Finding the right shoe fit

Hi Brad

Can you tell us where your blisters occurred?
The location of your hot-spots can affect the advice you receive. For instance, if the blisters were between your toes, Injinji toe socks can be very effective.

On another note, I also wear oversize shoes – but I keep them loosely tied, not tight, as per a suggestion in Mike Clelland!'s book "Ultralight Backpackin' Tips". The loosely tied technique has worked well for me, but feet are highly varied so your results might be different.

This was in August, so I can't sure, but believe I had some on and around the heel and some between the toes.

What seems to work for me is to find shoes that are tight around the instep. Then they can be way too big but my foot doesn't slip around. Shoes that are tight in the instep tend to be regular running shoes more often than lightweight hikers. I have found that an aggressive tread pattern really isn't that big of a need anyway.

Heel and midfoot should be locked in, especially width wise, without having to lace things tight. That should allow you to size up and have enough room in the toes for swelling. I've never had to use different socks throughout a long trip, just subtle adjustments in lacing tightness.

Sportiva has started making most of their shoes with bigger heel cups. They'd been my go-to for years but anymore I can't wear most models.

I've been doing some really heavy mileage this last year, and haven't had blisters in a long time. My approach to shoes is that I want plenty of room in the toebox, both beyond the end of my toes and laterally, but no sensation whatsoever of the heel slipping off the back of my foot, even when laced quite loosely. I don't necessarily lace them loosely the whole time (on difficult terrain, much tighter), but if I NEED to tighten the laces to make them feel secure, the fit is wrong. It's also critical that both toebox and heel feel right going uphill and (most critically) downhill too, which is often hard to assess when trying them in a store.

I think the perfect fit is not so much a function of "features" (such as the Nike marketing bullshit about arch support & overpronation prevention discussed on a parallel thread), it's more just trial and error to find a shoe with a last shape that fits your own foot shape perfectly.

Plus, conditioning, of course.

There are myriad ideas about skin treatments, using double layer socks, toe socks etc. (see the JMT Yahoo group for many ideas), but I think in principle none of this is necessary if you have a shoe with a last shape that fits your foot perfectly and your feet are conditioned to the mileage.

Moisture causes blisters for me. That's why I try not to wade rivers with my boots–I'll end up with a blister. Other people are fine with wet feet, blister-wise. So I have the fit dialed in; moisture is the variable.

There's an excellent book called Fixing Your Feet. One of the surprising things is that, in interviews with dozens of runners and hikers, there was a wide variety of experiences of what caused each person to have blisters, etc; as well as a wide variety of remedies. Apparently not just anatomy but skin type factors in as well.

I was afraid of this: No simple answers to this question. Maybe I should just go back to wearing shoes that "only" cause lost toenails? I almost prefer that to blisters. I don't think moisture is the problem – I did no significant creek crossings when I got the blisters. My feet sweat a lot, but that didn't cause blisters before.

I bought some of the toe socks and we will see how those work. I'm also going to check the fitting on the Sportiva's a little more closely.

I think the only "answer" to this question is to buy shoes at REI until I find the ones that work. (Lifetime return policy.)

I tried the Sportivas keeping in mind what David said about in-step and heel fit and realize they're not right for my feet. There's not a lot of movement but clearly enough to cause blisters when doing high impact mountain hiking. (Duh.) The question I have now: Is it possible to get a shoe that allows for foot expansion but still fits in the in-step and heel when I start hiking? Is one size larger than my normal shoe size too big? Should I try a half size up instead? I definitely like the idea of more of running shoe and am tempted to go back to Solomon trail runners or maybe a New Balance.

I appreciate all the assistance.

Not all Sportiva's are wider in the heel.
The Bushido is tight around the heel and the mid foot, but the heel for me doesn't fit well (though I have narrow feet)..
The new Mutant model however has a tight heel, secure midfoot, and wide toe area (and super burly lugs). Never felt such a secure fit in combination with such a generous toe box (for reference the Ultra Raptors are too wide for my feet).

Obviously depends on your feet, but might be worth to try a different model.

Ordered the New Balance Leadville, discontinued edition, on sale at REI Outlet, with member discount, for $80. Half size big. Will see how that works.

I tried a few shoes last year and was somewhat less than pleased,, with problems similar to what you mention, though perhaps not as bad. For years I had used Asics trail runners as a running shoe with zero issues, but they didn't work for hiking.

Finally tried a shoe that I saw repeatedly recommended here, Brooks Cascadia.

Been SUPER happy ever since. Not a single problem.

The Cascadia 9 is also on sale now at REI, so I got another pair.