How to prevent soreness on toe?

February 10, 2014 10:53 AM

Got new running shoes yesterday, today both my little pinky toes are a little sore. Related? How should I fix it?

Partially relevant might be that I'm new to running (in the past I've biked in the gym). I bought some new running shoes yesterday (Asics) and went for a short jog (1.9 miles). Today the outer edges of both my little toes are a little red and sore, and it looks like there's a blister coming in on the left toe (left foot, right foot). I assume the soreness comes from the running -- not much has changed lately.

So what should I do to prevent this soreness in future runs? Do the shoes not fit well, and should I exchange them? Different socks? Something else entirely?

Thanks for your advice in advance. I'm happy to provide more details if that would help.

posted by crazy with stars to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (11 answers total)

It can sometimes take a few days for new shoes to break in. My advice? Go on one or two more short runs and if the same issue comes up, it is probably time to consider returning the shoes. After that, I'd find a shop locally that specializes in fitting folks for running shoes. I did that for the first time recently and it has made a HUGE difference for me as a new-ish runner.
posted by singinginmychains at 10:58 AM on February 10, 2014

you can put tape over them for the first few runs and see if that helps.

But I'd look at what's rubbing the toe. Is it the shoe, a seam in the sock, etc and look to address that. Shoes can't always be fixed.

(I wore asics for years until maybe 2001-ish, they re-designed the toe-box, and it was blister city for me and time to find a new brand of shoes).
posted by k5.user at 11:03 AM on February 10, 2014

Did you pick those shoes for any particular reason? Were you fitted at all? What kind of socks were you wearing?

Definitely check to see if there's something rubbing the toe like k5.user suggests, and also give them a little more time to get broken in. It takes me a couple of weeks to really get sneakers where I like them on runs, but in the meantime, I use...

This is the tape I love the most for preventing blisters. I also sometimes double-up with thin socks to help break in the shoes a little more and prevent as much chafing.
posted by jetlagaddict at 11:38 AM on February 10, 2014 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: I purchased these shoes at a specialty running store. The clerk had me run on a treadmill for a few seconds to see my gait and then chose shoes with a certain level of support to counteract a slight tendency toward supination. I was wearing ordinary white cotton socks -- I couldn't even tell you the brand.
posted by crazy with stars at 11:42 AM on February 10, 2014

It takes time to break in running shoes. However if they still cause problems after a few more short runs, I would return them. Also, I generally try to buy running shoes that are a half-size larger than my usual size, since my feet swell up a bit while running.

then chose shoes with a certain level of support to counteract a slight tendency toward supination

This surprises me... I also tend towards supination, and therefore choose shoes with very little support. Motion control shoes are generally recommended for people who pronate, not supinate.
posted by barnoley at 11:51 AM on February 10, 2014

I don't know about running, but I do know about painful shoes! Try putting some anti-antiperspirant on your pinky toes before putting on the shoes. That will stop the sweating which will keep them from rubbing and blistering.
posted by radioamy at 12:34 PM on February 10, 2014

Best answer: Is the part of the shoe that is rubbing on your foot leather or some other material? If it's leather, you might be able to use a squirt of shoe stretch on the offending area.

Cotton socks are bad.

My personal preference for blister reduction is to wear synthetic or wool socks inside out.
posted by oceano at 12:39 PM on February 10, 2014 [2 favorites]

Seconding synthetic socks over cotton.

If after you try different socks and go on a few more runs and your shoes are still giving you problems, take them back. Any running store worth its salt will gladly exchange them for something more comfortable (yes, even after you've worn them outside).
posted by ATX Peanut at 12:55 PM on February 10, 2014

there's this article too about Foot Care for Runners
posted by ATX Peanut at 1:37 PM on February 10, 2014 [1 favorite]

You can take your shoes to a cobbler / shoe repair place, show them where you're getting the sores/blisters, and have them use their tools to stretch the shoes to better fit your feet. It shouldn't be that expensive to have done (the cobblers I buy my shoes from always threw in this service for free for shoes bought from them).
posted by Jacqueline at 12:48 AM on February 11, 2014

Response by poster: Thanks all. I bought some synthetic socks and they seem to be doing the trick.
posted by crazy with stars at 4:51 PM on March 13, 2014