Pain under foot with Moac walking boots

Q. Have a pair of Moac walking boots which have hardly been worn due to the sharp pain I get across the underside of my foot after only a couple of miles. Cheaper boots don't seem to have this effect, would love to know if there is any solution so I can get some wear out of them.

Luv Walking, Nottingham

A. This is indeed the sole shank. The life of a boot sole can be extended by making it rigid, as the material ages the more movement it has can cause it to fracture and break off, less movement means longer lasting sole. The problem is, less movement on the middle of the sole locks your foot in a position meaning more work on your toes. Some people walk by rolling their feet, others "grasp" with toes as you walk. This grasping movement can cause fatigue in the toes leading to pain. Ironically enough rolling when walking causes more blisters as the foot is moving slightly less than the boot underneath (think of a car going round a corner) so you get blisters. More supple soles will wear out quicker (and are more prone to splitting and breaking) but will move with your foot more thus hurt less.

Gary Bowser, Carlisle

A. Some better quality boots have a very stiff half steel shank in the sole. This keeps it rigid but ofetn too much so with some types. Scarpa make a great long lasting boot but I hardly know anyone who has them who hasn't given up waeringthem after a few trips because of blisters or the pain you have mentioned. In the old days people used to judge the quality of a boot by how rigid the sole was. This is a mistake, you should judge it by how your feet feel at the end of the walk. Hi-tec and other mid range makes are the most comfy even if they don't last as long. it's no good having a great pair of boots which you have to put on the mantlepiece to admire because they cripple you.

Armybarmy , Ripon

A. I experience pain with my old pair of Brashers. I didn't get the problem for the first few years of wearing them and now it feels like arthritis under the toes of my left foot so I cant wear them any more. Only get the pain with these boots so I think its the sole of the boot. I am having problems with boots too. Just bought a leather pair of Brasher Lady Hillmaster which have a sharp ridge around the heel so they give me blisters! Can anyone recommend a comfortable boot? Worth its weight in gold!

Lorna Stanley, Deal

Add your answer to THIS question | Ask a NEW question

Return to the main list of Walking and Hiking Questions

Search for an existing Walking and Hiking Question or Answer