Painful toes when walking

Q. When walking for a couple of hours i get very painful toes. This is been going on for about two years. I have tried changing my walking boots for a bigger size, I have tried fresh socks, I have tried wider boots [but] none of thse things seem to work. When i stop the pain goes but when I start again after about twenty minutes its back! Any ideas?

Robert Fairbairn, Northumberland

A. My painful toes were due to my having forced my feet into smaller shoes when I was young (I take size 9) as it was difficult to get the right size. I went to the podiatrist and had insoles made and an extra piece put onto the tongue to keep my feet further back. The difference was absolutely astonishing. It made walking a pleasure.

Patricia Stephenson, South Shields

A. Try wrapping your toes before you start with Hapihike which is sheep's wool infused with peppermint oil. It makes a very comfortable pad around the toes. You can find it on the web site.

Maureen Langston, Chepstow

A. I hope your painful toe problems have resolved, if not I would suggest that you make an appointment to see a Podiatrist as there are a number of conditions that can result in the discomfort you describe. Depending on the nature of the pain and its location you may be trapping a nerve in your foot - this is a common problem and one that is resolvable.

Happy walking

Wendy Smith, Glasgow

A. I have the same problem but only on the two smallest toes on my left foot. I found after two/three hours walking I was having considerable discomfort and found that a short rest and removing one of my socks (always wear two) I would be OK for another hour or so.

I find now that if I remove my boots at each coffee / lunch stop I can get through a long days walk with no problem

Alan Smethurst, Connah's Quay

A. I had this problem, I found (after much trial and error) that my toes were too loose at the toe box so I added a thin inner sock and kept my lacing up firm. Hey Presto!

Paul Bond, London

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