Hi, I am a newbie, so please be gentle with me...!
Over the past few years I have got through three pairs of Merrell Siren Sports and absolutely love them. They have taken me mainly through low level countryside, road and also some of the SWCP. We are not talking huge miles or tough terrain at all but they have served me well and never had a problem.
My current Merrell's are coming to the end of their life and during my last trip to Cornwall I felt I should perhaps upgrade to a mid-boot to cover more varied terrain.
After some deliberation, I bought the Salomon Ultra Mid 3 GTX boot as the reviews were very impressive. They were comfortable from the outset, but I was gradually getting numb big toes so loosened them off a bit. I then found on the next trip the pressure on the balls of my feet, and the numb toes still niggling in the background. I also noticed some knee pain. I persevered as I assumed they were bedding in but on my last walk (we are only talking about 5 miles a time so not much at all), my knees were really giving me jip.
I've never had this with my Merrells even from the outset. They have a Vibram sole so perhaps that's just better suited to me. I am so disappointed as I really really want to love my new boots but am reluctant to wear them and have gone back to my tatty Merrells today to stop the knee pain.
I can only assume that my gait is not compatible with this particular Salomon boot
. Has anyone found this to be a problem, and might different insoles be a solution?
I have spoken with the retailer who have said they won't exchange them for an alternative as they have been worn outside and it's not a quality problem which I fully appreciate. After many happy years with my Merrells, I don't want to be lumbered with a boot which isn't giving me a good experience.
Any recommendations as to what I can do to get along with these boots as at the moment we are not a happy match.
Sorry for the rambling post and thank you for bearing with me
Vanessa