Bottom of Feet

A_Mose85

FNG
Joined
Aug 26, 2019
Messages
3
Needing some help here. Have a pair of boots that are very comfortable and would say I am overall pleased with them. The only thing about the boots is when I have worn on longer hikes and hunts the pads of my feet seem to get rubbed raw towards the end of the day. From what I have been told I have very high arches in my feet which may add to the cause but I'm not a foot specialist and don't intend on being one. Anything you guys know of to help combat this? I know its not the fit, atleast I don't think it is. I was measured before buying etc. My last hike was pretty long and the discomfort dang near caused me to throw in the towel and hit a forest service road to get picked up by a friend. Like I said, I have worn these boots quite a bit and it only seems to happen when I have gone on the longer hikes, 10+ miles.


I appreciate any help you guys can give.
 

bigbaddad71

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Feb 21, 2017
Messages
195
Custom insoles may be the ticket.. Call Lathrop and sons!

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk
 

tdot

WKR
Joined
Aug 18, 2014
Messages
1,888
Location
BC
Are you used to long hikes? It could just be general irritation of not being used to being on your feet that long. Especially if you have weight in your pack.

Another thing to look at is moisture. If you are wearing wool socks, they will stay damp, keeping the moisture against your feet. Softening the skin. Try changing the socks or running a synthetic liner sock.

Footbeds can definitely help, some have more padding then others. Your OEM footbed was probably toast after the first major hike. You might benefit from something with a little more padding then the typical footbed.
 

mt100gr.

WKR
Joined
Jan 29, 2014
Messages
2,908
Location
NW MT
Thanks for the help, I will look into the footbeds.
And look for an insole or footbed with a "grippy" or "sharkskin" kind of texture to keep your feet from sliding around. Between a little extra moisture and a stock insole, I once blistered the bottoms of my feet badly. They felt like they were on fire on a long hike out, mostly downhill. Literally hot like from friction. I didn't think much of it, felt fine once I got my boots off but a few days later, huge, thick pieces of my tender soles came loose and peeled. Again, not like a heel blister, no pain really but all I could attribute it to was the heat from that hike. I had hundreds of miles on those boots, Maybe it was my socks, humidity, some random combination, it was hot September. ....?

I have since settled on superfeet insoles and my feet haven't had issues since. The surface of the superfeet green insoles have a fabric that seems to not let a sock foot slide forward.
 
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A

A_Mose85

FNG
Joined
Aug 26, 2019
Messages
3
Thank you for the reply cause that sounds very similar to my issue. I even told a buddy that was with with me that the bottom of my feet felt so hot that I think they would sizzle if I put them in cold water lol. it’s just like you say though, this isn’t a heel blister type of feeling and is basically gone as soon stop or I take my boots off, what’s weird is it doesn’t or hasn’t happened on every hike and I’m on my feet doing something every day, according to my watch my daily average of steps is 5-6 miles.
 

tdot

WKR
Joined
Aug 18, 2014
Messages
1,888
Location
BC
Thank you for the reply cause that sounds very similar to my issue. I even told a buddy that was with with me that the bottom of my feet felt so hot that I think they would sizzle if I put them in cold water lol. it’s just like you say though, this isn’t a heel blister type of feeling and is basically gone as soon stop or I take my boots off, what’s weird is it doesn’t or hasn’t happened on every hike and I’m on my feet doing something every day, according to my watch my daily average of steps is 5-6 miles.

If it changes, then I would really look at the amount of moisture in the boot. Ensure that your boot is actually drying between uses, if it has a GTX liner, it may be holding moisture between the liner and the boot shell. Or even worse, if the liner is dirty, it may not be breathable anymore.

Also the lacing pattern and consistency of tension that you use. Lacing can totally change how your foot moves/doesnt move in a boot, and a subtle difference can have a huge impact.

Also make a note of other changes. Socks, temp, humidity, etc.

I've been happier with my new SOLE insoles, then I ever was with Superfeet. But insoles are like boots, they dont all work for everyone.

Also, one tip for buying insoles, if you dont have a knowledgeable sales person. Size the insole to your foot. Not your boot. When you check them, there should be slight pressure towards the back of your arch, towards the heel. Not the front or the middle of the arch.
 

RCB

WKR
Joined
Apr 1, 2018
Messages
366
Location
CO
Softer insoles. Or just softer boots. I know the cool thing is to wear a stiff mountaineering boot, but personally I find that’s rarely necessary.
 
Joined
Feb 11, 2020
Messages
59
Tdot is on point with his recommendations. The only thing I can add is that the dryer you can keep your feet, the better they will feel. I have the same problem with my feet on long hikes, it feels like they've been smashed with hammers and are on fire and I found out it was because of moisture softening the skin and macerating them. I had to start putting antiperspirant on my feet and being very conscious on how dry they were. Breathable / waterproof boots are the bane to sweaty feet.
 

LJ Buck

WKR
Joined
Oct 7, 2013
Messages
863
Try different socks. i have had this happen and trying a different sock fixed it. Try First light or SG socks, i have had good luck with both.
 
Joined
Apr 5, 2015
Messages
5,824
That fat pad on the bottom of your feet can get raw and inflamed. Unfortunately, many people like me don’t do enough hiking these days to avoid it. A good boot, sock and insole combo helps. I cool my feet in a stream. Take off my socks and air my feet. Wear comfy camp shoes. It all helps.

Try a nylon dress sock or a liner sock under your main sock. That might help. When it has been really bad, I have covered the ball of my foot with duct tape or luco tape. 2-3 strips across the ball. It makes my foot slick and helps resist any friction.
 

5MilesBack

"DADDY"
Joined
Feb 27, 2012
Messages
15,525
Location
Colorado Springs
I even told a buddy that was with with me that the bottom of my feet felt so hot that I think they would sizzle if I put them in cold water lol.

I tried wearing Darn Tough merino socks by themselves for one day. My feet felt like I was on a bed of coals all day and the bottoms were bright red when I took my boots off. The next day I went back to my poly liner socks under my Smartwool merino boot socks and my hunting days were back to normal again with comfortable feet.(y)
 

tdot

WKR
Joined
Aug 18, 2014
Messages
1,888
Location
BC
Another thought. If they are stiff, flat, soled mountain boots and you are hiking on hard packed trails. This is not a great combo and can lead to the problem you're describing. The answer for that is softer boots for on-track training use.
 
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