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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: JD Covey on December 13, 2024, 08:48:42 AM
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I fight Plantar fasciitis in my left foot ( very painful ) and I work on concrete every day which doesn’t help matters any! I’m looking for a hunting boot/shoe that’s a little taller and waterproof. I’ve been wearing my hiking boots for hunting but they don’t do much good for crossing creeks with anymore than 6” of water, plus I wear them for everything so they probably have a serious stench! Lol! My Lacrosse knee high boots kill me, so that’s not an option. Hopefully by next season I’ll be healed up, but for now, I need suggestions!
Thanks
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I had plantar fasciitis for a long time until I discovered that if I wore boots that were wide enough in the front so that there was no side pressure on my toes or the ball area of my feet, the symptoms would go away. This was not easy for me to do, because if you trace my feet, the result looks something like a ping pong paddle: wide in the front and narrow in the back. So if I just went extra wide in a normal boot, my heels slid around and I was just substituting one problem for another. But I finally managed to find a few brands of boots that worked, like Keen. None of the brands I found were super high quality, but they fit well, so I just had to replace them more often.
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This was the second season for me wearing a Danner Pronghorn 8" boot in the cooler/cold weather anyhow. I'm only bringing it up here because these boots seem to be more comfortable than any cold weather boot I can remember off the top of my head, and these are warm with 1200g of Primaloft insulation. Waterproof so far, being careful to not get over the height of the boot in water. Not a slim profile boot but not a beast either like a lot of the insulated knee high rubber boots. Maybe worth a look for ya, who knows! I hope you find what you need. Cold or worse cold and painful feet really has the makings to take the fun out of it ...........
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You need to get some custom orthotics. Good feet work well, but the initial cost is high. Most insurance company's will cover them if you see a podiatrist.
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I fight Plantar fasciitis in my left foot ( very painful ) and I work on concrete every day which doesn’t help matters any! I’m looking for a hunting boot/shoe that’s a little taller and waterproof. I’ve been wearing my hiking boots for hunting but they don’t do much good for crossing creeks with anymore than 6” of water, plus I wear them for everything so they probably have a serious stench! Lol! My Lacrosse knee high boots kill me, so that’s not an option. Hopefully by next season I’ll be healed up, but for now, I need suggestions!
Thanks
good gracious, I could have written this exact same post myself, right down to which foot I have it in! I was also looking at boots just yesterday for the same exact reason. haven't made it that far down the research road, but I will be following this thread closely! I plan to chase pigs in the spring on a WMA here that only allows non-motorized vehicles, so I'm looking for boots that are comfortable for walking, are waterproof, and provide good enough snake protection in the bottomlands.
I have $300 custom inserts in my Hokas that I wear to work, but they aren't doing the job right now and it's killing me! the cortisone shot she gave me wore off after about two weeks. good luck JD.
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These guys know their stuff......
https://lathropandsons.com/
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I had plantar fasciitis for a long time until I discovered that if I wore boots that were wide enough in the front so that there was no side pressure on my toes or the ball area of my feet, the symptoms would go away. This was not easy for me to do, because if you trace my feet, the result looks something like a ping pong paddle: wide in the front and narrow in the back. So if I just went extra wide in a normal boot, my heels slid around and I was just substituting one problem for another. But I finally managed to find a few brands of boots that worked, like Keen. None of the brands I found were super high quality, but they fit well, so I just had to replace them more often.
I’ve actually wore Keens for years for this exact reason as I have an extremely narrow heel! I had a wild hair to try zero drop shoes and that’s where things went bad. I know they work for some, but they didn’t work for me and I’m paying the price. I’ve went back to my Keen Targhee and it’s slowly getting better with the assistance of an insert. Maybe I’ll just stick with em and get some taller with the 200 gram thinsulate.
Thanks everyone for the replies
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These guys know their stuff......
https://lathropandsons.com/
I’ve thought about giving them a call, but I had little sticker shock! Lol
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These guys know their stuff......
https://lathropandsons.com/
I’ve thought about giving them a call, but I had little sticker shock! Lol
Yes, but your feet, and along with the rest of your body, will love you for it.
