How to stop toes jamming in shoes?

[Tinker]

If you have low volume flat feet like mine, the problem you describe will be fixed by buying shoes or boots that fit the volume of your foot. My feet across the ball are wide, and at the heel, narrow. I recently found Keen footwear to offer the best fit for me. A very basic rule of thumb is that if the shoe doesn't look like your foot in length, width, shape, and volume, it probably won't be a good fit unless you go up in size.

[vonfrick]

Super important.

You can lose your toenails. It's a slow, painful healing process even after you finally decide it's better to pull them off.

I lost many of my toenails last summer. I know it's not exactly "pretty", but after a night in a BnB that vaguely reminded me of a horror movie whilst pulling off my nails, I decided they weren't worth any future trouble and as they have tried to grow back I have continually cut them as short as possible.

[Shutterbug]

I have had a problem with my toes jamming in my shoes with a couple pairs of shoes now and it mostly happens going down hill. I bruised my big toe and toe next to the big toe last night hiking in Arizona. I was wondering if anyone had any tricks to make this stop happening? I was almost thinking about buying another half size up in shoes even though mine fit fine at least then I would have that much more room to keep them from jamming. I wear go lite 9.5s. Please help me. I definitely do not see myself doing a through hike when after hiking one 20 mile day I have to take a break because my toes hurt.

I wear two pairs of wool socks and pull my boot laces tighter.

[mkmangold]

I stop toes jamming by cleaning well between my toes.

[Dogwood]

I probably have spent more time dialing in my shoes than any other single piece of hiking gear! With some of the great advice already given I think your question has probably already been answered but let me add my 2 sense.

When trying on hiking shoes wear the same socks as U do when hiking, and, if possible, put on your pack(bring it to the shoe store) with the weight in it that U normally carry when hiking(I've done it). Try on perspective purchases later in the day when you're feet tend to be larger. If, your feet, that feel comfortable when walking on flat ground, start to appreciably slide forward inside your hiking shoes and toe bang occurs when walking down that incline ramp look for a different fitting brand, size, and/or style shoe, employ different lacing methods, or add after market orthotics. A different lacing method may enable U to better grip your forefoot if the sizing is too wide/loose in that area of the shoe and that is the cause of your foot sliding forward in your shoe. Before U lace up your shoes loosen the laces, tap your heel on the ground to assure your foot is all the way back in the shoe, and then lace up. Sometimes I will employ two shorter laces rather than one longer lace to better grip my forefoot and provide better comfort and fit for my high instep. After market orthotics, while seeming expensive, can sometimes make all the difference. They can change the volume of the interior of the shoe, its arch characteristics, and cup/lock-in the heel, which all can be a factor in getting a better fit and avoiding toe bang. And lastly, get to know the characteristics of your feet to aid in better shoe selection.

[Jimmers]

This is one of those hiking topics that I can honestly say I have never thought twice about until now. I've never had any problems with jamming my toes, even descending into the Grand Canyon. Probably has something to do with the way I walk, which is apparently odd. Depends on who's describing it. I prefer doctors....they're usually nonjudgemental.

Anyway, I walk on the front (ball) of my foot heavily, which means I have never yet worn out the heel of any pair of shoes or boots I've ever worn. I guess this also explains why I have always gone downhill in zig-zags. It's just unnatural for me to plant my heel first, which means I always look for the easiest place to place my foot well ahead of when I actually need to take a step.

This might not help anyone else much, but you might want to get yourself into the habit of carefully judging where you're going to place your feet if all the tricks with boot lacing and fitting don't work. You might not experience as many jammed toes. To me, it's a mental process as much as it is physical. Thinking back on it, the only times I've hated or had trouble with descents were late in the day, when I was already tired and distracted, usually thinking about dinner or where I would make camp.

Anyway, that's my plugged nickel's worth.

[tucker0104]

Thanks for all the help. I have a wide foot and bought non-wide shoes thinking it would help lock them in place better. I already have two black toes from hiking the Pine mountain trail 3 months ago and now my toes next to the big ones have turned purple from hiking down the grand canyon. I have to figure something out soon because I can't hike the AT with these feet problems.

[Blissful]

I take a 9 1/2 shoe but with athletic shoes and my trail runners I get a size 11. Works very well for me.

[Jack Tarlin]

All good advice, especially the bit about getting professionally fitted by someone who knows what the hell they're doing.

If possible, go to a small independent store and try and get fitted by an owner or manager; in small stores, these are the guys who actually order the store's products, and are likely to be the most knowledgable people available.
Point out your problem to your fitter and ask him to suggest shoes/boots with a larger (or taller) toe box. Some boots run thin, some run wide, some have sloped tow boxes, some have roomy ones. The key here is to take the time to get fitted right, in the shoe that's best for you, and mainly, to be fitted by someone who knows their business.

[ScottP]

Just to top Baltimore Jack's advice off, the best fitting experts are often at running stores (at least in the suburbs and cities), rather than at outdoor stores. There's even a lot of running stores that have semi-pro/professional running teams--these guys know what they're doing!

[A-Train]

Just to top Baltimore Jack's advice off, the best fitting experts are often at running stores (at least in the suburbs and cities), rather than at outdoor stores. There's even a lot of running stores that have semi-pro/professional running teams--these guys know what they're doing!

To take that even a step (no pun intended) further, try to find a professional running store that will watch and record your gait. There's one in NY that will actually tape your run or walk and be able to zero in on your needs. This could be quite helpful for someone looking to use a trail runner/running shoe.