Shoe problems

choagie42

I'm a regular runner, and am doing my longest race to date next Sunday (excited!).  Unfortunately I got new running shoes for my birthday about 2 weeks ago, and I keep getting blisters on the sides of my feet when I wear them.  My old shoes are pretty beat up and not a great option either.  So my question is, anyone have any recommendations for products that help with blister prevention/treatment that actually work.  The things I've tried in the past tend to not work or don't stay in place.  Thanks for the advice!

J&K10910

Have you tried moleskin?  I love moleskin, and it's always stayed in place for me: 10 mile hikes, 3 mile mud runs, no problem.

freebread03

What kind of socks are you wearing?  Make sure you're wearing something that is made from dry-fit material.  Cotton will often cause blisters as the material soaks up sweat.  Also, a good running store should take the shoes back if they're giving you blisters that badly.  It really shouldn't be happening, and it doesnt sound like its simply a function of breaking the shoes in.

LauraAH707

I would return the shoes if they are not comfortable. Running a race with blisters is absolutely no fun, and most running stores wil take them back even if they are worn. Body Glide helps with spots that have a lot of rubbing, but it will not fix a shoe problem.

J&K10910

Oh yeah, socks are a good point too.

FWIW, I find blisters to sometimes be an unavoidable problem.  For me, I have to choose between shin splints and blisters.  The shoes that best prevent my shin splints give me blisters on the sides of my big toes.  Blisters are easier to treat/deal with than shin splints, so I deal.


But OP, if you've had shoes that work for you without any issues, including blisters, before, it would be worth it to at least talk to the shoe store.

choagie42

Thank you all SO much (this group is the best, i swear).  I guess I assumed that the shoe store would have a tough luck policy on returns once I wore the shoes.  But it's one of those specialty running stores that was supposed to do the fancy running stride analysis, so I'm definitely going to give them a call and see if they'd consider letting me exchange for a pair of shoes that aren't eating up my feet!  Thanks very much for the advice.