Foot Pain!

“I have a question for all of you veteran backpackers. I am relatively new to backpacking. I purchased a new pair of Asolo hiking boots last year. I broke them in as I was instructed but I find that after hiking 3 or 4 miles I consistently experience severe burning pain under the 2nd metatarsal head on each foot. The local podiatrist has been no help. Are there any suggestions for insoles that might help? Anyone else with similar problems and a helpful solution?”

“Well, I'm breaking in a new pair of Asolos and I don't think that point (if I decipher your anatomical reference) is a problem yet. The good point is they haven't aggravated the heel pain I've been experiencing with most shoes the past year. Different feet, different fits. A number of different insoles have been mentioned to me when I've asked, but no consistent answer.”

“as expensive as it is, if you boots are giving you pain maybe you should sell them now while they are somewhat new and get a pair that doesn't My experience with boots is that if they bother you once you've broken them in then it's not likely to get better.
The last thing I want while I'm on the trail is a pair of boots that are hurting me.”

“How old are you Merrell? Age has a way of revealing human defects that youth has masked.”

“merrell should have bought a pr of merrell's and then he wouldn't look like a dumb a.s.s for spending that much money for a overpriced boots that still isn't working for him.

YA BASS TURDS”

“Your boots are too big, your foot is sliding in the boot, and creating friction witch then creates hot spots. Do you where a sock liner? If not you should. And maybe tighten up your laces near the top of the boot so your foot doesn?t move.

On your next pair of boots, buy them from campmor, you will get one full year to return them for your money back. That?s plenty of time to get the broken in, and seeing if they fit right.”

“There are some defects that youth cannot mask.”

“Bacpac,
..-. ..- -.-. -.- --- ..-. ..-.”

“iF T IS RIGHT AND YOUR BOOTS ARE JUST A LITTLE TOO BIG ADD A SECOND INSOLE. TRY PUTTING IT ON TOP OF THE ORIGINAL OR UNDER IT TILL IT FEELS GOOOOD.”

“Tea, it actualy sounds more impact related then friction related. I would try an find a good insole. Bogey, I wear Asolo's and now I swear by that boot. My current pair have countless miles on them and they are barely showing wear. I have also never had any problems with blisters, water leakage, or boot failure. From my view they are a bomb proof pair of boots.”

“Tea, I hope you don't kiss Joe Momma with a filthy mouth like that.”

“Insoles and thin liner socks do it for me. Thicker socks must stay dry, change them often if youmust and avoid any cotton content. Good luck and Happy trails.”

“If it feels like the area is bruised try those Superfeet inserts, they can change a boot (I love mine).

It may be that you are overextending your toe and need a stiffer boot or an orthotic.

T - Campmor has gotten a lot tougher on their return policy. They still give you a year but they have to be returned in new condition. A slight stain is reason to turn you away or offer less than you paid. Seems too many people were using them for free rentals.”

“What is the idea, posting something that is really about backpacking?

I don?t know foot anatomy so I am not sure what spot is burning. I have had cycling shoes cause a burning feeling on the area of the ball of the foot. I would even spray water on the foot to try and relieve the burn. It didn?t work because it was pressure not heat that caused the pain. I found that a stiffer soled shoe was better. Your problem may be caused by a similar thing. Now that does NOT necessarily translate into a need for stiffer hiking boots. With cycling all the pressure has to be concentrated on one small area to transfer it to the pedal. The stiffer shoes spreads the pressure out on the foot so that no one spot is under a load that causes a burning sensation. Any thing that spreads the load should help. Insoles, socks, and even stiffer soles may do it. Experiment. It may even be the way you walk (do you keep your heels up a lot?) If you are not getting blisters in that spot it is probably not the foot sliding but the concentrated pressure. Try an ?elastopolymer? gel insole if there is one. These gels are used in bicycle saddles and work good for some people. (Cyclists can get this burning where the body meets the saddle too.)”

“There are two other possibilities that no one has mentioned - Morton's Neuroma (the location is right for that one) or diabetes (burning pain in the feet is a sign of diabetes.) Check out Jon Vonhof's Foot book for info on Morton's Neuroma. Padding helps. My husband wears a metatarsal pad which does ease the pain, somewhat.”

“last months issue of BPer magazine had alot of info on blisters and foot pains.”

“Morton's Neuroma

More Morton's Neuroma ”