shoe suggestions

[underpants]

Hi,

 

I am having a problem. I am training and running, but my shoes are not being good.

 

They slide up and down on the backs of my ankles and cause blisters. All the time, and I just cannot break these shoes in. It's been almost a year.

 

They are Nike airs. I have tried, relacing them, using 2 pairs of socks, bandaids. I just give up. Every step is painful and the only downtime is when the blister scabs and eventually it repeats itself.

 

I have a small foot, high arch and smaller ankles. I am thinking about getting some high arch insoles and a shoe with a lower back around the heel. Those shoes with no laces to tie have caught my eye, the ones that just slide on with the low back.

 

I guess if anyone had an opinion I would be interested. I don't want to invest in a shoe that just won't work for me as apparently my cute Nikes just don't.

 

Help,

Unders

[ShoeGirl]

Hi Underwear!

 

It sounds like your shoes are a little too big, try a half size smaller. Adults don't need to have that much extra room in the front of their shoes as many people think, so as long as your toes aren't hitting the tip of the shoe when you walk/run they are big enough. When you go to the store to try on shoes walk around for 5 minutes or so while you look at other shoes to get used to each pair and make sure they don't start rubbing.

 

If you are looking for comfort try Asics, specifically the ones with gel in them. Their shoes are made with gel throughout the insole as opposed to just in the heal like many other brands do.

 

Do you have a narrow foot? If so the heal might be a problem in just about every tennis shoe, you can buy heal grippers that will make the fit a little tighter, (some stores give them out so ask next time you buy shoes). If you think having a high arch is the problem try New Balance, or Asics, they both have the best arch support I have seen/tried. Nike typically doesn't have very good arch support and their arches tend to hit a lot of people in the wrong spot, which might be causing the pain when you run.

 

I wouldn't recommend the shoes with no laces simply because the ones I have seen don't have nearly as much support as other shoes, they are good for running errands but not for training.

[Storyrider]

Clearly now, underpants, just to make things even, you need to give Shoegirl some advice about panties.

[PWSX3]

I am a big fan of NB's but I went to an actual running shoe store & learned something interesting.

 

The guy watched me walk to see my pattern of my feet when I walked, then he brought out 3 different brands of shoes even after I told him I was looking for NB's.

 

He recommended that you spend the extra money & buy a quality (high end) shoe. He had me try on all three & then said it didn't matter on the brand but how they felt. There were two that I really liked & couldn't make up my mind so then he suggested that I buy the cheaper pair ($10.00 difference) because if they both felt good then why spend the extra money specially when they were pretty much the same quality of shoe.

 

I have also learned that socks are very important & you need to buy socks that wick away the sweat from your foot. I have always warn cotton socks but now I wear ones with no cotton & it really makes a difference.

 

Now my situation might be a little different because I don't run, I walk but I walk a lot about 8-13 miles at work then another 4 miles in the evening at a work out speed.

[underpants]

Thanks for the advice all. I have never heard of heel grippers.

 

My foot is fairly small to begin with and all my 'issues' are close together. I don't think my foot is narrow, but it is a 6 1/2 anyway so in general it may be considered narrow. It just seems that all shoes these days have this high ankle support in the back that just tends to cut into the back of my ankle rather then ....being nice. My blisters however form lower, actually right at the little nike emblem on the shoe. No no swoosh imprinted on my heel, but the rubbing is obviously occuring there. The inside of the shoe is not worn so I don't know.

 

I will be sure to try on a 6 as well when I go shopping. I think I should do it now while my heels are healing (ha!) so I can really feel if they are snug enough.

 

When did this all become so complicated?

 

Thanks again,

Unders.....looking for her chucks.

[2sunny]

try the nike free shoes - they are amazingly comfortable and fit like a glove

 

they also only weigh 4-5 ounces.

[PWSX3]

You should also try shoes on after walking or doing some exercise so your feet are swollen....

 

I was told that the two things that make blisters is moisture & then the rubbing. With the better socks it helps on the moisture & a good fit shoe will hopefully get rid of the rubbing & you will be ready to rock & roll!!!!

[2sunny]

that is why it doesn't matter with the nike free shoes. they are so stretchy and light that they grip your foot like a comfy glove.

 

it's hard to explain because it's a different philosophy about a workout shoe - i guess you'd have to try them on to understand it.

 

once you wear them - you would most likely never buy anything else.

[underpants]

I purchased some gel cushion heel soles as well a some heel grippers. My shoes feel nice now. I have not taken them on a workout yet but I am hopeful. Those gel things are good.

 

Thanks for all the advice,

 

Off for a quick run,

Unders

[crazy_grl]

One thing I noticed is that you said you've had those shoes for a year. If you're working out regularly, you should replace running shoes at least every 6 months. They get worn down and don't support your feet like they should, even if they don't look worn.

 

Getting new insoles may help this. I'm not sure, because I haven't heard anything about how good insoles are for running or whether it's a decent substitute for getting new running shoes.

 

Another tip I've heard is to have two pairs of running shoes if you run often and alternate. That way the shoes have time to "spring back" in between wearing them, where they wouldn't if you were using them every day.