I am currently using Keen Targhee boot for general round town use and 3-5 day backpacking trips with 20ish pound pack. On AT rocky trails I often suffer from foot pain in the pad area of my foot.

I am considering trimming a flexible cutting food mat to slip between the factory foot pad and boot inner sole. Has any one tried this??? or have suggestions other than Superfeet.

I've never had exactly the same problem you have, but have had sore feet from boots without enough padding under foot, and heel problems from a pair of Merrels that just never quite fit rit. Three things that are worth trying:
1 an insert with a metatarsal support
2 a pair scholls gel inserts for padding
3 a pair of superfeet inserts for the stiffness.
If none of these helps, try a really good shoe store for suggestions or you may need different boots.

Sorry-

Superfeet ARE my best suggestion. I used them in Salomon Amphibs and other lightweight shoes in rocky areas, including GSMNP to keep my tender feet from excessive bruising.

Where in NC (?) are you? I accompanied a friend a couple of years ago to Mahoney's Outfitters in Jpohnson City, TN, when we had to get off of the AT a little south of Damascus because of her foot pain. It was a bit of a ride, but the guy who fit her new shoes did a great job. Some places have really knowledgable staff.

CamperMom

Please define the "pad area" of your foot. One may say two exist, the heel and the ball of the foot.

Do you have any underlying problems? Flat feet, over pronate, diabetes?

If you have diabetes get to an MD ASAP.

I have problems with foot pain from flat feet. Changing the inserts work for me. I use either Superfeet or Sole Ultras. I have come to like the Sole Ultras better. They seem stiffer and give better support. But I used Superfeet (green)for years with no complaints.

Both are available from Campmor. They ain't cheap, but they are worth it.

what's wrong with Superfeet?

earlylite
http://sectionhiker.com

I didn't say there was anything wrong with SF. I still have them in 2 pr of NB shoes. But the SoleUltras are beefier and give better support. They are also heat conformable if you wish. Just put them in the oven for a few and then in your shoe. Each pair comes with directions.

I was told around 20 years ago by a buddy that was a chiropractor that good shoes were the foundation for keeping your back, feet and knees in good shape. He told me that when I was hurting, so I paid attention to him real good.

I don't know about the Keen Targhee boot but I can offer this advice: Never buy shoes from mail order. Always try every hiking shoe in the store before even looking at the price. Narrow down your choices by those that felt good when you first tried them on and test walked in them. Then look at the price and decide. Before you buy them, try as many pairs as they have of the kind you want on and test them all out too. They're not all the same. Shoes are still put together by hand, so each pair will be a little different.

I don't buy the "You have to break them in" line. If they hurt when you first got them, they keep hurting the entire time you have them. They may hurt less after a long while, but that's the best you'll do.

So, what do I wear?

Merrell Radius Hiking Boots. I've been wearing them for about 5 years now. A pair last about a year, but I wear them almost everyday. I also had some Timberland's in between there that were pretty good.

But, like I said, you have to find the ones that fit you. Then, if you're lucky, you can find them again when the ones you like wear out <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Bill

Please explain what type pain. Is it a skin level burn feeling or it the type pain associated with a bruise?
I have had pad pain before - it was, in my case, a burning skin level pain that was caused on rough terrain and down hill grades. Mine was caused from a combination of boots and sock material. I changed both and the pain is gone. It turns out that my feet require a more flexible midsole to remain comfortable during strenuous activity.

I find that if you buy a boot that has to be broken in, and it's a quality boot or shoe, once they are broken in that they fit you well and feel supurb. But that is old school technology. I like the Merrells and they will probably be my next boots. One thing I do know and learned from playing golf everyday. (I don't play anymore), that if you wear the same glove everyday or sometimes through a whole round, the gloves degrade very quickly. The same goes for shoes. I rotated my gloves and shoes and they last probably 3 times longer than if worn everyday. Plus you would have 2 or 3 pairs that would feel great,stay dry and ready for the next use. If you are into the latest and greatest then they might outlast the new models.

Might I suggest trying a cheaper alternative <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> Since all this new sock technology is out there you might look into buying a few different brands of socks. They will all fit a bit different due to their manufacturing differences IME. There are now socks out there that have more cushioning where you need it and less where you don't . Thorlo comes to mind, but there are many brands.

Cheaper than going through boot brands first IME. Superfeet have worked for me, but I might try the Soles' brand next go round to see what they are about.

Treating your feet the best you can is worth more to your enjoyment of backpacking then any of the other fine pieces of gear, bar none, IME <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

I have cross-country hiked forever and developed some metatarsal and heel pain. I tried everything, every insert and many boots. I finally found that most boots were just too hard and not enough shock absorption. I can't stand Superfeet and others did not help either.

One day I tried something new, Some New Balance M992GL trail runners with the New Balance Pressure Relief insoles. Bingo, no more pain after a few months and I can carry a 55 lb pack (12 liters of water in there) bushwhacking with no more problems. I do use trekking poles and that helps too. I have been using them for more than a year now and all problems gone, daddy, gone.

All problems are not the same though so good luck to you in finding the solution to your problem.