Does anyone else have this problem with lace-up shoes?

Anonymous

My Dad had this problem, I have this problem, and I wonder if anyone else has this problem. Basically, any lace-up shoe makes the top of my feet hurt after a short while. It doesn't matter what type of lace-up shoe it is, and it doesn't matter how loosely I tie the laces. Whenever I work out, I keep my shoes on just long enough to exercise, and take them off immediately afterwards. I don't know if it's a high instep or what. I just know I'm not one of those people who can wear lace-up shoes. My SIL asked me what I wear whenever I do a lot of walking. I pointed to the boots I had on at the time. In the Summer, I have a pair of shoes that have soles like athletic shoes but do not lace up.

12 years ago

Dressing

10 replies

Latest reply was from Suz

Diana

Veteran

Is it only in one spot, or the whole top of your foot? I don't have this problem, but I do have certain pairs of lace up boots that have a grommet placed exactly over my ankle bone. My ankles are narrow but bony. Anyway, on those shoes I just skip that set of grommets and all is well. So if your pain is always in the same place it could just be a poorly placed grommet, and skipping it should help.

12 years ago

Anonymous

No, it's not one specific spot, and it doesn't matter how I lace up my shoes. I've tried various lacing techniques. By the time I get the shoes laced to where my feet don't hurt, they practically fall off my feet and offer no support to my ankles. This defeats the purpose of wearing shoes, IMO. So I just wear them to exercise and then take them off and switch to comfortable shoes like my Danskos or something.

12 years ago

Vix

Veteran

Hi Ruth --

It *sounds* like a high instep (that's what I experience with mine, anyway).

I do use the rec'd lacing techniques but like you reserve that style for exercise. With my hiking boots I'll put a gel pad under the top-most laces -- that helps.

If you don't have a high arch then I wonder if it's referred pain from another pressure point?

12 years ago

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I can't wear lace up shoes because of my wide feet and high instep... I'm mostly in boots or shooties in the winter and ballet flats or cage sandals in the summer. If these really don't work for the shape of your foot, you may just have to forgo them. But don't give up. I'll keep trying oxfords every now and again in case a new style ends up fitting my foot. I thought I couldn't wear ballet flats because of my wide feet but eventually found some brands that work for me.

12 years ago

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I have pressure points on the outside edge of both feet. The points are down from, and just forward of the ankle bone. If the shoe is laced too tightly to where it pushes down on those points, or it's one of those corrector-type shoes (mine were New Balance), my pinky toes go numb, and it takes days or weeks to get the feeling back. So I only wear lace-up shoes for exercise or dance.

12 years ago

Anonymous

Glad to know I am not alone. I have the cutest pair of Ecco sneakers and my feet go numb when I wear them. I thought different laces might help but now I wonder if it would.

I have both a high arch and instep. I do not have this problem with my Asics running shoes. I wonder why?

12 years ago

Anonymous

I suspect it's just the type of foot I have--wide, with a high instep. I certainly don't experience pain in the top of my foot with most shoes. Lace-up shoes are the most bothersome of all, and I can only wear them for exercise. No matter what type of shoe or boot I buy, I always have to pay attention to width and instep.

12 years ago

Anonymous

I have the same problem. I especially have problems with sneakers. I have a couple pair that have the eyelets for laces but don't use them so that they are slip-ons. I also have found Angie's trick of tucking rather than tying the laces helpful. Not as tight. Low vamped oxfords are also more comfortable. The relacing techniques are not particularly helpful.

12 years ago

Kim

Veteran

I get this occasionally, as I have a rigid high arch (on both feet).

I use this lacing technique along for one for heel slippage and it works well for me. We have nerves on the top of our feet and that's probably what's getting irritated. It used to hurt like the dickens when I had to wear a stiff plastic boot at night for PF. I'd kick the whole thing off during the night as it hurt that nerve so much.

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12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I do have this problem at times, to a smaller extent. I also have the problem of the endlessly migrating tongue on some tie up shoes (especially boots). No matter how tightly I lace. And many sandals really hurt on the tops of the feet as well -- I often need to stretch the straps out quite a bit before they become comfy.

I hardly ever wear lace up shoes for this reason, except for exercise. But since I also can't keep low vamp shoes on my feet, it does present problems!!

12 years ago

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