Flattening Feet on a Thru-Hike?

imported
#1

Hi Folks!

I was at the Doctor’s office and the Doc pointed out that my feet were pretty flat, which surprised me. I had been told in the past that I had good, high arches. That made me reflect that my feet went from a size 9 1/2 on my thru-hike to a size 10 1/2 after my hike, the cause being, obviously, partially fallen arches. Most folks I talked too seemed to talk of lengthening feet, and I’m curious if this happened to many other folks?

Colter
http://www.bucktrack.com/Appalachian_Trail.html

Colter

#2

I used orthotics in my shoes and took out the soles. My feet definately have gotten bigger after my hike-i think they grew a size. Whether this is due to the damaging of my arches or just the swelling of my feet, i dont know
A-Train

A-Train

#3

Not only that but your feet will get larger as you get older, too. Mine are a full size larger in the last 15 years.

nycman50

#4

As a result of hiking the trail, my feet both grew longer (one half to a full size longer)and wider (from a C-D, to only D).

As I grew older, they did not become any longer, but, did become wider still.

Long distance hiking, based on my experience, will both lengthen and widen your feet. But, unlike some of the other writers above–my arches did not change at at all–I had and have a good arch–and the arch did not “flatten” as a result of long-distance hiking.

Sincerely–Paul English.

Paul English

#5

So, if my feet grew by about 1/2 a size on my first hike, does that mean that they’re finished? Or do I have more “growth” to look forward to with my next hike? :rolleyes

Chipper

#6

As I understand it, if you pronate, your feet will keep lengthening and tend to flatten some. I thought my feet were all through after I had children, but alas, this was not true. I am now an 11.5 (good luck trying to find that)to 12 narrow. I must be the only woman hiking who has long narrow feet! :bawling The custom Superfeet I had made at Trail Days seem to help me. Phil Oren told me that Dunham, which is a division of New Balance, or vise versa, is coming out with boots for women in larger sizes…I can’t wait!

Lady Di