For the past 3 years (since I've started doing U-19 regularly), at the start of every season in the first few games of the season I bruise under my nails on my second toes, both of them. I continue to re-bruise those toes until the end of the season, practically losing the nails. They grow back in the off season and then the process starts all over again. This has happened with 4 different pairs of shoes. I take fairly good care of my feet (pedicures before and after seasons). My second toes are the same length as my big toes. Does anyone have any ideas on how to prevent it from happening?
I've struggled with this for years. The worst is those first couple of tournaments at the beginning of the fall season. Bottom line as far as I've been able to determine, you just need more toe room in your shoes. Go up another half size or keep trying different shoes. It helps too to switch the shoes out if you're doing more than two games in a day. FWIW I've finally settled on Adidas Boost running shoes for flats and Copa Mundials for cleats. Oh one other thing — my feet grow at least a half size and maybe a whole size over the course of a couple of games. You (and I) might need different sizes for the first and last match of the day. But considering what I'm paying for the darn things, I'd rather just lace up a little tighter early on. And one more – keep those nails clipped short!
I am in a constant state of toenail loss, of any of the three middle toes. To me it's just the fact of stop and go sports. If you stop short or cut, your toes go to the front of the shoe and bang up against the toe box. Sure, running shoes are better, but I think that's because you're forced to not stop and cut so hard due to the modest traction and flexibility of the upper. I guess you could do what my daughter does in toe shoes- stuff the front with lambs wool or wear a silicone toe cup.
Was thinking of ASICS Gel Nimbus or similar, worried about the gossamer construction of Boosts and the other ultralights in light of my...mature physique. But you like 'em though? Have been wearing Puma King turfs but they are just not doing it for my arches and heels.
^^^^ Most of us buy shoes on our own -- folks who really understand feet can help find the right shoe, especially if you tell them the problem. And this is a problem those crazy runners have, so the running store is a great idea. Makign sure your toe nails are short may help, too.
They really do feel like they're going to fall apart on you when you first pick them up because it's about like picking up a couple of pieces of paper – but I'm going into my third year with my original pair and they're starting to look a little ragged but hanging in there. I probably have about 150 games on them plus a few miles (not nearly enough) of road work on top of that. I feel like I've gotten my money's worth out of them, and that's saying a lot because they cost me 150 clams. Between them and the Superfeet insoles and the compression socks I have significantly alleviated my myriad foot and lower leg complaints. This by the way reminds me that I found my old Pentastar ref shoes (bought years ago from the OSI catalog) in the back of a closet last week and I didn't recognize them. Picked them up and thought dang, these things weigh a ton each, what are they and whose could they be?
Agree with both of the above, but can add. I had some issues with aches in my toes and other parts of the feet. I got some advice on shoe choices for my feet and gait, but the tip that helped with the toes was making sure that I tighten the laces. You should have some room in the front of the shoe, but if you do and the shoes aren't snug... you slide to the front. Got that tip from someone buying hiking boots. For me, a new pair of running or soccer shoes have to be untied and the laces tightened several times in the first hours of break in. And there has to be cushion in the tongue and sock together to allow for me to tighten the laces from front to back. My feet are so narrow, some shoes just don't have enough adjustment. Lace them up and do some brake checks, I hope it helps. It helped my toes.
From a runner: Get properly fitted for shoes, and take into account that your feet will swell during the day from more running and also from heat. A lot of bruised toenails are from your foot sliding forward a bit in the shoe: to help prevent that don't just tighten the laces; use "ankle lock" lacing (using those extra eyelets in the shoe to create a loop with the laces and then tying the shoe through those loops. I can't really explain it, but there are videos on youtube.)