Shoes and sore toes

That is an odd place and not sure what you mean by sore. Are you getting blisters? If toes are pinched that would suggest too small a toe box for the shoes and toes are being pressed together. Try a little mole skin between the toes.

Sound like the width of the toe area is too small.

I only wear Teva sandals, Teva tennis or Birkenstocks when traveling. I can walk at least 10 miles a day wearing my sandals or Birkenstocks with tennis or padded running socks. The socks are expensive but well worth the money.

I maybe dressed on top....but my feet affects comfort.

No matter how much you like them or how snazzy you thing they look, if you can't fix the problem before you leave, ditch the darn things before they can ruin your trip.

If they hurt your feet do not take them! I packed one pair of Teva sandals and a pair of Privo tennis shoe style and we walked a lot. I had tried them out at home on many occassions and I can tell you that if I had a pair of shoes that hurt my feet for even one day, it could have ruined my trip and put me out of commission for several days.

Can you send the Keen shoes back? It is well worth the money to have shoes that feel good.

I don't understand James' reply at all.

If your Keens are uncomfortable buy (and test) another pair of shoes. I know people who swear by Keens. Personally, I hate them (at least their sandals). It all depends on your feet. Problem could be shoe width, but could also be a variety of things. Go to a place that knows about shoes (and where you can return shoes if they don't work out for you), explain the problem, and try some other types/brands.

I don't know how you could like shoes that make it sore between your toes.

Thanks Everyone,

The pair I'm talking about is the newer of the two I have. I haven't had a problem until we started to have this hot weather. I am wondering if it's that?? Maybe my feet are a little more swolen? I have more of a flat foot and have had surgery for bunions as well so foot comfort is the utmost imortance to me. I've bought inserts for them and it makes the one pair(the newer pair) feel to tight on my feet. I have also used some foot powder in between my toes and this has helped. I think I may end up taking the one pair back.

Is there any other shoe you would recommend with a wider toe box and good arch support?

Thanks for all the suggestions.
Wendy

I do not want to encourage you to start with shoes that hurt your feet, but there are a couple of things you can try to help your sore toes, if you decide to keep the keens. One can purchase toe spacers (at places like walgreens or cvs). They are silicone, I'm guessing, and just sit between two toes so they don't rub together. You can also wrap tape around your toes to prevent rubbing. I find these help at home, but with the amount of walking I do on a trip, they don't hold up, especially if its hot-neither will last a whole day. Last summer before our trip I went to a running shoe store and asked for shoes with a wide toe box and good arch support, and they recommended a Brooks athletics shoe. Sorry I don't know the exact model number/name. They worked fairly well for me..I have lots of foot issues, so I can't say my feet didn't hurt, but they worked better than anything else I have tried for heavy duty walking. I think they are decidedly unattractive; the bottom is very thick. I agree though that you should try to find a store where the staff is knowledgeable, so they can help find shoes that work for you.

Two adjustments I've made: a shoe stretcher to stretch out the specific areas of the shoe, and wearing thinner sox. When these don't work the shoes are hopeless to me. Sock thickness makes a big difference in how shoes fit. I have specific sox to go with each pair of shoes.

Thanks again, this is my next step to purchase thinner socks. If not I will return them.

Wendy

It sounds like the insoles may be the problem--taking up space and making the fit tighter. Keens are generally known for the wide toebox, but the inoles may have changed that. I don't think stretching will help a that area is rubber or synthetic in Keens, not leather.

You might try Bodyglide or BlisterBlock between your toes. You'll find the latter in the "foot remedies" department at the drugstore. combined with thinner sox, that might work.

but the best solution would be to find shoes that work right from the start. And yes, heat does exacerbate shoe problems. Even a proper fit and well=broken in shoes can give one fits in the heat, but mot often when the shoes (sandals) are worn barefoot. Good sox (not cotton, use the wicking type) should help.

Wendy, I don't know where you are going, but you will undoubtedly be walking way more than one hour each day. I would not go anywhere with shoes that made my feet sore after 1 hour. Whatever you bring, have a pair of well-broken-in shoes that don't rub on your feet at all. I always bring a pair of flip flops that I'm used to wearing in case the fabulous, stylish shoes I bring start rubbing on my feet. A pair of flats or ballet shoes in soft leather or fabric is good for emergencies too. Anything that doesn't pinch or rub on your foot anywhere is essential. Your feet are the most important thing -- if they are no go your trip is severely compromised. Don't fall in love with shoes that don't work!

The Keen venice sandals are wide and I walked all over France & Spain with them. This year I am going with my clarks un.loop (closed shoe) and clarks un.port (sandal) as I can walk for hours in either of these. The un.port feel like you are walking on a cloud.

Thank you all so much for your help and suggestions. I went and bought thinner socks, not cotton, but ones that wick away moisture. I'll try them tonight if that doesn't work then I think I am going to take them back.

Ambrosia
My husband bought Clarks and really likes them. So maybe I will look at those if the Keens don't work out.

Wendy

Wendy,

Before you spend a lot of money, buy a package of Dr Scholl's moleskin (self-adhesive) and try it.

I had a similar problem on a recent trip, with a pair of sandals that were well broken in. The moleskin did the trick. Never leave home without it!

I hope it works for you too.

Chani

You definitely don't want to start your trip with shoes that already make your feet hurt. I just returned from a 3-week trip during which I walked for hours every day, except days that were spent on trains between cities (and what a relief those days were!). This is gross, but I developed blisters that hurt for a couple of days and then hardened to the point at which they stopped hurting. I brought shoes that I had had for years (New Balance tennis shoes and a pair of Anjans Pumas) but had never bothered me, and I still got blisters. Bring moleskin and if you're at all worried about your shoes, bring different pairs.

Hi Wendy,
I had purchased some ecco shoes prior to our trip and had the same problem. I didn't take them with me, I wore my merrell sandals everywhere- those had been broken in, but still got some blisters. I had brought Dr Scholl's blister treatment with me- it worked beautifully. Point is if they hurt here, they will kill you there!

I am sticking with my Skecher Shape-ups. Have worn nothing else for over a year now, have never gotten a blister, and I walk many miles every day, on cobblestones, and all types of pavement. They worked great climbing up to the Marksburg castle too. I have 3 different styles now, and am still thrilled with them. They are great in the rain and even snow.

I love the Sketcher Shape-Ups too! I almost brought them with me on my last trip to Paris, but didn't because I thought they would be too intense for all day walking. I will do it next time though!

Thank you again for all your help.
An update on the shoes. I wore my new thinner socks last night on my walk, I had no problems,no sore toes, no hot spots no nothing! Next I am going to try the orthodics that I have for better arch support.
Thanks again for all you ideas and suggestions.
Wendy