What's the problem here?

[Stephen]

I bought a pair of Lowa trail shoes a few weeks back and have been doing a few 5 mile walks in them. One sock is wrinkling up under the sole of my foot. To walk any distance with that would almost guarantee blisters.
The socks aren't loose and the shoes aren't too tight. Any thoughts?

 

[SYates]

Is the insole of the shoes still shiny-new? If yes you might try to carefully roughen it up a bit with a brush. Manufacturers often give it an extra shine to make it more attractive causing the foot/sock slide too much which could make the sock wrinkle up. It is a wild guess, but perhaps it helps. Buen Camino, SY

 

[Former member 22438]

Is the insole of the shoes still shiny-new? If yes you might try to carefully roughen it up a bit with a brush. Manufacturers often give it an extra shine to make it more attractive causing the foot/sock slide too much which could make the sock wrinkle up. It is a wild guess, but perhaps it helps. Buen Camino, SY

Yes that could be a solution.
Wear panty socks as a first layer and than thin walking socks as second outer layer to avoid blisters anyway.

 

[Deleted member 43985]

Even though it may seem the socks are not loose, that there is enough material to wrinkle up underneath seems to suggest they are in fact too loose. I would consider trying a smaller size of sock and see if the condition persists. The other possible problem is that the shoes are not tied quite tight enough allowing the material to migrate. Easy one to try adjusting. Good luck!

 

[Rupe]

Is the insole of the shoes still shiny-new? If yes you might try to carefully roughen it up a bit with a brush. Manufacturers often give it an extra shine to make it more attractive causing the foot/sock slide too much which could make the sock wrinkle up. It is a wild guess, but perhaps it helps. Buen Camino, SY

If you are going to do this just flip the insole and put the left in the right and the right in the left...less shine. Try this before anything before spending more money on socks .

 

[SYates]

That would only work with a very limited amount of insoles! Buen Camino, SY

 

[Rupe]

That would only work with a very limited amount of insoles! Buen Camino, SY

not saying I agree with it but if you are recommending ruffing up the insole then I would say try this before doing anything to the shoe.

 

[Deleted member 43985]

That would only work with a very limited amount of insoles! Buen Camino, SY

I agree 100% with you SY. Almost every walking shoe or boot insole will have aches and could not be turned upside down. If you have an old pair of same sized boots/shoes you could try putting them in your new shoes which may give an idea of whether or not the insole could be the issue.

 

[dougfitz]

I bought a pair of Lowa trail shoes a few weeks back and have been doing a few 5 mile walks in them. One sock is wrinkling up under the sole of my foot. To walk any distance with that would almost guarantee blisters.
The socks aren't loose and the shoes aren't too tight. Any thoughts?

If there is no physical evidence of the the sock wrinkling up when you remove your footwear, you might need to consider that the nerves in your foot are sending misleading messages. I understand this is not an uncommon effect, caused by increasing your walking distances when the pressure on the nerves in the foot is there for longer periods.

 

[Seeker43]

I bought a pair of Lowa trail shoes a few weeks back and have been doing a few 5 mile walks in them. One sock is wrinkling up under the sole of my foot. To walk any distance with that would almost guarantee blisters.
The socks aren't loose and the shoes aren't too tight. Any thoughts?

Try a pair of compression knee highs. They usually hug the foot snugly and don't descend. I use a pair of runner smart wool PhD ones as a lining layer and have had good luck with the same pair for 2 entire long( but different) caminos and they are still going strong.

 

[cecelia]

Hi Stephen,
I believe most people have feet of slightly different sizes. It may be that with the foot/sock/boot that's giving you trouble, the boot's not quite fitting properly. Sometimes I put a light foam 1/2 insole under the main sole of the boot (where possible), to alleviate this problem. It's not enough to make a height difference but is just enough to make that boot fit a bit better.
Buen camino

 

[obinjatoo]

One thing I noticed on my last Camino was that one sock wore through very quickly. By the end of the day, a brand new sock on my right foot would have holes. No pain and no blisters. All I can think is that I walk with an uneven gait. As I've gotten older the inequality has persisted and exacerbated. I couldn't solve the problem. I found inexpensive light wool socks all over Spain. They were made IN Spain. I kept the Spanish economy moving single handedly or single..... Wait for it..... Footedly....... Ha ha ha ha ha.. OK that was dumb. But I really did go through lots of socks...

 

[Stephen]

If there is no physical evidence of the the sock wrinkling up when you remove your footwear, you might need to consider that the nerves in your foot are sending misleading messages.

I hope is the shoes or the socks. I already have problems with my left foot due to 'slipped discs' in my lower back. Two bad feet would put the tin hat on it.
I'll take a thicker insole from my other boots for my morning walk tomorrow and see how I go.

 

[Rajy62]

My guess is that you have poor quality socks. I have used Lowas in most of my hikes. The insole that comes with Lowas are useless. I suggest replacing the insoles with something like superfeet. And try the Smartwool PhD light mini socks. These merino socks are tightly woven, hugs to your feet and breathes better. My favourite for long summer/fall/spring treks.

 

[Former member 22438]

There was a big discussion on the Portuguese forum here some time ago -I started it as a joke but it was taken seriously afterwards and now and then I see people mention it with good results .. Put panty liners in your shoes..
The last reaction I read was about the sticky side up or down. I cannot tell you because I never used them but if you give in the words panty liners in the searchbox you will definitively see the experiences of other forum members

 

[fiona12]

I wear HiTec waterproof boots. They tend to build up moisture in the boot as it obviously can't get out. Pantyliners absorb any sweat in the boot and therefore no smelly socks. I used ultra thin ones so made no difference to the fit of my boots. Thin liner socks with mohair hiking socks. Dry non smelly feet and the liners usually lasted 2 or 3 days. A wonderful tip I found on the forum. And nobody knows so don't be embarrassed ) Changed liner socks every day and thick socks every second day. Also took advantage at some rest/refreshment stops to remove boots/socks to airdry and give feet a rest. Just a few minutes once or twice a day and never had a blister in 330km.

 

[dougfitz]

I hope is the shoes or the socks. I already have problems with my left foot due to 'slipped discs' in my lower back. Two bad feet would put the tin hat on it.
I'll take a thicker insole from my other boots for my morning walk tomorrow and see how I go.

I don't think you should discount a condition like Morton's Neuroma. There is another description at this link: https://jamesyakel.wordpress.com/2012/06/16/mortons-neuroma-the-wadded-up-sock-feeling/. I think you should do yourself a favour, and a least read up enough about it to see whether you might want to seek your doctor's advice on this.

 

[Stephen]

Dougfitz,
I took my dog for its walk this evening, a couple of miles I think, and I wore my Teva sandals without socks. It still felt as though there was something under the ball of the foot. I fear you may be right.
I'll see my doctor when I return from my Camino which starts on the 25th August. The dream of doing the entire walk shone like a beacon of hope for me through some dark and stressful time and I wouldn't want anyone advising me not to try it.
I've no limits on time now so I'll take it easy and my pilgrimage can take as long as it takes.

 

[SYates]

... I'll see my doctor when I return from my Camino which starts on the 25th August. The dream of doing the entire walk shone like a beacon of hope for me through some dark and stressful time and I wouldn't want anyone advising me not to try it.
I've no limits on time now so I'll take it easy and my pilgrimage can take as long as it takes.

Why not see your doctor before then? You have plenty of time and perhaps it is something that can be easily solved before it gets worse. Even if s/he advices you against walking, it is still up to you what to do.
Buen Camino, SY