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I wonder if anyone can help me. Ive got a pair of Scarpa Cyrus mid GTX boots that when trying them on in the shops I found to be the most comfy, and for the first few short walks they felt good.
However I've come across a problem Ive never had before.
Every time I wear them I get pain behind my toes and the bottom of my feet. I feel like I'm going to end up crippled if I keep wearing these boots. It almost feels like there is no padding and the ball of my foot is taking the brunt of this. I did a 5 mile dog walk along the paths and had to keep stopping as my feet were so sore?
Has anybody come across this with this make of boots? If so how did you cure it?
Not specific to those boots, but I put insoles in most of my footwear, to prevent plantar fasciitis and for general comfort and support. I find they solve my foot pain issues.
Probably worth trying a pair in your boots.
You could try some alternative insoles. Either Sorbothane for gel padding or Superfeet to alter the shape and maybe change/even out the pressure point.
FWIW I can't wear Scarpa boots as getting them to fit the front of my foot means they'll rub on the heel. Of course, you only really discover this once you're wearing them outdoors for a while...
If you end up giving up and trying some others, try Salomon Quest 4 GTX. They are like wearing slippers. Obviously everyone's feet are different, but I've never read anyone say otherwise about them
As we age the “ball of the foot” fat pad apparently moves, leaving the metatarsal heads somewhat unpadded. Squeezing/ picking up a towel with the toes can help restore the fat pad I believe. Maybe you need to see a podiatrist.
I had exactly that wearing leather soles formal shoes. More padded shoes less so but it did get worse. The exercises seemed to help.
It’s called “fat pad syndrome” I believe.
As we age the “ball of the foot” fat pad apparently moves, leaving the metatarsal heads somewhat unpadded. Squeezing/ picking up a towel with the toes can help restore the fat pad I believe. Maybe you need to see a podiatrist.
I had exactly that wearing leather soles formal shoes. More padded shoes less so but it did get worse. The exercises seemed to help.
It’s called “fat pad syndrome” I believe.
Oh that fat pad has definitely moved...... up onto my belly !!
My Scarpa Morainne are the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever had. The hiking shops in Austria swear by them.
My Scarpa Morainne are the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever had.
Which just means they happen to be a good fit for your feet, nothing more than that...
I use Scarpa for walking duties, they are quite unforgiving on the footbed, so if you are finding you need more padding a fitted footbed/insole might be best. Our local ski-shop (weirdest things really considering the topology around east anglia) would be my first stop.
Sounds like plantar fasciitis.
Excruciatingly painful.
It's caused by adhesions on the various foot ligaments and tendons.
Rolling a tennis ball under the arch of the foot helps - and you can buy bristley rolling pins from running shops.
Shock absorbing innersoles really help too.
Could have been triggered by the new boots (lack of shock absorption) or it may just be because you're getting old.
Hmmm I did consider plantar but discounted as Im not getting it in any other shoes or boots I wear.
Its literally just behind my toes on the front of the ball of my foot. Its causing cramp and pain in my toes.
I also had blisters of the outside of my little toes which Ive never had before??
Superfeet (green version if anyone is interested) go into every single pair of hiking boots I've had. It's not about cushioning for me, it's about supportive shape and volume adjustment. Currently using them in a pair of Salomon XA mid GTX as the lighter pottering about boot, and a pair of Dolomite Zermatts as the sturdier more supportive mountain boot. Spoke at length to a local shop about superfeet before getting them though.
Def go see some boot fitters.
I was given some good advice for my scarpa's and they fit amazingly well now.
I ended up using the thin superfeet insoles as they increased the volume in the boot just enough
I think everyone's had boots that just fell by the wayside and ended up under the bed. Just find something else.
I've the Brasher towa GTX and to be honest, its not as comfy as i would like. Prior i had a gigantic pair of old style alpine boot, i cant remember the make. I could wear them permanently.
What's the Scarpa mid sole material? If it's EVA they just might not be as 'soft' or forgiving than PU. I have range of Haix boots and recently bought some Hanwags, the Haix with PU mid sole can be smashed over anything including full body weight on point loadings without feeling anything, the Hanwags are more 'direct' / tactile and I have to be careful with foot placement.
+1 plantar fasciitis - maybe new boots have creates some new ‘stresses’ on the OP’s feet, resulting in inflammation? I’ve got some new Scarpa Ribelles which are a stripped-down climbing boots but still very comfortable to walk in
Do you get this in other shoes... it might just be that combination of cushioning and flexibility doesn't work for you. How much walking are you doing generally?
Are the boots a little too big? I found that with another brand of boots - they were just a tad too big and I was trying to "grip" the boot with my foot - kind of - to stop my feet from moving around in the boot. That gave me really painful feet but only happened when on longer walks.
Thicker socks meant they were a slightly tighter fit and that solved it for me.
What’s the Scarpa mid sole material? If it’s EVA they just might not be as ‘soft’ or forgiving than PU.
Generally it's the other way round. At least initially EVA foam tends to be a lot softer than PU, which gives a firmer feel. EVA is what's used in running shoes and a lot of lightweight walking boots these days, the downside with it, is that it tends to deform and lose its 'bounce' with extended use. Anyway, I'd try different insoles as a potential quick fix.
Edit: looking at Scarpa's site, the Vibram Energy sole unit seems to use direct injection PU, basically they inject molten PU into the sole unit. I doubt that's the issue anyway, it's probably some combination of individual anatomical stuff and the particular shape of the boot/footbed. I guess it might have a drop that tends to force weight onto the forefoot for example, but that's just a guess.
Had the same with the low version of this very same shoe, triggered my plantar fasciitis that I'd got rid of a few years before (with a referral to NHS orthotics). This despite being loyal to Scarpa. New NHS insoles helped a bit. But I've now given up on Scarpa and gone to Grisport (which seem cheap but are well made and comfy so far).
Which just means they happen to be a good fit for your feet, nothing more than that…
Well, it kind of suggests that it’s possibly not a problem directly with the Scarpa brand.