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I have issues with it. I've found that it helps me to switch up my every day shoes some, and not wear the same ones all the time. I think my feet get flexed and exercised in more areas. This is probably more of a preventative than cure though.
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I've read up on the new model Keen Targhee 4's. they have some at my local store so I'm gonna go try some on today after work.
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I've read up on the new model Keen Targhee 4's. they have some at my local store so I'm gonna go try some on today after work.
20 years ago, all Keen boots seemed to use the same wide in front last. The last time I bought them, some models still had the wide in front last, while others didn't, so you may have to try on some different models until you find the ones that fit.
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I have issues with it. I've found that it helps me to switch up my every day shoes some, and not wear the same ones all the time. I think my feet get flexed and exercised in more areas. This is probably more of a preventative than cure though.
YES!
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There's a few stretches you can do to help it out. Ice when it is very painful. I have been dealing with it for the last few years. This year I have been wearing caterpillar boots, steel toe for work standard for hunting. Sometimes it is good and sometimes it's not. I also have a hard plastic ball with spikes on it that helps when it flares up. Good luck and report back if you come up with a good solution.
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I've read up on the new model Keen Targhee 4's. they have some at my local store so I'm gonna go try some on today after work.
20 years ago, all Keen boots seemed to use the same wide in front last. The last time I bought them, some models still had the wide in front last, while others didn't, so you may have to try on some different models until you find the ones that fit.
I’ve recently bought 2 pairs of the Targhee IV and the toe box is still very roomy. Also they have redesigned the soles so they supposedly have a lifetime warranty. I’ve had several pairs of these I’ve had to glue the soles several times, but so far the new ones have been good.
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It took me over a year to get rid of mine. I would stretch my feet every morning for 10 minutes before getting out of bed. Little by little it got better, and has not returned, and that was about 5 years ago. I like my boots a little bigger, even for working. I always wear 2 pairs of socks also, no matter what. The extra pair helps with the cushioning and the bigger/wider boot size.
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I've read up on the new model Keen Targhee 4's. they have some at my local store so I'm gonna go try some on today after work.
20 years ago, all Keen boots seemed to use the same wide in front last. The last time I bought them, some models still had the wide in front last, while others didn't, so you may have to try on some different models until you find the ones that fit.
I’ve recently bought 2 pairs of the Targhee IV and the toe box is still very roomy. Also they have redesigned the soles so they supposedly have a lifetime warranty. I’ve had several pairs of these I’ve had to glue the soles several times, but so far the new ones have been good.
yep, the new way they fuse the sole on guarantees they won't delaminate. tried some on today. They were nice! Thought I'd need the 12 wide, but the 12 medium was actually plenty wide and fit better in the ankles. I even put my custom orthotics in them just to make sure they fit. I will probably pick up a pair pretty soon.
edit - told the wife I tried some on, and she said to order some early for my January birthday. woohoo! I liked the green ones.
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ALWAYS buy high quality boots and shoes.
Learn the stretching excersises that will fix your problem. I had PF terribly about 4 years ago. Stretching saved me.
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One other thing that has been helping me recently is sleeping with my feet on the footboard. Keeping your feet flat instead of allowing your toes to drop keeps the tendons from contracting over night.
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If you want to wade 6"s of water, those Keens aren't going to cut it.
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If you want to wade 6"s of water, those Keens aren't going to cut it.
This is true. Just couldn’t take the pain the LaCrosse rubbers was causing.
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I fought plantars for a couple years; then someone told me to do stretches by pushing down the top of my foot and hold for 30 seconds, several times a day. It worked almost immediately and the pain never came back.
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Look into getting a custom insert for your shoe boot from an Orthopedic Doc. I wore a pair of Wellington boots ( more like dress boots than cownboy boots they had a low heel) with a custom insert from an orthopedic doc for almost a year to get over mine. Once I put the insert in I went from hardly being able to walk to walking oK
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If you want to wade 6"s of water, those Keens aren't going to cut it.
This is true! I have my eye on a couple pair of boots I might invest in after the first of the year. I bought some Dr Scholls inserts for now. Not a cure, but it has helped!
