Free delivery on orders over £80Podiatrist Recommended Hiking Shoes & Common Foot Problems
Podiatrist Freya Hodson, has been testing some of our favourite Hanwag boots. Freya shares her recommendations on choosing the right footwear, common foot problems and her favourite podiatrist recommended hiking shoes.
My name is Freya Hodson and I have been a Podiatrist for over 9 years. I have experience within the NHS and the Private Sector, where I currently work. I am also a keen hiker and lover of the outdoors.
Why You Need the Right Hiking Footwear
Everyone should take care of their feet as they are so important. The tiniest of blisters has the ability to ruin your outdoor plans. Most of the time, foot pain is related to poor footwear choices. Getting the right shoe will relieve so many problems and also prevent issues in the future.
Like when you were a child and you had your feet measured and fitted for school shoes, we should actually carry this on into adulthood. Most people think they know their shoe size. But, it’s often not correct and that’s even before we enter the minefield of sizes varying from brand to brand.
Heading to a footwear specialist like Ellis Brigham is a great place to start. Book an appointment. The staff have extensive knowledge of the brands and models they stock and are trained to measure feet and fit shoes. This will ensure that you have the right size and shoe for your chosen activity.
Common Foot Problems
Unfortunately, some common foot problems can make finding shoes even more difficult. There are conditions like hallux valgus (bunions), Hallux limitus or Rigidus, tailor’s bunions (bunions of the little toes), hammer or clawed toes and a wider forefoot. If you wear Orthotics (arch supports or insoles) it can be tricky to find footwear that will accommodate these. In more recent times having narrow feet can now prove tricky as lots of brands now cater for wider feet. Another common foot problem is heel and/or arch pain, usually known as plantar fasciopathy. Blisters, hot spots, bruised and damaged toenails can all be caused by badly fitting shoes.
Wearing Insoles
Most hiking boots and shoe brands have removable footbeds, so these can be removed to fit your insole in.
Bunions
Hanwag has a specifically developed range of boots with a bunion-specific fit. These boots do exactly what you'd expect - catering for people who have bunions.. This means that the toe box at the big toe is wider and it has more space to accommodate.
Hallux Limitus and Rigidus
Another style in the Hanwag range is the Banks Straight Fit. This is wider at the toe box again but in a different way to the bunion fit. It will cater for any bony deformity on the top of the 1st metatarsal, so it’s a great option for people with Hallux Limitus or Rigidus.
Hammer Toes and Clawed Toes
These often come in conjunction with bunions but sometimes present on their own. For this, you want footwear with a deeper toe box area not just wider.
Narrower Foot Types
My advice for this would be to find the brand/s that are narrow or have narrower fits within their range. One example of this is in the Hanwag Banks range as they come in a narrow fit, standard (which I say is a little on the wider side) and a straight fit (which is the widest).
Arch and Heel Pain
This can sometimes be resolved by using the correct footwear. This generally means avoiding very flexible shoes. I test a shoe by trying to twist it and also by bending it. If a shoe twists so that the forefoot is on a different plane from the heel or the shoe folds in half from bending, this is not a good shoe for anyone with foot pain. Cushioning is also important for this type of problem, although beware of memory foam as over time it will squash and not bounce back. Cushioning will offer comfort but also shock absorption from the hard surfaces. If heel pain does not improve with changes in footwear, it is important to see a Podiatrist. Stretches, strengthening exercises, massage and orthotics might be prescribed to treat this problem.
Wide Feet
This is usually understood as being wide all over, however, this is not always true. Often it will be a wider forefoot compared to the heel. So a shoe that is wider at the front and narrower at the heel like the Hanwag range is key. The last thing you want is your foot slipping in the heel.
Blisters and Hot Spots
If you've suffered from these they mostly occur when a shoe is not right for you. If you are prone to them, try a brand where the inside of the shoes is completely seam-free like Hanwag. By removing seams this reduces the chance of developing blisters. You may think it's impossible to find a shoe that does not rub on the first wear. But, I am here to tell you first-hand that is not true. I have worn a few brands that suit my foot type straight out of the box and I've not experienced any blisters or hot spots.
Bruising/Damaging Your Toenails
To prevent this make sure you have a thumb width gap from the end of your toes to the end of the shoe. Shoes that are too small will result in toenails becoming damaged over time, especially on a decline.
Why I Recommend Hanwag As a Podiatrist
I have been testing out the Women’s Hanwag Banks GTX for the past couple of months. I picked these up from Ellis-Brigham in Manchester and I have to say a big thank you for the wonderful fitting experience I received from their staff as these boots have felt great on my feet. I have not worn any other boots since I received them and so, I’ve had the opportunity to test them on many occasions. I’ve tested them on short hikes, long day hikes and recently on a scramble all without experiencing any blisters or hot spots whatsoever.
What I love most about Hanwag is that they are footwear manufacturer rather than a marketing company which unfortunately is what many other footwear companies have become these days. What I mean by this is that they are actually thinking about what foot problems people have and how their footwear can help relieve pain and discomfort.
With their range of styles that cover many outdoor disciplines, offering several widths and all being seam-free, they are top of my list when I am recommending footwear brands to my patients.
