New walking shoes....and need heel protectors?

[Box Brownie]

Hi all

I would appreciate some insight and suggestions?

I bought a new pair of walking shoes and they are comfortable but had an issue of rubbing where the cushioning caused soreness (abrasion wounds) on the achilles tendon

I have a vague memory of seeing that you can get 'heel protectors' just for that purpose but bearing in mind my requirement is for use in walking shoes, has anyone experienced the same issue and what make/type of heel protectors have you found right?
A quick Google illustrates that the typical user for such heel protectors is female & high heel shoes wearing and I am not in neither of those categories

I am surmising, at this stage, that as the shoes 'wear in' that the need to use protectors will diminish

TIA

 

[Jannyfox]

You could try the putting some tape across the back of your ankle where the rubbing has occurred when you wear the shoes till they get a bit more flexible. Also make sure there are no rough or hard bits on the cushioning and that the rubbing isn't caused by a seam or maybe where the cushioning meets the shoe itself. Everyone's feet are slightly different (or in my case very different!). I use microporous tape on several toes when I put my walking boots on. On a heel or ankle I'd use a few layers and plenty of it so it can't be rubbed off
You say shoes rather than boots but how high are they at the ankle? It may be you need to adjust the lacing so it's looser at the top (if the shoes have a few hooks for the laces there are ways of locking the lacing at various points to facilitate this) or leave the top hook/eyelet out. Everything you read says the lacing should be quite tight at the top for ankle support but it actually depends on how you use your feet and ankles when you walk

 

[Constable]

Small rubber mallet works wonders.

 

[Box Brownie]

You could try the putting some tape across the back of your ankle where the rubbing has occurred when you wear the shoes till they get a bit more flexible. Also make sure there are no rough or hard bits on the cushioning and that the rubbing isn't caused by a seam or maybe where the cushioning meets the shoe itself. Everyone's feet are slightly different (or in my case very different!). I use microporous tape on several toes when I put my walking boots on. On a heel or ankle I'd use a few layers and plenty of it so it can't be rubbed off
You say shoes rather than boots but how high are they at the ankle? It may be you need to adjust the lacing so it's looser at the top (if the shoes have a few hooks for the laces there are ways of locking the lacing at various points to facilitate this) or leave the top hook/eyelet out. Everything you read says the lacing should be quite tight at the top for ankle support but it actually depends on how you use your feet and ankles when you walk

Jan

Thanks for your insights.

The 'shoes' are called :-

Men's Samaris III Low Walking Shoes​

So more like a low boot i.e. higher than normal shoe height but not full boot height.

Therefore, in regard to the lacing technique is something I need to consider and be conscious of/about.

The cushioning feels OK but is it at the that point in the heel of the shoe, right at the top at the back where the padding is that bit more prominent that the rubbing occurs. Almost makes me think that a bit like a shoe stretcher I need a compression tool to alter the shape at/in that area

 

[Box Brownie]

Small rubber mallet works wonders.

An interesting idea.......though first fine a small rubber mallet and a surface to hold the shoe against whilst striking it?

 

[Jannyfox]

Men's Samaris III Low Walking Shoes

If I'm looking at the right ones (the shoes rather than the boots) bit of a strange style. More of a trainer with a high back to the foot. In that case then there isn't anything you can do with lacing and it's purely a rub from the shoe shaping. I've had that from some shoes and it did go away. Taping your ankle for a while is probably your best bet then. And try the mallet thing to see if that softens it up a bit (never tried that one).

 

[Steep]

Rather than a mallet if you can't find one, try working the heel pad in your fingers to soften it up?

 

[Box Brownie]

If I'm looking at the right ones (the shoes rather than the boots) bit of a strange style. More of a trainer with a high back to the foot. In that case then there isn't anything you can do with lacing and it's purely a rub from the shoe shaping. I've had that from some shoes and it did go away. Taping your ankle for a while is probably your best bet then. And try the mallet thing to see if that softens it up a bit (never tried that one).

Yes, they do have some of the look of a trainer.

I take your point about taping the area of abrasive contact. I am waiting for my wounds to fully heal before wearing them again. I do have a roll of microporous tape in our first aid box

I will need to "work" on the shoes to improve the comfort to reduce the impact of the padding at that contact point.

 

[vintageman]

2 pairs of thin socks might do the trick

 

[lindsay]

Many years ago, working in a specialist backpacking/climbing retailers, we recommended using Moleskin plasters to cover blisters and raw skin where it had been rubbed during a trek with miles yet to go. Maybe that will work for you? I think it's available in larger Boots/supermarket healthcare sections.

 

[velocette]

I had some once which had the same effect so for a while I didn't lace them tightly slowly increasing the tension over the first few walks until the problem cleared. I wouldn't do anything to drastic as it could harm later use.

