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[pct-l] Re: "Delicate Princess Foot Syndrome"
I strongly second Diana's opinion. I had never
suffered a blister but always got black toe nails. I
was talked into some super feet. Then I got blisters,
an especially bad pair on the arches, black toe nails
on my pinky toes and a lack of feeling in my big toes.
I returned them to REI and tried the gel type of
orthodics which were said to help the toes. These
also gave blisters, but not so bad. Next time, it is
back to my standard insoles that came with the boots.
At least I am lucky not to get blisters with them.
The feeling in the toes is gradually coming back.
So what is great for one person can be bad for
another. I did not run into trouble on short day
hikes trying out the orthodics. I recommend trying
whatever you decide on by taking a 20 or 30 mile hike
before heading into the wilderness.
Sabina
--- Diana Lindsay <dianalindsay@hotmail.com> wrote:
> I strongly disagree about insoles/orthotics for
> shoes if you have flat feet.
> I've tried them twice with dire consequences. The
> last time was my most
> recent hike for 10-days along the AT. The outfitter
> insisted I needed custom
> super feet for support. The same outfitter
> conferring with other employees
> insisted I needed a shoe size 1/2 smaller than I
> requested (I normally run
> in a shoe 2 sizes larger than my regular shoe size
> because I have big toes
> and my feet swell when I run). I paid dearly for not
> insisting that I knew
> better. In the first couple of days I really thought
> I would have to give up
> the trip -- I had blisters along the arches where
> the orthotics were forcing
> an arch that I don't have and the smaller shoes size
> had turned my small toe
> nail black. Solution -- threw out the orthodics and
> the inner sole which got
> rid of the pressure on the arch and gave me a little
> more room to make up
> for the 1/2 size that wasn't there. And my feet
> slowly healed enough and I
> could continue the trip. Am now dealing with the
> black toe and still don't
> have some feeling in a few other toes. Moral --
> don't let "experts" talk you
> into something when you know your own feet! --
> Swifty
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net
> [mailto:pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net] On
> Behalf Of John Vonhof
> Sent: Friday, September 23, 2005 9:11 PM
> To: PCT list
> Subject: [pct-l] Re: "Delicate Princess Foot
> Syndrome"
>
> Some of you may recall a thread of several weeks ago
> that dealt with
> Maggie's problem with her "Delicate Princess Foot
> Syndrome." I cut and
> pasted all the emails into a document so I could
> read them on a recent trip.
> There were a lot of very good and thoughtful
> comments and suggestions. Here
> are my observations:
>
> > Maggie wrote: I have been backpacking for 6 years
> now. The longest I have
> been
> on the trail is all of 4 days. I have yet to make it
> thru a trip without
> mangling my feet.
>
> 1. Nowhere was any mention made of socks. The
> thickness of socks, whether
> they are too thick for the shoes/boots, or too thin
> plays a role in how out
> footwear fits.
> 2. Custom insoles/orthotics are a great suggestion
> and one I endorse.
> 3. I'd also suggest a gait analysis and foot
> evaluation by a sports
> podiatrist.
> 4. A good suggestion was made to try different
> lacing techniques.
> 5. If there are problems with blisters on the
> heels, try different insoles,
> being careful to watch for how they might change the
> fit. Some insole
> coverings are better than others.
> 6. Ergo patches (http://www.goengo.com) can be
> tried to reduce friction on
> heels and the sides of the foot. These patches go on
> the shoe or insole, not
> on your skin.
> 7. If using a lubricant, try changing to powders.
> Some people's skin get to
> soft and sensitive. Zeasorb is a great powder.
> 8. As someone suggested, toe socks
> (http://www.injinji.com) are great for
> folks prone to toe blisters or with overlapping
> toes.
> 9. Custom made shoes may also be worth having made.
> Someone suggested
> http://www.randymerrell.com. Another source that has
> been around for years
> is the Hersey Custom Shoe Company,
> http://www.herseycustomshoe.com/. They
> even have hiking shoes.
>
> Lots on input was given and there should be enough
> content to find a few
> ideas that will help. So, good luck Maggie!
>
> John Vonhof
> Fixing Your Feet Ezine at:
> http://www.vonhof.typepad.com/fixingyourfeet
> Happy Feet blog:
> http://www.vonhof.typepad.com/happy_feet/
> http://www.footworkpub.com
> Fixing Your Feet: Prevention and Treatments for
> Athletes, 3rd edition
>
>
>
>
>
>
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