Author Topic: Boots - Waterproof - Mortons Neuroma  (Read 12155 times)

G2EWS

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Boots - Waterproof - Mortons Neuroma
« on: 05:12:54, 07/09/17 »
Good morning all,


As mentioned in my intro I was an outdoor activity instructor over 30 years ago.


Having got back into the sport/hobby this year, you won't be surprised to know there have been a few changes!


Since starting again I have discovered I suffer with Mortons Neuroma in the right foot. For those who don't know, this is a pain in the ball of the foot, caused by inflammation between the bones of three middle toes, around the middle of the foot. The inflammation traps nerves and can send shooting pains around the feet. At times this can be excruciating, at others a horrid stabbing pain.


Generally this is caused by the feet being squeezed together due to ill fitting shoes. In the main it is a Woman's illness due to the often badly fitting shoes they wear - being general here!


Treatment is by easing that pressure - new shoes/boots, taking ibuprofen and using a silicon pad under the foot which spreads the bones of the toes, just a tiny bit.


I upgraded my boots which were already Salomon, to 9 1/2, which was 1/2 size larger than my previous ones. The Salomon Quest 4D 2 GTX are very comfortable and nothing else at Go Outdoors seemed to feel right.


It definitely eased the pain, but didn't get rid of it.


After much research I went to see Taunton Leisure in Bristol and bought a pair of Altberg Tethera size 9 with a wider fitting. I was eager to try them out, so set off on a 12 miler, only to realise I was flopping around in them! Had to find a shorter route back at 9 miles. For the next two days everything hurt, my back, buttocks, thighs, calves, shins and feet. I am certain this is a lot to do with a high arch on my foot.


I took the boots back and they gave me 80% against another pair.


After much trying on and walking around the store I bought a pair of Meindl - cannot remember which model. Took them home and tried them around the house. They didn't feel comfortable! The following day, I put one of the Meindl on and one of my Salomon's on. The Meindl definitely didn't feel comfortable. So I took them back and Taunton Leisure gave my 100% refund as they had not been worn outside. Great company!


Back to the drawing board!


I then bought a metatarsal pad. This is a thin silicone pad that fits over your first toe and sits under and across the front of the foot. Sounds uncomfortable but believe me it isn't.


This along with two ibuprofen before I set out works very well. Not perfect, but I can do up to 12 miles, which is about all I can do in the time I allow myself in the mornings.


However, I would like to find a good boot to solve the problem and am still looking.


Which brings me to my second problem!


When walking in long grass covered in dew, it seems impossible to find a boot that is waterproof. Wet grass gets into boots more than rain can. I have treated my Salomon's with water proofing, but nothing seems to solve the problem. I use gaiters every morning. In the end, the only solution I could find was SealSkinz socks. They are amazing! My boots can have loads of water in, but my feet stay dry. Nothing worse than 4 hours of sopping wet feet.


Every day, I use scrunched up newspapers to dry my boots out, ready for the next onslaught!


Back in the day, we had welts in our boots that gaiters would fit into, thereby totally protecting your feet from any water, including walking in streams.


I have read posts on here with interest, talking about waterproof boots actually working. I also see that full leather is better. I get that, as we often forget that Gore Tex does not necessarily stop water getting in, but is one of the best products for helping you dry out! It is the water proofing on the boot that should stop the water getting in, but it doesn't!


Any advice gratefully accepted.


Regards




Chris

April

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Re: Boots - Waterproof - Mortons Neuroma
« Reply #1 on: 08:45:58, 07/09/17 »
Welcome to the forum G2EWS

I also have foot problems so I know how awful it can be. I have pes cavus feet (high arches, short Achilles tendons) and this causes metatarsal head pain. I have used the metatarsal pads before but I've been using arch supports for a few years now instead and this does help.

There isn't an easy answer to your boot question unfortunately. I have Alterbeg Tetheras atm and for me, they are perfect, used with the arch supports. I did make sure they were a perfect fit before I bought them though. The most comfortable boots I've had recently were Scarpa Mythos. I didn't even need the arch supports with them but they didn't remain waterproof for very long. For the best waterproof boot I would go for full leather with goretex lining. Which one depends on what is the most comfortable in the shop but sometimes you don't know until you've done a few miles in them if they are going to cause any problems for you. I hope you do find a boot that suits you but I think it will be trial and error, it has been for me over the years. I had some Meindl boots once and although they felt comfy enough in the shop, after a few weeks of wearing them the metatarsal pain was horrendous.

Btw I wouldn't generalise about women on the forum, there aren't many of us on here but we are very feisty, so be careful  ;)  ;D
Hate will never win

G2EWS

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Re: Boots - Waterproof - Mortons Neuroma
« Reply #2 on: 08:51:58, 07/09/17 »
Good morning April,


Many thanks for responding.


Interesting advice about the Altberg's I have only heard good things. I'm wondering if it might be an idea to call into the factory on my travels.


Advice taken about you ladies! I hasten to add the comment did not come from me, but from a health site talking about Morton's Neuroma!


Just back from a 7.5 mile walk and my foot has been fine as it was yesterday morning. Things are looking up!


Regards




Chris

kinkyboots

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Re: Boots - Waterproof - Mortons Neuroma
« Reply #3 on: 09:03:49, 07/09/17 »
If as you say you found yourself flopping around in the Altberg Tetheras I would tend to blame the retailer for not measuring you correctly and ensuring that the boots fitted you correctly before you bought them.
 
I would suggest that you need to make an appointment to visit a specialist bootfitter such as Whalley Warm & Dry for some specialist help and advice regarding your Morton's Neuroma as I'm sure they will have come across customers with the same condition before. They are also an Altberg Premier Retailer. http://www.whalleyoutdoor.co.uk/boot-fitting-service/

Their specialist knowledge and bootfitting service is second to none and customers travel from all over the country to use their specialist services. There are many things that they can do both inside the boot and with specialist orthotics etc to help with your condition.

