Weird Foot Problem

I have this problem where after several days on the trail the soles of my feet become very tender and every time I take a step there is a burning sensation. Let me go into a little more detail. Things usually start off good. I can go a couple of days and have no issues. Then about the 3rd or 4th day in I start to notice the problem. It seems to revolve around moisture. What happens is my feet either sweat in my boots, or get wet from some other source (like if it’s raining). After a short amount of time of being in the boots they start to prune up as if I were sitting in a bath (I like to call it “hamburger foot”). Once the pruning occurs that’s when the burning starts kicking in. After the trip is complete I then go through a few week period where the skin on my soles gets leather-like. Every time this happens I’m thinking, “Awesome, I finally toughened them up”, only to have all that skin peel off where I have to start from scratch on the next trip.

I didn’t really figure out that I had this problem until last year when I did the GA section of the AT, I always thought it was the footwear. I was having the issue during the trip and talked with someone at Mountain Crossings when I re-supplied, and she told me I needed to manage the moisture. Ever since then I have been trying various things to combat the problem with varying levels of success, however I haven’t been able to totally beat it. The thing that has worked best thus far is taking frequent breaks to dry my feet off, and changing into dry socks during every break. The issue I still have is that I primarily hike here in the SE where it is either hot and/or wet, so it’s pretty much impossible to keep my footwear 100% dry.

So, with all that said, anyone else have this problem? If so, have you figured out a way to manage it?

What kind of socks? what kind of shoes/boots?

Have you used sock liners?

Have you tried body glide or antipersperant on the foot, or foot powder?

I usually wear synthetic or wool socks (Wigwam, Smartwool, etc.). This seems to happen in pretty much any of my footwear. On the trail I usually wear boots with synthetic uppers. My current boots are Patagonia Vagabonds, which have canvas uppers.


Yes, I always use them.


Haven't tried putting anything on yet. Not sure if it would work or not. Any little bit of moisture seems to get the process going. Been thinking about trying the powder, so I'll give that a shot.

What about sandals? Have you tried those yet?

Do you have Hyperhidrosis? (Sweaty feet, palms.)

“If so, have you figured out a way to manage it?”

Oh yea.
You have good insight “The thing that has worked best thus far is taking frequent breaks to dry my feet off, and changing into dry socks during every break.”


You describe exactly what happened to me in my boot days. Prune feet can cause a lot of problems. Toe fungus and athletes foot will abound.
Thus you need something that dries fast. I have seen NOTHING that beats an open-toe sandal and a good wicking sock. With the correct-fitting sandal, you will not need any other foot-blister treatment.

Other tips, for southeast summers, I would stay away from any type of wool socks. I hear scout masters say “wool keeps you cool in the summer and warm in the winter”. I have found wool ALWAYS keeps you warm and that means sweat. So mitigate some of the problem by switching to nylon or coolmax socks.

May everyone find their foot zen.

-Barry

If your problem comes from sweat, you might want to try putting antiperspirant on your feet starting several days before the trip. I have heard of marathoners doing this. Glide reportedly helps deal with constantly wet feet also.

If the problem is outside moisture, look for footware that dries really quickly. Solomon and several other makers have their trail runner shoe without padding, just mesh, for water use. You might want to try these with a thin synthetic sock.

Well, no. I have worn Tevas for a short distance, and they just didn't provide enough support. I haven't tried anything more substantial like Chacos though. I am real finicky about my footwear and have issues getting shoes that feel "right", which is why I am trying to make the step down to trail runners before I even consider sandals.

Not sure, never really looked into it.

Interesting suggestions by both you and Barryp. I'll have to try some of them out. As I mentioned in a post above, I am currently trying to get into trail runners. Those will be more breathable than my current boots, and I'll wear thinner synthetic socks in them. The only issue I am having is that they don't provide as much support, and I am still a little above 30 lbs in pack weight. So I'll have to get my feet and ankles in a little better shape as well as maybe try to get my pack weight down a few more pounds.