Feet got beat up this weekend

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

I think I goofed big time on my socks this trip but curious if I'm overlooking other issues.

Boots: lowa cevedale, waxed for waterproofness so breathing is gone (not that they breathed much originally).
Insoles: Superfeet orange.
Issue: Bottom of feet are sore as hell to step on (bruised feeling).
Suspected issue: Sweat out socks increasing foot friction and wet/soft skin is less robust and the surface abuse makes the skin sensitive to step on over and over and over again.


I went scouting over the weekend and just grabbed a couple pairs of hiking socks w/o reviewing their condition and didn't grab any liners, they were half worn smartwools (fine for winter casual wear but thinning out for hiking, I need to keep them separate). The half thought in my head was "its just an overnight pack". After the hike in and around the basins all day with boots on the entire time I was happy to get boots off at the end of the day but feet weren't destroyed yet. Next day new pair of socks ended up being a shit show trying out a different route out which was 3.5hr of hard descending. I was hobbling by the trailhead. Feet were hammered and boots soaked on the inside.

Last year after 3days of hauling with better socks/liners my feet were approaching this state where they were sore to step onto but I had just chalked that up to a bunch of repetitive pounding. However with them getting hammered so fast on this trip it seems that isn't the root issue. I'm assuming the issue is sweating out the sock and friction on my foot.

My plan forward is good liners with socks in good shape (I usually run smartwool or similar in a hiking/hunting weight unless its cold and then I'll use the mountaineering weight). Start carrying a change out of socks/liners in my daypack. When midday opportunities are available get my boots off for a while to vent my feet, if its grind/go mode then swap my socks out midday.

Am I covering my basis here or overlooking an issue still? Obviously a hiker boot that is vented better I am skipping over but I want more ankle support versus a light hiker and also I want something that is going to be highly water resistant w/o relying on a gortex liner which will wear out.

 

[sveltri]

I have completely gone away from Smartwool socks and only wear Darn Toughs with no liner. If you haven't tried them I would strongly urge you to do so. Smartwools always made my feet sweat and stink, I can wear a pair of DTs for days without issue.

 

[GKPrice]

tender feet suck ! you might try SF greens - I solved "MY" foot problems with Heel That Pain insoles, wear them in every pair of shoes and boots I own for over a year now with no problems whatsoever - I don't wear liner socks any more either, the most comfortable socks of all (for me) have been Smart Wool medium Hikers but they're kind of warm for summer temps - I've found (again, for me) that length fit no more than 1/2 sz but plenty of side to side room made all the difference - I wear Lowa Renegades, Tibets & GTX 400 and have 0 trouble at my advanced age of 66

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

I've used some other socks, not just specifically smartwool but those have been the majority.

Superfeet orange are very similar to the green, they just have a bit more cushioned forefoot.

 

[5MilesBack]

My feet feel like crap with just merino wool socks. I HAVE to use a poly liner with them. Without the liner my feet will be bright red and feel like they're on fire the entire time. Then they hurt all night too. With my liner socks and Classic Smartwools I never even have to think about my feet during a hunt.

 

[Akicita]

Start carrying a change out of socks/liners in my daypack. When midday opportunities are available get my boots off for a while to vent my feet, if its grind/go mode then swap my socks out midday.

^^^BINGO^^^ This a ritual for me no matter what the season or the conditions. . . With good boots and socks this will fix it. I personally don't like liners and just go with quality light weight merino wool or merino / synthetic blend. My preference is Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew for any weather any season - 56% nylon/40% merino wool/4% Lycra spandex - My wife prefers the Darn Tough Cool Max in warm weather - 35% CoolMax polyester/34% nylon/28% acrylic/3% Lycra spandex

 

[camping1601]

Is it a skin sore to the touch thing or more of a deeper pain. I ask because I started with too much too soon with a new pair of Tibets this spring and the firm midsole and lack of cushioning has left me with a sore left heel three months later.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

In the moment it feels like deep paid when stepping (more on the forefoot than heel) but in reflecting and poking at my feet after the fact I think its the skin gets inflamed from the surface inward (not like there is much deep tissue under the ball of your foot). I can still see the effects and feel some surface difference on the bottom of my foot after the weekend which sort of reinforces my thought that I goofed up with the sock situation and caused this from the outside in. But if I'm overlooking something I'm all ears.

 

[5MilesBack]

But if I'm overlooking something I'm all ears.

IMO wet wool against your skin all day isn't good. At least with a good wicking liner sock you have a layer between your skin and the wet wool sock. At the end of every day while hunting, I'll pull my merino socks off and they're damp but my liner sock and feet are dry.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Poly liner was well noted and in my plans. I used to run poly liners, I did merino liners last season when I also had issues after a few days but chalked that up to hauling elk for 2.5days. I'll be segregating out my worn socks, pickup up more as needed and putting poly liners back into my routine to see how that treats me.

 

[camping1601]

My wife swears by socks made by a company called "Wright Socks". They have a built in liner. They were too thin for my liking but they keep her from getting blisters.

Prob. way off track, but I remember reading more than once about how you launder performance fabrics and how it can affect the fabrics ability to wick and move moisture. The one big no, no I recall is using fabric softeners.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

My wife swears by socks made by a company called "Wright Socks". They have a built in liner. They were too thin for my liking but they keep her from getting blisters.

Prob. way off track, but I remember reading more than once about how you launder performance fabrics and how it can affect the fabrics ability to wick and move moisture. The one big no, no I recall is using fabric softeners.

We don't use them nor many chemicals in our laundry.

 

[duchntr]

If this is your first long trip of the year that is likely your problem, your feet will toughen up. If you have tender non callused feet its best to swap socks regularly, other then that get after it and harden your feet. Good luck with your scouting.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

First that long, everything else has been a few hours so far this year.

 

[PJG]

I personally don't think the socks had anything to do with your feet feeling bad. I'd start rolling out the bottom of your feet and stretching out your calfs, it bands, and hamstrings asap.

If it is in fact the socks great, that's an easy fix. If it's from tight muscles and or the beginning of plantar fasciitis that's another story that can have a long recovery period.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

I personally don't think the socks had anything to do with your feet feeling bad. I'd start rolling out the bottom of your feet and stretching out your calfs, it bands, and hamstrings asap.

If it is in fact the socks great, that's an easy fix. If it's from tight muscles and or the beginning of plantar fasciitis that's another story that can have a long recovery period.

Just to clarify my heels don't hurt much the front pads on my feet are what got hammered.

 

[camping1601]

Just to clarify my heels don't hurt much the front pads on my feet are what got hammered.

Might be worth trying a different insole with a different face fabric? Just a thought.
I don't care for any of the Superfeet insoles myself.