Thanks
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I tried the Dr Schols insert and they did not work for me. The custom insert is the best.
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I had it pretty bad 10 years ago from job requirement of steel toed boots (poor fitting) on concrete for long shift work for a period of time. Did the stretches and went to zero lift barefoot shoes - Russell thula-thula boots - after the shift work was over. That really helped me.
R
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I suffered from it several years ago. My doctor told me to wear lace up boots or shoes with high quality insoles. When you wear slip on shoes or boots your toes are constantly curling to grip the footwear, thus straining the tendon that causes the condition. It made sense to me and after investing in higher quality boots and shoes with insoles my problem finally went away.
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JD, do yourself a favor and see a qualified Podiatrist. Get an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan to treat your plantar fasciitis as well as any comorbidities.
No I did not stay in a Holiday Inn express last night but I am a Podiatrist. Fasciitis is one of the most common afflictions I treat.
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Look up Birkenstock inserts. They are blue I believe and put them in your shoes of boots. Freeze a bottle of water and roll it back and forth with the arch of your foot. That helped me after a bit
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JD, do yourself a favor and see a qualified Podiatrist. Get an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan to treat your plantar fasciitis as well as any comorbidities.
No I did not stay in a Holiday Inn express last night but I am a Podiatrist. Fasciitis is one of the most common afflictions I treat.
I second this. my wife tried 100 things. I went to a podiatrist, got custom orthotics, and it ended. I am praying this recent flareup will end similarly.
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I did the stretches especially the one where barefoot you pick up an imaginary golf ball and try to put it in a cup. I also bought several pairs of the superfeet inserts and that did the trick. It's all about support and getting those muscles a little flexible. I've been paid free for over ten years.
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I have it in both feet due to wearing combat boots for 37 years with the last 24 working on hangar floors and flightlines. That being said, the VA podiatrist ordered me a couple sets of custom orthotics. Along with that, I bought some GOOD hiking/hunting boots that were pretty expensive (Kenetrex), but I have NOT had any foot pain since! You only have 1 set of feet, why not spend a little extra and take care of them?
Good luck, Shoot straight and God bless,
Rodd
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I had been dealing with worsening PF for the past 2 years (I walk on a concrete floor all day at work). Ended up going to a podiatrist and got a diagnosis, as well as a recommendation to get supportive shoes, stretch, don't walk barefoot in the house, and get some inserts. I ended up trying out Hokas, along with some superfeet inserts, for about 10 months. The cushion helped lessen the pain a little bit, but the pain never really went away and ended up getting worse again. I eventually started doing more research and looking for other options and stumbled on the whole barefoot/zero drop shoe rabbit hole. I got myself a pair of Xero Shoes zero drop barefoot hiking boots. It was a little bit of an adjustment and I was skeptical at first, but after a couple of weeks of wearing those (along with lots of calf stretching) the pain almost completely went away. I currently still wear them, even on concrete all day at my work, and have absolutely zero pain any more. Only problems I have now are I cant stand wearing "normal" shoes that are narrow with lots of cushion etc because they feel really uncomfortable, and it's hard to find any really sturdy/protective hunting and/or hiking boots that will be good for heavy use. for now I ended up getting a pair of Lems boulder summit waterproof boots, but I have not had an opportunity to try them out much as of yet.
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Like McDave, my feet are very wide at the front and normal at the back. Wide shoes (EEEE for me) and good orthotic inner soles (power step) are things that work for me.
Boots that work for me:
LaCrosse -- naturally wide
LL Bean Maine Hunting Shoe -- come in wide sizes
LL Bean Maine Wardens Field Boot -- naturally wide
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got some Keen Targhee IV boots showing up today. hoping those plus my orthotics will help a ton.
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well, the results are in on the Keen Targhee IV boots. I have worn these on two hunts and around town running errands a couple of times. Amazing! :bigsmyl: I put my orthotics in them, and they felt awesome from the very first time I put them on. yesterday, I had a short walk to my stand, climbed up and down a ladder, and sat in my stand for three hours with virtually NO pain (one misstep on a root hurt a little bit).
