View Full Version : How much did your feet expand?
TwoForty
04-20-2008, 21:34
I've been told my feet will expand, but I am not sure how much. 200 miles into my first 300 mile hike last summer I had my size 10.5 feet expand and I now wear a size 11. I tried on a size 11.5 and they felt a bit too sloppy in the heel. Should I expect more foot expansion, or should I expect them to stay the same?
So, how much did your feet expand? Was it just the length, or did you also have to go to wider sizes? Any input in appreciated. I already posted this on the pct-l, but more info is always good.
rasudduth
04-20-2008, 21:41
My feet went up one full size (a half size within the first week!). Mainly in the width of the toebox but the bigger size shoe accommodated that. It is harder to find wide sizes so it is good to explore to see what brands tend toward a wider toe box. For me that was Vasque and the North Face Hedgehog trailrunners. Everyone is unique and the main discovery is through trail and error. I went back to my pre-trail size about 2-3 months post hike.
Jim Adams
04-20-2008, 22:49
What trail are you hiking? Your feet MAY expand more on hotter trails like the PCT however the AT is not exempt.
When I started my 1990 thru, I wore 8 1/2 to 9 my whole adult life. After the hike, I wore a 10. After my second thru in 2002, I wore a 10 1/2. When I hiked the PCT last year my shoes were an 11 and fit great.
Seems like my feet keep spreading out due to the constant pounding that hiking produces.
geek
TwoForty
04-20-2008, 22:53
I did the JMT last summer and I am doing the first 940 miles of the PCT this year. Did you find yourself sizing up in width as well, or just the numerical size?
Downunda
04-20-2008, 23:45
My feet went up a full size and had eventually returned to their original size about 12 months after I returned home
Jim Adams
04-20-2008, 23:49
I did the JMT last summer and I am doing the first 940 miles of the PCT this year. Did you find yourself sizing up in width as well, or just the numerical size?
seems as though it was mostly length since I have not had to go to a wider size but I did notice that I now search out wider toe boxes. Mine never returned to old sizes. I am only 5'6" and wear an 11...some times I feel like I can run across water!LOL
geek
fiddlehead
04-21-2008, 02:49
Mine went up about like Jim Adams (above)
I was originally a 9 1/2. After a thru, definitly a 10 to 10 1/2
After another thru, to an 11
Now, i have hiked about 6 or 7 thrus and am a permanent 11 to 12.
i wore a 13 on our triplecrown in one year attempt.
went back to a 11 1/2 afterwards.
I think it depends on how much you hike or how much weight you carry.
I have gone from 8.5 t0 9.5 EEEE I recently visited a Podiatrist and I have developed Hallux Rigidus which means stiff big toe sorta like "turf toe". My toe only bends 30% should be more like 60%.He recommended ortotics, so I've been shopping around, found some interesting products on e-bay and they have been working well.
TwoForty
04-24-2008, 22:48
Great info. I guess I'll go with an 11.5 and double up on (thin) socks until my feet expand. Thanks guys!