hiking long distances in my lowa arko gt boots causes the back of my heels to feel bruised. anyone have any insights as to why or what to do to prevent it? thanks.
hephzibah
Boots troubleshooting
system
#2
Hey, are the sore spots on the tendon about an inch above the bottom of your foot? right where the thick skin stops? It might be that you lace them too tight. That puts a lot of pressure on that area on the push off and going up hill. If it hurts down lower its all the miles. Using two sox?
Bushwhack
system
#4
It could be the tendon. Another possiblity is your boot insole and socks putting pressure on the bottom of your foot. What do you consider a long distance? Is this a lot of miles in one day or over several days?
Darth Pacman
system
#5
sore spots are on heel bone, on the back of my foot. i feel it going uphill. have been using only one pair of socks, no insoles yet. i’ll try the duct tape - but i don’t have another free weekend to go out until i leave on the Trail (5/15)!!! first noticed it when i did 45 miles in 5 days, then again after 12 miles in one day.
thanks for feedback.
hephzibah
system
#6
Do you think it is caused by the boot being too long, or too short? If it’s too long, the extra socks might help. I’ve had boots simply get deformed a bit and start rubbing on the back of my foot. It sounds funny, but sometimes I’ve solved the problem by laying the offending boot on its side on the ground and stomping on the heel area to elongate it a bit.
Often one of the best fixes for a problem like this is to simply get a new pair of footwear, especially if going to a trail running type or other lightweight shoe or boot where no “break in” is required. Getting new footwear is a lot cheaper than hurting yourself.
Colter
system
#7
It sounds like the base of the achilles tendon. It may not be the boots but a lack of streching your legs enough before hiking. It could also be something else like bone spurs or bursitis(sp.)? The pain may go away but more likely it will worsen with daily hiking up and down hills. Try stretching and keeping your mileage low for Georgia before push longer days. You’ll make the time up later and it will prevent injuries. You may want to see a pediotrist before heading out or at least talk with one.
Darth Pacman
system
#8
The others gave good advice but I’d just like to add that you should get some Superfeet insoles for your boots. They are a bit pricey but are worth every penny…
Nooga
system
#9
Agree with Darth Pacman and Nooga. Sounds to me like just getting in shape pains. I had what you describe before and don’t believe it to be in the shoes/boots. Glad to see you’re putting in some miles before you hike the AT, this will really pay off for you—are you carrying a full pack when you do this? If so or not, it’s just maybe getting in shape pains. As suggested keep milage low for the first few weeks or so and you should break in okay. I recommend good heavy duty footware (boots), gortex and padded (insulated), a half size too big so you can wear two pairs of heavy socks to absorb moisture as feet sweat and also to keep you from getting blisters. Some may say this is overkill, but your feet deserve all the help and protection they can get because you feet will carry you along the AT----and only your feet (not your hands, back or ass). So treat your feet good and protect them. Also read the hike journals and see how many people quit within the first hundred miles due to severe blisters and other feet problems. Good luck. Keep on hiking.
Maintain
system
#10
Cheoa Bald right around NOC proved how boots and up/down hills work. One and a half days going strait up, one and a half going strait down. You will get toe problems going down and heal problems going up. I got both on Cheoa. I descovered that Montrail uses a deeper heal cup then I needed and I can no longer use Montrails for one fit problem. Its possible that your Lowa’s have to deep of a heal cup for your ancles. If you ancles are strong enough, then low cut boots or shoes could be a good solution.
Good Luck
TB
TurkeyBacon