I got my first pair of Hokas (Challenger ATR) and am really loving them so far. Hip and ankle issues are feeling so much better already. But now I developing a blister on one of my pinky toes. It seems that blisters are a pretty common complaint with these shoes. It doesn’t have to be a deal breaker right? What’s the best way to deal with them? I know this may seem like a silly post but I’ve actually never dealt with blisters before.
My guess is that the toe box is too narrow for you. Very common problem with the Hokas. I’ve had to deal with it and I found if I run less than 4-5 miles in them the blisters stay away. Much more than that my feet can get pretty torn up. I found that Altra’s are a good alternative.
I find my feet slipping more in them than in other shoes. What has helped me was to lace the very back “extra” loop that locked my foot down more. YMMV but if you haven’t laced up that way give it a try.
Any particular Altra you’ve liked?
My guess is that the toe box is too narrow for you. Very common problem with the Hokas. I’ve had to deal with it and I found if I run less than 4-5 miles in them the blisters stay away. Much more than that my feet can get pretty torn up. I found that Altra’s are a good alternative.
Great suggestion. I’ll have to get that a go.
I find my feet slipping more in them than in other shoes. What has helped me was to lace the very back “extra” loop that locked my foot down more. YMMV but if you haven’t laced up that way give it a try.
Some of the Hoka models have had a narrow toebox.
My solution was to skip the first hole at the bottom, at the toebox end.
Seems to fix the problem for me.
Another great idea! Thank you.
Some of the Hoka models have had a narrow toebox.
My solution was to skip the first hole at the bottom, at the toebox end.
Seems to fix the problem for me.
I do a few of my runs in Cliftons and swapping the insole for a separate one designed for my arch (flat feet) helped with an issue I had. I keep the toe area loose as well.
The Altra Olympus is the most “Hoka-esque” in the Altra line. Tons of toe room, but a bit on the heavy side. With Hokas, since I have a wide forefoot, I’ve had success going up 2 full sizes. I’m normally a 10 1/2 2E and I wear the Challenger ATR in a size 11 1/2.
Bondi 3 and Clifton have both given me blisters and I’ve tried both with different sock and insoles. Prefer my Newtons much more and am switching back.
When I first tried Hokas I was praising St.Hubbins (the patron saint of quality footwear), then, I too started getting blisters on the tops/outside of my pinky toes. The toebox on my rapanui-2s and my Stinson lites seem a tad too narrow for me. Still, i love them over all, especially for high mileage runs. (not so much for speed work) I will lube any trouble areas on the feet with the cheap goldbond stick stuff before a long run and that helps alot. Also, when I get blisters or severe-ish hot spots, I’ll use the old bio tape on them! I wrap my toes in one layer of tape. Like inplace of a bandaid. looks like the old knuck wraps from the boxing days, but on your feet. I’ll go pinky toe and maybe the “ring toe”. That eliminates all blister issues for me. You’ll still get rubbing, but no blisters or pain. I usually wear Injinis for long runs, but with this technique, I wear regular socks. (The thickness of my Injinis create MORE toebox issues.) This should help immediate probelms, but its not a long term fix. Sounds like Altras are a better long term option!
- Good luck!
I started running in injinji socks for the first few months and the blisters stopped. and actually now I can run in most socks again without problems
I have been having a problem with my Bondi 4s that I haven’t had with previous Bondis (or this pair for the first 80 miles). I sometimes get an odd pressure sensation on the outside of my right heel and when running a blister on the outside of my right big toe. I think the cause is my insole of that shoe is rotating counter-clockwise causing pressure in those two hot spots. I have tried getting it into the right position, but there doesn’t seem to be a position where it naturally wants to stay. Anybody else have that problem or know of a solution. It seems like a different insole might do the trick (any suggestions?), but I do not get why the OEM’s insole is not more stable.