Ok so now I am spamming the forum with all my problems…sorry.
I always get holes in the uppeer part of my shoes just above the big toe. Are my shoes the wrong size? I am v cumfy running long distances (well long by my standards anyway - half and marathon distances) or do I have a running problem that I can address?
Help would be appreciated.
Johan
Go…to…your…local…running…store…and…show…them
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Cut your toenails 
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Stay off your knees…
As stated I think toenails is the answer.
The first few years I ran this happened to every pair of my shoes
if I kept my nails short or not.
what shoe brand/model?
Your big toenail does this. I have it happen all the time, especially it they are my “racing” shoes which I wear barefoot. Saucony seems to have real weak fabric up there.
Think of it as a blessing in disguise. With thick socks on, you now have improvised Vibrams.
After all, compression socks were invented after a cross-dressing triathlete had a fortunate accident when putting on his sister’s stockings.
After all, compression socks were invented after a cross-dressing triathlete had a fortunate accident when putting on his sister’s stockings.
PRICELESS************
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I see this a lot in the store. Usually with women who get pedicures. Something to do with the angle that the toenails are cut and filed. At least three or four times a week some one will come in with the big toe area of the upper worn through.
Check your toenails, then check your other shoes to see if there is any unusual wear, my guess is that there is.
Duct tape!
x2 on the duct tape. seriously. a little strip on the inside upper toe box. works like a charm.
If it happens in every shoe you buy, don’t worry about it. Some people naturally raise their toes when they run. Not much you can do about it and it doesn’t affect the shoe integrity either.
Thanks everyone for the replies. Do they make carbon nail cutters??
Johan,
I’ve dealt with this for the past 2-3 years in Asics shoes as it seems they have made the “sock liner” of more fragile material and I’ve always been a sockless runner. Other shoes may have similar problems. I’ve tried duct tape, superglue, thread, paper tape … none really work well and shoe life is certainly much reduced. My solution has been nylon suture material (obviously with needle attached). 2-0 nylon suture sews things together well, is very durable and doesn’t scratch your toes either … nor does it really change the shoe forefoot fit … probably because asics forefoots are like boats anyway. I’ve gotten normal wear out of my shoes with such patching and it looks fine so you don’t look like a bum with duct tape on your shoes. Nike shoes don’t give me such problems apparently because the fabric is more durable.
Dave
Thanks for the info. Ill try that on my shoes (yep they are ASICS). I am quite tempted to try a new brand anyway when I next need some shoes just to see if I can end the problem. My shoes I am using now had a hole in them after just 1 24k run and no my toes nails are not the issue, the odd thing is that my socks dont even have a hole in them!
Thanks
Johan
You’re correct … your toenail has little to do with it.
I stitch from good upper webbing through good sockliner and then pull the 2 sides tightly together … sometimes I’ll put a stitch through the front leather if needed to draw it together. A good surgeons knot and a close clip of the ends and you’re good. It works well … I’ve had to add some additional stitches later where non-stitched material wore through again… but you’ll get full wear out of your shoes. I’ve always been a gel-Landreth wearer but this premature wear has switched me to Nike LunarGlide recently which doesn’t seem to have the same problem. I find it annoying to have to stitch up expensive shoes after short lifespans as you’re obviously experiencing as well.
Dave
Run marathons / IM in the rain in shoes which are a little too loosely laced…
The shunting of your foot in the shoe will have the nail off in no time…
Problem solved…
My ASICS always do this too, after about 200-250 miles. I race in Nike and hey don’t show any sign of it happening but I don’t wear them as much since I only race in them. I am glad I am not the only one this happens too!