Yet another shoe question

[Ellann]

I recently travelled to Thailand where I did a lot of walking wearing my new Keen Anatomic Fit shoes. These shoes have a wide toe area in front. They are also a size larger for the purpose of long distance walking. Problem was that I had lots of toe issues, including callous & blisters on small toe that curl inwards. My question is do shoes that have wide toe and a size bigger cause feet to move around too much causing toes to suffer? I am walking French Camino in May 2025 and concerned I need another pair of shoes. Any advice and recommendations greatly appreciated.

 

[C clearly]

My question is do shoes that have wide toe and a size bigger cause feet to move around too much causing toes to suffer?

For me...
No, as long as the lacing and fit around my mid-foot and arch is good. It needs to hold my foot snugly in place (so it doesn't slide forward) but leave my toes free to wiggle.

 

[CarolamS]

Your whole foot shouldn't move about in your shoe. A wide toe box just gives space for your toes. Lacing is important. What socks are you using? I am apt to get blisters between my little toe and the next so I wear Injinji liner toe socks inside merino wool hiking socks. Works really well for me. I think there are other ways of managing 'difficult' toes. Double socks like this might be enough to enable your shoes to fit better. It took me a while to find my best shoe and sock combo. It's worth persevering. Good luck.

 

[C clearly]

They are also a size larger for the purpose of long distance walking.

I would also add that your foot doesn't grow longer when it swells. It is more likely to just get wider in the mid- to fore- foot. Unfortunately, most manufacturers don't seem to want to go to the trouble of making different widths.

 

[Dani7]

For me...
No, as long as the lacing and fit around my mid-foot and arch is good. It needs to hold my foot snugly in place (so it doesn't slide forward) but leave my toes free to wiggle.

Exactly what @C clearly said. And here is a way to anchor your heel with your laces so foot and heel do not slide forward.

 

[RJM]

Only you will be able to determine what your best choice in shoes for the Camino is. Make an educated guess on a pair that you think will work for you and then make several 10-kilometer walks in them. That's the only way of knowing.

 

[dick bird]

Any advice and recommendations greatly appreciated.

All I can say is that if a particular shoe has already given you problems, that is not the shoe for you. Go to a specialist shoe store and be very specific about what you want to do. If the assistant doesn´t seem to understand, go to another store. If a shoe is comfortable and an even fit all round, it should be OK, but road test it before you set out on your camino.

 

[bestfootforward]

I recently travelled to Thailand where I did a lot of walking wearing my new Keen Anatomic Fit shoes. These shoes have a wide toe area in front. They are also a size larger for the purpose of long distance walking. Problem was that I had lots of toe issues, including callous & blisters on small toe that curl inwards. My question is do shoes that have wide toe and a size bigger cause feet to move around too much causing toes to suffer? I am walking French Camino in May 2025 and concerned I need another pair of shoes. Any advice and recommendations greatly appreciated.

Hi Ellann, I would expect a shoe a full size larger to cause whole of foot movement including clearly undesirable heal raising - and hence blisters and callouses. I live in the tropics where swelling goes with the territory, particularly in the wet season when I hike on regardless, but all my shoes, hiking (Merrell trail runners) and otherwise are all my normal size.

Any shoe that causes you grief isn't the right shoe for you. Totally agree with @dick bird that a visit to a specialist/s is your best starting point followed by comprehensive road testing. And once your shoe is sorted, good socks and foot goo (applied before socking up in the morning and after releasing your feet at day's end)/merino wool/toe socks etc should complete the trifecta of foot joy needs. Happy shoe sorting and then Buen Camino!