Anyone else have an issue with Hokas and black toes nails?
I have been running in Hokas for 3+ years and love the feel of the shoe. I have tried most of the models and have tried different sizes and still end up with toes that look like they have been through a blender. I have worn toe caps well doing my long runs in them and that doesn’t seem to help.
Any suggestions are appreciated.
Black toe nails are typically the result of insufficient room in the toe box. Care to try a roomier brand for awhile and see what happens? Your local running shoe store can be an excellent resource for this. Good luck.
John
As in you keep breaking your toenails? Or having bruises next to the nails?
It happens with me too - Hokas tend to run narrow in the toe box, so I go 1/2 size up… which creates some space in the toe box, but not enough.
Still worth it to me because of the way the shoe feels.
It could be a few things. Shoes too small or too tight in the toe box. Shoes too big or not snug enough can allow your foot to slide forwards in the shoe.
There are lacing options to make the toebox a bit roomier and a heel lock lacing to keep your foot from sliding forward.
Yes, I have also had this problem. I have a slightly wider foot and the narrow toe box is the likely culprit. I accept it because I love the shoe…wife hates the way my feet look but oh well.
They blister and bruise and the nails eventually fall off. I have bumped up half a size too, but that hasn’t helped. My nails will grow back by the next IM, just in time to do it all over again.
I was running in the Saucony Mirage without issue. I have tried to go back to them but the ride is day and night to the Hoka. I guess the price I have to pay.
Thanks for your input.
Funny you mention the Mirage. Great shoe. However I ended up with two black toe nails on my left foot two years ago at IMMT. Two middle toes and one nail fell off and one did not.
I never experienced any issues with these shoes until the IM.
WRT the Cliftons, I had one black toe nail on my big toe after IMFL (it grew out, never fell off). I had never had any issues with these shoes before either. And BTW these are my two favorite shoes so far.
The only thing in common was the socks worn at both races. I wonder if that could be the underlying issue
Which Hokas are you wearing. I have the Hauka and the Clifton, and the Hauka, while not as cushy…seem wider up front than the Cliftons.
Not black but definitely sore big toe nail yes. Feels like they are going to fall off. Takes about a couple of days to heal and well they just get injured over and over. Cliftons. The problem isn’t as bad in a worn in shoe. But I just got into a new pair and did just one short run then my long run and yep the long run was pretty bad.
Anyone else have an issue with Hokas and black toes nails?
I have been running in Hokas for 3+ years and love the feel of the shoe. I have tried most of the models and have tried different sizes and still end up with toes that look like they have been through a blender. I have worn toe caps well doing my long runs in them and that doesn’t seem to help.
Any suggestions are appreciated.
You need to cut holes in them to have more room for your toes like this:
or this:
I did and went a half size up. Love my Hokas.
have you tried the altra olympus? lots of toe room in them, I’m built like a duck and have no issues.
have you tried the altra olympus? lots of toe room in them, I’m built like a duck and have no issues.
Another vote for the Altra Olympus. I have wide forefeet and Hoka just narrowed the only shoe wide enough for me (Bondi), so I switched to the Olympus and love 'em. Tons of room in the toe box.
and, around here, lots of duct tape over the holes to keep the snow, slush and -25 air out 
seriously, people do all sorts of stuff to custom-fit their bikes. why not custom-fit your shoes?
1:15 run yesterday, in my old worn in Clifton, and more black(ish) sore big toenail. Now that it got aggravated in the new shoes with a tight toe box it is still getting injured in the old shoe. The bike shoes are uncomfortable too. A vicious circle. What can I do short of not running and riding for 10 days?
Same issue as OP. I now run only once or twice a week in Hokas. Have had the Bondi 2, Bondi 3, Conquest and Clifton. They definitely help my joints, but are very hard on my big toenails. Only brand of shoes I have had the problem with - I would love a fix. Great shoes for me except for the toe box. I have cut out the toe are to create room but am not wild about incoming debris.
Last week I met with a Pedorthist who thought my issue was with my toes slipping forward in the shoe (mainly the later stages of a run when sweaty) and hitting the toe box. She modified my insole with foam strip piece that runs in front of the ball of the foot to prevent it from slipping forward. I have done a few runs 1 hour runs with it and it feels fine. The test will be the longer runs, typically after about 1.5 hours I start to feel the discomfort in my toes.
If it works, I will try and post a photo so you can see what she designed.
I have the same problem and have tried every model and every size. Getting a pedicure each month seems to help my toes remain somewhat “healthy” try different socks as well