I’m getting this sharp, annoying pain just around my heel when I wear my Merrell hiking boots. It feels like I’m stepping on something hard every time I take a step. I’ve always liked the brand for their ankle support, and the tread works great on slippery rocks. They seem solid, but after a couple of miles, the heel pain is unreal. I’ve got relatively narrow feet, and I don’t feel squished in the toe box, so width doesn’t seem like the problem. Is it the way I’m walking, or maybe the insoles? Should I be looking at a different brand or try to fix these?
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That sounds like the insole might not be giving you enough support in the heel area. You could try swapping it out for something with more cushion or arch support.
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It could be the break-in period. Merrells have stiff soles right out of the box and it can take a while for them to mold to your foot. Give it some time, or try walking around the house a bit more before taking them on a serious hike.
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If it’s always hurting in the same place, that could be a sign of a fit issue rather than just an insole. You mentioned you have narrow feet – could the shoes be too loose around the heel?
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I’ve already walked in them quite a bit, and they still hurt in the same spot. Maybe it’s the insole after all. I haven’t tried swapping them out yet.
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Why don’t you consider a different brand like Keen if they’re causing that much pain
I think its an alignment issue with how your foot strikes the ground. If you’re putting more pressure on the outside of your foot, it could be throwing things off. You could try going to a specialty outdoor store to have your gait analyzed.
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I didn’t think about getting my gait checked. I’ve only looked at the shoes themselves so far. Might explain why this keeps happening across different pairs of boots.
Yeah, you definitely should. I hope that helps…