Perhaps you could tie an appointment in with your next visit up to the Yorkshire Dales or Lake District?

G2EWS

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Re: Boots - Waterproof - Mortons Neuroma
« Reply #4 on: 09:34:21, 07/09/17 »
Thank you Kinkyboots,


I have Whalley mentioned before. I will certainly look on my next trip up North arranging a visit.


Best regards




Chris

kinkyboots

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Re: Boots - Waterproof - Mortons Neuroma
« Reply #5 on: 09:40:23, 07/09/17 »
Just thinking about the problem with your gaiters suggests that you are not getting a tight enough seal around the boot - so maybe either you have the wrong size gaiter or the strap is not being tightened enough to pull the gaiter down onto the boot creating a close enough seal?

It may be worth having a close look at some Berghaus Yeti Wilderness gaiters (as used by the army) although I would suggest that they are not really designed to be put on and taken off regularly like normal gaiters. They are more for putting on at the beginning of winter and leaving in place on the boot until spring and are regularly available on eBay. I know a few people who hold/glue them in place around the rand of the boot with clear bath sealant or something similar.

G2EWS

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Re: Boots - Waterproof - Mortons Neuroma
« Reply #6 on: 09:45:29, 07/09/17 »
Hi Again,


An interesting thought.


Gaiters clip onto the bottom shoe lace, so could never really get a total seal as far as I am aware.


But will look at the Berghaus ones as well.


Regards




chris

oczo81

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Re: Boots - Waterproof - Mortons Neuroma
« Reply #7 on: 10:30:41, 07/09/17 »
Hi,


I can only second what others said. I`m sure there`s a boot there that will fit you and help with your problem.
I can recommend Lockwoods in Leamington Spa. My partner had a problem with finding the right ones but they`ve helped us enormously.
Hope you`ll find something suitable soon


David

G2EWS

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Re: Boots - Waterproof - Mortons Neuroma
« Reply #8 on: 10:40:40, 07/09/17 »
Thank you David,


Regards




Chris

kinkyboots

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Re: Boots - Waterproof - Mortons Neuroma
« Reply #9 on: 17:40:13, 07/09/17 »
Gaiters clip onto the bottom shoe lace, so could never really get a total seal as far as I am aware.

Of course the problem may not be with the closeness of the fitting of the gaiters at all but simply that your Salomon Quest 4D 2 GTX boots have developed a leak somewhere. From the reviews I've read it appears to be a common problem and recurring complaint with that particular boot. Unfortunately they have a bit of reputation for developing leaks either through a puncture in the Gore-Tex liner, a separation somewhere between the upper and the sole unit or through a failure of the stitching somewhere on the boot.

If you remove the insoles and put some kitchen roll or paper towel in the bottom of the boot and weight the boots down and stand them in a bowl of water for a short time should confirm it one way or another and the paper towel may show you where on the boot the leak is.

If the Salomon boots are less than 12 months old I would suggest that you return them to the retailer as faulty and try to insist on a refund rather than a replacement if you can.

Welsh Rambler

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Re: Boots - Waterproof - Mortons Neuroma
« Reply #10 on: 20:13:19, 07/09/17 »
Hi Chris
Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear about your foot problems.


I've got a pair of Brasher Hillmaster leather boots with a Goretex lining and I've walked a few thousand miles in them and they have been waterproof from new. I've always used dubbin on them and coat them after every walk plus wash off the dirt as soon as I get back from a walk. They've been the most comfortable boots I've ever had.


When they wear out I intend trying an Altberg boot because they do a range of width fittings but at the moment they are still going strong and may outlast me!


Regards Keith

G2EWS

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Re: Boots - Waterproof - Mortons Neuroma
« Reply #11 on: 11:00:54, 27/09/17 »
Hi Kinkyboots,


Sorry for the delay and many thanks for your advice.


Hi Keith,


Yep the Altberg seem the way to go.


Regards


Chris

G2EWS

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Re: Boots - Waterproof - Mortons Neuroma
« Reply #12 on: 11:06:39, 27/09/17 »
Hi again,


Having given this a lot of thought, I have decided and already booked an appointment next week at the Altberg factory for a fitting. Too many of you praise them so they must be good.


I am going in my motorhome and staying nearby. Already found a 7 1/2 mile walk from the factory and around the racecourse. So will get fitted next Friday morning then go for a walk and see if they need adjusting.


Be so good to not have wet newspapers all over the place, particularly when away in the motorhome!


Not sure if it will work, but see attached gpx route of the walk around the factory.


Regards


Chris


 

DevonDave

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Re: Boots - Waterproof - Mortons Neuroma
« Reply #13 on: 11:33:19, 27/09/17 »
There are a couple of nice walks of about 5 miles each in Richmond that you may wish to try while you are there.


Cross the river and follow the Swale upstream through Billy Bank Wood until you reach a caravan park on the opposite side.  Cross the river here and head up to the main road.  Cross over then walk westward for a short distance until you come to a track leading off to the right.  Take this track, which then heads uphill (Green Lane).  At the top turn right back towards Richmond.


The other walk follows the north bank of the Swale downstream to the ruins of Easby Abbey, which is well worth a look round.

G2EWS

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Re: Boots - Waterproof - Mortons Neuroma
« Reply #14 on: 11:44:29, 27/09/17 »
Hi Dave,


Thanks for the information.


I am staying in the campsite north of Richmond near the A66. Have already got one walk sorted from there, but will most certainly look at your suggestions. Easby Abbey looks worth a visit for sure.


Best regards




Chris

 

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