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I'm not a fan of walking boots and normally walk in Goretex trail shoes. My last pair have given up the ghost (full of tears and no longer waterproof), so I bought some new ones: Salewa Mountain Shoe, which are a bit more hard core than I normally go for, but I thought they might last a bit longer.
Anyway, after a Easter break walking in the Lake district these are killing my feet, no blisters, but after about 3 hours it feels as if the whole sole of my foot is on fire, slightly more so in the heel area. WTF is causing this? They seem to fit OK, foot isn't obviously moving about. They even came with two footbeds for different width feet.
So unless I can find a fix eg different footbed, I'll have to ebay them and find something else. Never experienced this will more trail shoe orientated foot wear...
Plantar fasciitis?
May not be the shoe, IOW. I'd get a podiatrist apt organised. Saying that I waited many months for an NHS one, and the follow-up has been haphazard.
If you're walking similar distances and having no similar problems with other shoes then maybe try the same brand? If possible compare the shape of the insoles of these new shoes with shoes that you do OK in. And also look at the angle of the sole, ie does your trail shoe have a 'wedge' heel and low front, pointing your foot appreciably downwards? Or is it more neutral? Compare findings to these shoes.
Some shapes of last, flex etc just do not suit my feet.
Have you had Salewa footwear before?
I've found certain brands I just cannot get on with. Some, like Asolo, changed thier last and so went from favourite brand to unwearable for me.
They might just take a bit of walking in so they can shape to your feet.
Buying new untried shoes and then walking for 3 hours is a bit of a gamble - break 'em in slowly.
>Plantar fasciitis?
Nope
>Have you had Salewa footwear before?
Nope, so could just be a weird fit thing, although they do appear to fit OK...
>And also look at the angle of the sole, ie does your trail shoe have a ‘wedge’ heel and low front, pointing your foot appreciably downwards? Or is it more neutral? Compare findings to these shoes.
Good points, I will do so tonight...
I was given some TNF Litewave trail shoes a few yrs back. They worked very well. So well that when they wore through (soles were not so hardwearing) I made the mistake of buying the same shoe in the same size BNIB from an Ebay seller.
After a mile in these I was in pain. Turned out they were counterfeits. Looked nearly identical but just goes to show the last can make a difference. They were also marginally narrower which I have discovered causes pain over time. Bought some new Lidl trail shoes last year for a measly £18 and they have turned out superbly. Comfortable and cool all day long, and properly waterproof. Shoes are weird. My feet are borked though, so am a special case at least in that respect.
Looking at the pic of that shoe, it has quite a substantial rand extending round the edge which might hinder flexibility. I'd say that generally you don't need that protection unless you're rock scrambling; these look like they might be more of a climbing/ approach shoe that tend towards a stiffer sole where you have a need for 'rock feel' and edge support, more than a general hiking shoe.
>Looking at the pic of that shoe, it has quite a substantial rand extending round the edge which might hinder flexibility.
Yep, they flex less than normal trail shoes..
> I’d say that generally you don’t need that protection unless you’re rock scrambling;
Well my last trail shoes are pretty shredded from trails in the Lake District, so I was looking for something a bit tougher...
Yep, they flex less than normal trail shoes..
Maybe more friction then between foot and insole? Certainly the burning sensation seems to indicate that might be the problem. If that is the case what about something like "Thousand Mile Socks" I've found them great for running. no soreness or blisters even with wet feet.
Some shoes just don't work with some shape of feet - could be as simple as that.
I've always suffered from blisters when hillwalking with boots on - tried everything (including proper fitting) and the likes of the Thousand Mile socks or Compeed do work to an extent. In anything other than very wet conditions I've switched to trail/approach shoes now though as I find them a lot more comfortable and don't get blisters with them - and I don't really miss the extra support/weight from boots.
I tend to wear boots most of the time, as lots of hills I do have boggy paths, likes of the Galloways and my Scarpa keep out the water really well. If I'm doing a hill that I know to be dry and rocky, I wear my trail running shoes, and a couple of pairs of socks, comfy as hell.
Those look to be the worst of both, rigid and low.