The answer's probably duct tape.

June 29, 2010 3:52 PM

How can I prevent my toe from tearing through my running shoes? I just got a new pair of running shoes and I'd like to prevent the little hole that shows up right above my big toe shortly after I start wearing any pair. I don't run, in fact it's a big achievement for me to go on a moderate walk - so I'm not beating the crap out of these things. Any way I can reinforce the toe somehow to prevent this?
posted by mattholomew to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (12 answers total)

This may be too late, but perhaps you're buying them too small? Your tow shouldn't be rubbing that hard against the front of the shoe.

Other than that, reinforce them from the inside. Yeah, duct tape.
posted by GuyZero at 3:54 PM on June 29, 2010

There should be approximately 1/2 and inch of room at the front of you running shoe. If this is not the case, try exchanging them.
posted by axismundi at 3:56 PM on June 29, 2010

Obvious question that must be asked: are you trimming your toenails nice and short? My big toenail rips the top out of all my socks if I don't keep it in trim.
posted by L'Estrange Fruit at 3:56 PM on June 29, 2010 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: There is adequate room at the front of my shoe, my toe rips through the *top* of the shoe.

Good call on the nail trimming, I'm really bad about that.
posted by mattholomew at 4:01 PM on June 29, 2010

Yeah, my toenails are sharp and strong, especially the big one. The only wear on my Vibrams is from going to long between trims.
posted by cmoj at 4:04 PM on June 29, 2010

Modern running shoes aren't very good for non-running activities (and there's some evidence they're not really good for running either). They're made to be super-light, not durable, and to go in only one direction only. Maybe you could consider getting a different kind of shoe while you're at the store?
posted by meowzilla at 4:16 PM on June 29, 2010

if your shoes fit okay and it's not your toenails, you could look into the various kinds of shoe reinforcements used by dancers. They seem to be primarily for use on the feet rather than the toes, but there might be something. There's lots of dance supply places online.
posted by galadriel at 4:30 PM on June 29, 2010

Liner socks?
posted by davcoo at 5:18 PM on June 29, 2010

This happens to me. I have no solution, but am glad to know I'm not the only one.
posted by DarkForest at 5:36 PM on June 29, 2010

Don't just cut your toenails. Round over the cut edge with a stroke or two of an emery board. Bonus: not slicing up bed partner's ankles.
posted by seanmpuckett at 6:47 PM on June 29, 2010

Running socks. They'll have reinforced toes and heels. Downside - they can look pretty bizarre but then if you're spending the day in trainers I guess your dress code is casual.
posted by Ness at 3:39 AM on June 30, 2010

I run a bead of isocyanurate glue (Super Glue) along the top seam of the toe protector of my shoes to keep the stitches from letting go. If your toe is poking out through the fabric itself, rather than the toe protector, maybe soaking that spot with isocyanurate glue would help mitigate the problem.
posted by Floydd at 7:12 AM on June 30, 2010