When tighter lacing and thinner socks cannot stop the problem, there is a point where one would have to conclude that you need to consider a larger size. I have been in this situation where my favourite pair of boots was getting marginal, and even wearing thinner socks, I needed to tighten them before every steeper downhill slope to keep my toes from hitting the front of the shoebox. I have subsequently replaced these with a larger size
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Regards
I second Doug's input above. The importance of "proper" hiking boot / shoe sizing cannot be discussed enough. As a basic rule of thumb, consider that your feet will increase by at least 1/2 size when you place two pair of socks on (liner + outer sock). They will increase a further 1/2 size - or more - by swelling by day's end.
So, at a minimum, figure on obtaining hiking shoes / boots at least one full size larger than your street shoe size. Also, it is critical to have a roomy "toe box" up front. You need to be able to wiggle and separate your toes when the boots are fully laced. Manolos are not recommended for the Camino...
Some people, myself included, are compelled to buy boots that are even larger. I wear a Keen Targhee II mid-height boot. My street shoes are a US size 11 (EU 45). However my feet swell more than others. So, I needed to add - say 3/4 size for the swollen feet, plus the standard 1/2 size for socks. That put me at an unattainable 1.25 sizes large than my street shoe size or a size US 12.25 (@ EU 46.5?).
However, two things conspired to put me into a size US 13 (EU 47) hiking boot. Keen, on their website (
www.keenfootwear.com), advises that this particular model runs about 1/2 size SMALL. So that meant that each advertised size was actually 1/2 size smaller. So, the size 12 boots I thought I needed were actually a size 11.5 - too small. I actually bought them in size 12 and wore them around the house and the toe box DID feel constricted. That is when I checked the Keen website and learned about the model running small. So, back to the shop I went with the printed page from the web to share with the sales person.
Plus, as the boots were only available is whole sizes - no half-sizes, the math worked out like this: the size 13 / 47 boot is really a size 12.5. I actually needed something like a 12 1/4 (US) size. So, I exchanged the size 12s for the size 13s. They were perfect. I am very glad that I bought the larger size. On my Camino, while I did have serious issues with heel calluses (not related to the boots), I had not one blister.
In my experience, civilian law enforcement, military, and the Camino, it was MUCH better to have to cinch my boot laces more snugly or in a different pattern to hold my feet snug at the heel or instep, than to deal with bloody and crushed toes in too short boots. On my first Camino I encountered too many pilgrims wearing trainers / running shoes in their standard street shoe size. The results were always the same: blisters - lots of blisters - as they could not wear multiple or even thicker wool socks (too many people were wearing cotton crew socks), and bloody - mashed toes with lost toenails from the toes constantly bashing into the front of the tow box on down hills segments. All in all, this was not something that added enjoyment and value to their Camino. It is one thing to suffer, but another to suffer when it is easily preventable for most people.
Regardless of the style (high or low) or size boot / shoe you choose, you must allow room for additional socks and foot swelling. Lubricating one's feet using various methods is also talked about frequently across the forum in many conversations. I will not repeat it here.
However, if you find yourself in this predicament, Doug's suggestion above is the only short term solution. Lubricate your feet. Put on the thinnest socks you have, Silk or Cool Max polyester fabric seem to work best. Then knock your heel all the way back in the shoe / boot and tighten your laces so as to secure the heel in place, without restricting criculation of course.. This results in giving your tows the most clearance possible in the shoes you have, until you can obtain a better sized sock and shoe/ boot combination down the road.
As always I hope this helps someone.
Best, xm 8)
