Author Topic: Hot Foot  (Read 2299 times)

Hot Foot
« on: 05 August, 2019, 06:12:13 am »
I've posted about my problems with recurring hot foot https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=112912.0, but thought I would post here:

Abridged version, I've started suffering from hot foot which is getting worse, anybody used metatarsal pads to alleviate it and how effective have they been, or any other symptom relieving tips?

Re: Hot Foot
« Reply #1 on: 05 August, 2019, 07:27:54 am »
Specialized Body Geometry shoes with the blue insoles (bigger metatarsal button than the standard insoles) work for me. Mostly

Re: Hot Foot
« Reply #2 on: 05 August, 2019, 04:01:08 pm »
I suffered hotfoot at the 500 point on the Borders 600 with SPD's. Changed my shoes to stiffer soled Giant MTB shoes and testes them on the fort William 1000. It reduced the problem signifigantly but didn't remove it. I suspect it's similar to what others have said about the width. It took me a while to get the cleats adjusted with the new shoes and I am reluctant to try more shoes/cleats this close to PBP. My solution will be to keep the front straps loose and use compeeds and plain plaster tape, taping the sole as soon as a hot spot develops (rather than tell myself it's only temporary and will go in the next 10/20/30k)

Phil W

Re: Hot Foot
« Reply #3 on: 05 August, 2019, 04:20:40 pm »
Take off or loosen your shoes when stopped and you'll mostly avoid it.  However, if you don't stop for long...

Re: Hot Foot
« Reply #4 on: 05 August, 2019, 11:15:44 pm »
I've posted about my problems with recurring hot foot https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=112912.0, but thought I would post here:

Abridged version, I've started suffering from hot foot which is getting worse, anybody used metatarsal pads to alleviate it and how effective have they been, or any other symptom relieving tips?

I read your other thread, with interest.  I've had hot foot.  Seems mostly alleviated for me by getting custom insoles.  Not cheap, but worth it. 

Bob

Re: Hot Foot
« Reply #5 on: 06 August, 2019, 06:31:29 am »
Thanks all, I'm reluctant to buy a new pair of shoes at this late stage as I have precious little time to bed them in and they may create more problems. However, I'm formulating a plan  :facepalm:

Buy some Specialized blue inserts for my shoes, shaping them to fit the perimeter outline of my shoes.

Ensure I ride from the start with loose straps at the front.

When I stop at controls take shoes off (was going to do that anyway)

Take some yoga mat foam, scissors and tape with me so I can fashion further inserts if needed.

The final one and more radical is to perforate my shoes to increase airflow in an attempt to reduce heat induced swelling.


Alex B

  • Headwind specialist
    • Where is there an end of it?
Re: Hot Foot
« Reply #6 on: 06 August, 2019, 06:58:12 am »
Personally, I think it would be unwise to change anything about your shoes prior to a long ride - different insoles make quite a difference to where you get pressure on your sole, and over 1220km that could have a profound effect.

Some folks alleviate their hot foot by actually cooling their feet - there's a video somewhere of somebody (on PBP as it happens) with their socks off, having their feet squirted with cold water.

For me, all my foot (and knee) issues went away when I switched to SPD sandals, which have good cooling and user-selectable tightness - maybe in the long run these could be an ideal solution for a velomobile pilot, not least because nobody will be able to see you're wearing them  :)

Re: Hot Foot
« Reply #7 on: 07 August, 2019, 06:46:55 am »
If i don't try something I won't have a chance of completing it, I was crippled after just 120km on Sunday, not ideal I know but I'm sort of backed into a corner.

No room for sandals, no room for MTB shoes, racing shoe only and that's with 155mm cranks.

LittleWheelsandBig

  • Whimsy Rider
Re: Hot Foot
« Reply #8 on: 07 August, 2019, 07:15:30 am »
You have enough luggage space to take a spare pair of road shoes, so trying new wider shoes at PBP has a fallback option. Riding 1200km with uncomfortable shoes is a miserable experience.
Wheel meet again, don't know where, don't know when...

Re: Hot Foot
« Reply #9 on: 07 August, 2019, 07:51:49 am »
You have enough luggage space to take a spare pair of road shoes, so trying new wider shoes at PBP has a fallback option. Riding 1200km with uncomfortable shoes is a miserable experience.

You read my mind.... :thumbsup:

Re: Hot Foot
« Reply #10 on: 08 August, 2019, 05:33:41 pm »
I bit the bullet today and purchased a new pair of shoes, SIDI MTB competition shoes but a size larger. It is high risk this close to PBP but I have a further week to bed them in as my wife and I are touring in the Netherlands till making my way down to PBP.
It was the continual numb toes on and off the bike, something I've never had, as well as really bad lower shin rub that made me take the risk. Being a PBP newbie I didn't want to blow my chances by developing insufferable foot pain or doing long term damage.

Already glad I made the change. Did 45k from Utrecht this morning, numb toes are getting sensation back and no lower shin rub, excellent.