How To Prevent Sore Toes While Hiking Downhill, Tips And Tricks To Reduce Foot Stress

Traci Grossi | October 4, 2022 | Lifestyle | No Comments

This post will explain, How To Prevent Sore Toes While Hiking Downhill, Tips And Tricks To Reduce Foot Stress.

Nothing can ruin a hike more than sore toes or blisters. A bruised toe/toes, blisters, or a loss of a toenail takes time to heal and may result in losing hiking time out from the trails. No one wants that, every moment on the hiking trail is a mental health break we all could use from the daily grind called life.

8 Ways to prevent sore toes while hiking downhill

Cut and file toenails as short as you are comfortable with. Keeping them flat to the skin is key in preventing rubbing and bumping which causes the nail to bruise and may result in loss of a nail.
Buy hiking boots a 1/2 size bigger to allow room for extra socks etc and to prevent contact pushing on the toes resulting in damage.
Use Hiking poles. It takes the pressure off body parts under stress from the trail.
Make sure when using an insole to take along when purchasing boots. Buying the after can make the size even tighter creating issues.
Try to walk horizontally when possible and not pointed directly to the ascend.
Putting cotton strands in the toe of the boot
Kick heels back often
Retie boots often, keeping the heel in place will prevent slipping forward.

Keep laces tight and avoid pointing toes down the trail. (a basic lace tieing technique may not be enough)

Amazon ideas for preventing sore toes while hiking.

Big Toe Protector. Prevent rubbing and reduce pain. Or one for every toe.

Heel Protector Cups. The heel pain associated with Plantar Fasciitis Support, Heel Pain Relief Inserts for Achilles Tendonitis Tendon, Spurs, Fascia Support, Sore Feet, Bruised Foot Cracked Heels

Toe Socks. reduce friction to cut down on the risk of blisters

Hiking Socks. Wool, anti-blister endurance socks.

Arch Support. Arch support may play a role in not abling your foot to slide forward as much. Find the right one for your feet.

Sore Feet While Hiking

There are many reasons for sore feet while hiking. Most soreness is a result of friction, rubbing of a particular area, pressure points caused by an area being too tight, and moisture. Lacing techniques really can play a key role. An issue for myself is blisters on the heel regardless of what shoe or lace technique so a strand of duct tape is my go-to. Pros and cons to this however do what works for you.

Regular preventative foot care is essential as well.