Diabetes, swelling legs/feet and general foot comfort on the trail

silenthunterstudios

silenthunterstudios

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Being an REI member has it's benefits. Some of these are members only sales. The downside is, you tend to buy things that you normally wouldn't without the coupon. In my case, I now have a pair of Merrell hiking boots, a pair of Merrell trail/walking shoes and a pair of Merrell trail/hiking/walking boots. The hiking boots are waterproof, and comfortable. However, I have diabetes/swelling issues, and by the time I am done hiking, circulation has been cut off, and when I change my socks back at the truck, my feet are soaked from sweat. The walking shoes are just used for walking around the neighborhood. The other hiking boots are not waterproof, but get used for walking around the neighborhood too (winding country roads).

Fall is here and the only reason I bought the waterproof boots, Phaser Peaks, was to be comfortable on the trail in all types of weather. On top of obesity, diabetes, neuropathy and swelling issues (feet and legs), I have an uneasy balance from complications from my broken leg from last year.

Now that cooler weather is here, and other obligations will soon release me to traveling to easy trails (paved, gravel/stone or packed dirt/mulch), I want to make sure I've got the best boot I can get. I realize that boots are going to give out due to my weight much quicker than they would for others. I realize that waterproof goes both ways, water can't get in, but it can't get out. I also need support, walking around the neighborhood with my dog every night is fine with the walking shoes. For hiking a trail, not so much. I'm fine with long distance including a few hills, no short distance running for me, my knees would explode or just pop off and run away. I've pretty much relegated the Phaser Peaks to winter use. Also, wide options are a must, especially with the swelling. 13W here, 13 is pushing it, and 14 is way too big. Any options/brands are welcomed.
 
What kind of socks do you wear? I do best with diabetic socks, loose weave, breathe better and don't promote swelling the way snug socks will.
 
Dan,

Most important thing to say is like the Johnie Walker add: Keep Walking!! All of us are in the situation of "use it or loose it" so kudos to you for working to find the solution that allows you to keep on the trail.

Two observations from a fellow walker. Ditch the waterproof boots and get more supportive ones.

I live, hike, ski tour and hunt in wet New England. Walking all day in wet snow and mud will happen in deer season. All rains for days on end are a matter of course on backpacking trips. Spring ski tours mean wet snow and wet boots. I've tried just about everything that I can imagine and have concluded that the worst solution is boots with built-in waterproof/breathable barriers.

The problem is that the foot just isn't big enough to generate the amount of heat needed to drive sweat through the membrane. The result is just as you experience; cold, wet socks.

For general backpacking in all but the coldest temps, I've given up on keeping boots and socks dry. I wear socks warm enough to stay warm, I change them mid-day if really needed and I use leather conditioners on my boots to keep them from cracking. For ski touring, hunting and winter climbing, I use full coverage rubber randed super-gaitors and these help but are a pretty extreme solution for the worst of conditions. I don't recommend this for general hiking. My current boot grease is Limmers but I will be trying Obenauf at some point. I've used pretty much every waterproofing treatment you can think of and keep coming back to Limmers. It's about keeping the leather alive, not about keeping the feet dry.

If you just can't give up on having dry feet, you might try SealSkinz socks. They may perform better in that they put the barrier closer to your feet. But honestly... I find once you mentally accept that warm feet are the goal, not dry feet... things get better.

My feet are 48-49 euro size, roughly 13 1/2, so I get the problems with support. One of the issues that you and I face is that a boot that is supportive for somebody who wears a size 9 may not be supportive enough to support a size 13 foot. We have longer levers acting on our feet and materials can buckle under us.

Given your weight, I would suggest a full 1/2 shank leather hiking boot. These are designed to provide support on rocky terrain while carrying heavy loads. The steel 1/2 shank will help prevent the sole from buckling on uneven terrain and the higher cut helps the ankles.

I used to wear the Merrell Wilderness. It's very light as far as traditional 1/2 shank boots go and the mid-soles sometimes give out on them. But the boot can be rebuilt by a cobbler with a full leather mid sole and once that is done, the boot can last a very long time with normal resoling. Mine have finally died from the inside out and have been resoled probably 4 times over the past 20 years. REI sells them and given their commitment to customer service, you might consider returning the waterproof boots for the Wilderness.
http://www.rei.com/product/809572/merrell-wilderness-hiking-boots-mens

I switched to Fabiano/Scarpa Rios many years ago. They are no longer available but boots like them are still around. STP sells the Alico Summit. Andrew and Danner might also have something.

Finally, if you can find no other fit options, Limmer in NH does custom hiking boots. You won't wear these boots out. Think of it that way.
http://www.limmercustomboot.com/cgi-bin/CustomBoot/index.pl
 
REI's lifetime warranty changed to a one year warranty because people were returning items after they had finally given up the ghost after years of service. I took a pair of Merrell mocs back because they gave out after two months, I've had the boots for a while though, might take them back, might just hold onto them for now.

As far as socks go, I have diabetic socks for when I am at work, or just wearing pants/dress pants. Any other time I wear ankle/low cut socks when in shorts/during the summer. I am going to look at getting low cut/ankle socks in the diabetic rack the next time I go to Walmart.
 
If you get some of those Al Goretex boots- goretex is breathable instead of just watertight, and some good padded synthetic socks, you probably won't suffer from wet feet.

I use Thorlo socks, they are excellent and durable, mine are the military boot sock I think.
 
