Darn odd-ball feet! Help!

Why don't you wear one consistent size of shoes, but then make the adjustment with different sock combinations? As an example, wear a medium thick sock on one foot and a heavy sock on the other.

–B.G.–

Wear an extra sock on the smaller foot. My right foot is about a half-size smaller than the left. Ordinarily, I buy shoes to fit the larger foot and don't have problems. But occasionally I end up with excess slippage in the small foot. If so, I just wear an extra sock liner on the small foot (my ordinary hiking socks are just a pair of sock liners anyway). This has worked well for me.

Chad,

Probably the answer you do not want to hear…

If there is a substantial difference in shoe sizes, maybe the best solution is to buy two pairs of shoes with proper sizing for each foot.

Wearing different size socks does not sound like an optimal solution, if there is that much of a variation in shoe sizes. In hot weather, I would not want to wear an extra think sock. and visa versa for cold weather.

I am fortunate, to have the same size feet. Salomons are perfect fitting shoes for me. I can wear different thickness of socks for varying conditions, and lacing up the shoe provides a perfect fit. I have never gotten a blister with either of my Solomons.

Yeah I thought of wearing two different sized shoes however I have a wide for-foot on my right foot and need the extra length to my pinky toe won't slide forward and rub. Even when I wear a size 10.5 (I currently wear an 11)on my right foot my pinky rubs and I get blisters after 112-15 miles.

I was told by a podiatrist that I was wearing shoes that where too small and suggested I go a half size. I wonder if my right foot just has a lower volume (correct term?) and this is causing my foot to slide around too much. Now that I think about it this could be the case because even in the 10.5 shoes I had to lace my right foot tight to keep it from sliding around (not very successfully I might add).

Dear god when will I find the right shoe!

As noted above, the soluiton may be two pairs of boots.

One of my BFF resorted to that.. Her left boot is a 9 . and the right shoe is an 8.5 .. Same brand / model . .just differnt sizes..

Works Perfect !!! ( albeit , expensive)

Yeah I think I'll try out (in the store) doing the double sizes, insertes to take up volume, and also the Salomon XA Pro Ultra M+ with the wider size.

Who knows I may get lucky and not have to buy two pairs of shoes!

You might try some kind of heel insert. I found some online called Heel Protectors. http://www.footsmart.com/p-gel-heel-protectors-set-of-4-40044.aspx They don't get a very good review, but you might be able to make your own from the picture to see if something like that might help.

Inov-8 offer an extra flat insole that reduces the shoe volume.

I also have a pair of Salomons and unevenly sized feet. I was able to stretch the shoe on my bigger feet using a hairdryer and stuffing it with socks. I also find that the lacing on Salomons is not good in terms of reducing heel rub. When this is a problem. I find this set up to be much better. http://www.inov-8.com/Lacing.asp?L=26&LID=1. As you can get them really tight at the top, but not so tight on the rest of the shoe.

Thanks for all the info people! I will have to mess around with a few ideas and post up what worked (hopefully!) for me!

Buy the size of shoe needed for the larger foot. Don't hesitate about this.

Then try adding a thicker sock and/or a thick after-market inner sole on the shoe for the smaller foot.

Cheers

Roger,

Don't worry, I will always buy shoes for the larger foot.

Would you have any recomendations for insoles that would help me out?

Thanks for all your help!

Piper –

I was actually thinking about creating something like that for my heel. I wonder if a thin-light pad material would work.

Jason-

Thanks for the link! I may try adding laces to my current Salomon’s and see how that helps.

Who knows I may have to replace the laces, add an insole, AND build a heel cup! Once I get it figured out though I will be very happy and it will be worth all the work!

Hi Chad

I have very little experience with after-market insoles. I find the ones which come with the shoes are usually fine for me.

A big name in the game is Superfeet, but I have no experience with them. Others do. Opinions vary … :-)

I have a pair of New Balance 'Pressure Relief' insoles on trial. Strange things, but a thick heel and not uncomfortable. Not expensive.

I think you may have a some trial&error ahead, but that's life (and fun?) :-)

Btw, I do like the New Balance MT876OR shoes. Review coming soon.

Cheers

You're darn right Roger! Now I have an excuse to buy three new pairs of shoes!

'But honey, I have to keep my feet healthy!'

'Oh that, those are the pices of my last pair of shoes, they didn't work out.'

'Well babe I'm off to the gear shop to get another pair . . .'

I'd try searching around for a different shoe. My feet are 1 and a half sizes different. That's huge. I find shoes that hold me feet well due to their shape and lacing system, they work even if I have 1 plus inches in front of my smaller foot.

Jack,

What brand of shoe do you use?

I'm looking for a dirrent shoe but so far Salomon and Keen fit the best. I don't actually have wide feet but I do have a wide toebox.

Invo-8: Haven't tried yet
New Ballance: Poor heal fit for me on both feet
Merril: Too narrow in the toebox
Aslo: Too narrow in the toebox
Vasgue: Too narrow in the toebox
Keen: Heel drift issue on right foot
Salomon: Heel drift issue on right foot.

If you go to a specialty running store, or ski shop, they have these dense rubber mid soles that actually fit under the insole and take up volume, which could help the fit of your smaller foot. They also make heel wedges out of the same material, which could help if you need less heel volume, but more space for your toes.

I also have slightly different sized feet, but usually lacing takes care of it.

Now that / is a great bit of information!

Chad, I was thinking you should probably check with a ski shop first. I used to be a boot fitter at a shop, and as I recalled we were always getting these from the ski department. (they'll probably have some time on their hands right now)

call ahead at least.

Chad – I have the exact same problem. In fact I read to see which of your feet is larger so we could maybe work a deal but sadly my L foot is my biggie too.

To date, the shoe that works best for me are Brooks Cascadias. Not perfect but better than most. Enough room for pinkie toes.

I have also tried having a pair of custom shoes made by Hersey. This has been a miserable experience to date. Two tries that were way off and another that's been "on the way" for months.

My rationale up front was that $500 for shoes with a 5 year life expectancy, including a mold, is a lot cheaper than cycling thru $100 trail shoes that don't really fit. I still like the rationale – just wouldn't recommend Hersey at this point :(

I'd be REALLY careful about heel wedges…they can really mess up your biomechanics and led to all kinds of unintended consequences.

Thanks for the info John.

I'm in agreement with you about using heel inserts. I think it would simply mess up my walking too much.

I'm going to try removing the bungee laces from my Salomon’s and replace them with normal laces. I've also taken an old foam foot-bed and cut it into a heel cup.

I'm hopeful that the change in lacing and the heel cup will help solve this issue.

I'm sure I saw something about cutting up some very thin foam to make extra padding around the INSIDES of the heel. I think it had to be glued to the inside of the shoe to keep it in place. It might be worth experimenting with.

Cheers

Thanks Roger! I am in fact working on the insole padding thing right now. Ironically the original inserts that came with my Solomon’s seem to work great for this.

I believe I will have to keep the padding positioned above the heel itself or my entire foot will be slid too far forward.

Anyone have some recommendations for glue that I could use to attach this padding to the inside of my shoe?

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