If you constantly rub a tendon against something (including the throat of a boot) you can get tendonitis.
They take a little bit of getting used to wearing. The first time I could only wear them about 15 minutes. Now I wear them a few hours before bed. At some point I will try to sleep in them. My bunions are hereditary; they were evident when I was a child.I like the sound of these. My daughter has bad bunions (not sure why - I've never had them) so will buy her some to try.
Every muscle attached to a bone is by a tendon - including those in the ankle, foot and lower leg.
Common injury - just google tendonitis and tight lacing.
I walked with a young doctor from the Canary Islands and he developed tendonitis. In spite of his medical knowledge. Diagnosed problem in Burgos - lacing his boots too tight. If you constantly rub a tendon against something (including the throat of a boot) you can get tendonitis.
I think you are right. What I cannot tell is when does a snug fit become too tight, and cause the sort of problems you observed.
What are the twinges of tendonitis? Where in the leg do they occur?I think one just needs to be aware of it as a possibility and if the twinges of tendonitis start, one of the things to try is changing your lacing. Probably better still, change footwear for a while, but that is not always possible on Camino.
Thanks for this info.Anywhere a muscle attaches to a bone. Typically, on the Camino, it starts as a dull ache in the lower leg, near the ankles, and then intensifies. It continues to hurt even when a person stops walking for the day, because the tendon has become inflamed and swollen.
It is probably good to remember that pain is the body's defence mechanism. If something is hurting, try to alleviate the pain, rather than ignoring it.
Bought merino wool socks - Bridgedale - v comfortable but take ages to dry after washing. Would recommend mixed fabric to get best of both worlds.
KangaI'm trialling some very fine tightly woven merino socks - wearing two pairs. Seem to work. Great wicking properties and dry much faster than thicker woollen socks.
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