I don't know how to help you regarding the type boot that would be good for your needs.

I learned to dislike waterproof/breathable boots because of the outrageous amount of sweat I experienced.

I would advise you to try various types of socks. I wear "toe socks" by Injinji and Smartwool. If I wear more than one layer of socks, the "liner" is definitely a "toe sock". Cotton socks are not good for much IME. Wool and nylon are "slick" (preventing blisters) and Coolmax-type polyester doesn't hold much water.

Be careful about blisters by preventing them as much as possible.

Change socks on the trail as often as necessary.

Loosen or tighten your shoes on the trail as often as necessary. If you're on an all-day hike, get comfortable at the beginning and adjust after the first 30 minutes or so. For me, circulation seems to be inhibited at the top & back of ankle by high-tops and at the top front where laces are tied on low tops.
 
High tops can reduce blood flow if tied too tight, but from continual swelling, the laces actually get loose when I am walking. I'm not going that far, but I have kept a couple pairs of extra socks in my truck. I think that as I gradually build up to longer hikes, I will start taking some socks in a bag with a water bottle and some small kit etc.
 
When tying your laces, try wrapping the free working end around the first bow two times, not just once. Helps hold them tight.
 
The business with your feet is somewhat progressive. My Dad eventually stopped all hiking except for a few casual walks in the woods. He also had a balance issue that kept him from fishing slippery trout streams as he got older. This issue came up when he fell off a log crossing a good sized creek while fishing and hit his head. probably walked across that same log 100x before this. Landed him in the hospital after he got back to his car.

I would wear thick cushioned wood socks and change them mid day as mentioned earlier. I personally like the gortex lined hiking boots/shoes. But I know my socks get damp from sweating. But at least it is damp versus soaking wet that can happen when wading a stream or walking in snow for long periods of time.
 
Hey Dan,
I have loads of ideas for you.
1. Wool socks only - I wear them year-round in various weights.
  • They wick better than any synthetic I've tried
  • They keep your feet smelling better.
  • They are warm when wet.

2. I've had great success with Keens for fit.
  • They have a wide toe box.
  • Their gas permeable waterproof membrane works well for me
  • I have the Pyrenees model and aside from durability issues that I've experienced with most of the keens I own, mostly due to the adhesives they use, They are comfy and supportive while giving good trail feel and control.
  • I don't know if they have a heavier duty backpacking model that will support more weight. I do also use a pair of Merrell Wilderness on dry cold days or dry snowy very cold days. They give great support, better than the Keens and are comfortable but I feel that for me the sole is very stiff and I have to modify my hiking style as I feel less nimble and more clunky while hiking .

3. For this next bit of advice I'd have to know more about your diet. I assume to follow a heart healthy diabetic diet. What is your average fasting blood glucose? (you can PM me or email me if you prefer).
  • If you reduce your salt intake by half, you will notice a great difference in the swelling.
  • your BP will be lower and you'll have better renal perfusion i.e. better fluid elimination.
  • This next bit may sound oddball but try to eliminate anything wheat from your diet for a month. I did this in April as an experiment to see if my allergies, end-of-day foot soreness, carpal tunnel would improve due to the inflammatory properties of a gluten. It worked but aside from that, I went from weighing 226 to 202 in about three months without changing anything else. I'm hiking faster and longer now.

4. Stick to flatter trails for a while. Its not so much the uphills that are a stress for your feet, legs and back but the downhills.

5. Get used to hiking poles. I can't but in your case with the balance issues, for now I think they are a must.

I hope some of this helps. I wish we lived closer to each other bro.
 
1. Wool socks only - I wear them year-round in various weights.
They wick better than any synthetic I've tried
They keep your feet smelling better.
They are warm when wet.
Click to expand...

I sweat like a horse, and I absolutely second this piece of advice from Marcelo. Wool socks don't bunch up or lose their cushion when wet. They don't leave the sopping cloth against your skin. And they insulate even when wet. So it's wool socks for me any time I wear boots or go hiking.

For work and casual walking, it's Merino wool socks. Lighter and softer than heavy hiking socks.
For serious hiking, it's the thickest pair of expedition weight wool socks I can find, with a pair of polypropylene socks layered beneath them. The polypros help wick away moisture, and prevent blisters.

Thorlo. I've tried them, but when they slide they create a heated burning sensation, like an Indian rope burn. They also feel 'plasticky'.
 
I wear Injinji compression toe socks and Karrimor boots for my hikes. It's almost impossible to stay dry in rainforest here so i'm getting a pair of Altberg Panama Jungle boot and will try that with a pair of merino wool sock i got from NZ.
 
When youre running out of conventional alternatives , it may be time to look at natural / holistic type treatments .
Seriously this is just a suggestion .
 
An off the wall suggestion. You can get a useful amount of exercise on a bicycle. They now make sandals that have cleats on the underside that clip on to bicycle pedals. You can have air blowing between your toes while you're pedaling your a** off. Bicycling is quite easy on the knees, hips, ankles, etc. (weight bearing joints). Bicycling also lessens the spinal compression that results from backpacking. Like the water (in swimming), a bicycle supports the weight of the body while exercising. The only thing that comes close is exercises in the swimming pool.
 
Imagine that. 3 days outta work last week, sick in bed. No food other than rice, bananas, toast etc. legs were fine, no swelling. Even eating more stuff but staying away from carry out, did great legs wise.
 
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