Recommendations - WALKING BOOTS FOR ME AFTER HAVING MY BIG TOE NAILS REMOVED

[jayjayjetplane]

Hi.


I'm looking for help and advice please. I've had some health problems this year that have curtailed my walking. Both around the city and in the country. I've had a back operation and just last week my big toe nails were permanently removed.  There's so little information available out there about what I should wear to protect my toes and the best shoes/boots to wear for walking with this problem. 


Basically I have had years of problems with sciatica - which are hopefully fixed now following this operation. As part of my recuperation I was advised to do lots of walking but avoid cycling. So I did heaps of walking around town, to work etc, however I then developed severely ingrown big toenails, which removed last week.  Now I don't know what to do.  I'm basically looking for some new boots that will protect my toes and be good for my back too. I don't have large wide feet - size ten UK - but I am six foot three.


So, if any of you have any advice / recommendations I'd love to hear from you.  I don't have a massive budget and I'd like to wear my boots about town as well as walking out and about.  Once I've recuperated my daughter is taking me up Snowdon and around abouts - I've never been - so any hints or tidbits about Snowdon are welcome too!


Many many thanks in advance.


jayjayjetplane 

[pauldawes]

I’ve often had problems with my right big toenail.


It’s one of the reasons why I always make sure that I go to a shop that uses qualified boot fitters, has walking slopes, etc...and try on boot after boot till I find ones that are really comfortable. If the boots are fitted right...then toenaill (in your case area where toenail was!) should not press against boot even as you go up/ down hills.


My own view is that is probably the single most important thing...make sure the fit is correct.


On top of that when using new boots I slip a gel toenail protector over both big toes. You can get these at places like chemists..really anyplace that sells a good range of footcare products. Brands I usually use are Profoot, andWBM care. Other brands are available!


They are fairly cheap..anything from a quid to three quid, last a longtime, are comfortable and should give you good protection in the sensitive area where your toenails were.

[jimbob]

What Paul dawes said. Plus get boots fitted in the afternoon after walking around for a couple of miles.

That way if your feet do swell up with walking then your boots have less chance of bruising your toes.

[jontea]

Hi Jay,


I had a Cheilectomy on my right big toe in May 2016. Up until this point I had bought walking boot that I basically fitted myself by trying lots of boots on, and to be honest I thought my boots fitted quite well.


But after my operation I decided to get a proper boot fitting from a specialist.
It's only when you do this you realise the difference


I went to
 http://www.whalleyoutdoor.co.uk/

[kinkyboots]

I would second Whalley Warm & Dry as from personal experience their specialist boot fitting service, knowledge, expertise and advice is second to none http://www.whalleyoutdoor.co.uk/boot-fitting-service/ however as a possible alternative Lockwoods is much nearer for you http://www.lockwoods.com/fitting-walking-boots/info_7.html and there may be others in your area.

Both of them are Altberg Premier Retailers and the best advice I can offer you is to book an appointment for an assessment, measuring and fitting, go with an open mind and be prepared to be guided by the advice and expertise they offer. Don't be at all surprised if you find out that your previous sciatica and current toenail problems have both been caused by the poorly fitting footwear you have previously been wearing.

Realistically you need to have a budget of £150-£200 to buy anything worthwhile that will last you a few years. All Altberg boots can be resoled if and when the need arises.

Depending on the type of walking you do the most the following boots may be worth a closer look.

2-3 Season Boots
Altberg Fremington 1412g  (standard last with 5 width fittings) http://www.altberg.co.uk/product/the-fremington-mens-boot-mto/ or
Altberg Malham 1344g (A-Forme last with 1 width fitting) http://www.altberg.co.uk/product/the-malham-mens-boot-mto/

3 Season Boots
Altberg Tethera 1472g (standard last with 5 width fittings) http://www.altberg.co.uk/product/the-tethera-mens-boot-mto/ or
Altberg Nordkapp 1460g (A-Forme last with 1 width fitting) http://www.altberg.co.uk/product/factory-stock-nordkapp/

If the model of boot made on the standard last doesn't quite fit or suit your particular foot shape and volume it's a fairly safe be that the boot made on the A-Forme last will.

This guide may be worth a read http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/expert-advice/hill-walking-boots and this older Go Outdoors video is worth watching https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ9hb65XfIs as it explains what type of boot you need to be looking for to best suit the type of walking you do.

 

[jethro10]

Feet are really the most important, it takes all your weight and the bit that most seen to complain about first on a long walk.
I went soft lightweight fabric years ago. Cheaper end of the market to me seem more comfortable and squishy but won't last as long. I've never reached £30/year running costs and that for me is perfectly fine. Never looked back.
Big heavy, stiff leather which will end up cheaper in the long run is meaningless to me if I'm less comfortable and end up not going out walking! For you though, they may be perfection.
Try memory foam insoles, my wife swears by them. She says you sink into them and have a tendency to slide forward less on downhills, this may help your toe nail issue?
Go try lots of types with an open mind.
Boots are not like like rucksacks or walking poles or fleeces where folk can more easily recommend something and it matters less. They are way more personal and I'd never listen to recommendations for them above "go try many"


J

[NeilC]

You just have to try a lot of pairs on. On paper the altberg should suit my wide feet and big toe problem but in practice they're no good. Shame.cos I wanted them. I've only found the softer boots to work for me.so far - Hanwag Alta, lowa Renegade. The leather is soft and gets softer after waxing so that they don't press on me.


However I never made it up to whalley's so maybe they could have made some stronger boots fit.