Sounds like you need to retie your boots for the down hill trips, there are many books and articles written on how to lace and tie your boots to prevent such things.
lost both pinky toe nails wearing boots, never really did grow back the way they were before hiking :-(
switched to sandels never happened again, including blisters :-)
pics = barf!!!!!!!!!!!! I asked a question before that didn't really get answered. Are thru-hikers carrying nail clippers with them on there trips, do you bounce them? Or do you find communal pairs (once again barf!) at hostels/trail angels houses/borrowed from smarter hikers? Good luck borrowing my nail clippers! seams like a good way to contract foot fungus and get infected toenails. just wondering what the majority of people who have thru'ed have done on their trip.
That's too bad.Originally Posted by CrumbSnatcher
I have had nails go black underneath and eventually the nail will fall off after the new nail and skin underneath grows out. The ubuse comes on the downs in most cases, the larger toe box I need is the culprit.
Loosen your laces on the ups,tighten em on the downs.Keeps that heel towards the back of the shoe/boot.
You should have alcohol for your nightly foot rub as is... if you don't bounce a pair and have to borrow another hikers clippers... just put some alcohol on them maybe? But no, when I go on hikes (never been on one longer than 2 weeks) I do not carry them, and I've never lost a toenail.
Live your life and I'll live mine, perhaps one day they will intertwine. SEMPER FI! 2013 SOBO
Great pics. Toes look to be in good shape. Hope it all heals well.
Take care of those feet. They do get old eventually.
Glad I'm not alone on this one, If I am gone for three days or more, I am almost guaranteed to lose the nails on the middle toe. BTW the Pix are really not necessary.
"If you push something hard enough it will fall over."
-Fudd's first law of opposition.
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I'll answer your question.
I carried a pair of finger nail clippers and used them on both finger and toe nails. I didn't bounce them, I didn't use a bounce box at all.
I didn't notice communal clippers at hostels or anywhere else I stayed.
I would not lend my clippers or borrow someone else's for obvious reasons.
If you start using any kind of joint supplement you will notice your hair, and nails growing faster.
"Chainsaw" GA-ME 2011
I would like to see more foot porn on here...lol
I lose my pinky toenails all the time running cross country. Never lost them hiking, but I plan on losing a few on my thru. Good way to save weight.
Yeah and some sexy sandals too.
Okay, didn't see this one asked. i bruised under both of my big toe nails pretty good on my recent shake-down that included doing the Mau Har here in VA. Is there anything I can do to keep from actually losing them that anyone knows of. I've tried relieving the pressure under the nails by draining the fluid out from underneath but it has of course built back up. Trying to keep them elevated while I am just sitting. Have been taking arnica regularly. Probably should have tried icing them down some. Don't know if it is too late to try that as well. I thought maybe they would go down more by now but no such luck. Any suggestions?
““Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees....” ― John Muir
Both of my "stay at home piggies" toenails (2nd toes) have turned black just from hiking this year.
"The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep."
After ditching boots going to trail runners that are 1 size larger than normal= 0 problems
I use my leatherman micro scissors if need to trim but never been out extended time...
I should probably add, I wear mesh trail runners with plenty of room in the toe box, used sock liners this go round because I kept developing hot stops on the ball of my feet, despite switching to merino wool socks - they helped but did not completely fix the problem. (A BIG thank you to whoever recommended using thin dress shoes. They worked great and didn't cost me anything to see if liners would help the problem. They did - Yay!). I think what caused the problem was having my merino wool socks pulled on too tight and they caused too much pressure on the toe nails on the Mau Har descents. I pulled the toe of the socks loose before putting on my shoes the next morning and that seemed to help relieve the pressure on the descents on the way out.
Drained fluid from under the nails again last night, which relieved some pressure and made them feel a little better, and will keep popping arnica. I've lost multiple toe nails in the past after doing a couple of half-marathons - that when I discovered the importance of wearing size larger shoes and putting your heal to the back of the shoe when lacing - but there was no expectation for me to go out and do it again the very next day like there will be on the trail. I guess that is the concern - how do I address this in a way that allows me to get up and hike 12-20 miles the next day and so on?
Last edited by 2015 Lady Thru-Hiker; 08-14-2014 at 16:08.
““Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees....” ― John Muir
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