These things have a wide two box, and I was able to wear the size 12 medium (usually need a EEE shoe). they aren't real cheap, but are affordable at $170. definitely see me wearing these from now on instead of the rubber LaCrosse boots. I used to get home from hunting in those things and could hardly walk.
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I have a theory regarding plantar fasciitus, which may be all wet, but I've fought it off and on for years and years. I work twelve hour shifts on concrete, and am thick, so boot issues show up fast! I also do a LOT of walking and hiking.
I think it comes down to foot support. Years ago, when boots were less disposable and not all made in the Far East, I only had plantar issues after wearing my boots to death. As soon as I got a new pair, the issue fixed itself, with some stretching and babying for a bit, then I was good to go again.
Fast forward to the last twenty years, when the majority of work boots are basically glued together crap, produced at the lowest unit cost. Even once decent brands like Redwing die faster, and foot pain comes a LOT quicker. I've had to invest in new boots more often, and the better the boot quality, the longer the interval before the foot support goes away. Once it does, the plantar issues creep up again.
My personal feeling is that the poorly made boots use poorly designed and composed footbed materials, that compress too quickly, and move way to much. Once your foot loses that support, its only a matter of time before issues crop up.
My advice is to buy the best boots you can afford, and find a last that really fits your foot. This varies tremendously from person to person. Good boots cost lots of money :/ A couple of my favourites are Danner, and Zamberlan.
A cheat you can use with a cheaper boot, is to find orthotics, or use an insole like Superfeet (Nylon, feel like boards until they break in, but support REALLY well), or some other way to add that all-important support that keeps the pressure spread out on your foot, and keeps your foot from flexing too much with each step.
Good quality boots, and high quality footbeds are what has kept my feet from pain, for a long time now.
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I have a theory regarding plantar fasciitus, which may be all wet, but I've fought it off and on for years and years. I work twelve hour shifts on concrete, and am thick, so boot issues show up fast! I also do a LOT of walking and hiking.
I think it comes down to foot support. Years ago, when boots were less disposable and not all made in the Far East, I only had plantar issues after wearing my boots to death. As soon as I got a new pair, the issue fixed itself, with some stretching and babying for a bit, then I was good to go again.
Fast forward to the last twenty years, when the majority of work boots are basically glued together crap, produced at the lowest unit cost. Even once decent brands like Redwing die faster, and foot pain comes a LOT quicker. I've had to invest in new boots more often, and the better the boot quality, the longer the interval before the foot support goes away. Once it does, the plantar issues creep up again.
My personal feeling is that the poorly made boots use poorly designed and composed footbed materials, that compress too quickly, and move way to much. Once your foot loses that support, its only a matter of time before issues crop up.
My advice is to buy the best boots you can afford, and find a last that really fits your foot. This varies tremendously from person to person. Good boots cost lots of money :/ A couple of my favourites are Danner, and Zamberlan.
A cheat you can use with a cheaper boot, is to find orthotics, or use an insole like Superfeet (Nylon, feel like boards until they break in, but support REALLY well), or some other way to add that all-important support that keeps the pressure spread out on your foot, and keeps your foot from flexing too much with each step.
Good quality boots, and high quality footbeds are what has kept my feet from pain, for a long time now.
I think you are 100% right about this. I use custom orthotics, and my podiatrist told me that after a while (in my case 2-3 years) they flatten out and must be replaced. I would think the same would hold for footwear. my most recent flareup happened when I failed to get new shoes and new orthotics at the beginning of this school year, and went half a year with poor support. now that both of those have been corrected, my pain has mostly subsided again.
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I have had it very bad in the past.. My feet are very difficult to fit as well being 15 EEEEE. I have had orthotics, shots and other special items.
While on a plane, I was reading an article in a hunting mag about people experiencing relief with proper over the counter insoles.
I found a Dr. Scholls foot maping center at wal mart and it mapped my feet telling me what insole I needed.
Over a short period of time, my fasciitis disappeared.
BigJim
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Get some Wiggy's waders and keep using your hiking boots...and see this Podiatrist.