View Full Version : Any tips for helping minor heel slip?
TwoForty
06-03-2007, 13:28
I really like my new trail runners except for the smallest amount of heel slip. I don't think it's enough to blister, but it's annoying.
I can't use thicker socks because I need to toe room.
Are there any inserts I can use?
How about lining the cup with molefoam and duct tape?
I really like my new trail runners except for the smallest amount of heel slip. I don't think it's enough to blister, but it's annoying.I can't use thicker socks because I need to toe room.Are there any inserts I can use?......................................
Duct tape fixes everything!:D
Frolicking Dinosaurs
06-03-2007, 15:12
I have a pair of silcon heel cups I use in one pair of shoes with that problem.
TwoForty
06-03-2007, 15:50
I have a pair of silcon heel cups I use in one pair of shoes with that problem.
I was wondering if something like that existed. Where did you find them?
Frolicking Dinosaurs
06-03-2007, 15:53
The foot care section in a major drugstore near the insoles - likely CVS or Walgreens. I've also seen them in athletic footwear places (the kind that sell high-end running footwear).
Two Speed
06-03-2007, 19:05
I really like my new trail runners except for the smallest amount of heel slip. I don't think it's enough to blister, but it's annoying.You might be surprised. The boots I'm currently using had the same feel when they were new, and blistered the stew out of my heels. I was out for about three weeks on that particular trip, didn't want to spend the time to allow the blisters to heal or mess around with new footwear, so I started putting a band-aid over the blisters, then duct tape over the band-aids. The band-aid adsorbed the pus coming out of the blisters and cushioned them somewhat and the duct tape kept the band-aids in place and allowed the slippage to occur between the tape and my socks.
The blisters starting healing slowly and I was able to keep moving, so that's a successful solution in my book.
On my last trip on the Alabama Pinhoti I started out taping my heels and was able to stop doing that after about 6 - 7 days as the skin had toughened up enough to tolerate the friction.
I strongly recommend pulling the duct tape off every night if you choose to go with this option. I can't prove it, but my firmly held opinion is that any improvement occurs overnight and that doesn't happen with the tape in place. I base that on the one night I forgot (or was too darn lazy) to pull the tape. My heels seemed to be more sensitive the next day, and by mid-day I had to take a long "boots off" break because I could feel my heels getting tender.
FWIW, I'm getting to be a fan of the "boots off" breaks about mid-day anyway. I seem to need the break and it just feels good to dry my feet and socks and wiggle my toes while I eat a leisurely lunch.
Frolicking Dinosaurs
06-03-2007, 19:16
Removed my post because not appropriate for straight forward. Mods please remove.
Some of my shoes have a further back eyelet.
I skip the "top" second from the back and loop thru the way back eyelet. Tightens up the heel, as I have to buy them big. Toes gotta wiggle.
Floppy heels sound like an issue to me...
I have the same problem with most athletic type shoes. There is a way you can lace them up that will snug them to your heel. I will try to explain, but it is much easier to show.
Lace you your shoes up normal, until you get to the last eyelit. On the next to last one, go straight up instead of going across the shoe. Once you do this it will make a small loop between your lace and your shoe (the lace that goes straight up). Now take the tag ends of your laces across the shoe and put them through that loop (between the lace and shoe itself). When you pull them tight to tie your shoe, it will cinch up the back of the heel and you will not get that slip on your heel. This only works for a slight slip, but it works like a champ.
TwoForty
06-03-2007, 22:50
Well, if it's gonna take a speical lacing technique, my Salomon XA Pros aren't going to cut it. Thanks for the heads up on it. Back to REI I go...
It really sounds/reads much more difficult that it really is. It doesn't take any extra time to lace them up and then they stat that way until you undo them. I have always had this problem. I had a guy in a shoe store in Knoxville show me this technique when I was in high school, and it has really made my life easier. I have a really narrow heel, so shoes that fit my feet (width and length) still slip on my heel. I wish I could show you, it really is easy. Maybe I can figure out how to post a short video!
