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General Category >> Technical >> Irritated heel syndrome - help?
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Message started by FlyingLaZBoy on Jul 18^th, 2010, 10:50pm

Title: Irritated heel syndrome - help?
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Jul 18^th, 2010, 10:50pm

I've been wearing Specialized brand MTB shoes basically the entire time I've been on a 'bent, mostly for better walking comfort than road shoes, and for their "wide" fit... However, whenever I've had a bike with a "hip-level" or higher pedaling position where I have long periods of exertion (Ken's Catrike Road, the Xstream proto, Lynn's hiracer, and my current Xstream), I am developing an irritated and almost blistered area on the backs of my heels -- with the right heel being much worse than the left. It got really bad during last year's TTTT, making me drop out after only three laps. [smiley=injured.gif]

I never really experienced this problem on the StratusXP, so I'm thinking it's a result of the more horizontal push-pull of the pedaling position rubbing my heel against the back inside of the shoe. I had bought new size 46 shoes last week, but after Tuesday night's Pop ride, I was really hurting on the right heel. I took those shoes back to RBM, and got 45.5 from PCF, hoping it would help, but could feel the same thing starting to develop after this morning's Sunday Roll, which was a casual-paced 44 miles.

I've got the top strap ratcheted pretty tight already, although there's some wiggle room in the front due to the width of the shoes. I'm thinking that for my next ride, I'll wear a thin "liner" sock inside my regular sock...

Has anybody else riding a hiracer or trike experienced this problem, and if so, what'd you do about it??? Suggestions? Just putting a band-aid on my heel won't work, due to the sweating, etc...

Title: Re: Irritated heel syndrome - help?
Post by Bud_Bent on Jul 19^th, 2010, 8:23pm

Well, I can't say that I've heard of that particular problem before. I do know that a lot of us with wide feet have had very good luck with the Sidi Mega's. My Sidi Dominators are not just the most comfortable cycling shoes I own, they're the most comfortable shoes I own, period, unless you count the Teva's.

Title: Re: Irritated heel syndrome - help?
Post by aikigreg on Jul 19^th, 2010, 9:14pm

And I think Sidi generally has a narrower heel than most, which would help if that's the way your foot is shaped. Some models, like their Dragon, have an adjustable heel cup. Do you feel your heel slip in and out a lot?

Title: Re: Irritated heel syndrome - help?
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Jul 19^th, 2010, 9:45pm

aikigreg wrote:

Gawd, I hate the idea of $250 shoes... (and those Dragons are $450!!!) That's the thing, I DON'T feel my heel slip much at all... but something's defintely going on. John Schlitter suggested trying the Specialized insoles for more arch support, to possibly snug up the fit... I went up to PCF to stand on their "mood ring" arch indicator, and my right foot definitely has less arch than my left -- but what that means for this problem, I'm not quite sure. Unfortunately, they didn't have the footbeds in my size... So we'll try the "thin sock liner" concept tomorrow night on the GDB REI ride.

Title: Re: Irritated heel syndrome - help?
Post by catroad254 on Jul 19^th, 2010, 10:07pm

The liner sock idea works well for hiking shoes. You also might try putting a piece of moleskin inside the right heel of the shoe. If none of that works I think the Sidi's are great too.

Ken

Title: Re: Irritated heel syndrome - help?
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Jul 20^th, 2010, 9:56am

Sandy Earl sent me this link, might work just fine... Interesting concept. They have 'em at RunOn and REI.

http://www.wrightsock.com/anti-blister.html

Title: Re: Irritated heel syndrome - help?
Post by aikigreg on Jul 20^th, 2010, 10:18am

I have a pair of the wrightsocks and they're quite nice. You DO wear socks that come far enough up your heels, right?

Title: Re: Irritated heel syndrome - help?
Post by barlows on Jul 21^st, 2010, 12:43am

You might also try BodyGlide or a thin coating of vaseline on your heels. Both are considered gold in the ultra-running community for this exact problem.

Steve

Title: Re: Irritated heel syndrome - help?
Post by Bud_Bent on Jul 21^st, 2010, 6:03am

Dan Driscoll swears by duct tape.

Title: Re: Irritated heel syndrome - help?
Post by jcsadowski on Jul 21^st, 2010, 7:57am

You might consider trying these "do it your self" orthopedics. About $44.00 at REI. You heat them up, put them in your shoes and stand on them for two minutes. They mold to your feet and I swear by em.

http://www.yoursole.com/

Title: Re: Irritated heel syndrome - help?
Post by richardr on Jul 22^nd, 2010, 12:06pm

I really like my sandles. Since they have no heel, there is nothing to rub on. I suspect the strap gives enough to prevent iritation. In addition they are cool in the summer and with waterproof socks they are warm in the winter.

Title: Re: Irritated heel syndrome - help?
Post by Bud_Bent on Jul 22^nd, 2010, 2:03pm

I love my Shimano sandals, too. But, I only wear them for shorter rides. For higher intensity and/or longer rides, I stick with my Sidi Dominators. I know of no sandal with as hard a sole as the Dominators have, and with extended really hard efforts, the good fit of the Dominators works better than sandals, too.

Paul, I gave less than $130 for my Dominators, as well as Rose's. If you take your time and look for a bargain on them, you can find it. Of course, even Sidi's dont work best for everyone. But for good old American wide feet, there are a bunch of riders who love the Sidi Mega fit.

Title: Re: Irritated heel syndrome - help?
Post by bikerteam on Jul 22^nd, 2010, 3:57pm

I use Sole' inserts. They are inexpensive, moldable, provide significant arch support. You put them in the oven briefly, put them in your shoe, step in them and they mold to your foot. Check out the pictures, especially the heal.
http://www.yoursole.com/products/footbeds/

Title: Re: Irritated heel syndrome - help?
Post by jayg on Jul 22^nd, 2010, 5:36pm

FlyingLaZBoy wrote:

Sandy Earl sent me this link, might work just fine... Interesting concept. They have 'em at RunOn and REI.

http://www.wrightsock.com/anti-blister.html

Tried a pair of these socks with my Specialized "Pro", carbon-soled shoes. Seem to have lessened the redness I experience on the tops of my feet (at location of rachetting straps), when I ride. Can feel the two layers slipping between each other.

Title: Re: Irritated heel syndrome - help?
Post by Brad Bedell on Jul 23^rd, 2010, 1:41am

barlows wrote:

You might also try BodyGlide or a thin coating of vaseline on your heels. Both are considered gold in the ultra-running community for this exact problem.

Steve

+1 for this.

Also, look at different socks. I like the feetures (sp?) Run ON sells these.

I've never had any issues with the 'bent other than my feet going to sleep. I've recently worked through that with simply a better pedaling technique.

I have some some Sidi road shoes and maybe some specialized road shoes you can borrow for a couple of test rides. Not sure what it'd take to mount the spd cleat on them. All Size 46.

There are some Sidi Dragon's that are used on Craigs list. Dragon 1(46) and Dragon 2 (in 46.5) Both are lightly used. I'd be all over the Dragon 2's if they were smaller, but I Know the .5 is too much. I have the Ergo 2 road shoe that I wear. They were bloody expensive, but well worth every penny. Probikekit online does a pretty decent job on closeout/clearance. I think I picked them up for 325 or so shipped. We're getting close to 2011 product line, so we'll see some clearance soon.