 

[Box Brownie]

Many years ago, working in a specialist backpacking/climbing retailers, we recommended using Moleskin plasters to cover blisters and raw skin where it had been rubbed during a trek with miles yet to go. Maybe that will work for you? I think it's available in larger Boots/supermarket healthcare sections.

Interesting, I had not heard of that 'material' before and yes some places do list/sell it.

I will look at that and likely buy some to try it!

I had some once which had the same effect so for a while I didn't lace them tightly slowly increasing the tension over the first few walks until the problem cleared. I wouldn't do anything to drastic as it could harm later use.

A good point about 'beware drastic action'. My concern about too loosely laced walking shoes is rubbing on other places e.g. lower heel and toes etc

 

[Jannyfox]

My concern about too loosely laced walking shoes is rubbing on other places e.g. lower heel and toes etc

That's where boots are an advantage as you can usually employ differential lacing, and the better ones have the first hook above the foot section set low to pull the heel in. Depending on what sort of walking you're doing you don't always want to be wearing boots though. I wear a pair of lightweight boots where a lot of people would probably wear walking shoes and I can do about 5 or 6 miles of easy terrain before they start rubbing a bit. I can wear my 'proper' walking boots on rough and difficult terrain all day and they're fine (so long as I tape a few toes and double sock, but that's not the fault of the boots - it's my feet)
2 pairs of socks probably won't help you as it's not that kind of a rub. Try taping and lacing slightly loose but not so loose anything else rubs (pocket full of plasters) but it should resolve itself once everything's flexed a bit

 

[billy nomates]

Have you thought of investing in some shoe stretchers? If you also have a steamer then you can target the spot to generate a little more give.
For walking I cannot recommend sketchers highly enough, they aren't the cheapest but comfort is important and I find them essential.
My feet are a mess, due to hammer toes and I spend hundreds each year on safety shoes for work, break them in and then over time they will slowly become unwearable when the toe cap starts to rub my toes.

 

[Box Brownie]

Have you thought of investing in some shoe stretchers? If you also have a steamer then you can target the spot to generate a little more give.
For walking I cannot recommend sketchers highly enough, they aren't the cheapest but comfort is important and I find them essential.
My feet are a mess, due to hammer toes and I spend hundreds each year on safety shoes for work, break them in and then over time they will slowly become unwearable when the toe cap starts to rub my toes.

As mentioned the shoes overall fit well and are comfortable. They are for walking on both even surfaces and irregular paths which can be rock strewn with variable inclines.

It is only the one point at the ankle cushioning where it meets the achilles tendon that the sore spot 'hits' and as such I am unsure how useful shoe stretchers might be?

Sketchers I surmise are more intended for even surfaces where the sort of robust sole (for rough & uneven surfaces) is not a must have.......but for everyday walking they do look good

 

[JonathanRyan]

Hi all

I would appreciate some insight and suggestions?

I bought a new pair of walking shoes and they are comfortable but had an issue of rubbing where the cushioning caused soreness (abrasion wounds) on the achilles tendon

I have a vague memory of seeing that you can get 'heel protectors' just for that purpose but bearing in mind my requirement is for use in walking shoes, has anyone experienced the same issue and what make/type of heel protectors have you found right?
A quick Google illustrates that the typical user for such heel protectors is female & high heel shoes wearing and I am not in neither of those categories

I am surmising, at this stage, that as the shoes 'wear in' that the need to use protectors will diminish

TIA

You may be thinking of Engo patches

Prevent Blisters

Prevent blisters for a personal best with ENGO blister patches — effective, reusable blister prevention and relief. Keeps on working - applies to inside of footwear, NOT to the skin. Durable - proven to last up to 6 weeks or 300 miles. Easy to apply - just peel, press down and you are ready to go! N

preventblisters.co.uk

I've used them for a pair of otherwise comfortable running shoes and they held up pretty well.

 

[Box Brownie]

You may be thinking of Engo patches

Prevent Blisters

Prevent blisters for a personal best with ENGO blister patches — effective, reusable blister prevention and relief. Keeps on working - applies to inside of footwear, NOT to the skin. Durable - proven to last up to 6 weeks or 300 miles. Easy to apply - just peel, press down and you are ready to go! N

preventblisters.co.uk

I've used them for a pair of otherwise comfortable running shoes and they held up pretty well.

Thanks for the insight & information

For now I have ordered some Moleskin Plaster material as suggested by @lindsay and will see how well that works for me. If not the Engo patches will be a potential solution.

 

[footman]

Compeed for healing existing blisters and protection before you get them. Must be Compeed, no substitutes!