Frolicking Dinosaurs
06-03-2007, 23:12
Salomon XA (http://www.buachaille.com/images/Salomon-XA--Pro-3D.jpg)'s have a cord that is cinched up with a cleat instead of laces.
The Cheat
06-03-2007, 23:22
It really sounds/reads much more difficult that it really is. It doesn't take any extra time to lace them up and then they stat that way until you undo them. I have always had this problem. I had a guy in a shoe store in Knoxville show me this technique when I was in high school, and it has really made my life easier. I have a really narrow heel, so shoes that fit my feet (width and length) still slip on my heel. I wish I could show you, it really is easy. Maybe I can figure out how to post a short video!
http://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/locklacing.htm
That's it! pretty easy, if the shoes were to have laces instead of a cinch strap. I can't wear those types shoes, for reasons mentioned above.
Mother's Finest
06-04-2007, 16:12
how did you make out?
peace
mf
Moon Monster
06-04-2007, 17:45
Inov8 also has a nice lacing page that includes both high and low lace-locking for shoes with double eyelets. But mine still blister low on the outside-backs of my heels when I'm on very uneven trails when my feet are constantly at new angles and pressures against the heel cup. I think the blistering comes from even the smallest of movements because the stock insole meets the heel cup too low on my feet. This issue is not fixable by lacing alone. I am on the lookout for high-cupped after-market insoles or heel "risers," but I haven't yet found any that look promising.
http://www.inov-8.com/lacing.html
I take a sheet of Mole FOAM. I cut it to fit inside the cup and stick it TO the shoe. It last as long as the tread does....and if not, I can peal it off and re-do it.
Inov8 also has a nice lacing page that includes both high and low lace-locking for shoes with double eyelets. But mine still blister low on the outside-backs of my heels when I'm on very uneven trails when my feet are constantly at new angles and pressures against the heel cup. I think the blistering comes from even the smallest of movements because the stock insole meets the heel cup too low on my feet. This issue is not fixable by lacing alone. I am on the lookout for high-cupped after-market insoles or heel "risers," but I haven't yet found any that look promising.
http://www.inov-8.com/lacing.html
You might like the blue footbed. Comes in width. Not sure if they are all as high in the arch as the ones I like, but try to be fitted in a store.
http://www.birkenstockusa.com/c/productSearch.py?manager=Research&brand=100&sub_insolesArchSupports=Yes&user_id=0&store_id=0&category=20&selection=insoles
TwoForty
06-04-2007, 20:53
I went for a 4 mile walk and the slip went down as I went along. I think I just need to be on my feet and wait for them to expand. I'll be packing molefoam and duct tape for my next 300 section hike.
I'm so over shoe shopping. I think I can destroy this pair this summer. I'll get a real lacing system next time.
Thanks for all the advice!
There are specific socks made that reduce the friction that cause blisters. Do a Google search and type in "blister guard socks." As you can see from this search, there are many different sizes, styles & colors to choose from. I were an ankle high pair under my soccer socks that have been remarkable.
icemanat95
06-05-2007, 11:23
Sore Dawgs insoles are a stiff type insole with higher support all around. Especially useful for folks like me with high arches. They help us avoid the almost inevitable plantar fascitis that comes from walking under load with insufficient arch support.
When taping over blisters, remember that blisters form from pressure and friction. Instead of padding the blisters up and thus increasing pressure on them. Cut a piece of moal foam or moleskin with a hole in the middle so that the molefoam surrounds the blister but doesn't overlap it. Then tape over it. If you want a bit of padding between the tape and the blister, a single piece of gauze works pretty well.
To prevent blisters there is duct tape and my choice, waterproof first aid tape. I used to have to tape my heels up pretty good when breaking in new boots. Now I use a lighter boot and that is less of an issue.
Moon Monster
06-06-2007, 16:09
You might like the blue footbed. Comes in width. Not sure if they are all as high in the arch as the ones I like, but try to be fitted in a store.
http://www.birkenstockusa.com/c/productSearch.py?manager=Research&brand=100&sub_insolesArchSupports=Yes&user_id=0&store_id=0&category=20&selection=insoles
Exactly the type of thing I want to examine. Thanks!