UKC

I am currently on my second pair of B3 boots - my first being Scarpa Freney's, I have recently purchased La Sportiva Nepal Evo GTX'

With the Freney's - towards the end of a day I would have really bad aches on the ball of my feet, which after 2-3 days would be so painful I would stock up on paracetamol/ibuprofen for the walk off. I tried the Evo's yesterday (only for a few hours on hilly terrain) and could feel pressure points again - more this time on the outside of the foot..

As a general question - is this just part and parcel of wearing B3 boots that what you gain for the climb you pay for during the walk in/particularly the walk off? Any ideas what I can do to minimise? I have tried Sorbothane. Perhaps it is down to the shape of my feet - I have a very high arch which doesn't help..

In reply to bowls:

Had similar in the past, was agony by end of day, so I saw a sports podiatrist. He had me bring my boots (B3 and ski boots were bad for me) along, and do various exercises in them. In my case he advised it was becuase my leg muscles were too tight, so all the presure was going through the ball of my foot. Told me to improve flexibility in my calfs in particular, and initially added some small wedges under my heel. As flexibility improved took the wedges out, and dont have any problems now.

Just what worked for me. Prehaps worth seeing a potiatrist, was well worth it for me.

In reply to bowls:

I've had similar in the past - hard enough pain in the ball of the foot to make each step rather painful. Superfeet insoles completely solved it for me. I think they do a money-back-guarantee thing, so even though they're expensive it would be worth trying - as you could return them if they don't work for you (my first pair have lasted over a decade of regular use too, bought a second pair maybe 5 years ago, and thinking I should buy a new pair again now as both older pairs are well worn!).

In reply to bowls:

Hi Mate,

I had a problems with Scarpa boots and found my feet fit Sportivas better because they are narrow.

Did you get the boots fitted by a specialist? I just bought a new pair of Spantiks (after about 2 hours of trying different B3 high altitude boots and having my feet measured) for a trip this year and had my first walk out with them on Boxing day- comfiest things I've ever worn, because they made sure the fit was perfect.

Does the boot ride up when you are walking in it?

Other than that mate you could try an insert for the footbed to reduce the impact on the balls of your feet, and improve the fit. I use one in my running shoes seems to work a treat.

In reply to bowls:

Those insoles that you stick in the oven then mould to your feet worked for me. Expensive but worth it.

In reply to bowls:

Sportivas fit me like a glove. Sportiva rock boots, trangos, nepals and spantiks all used on a regular basis by me.

When I first got the nepals towards the end of the day I'd get the exact same pain in the balls of my feet, made worse when walking down hill.

After a bit, it stopped. Whether it was my feet getting used to the boots, or the boots breaking in, or me changing my walking style, who knows?

But you're not the only one.