19 replies to this topic

[DanielleH]

After a month or two, I always seem to rub a hole in the lining at the back of my shoe, where the heel is.

When purchasing my latest pair of shoes (Brooks Adrenaline again) the shop assistant said that was due to heel slip, and there is a nifty way to tie your laces to avoid that.

Unfortunately, he never got around to imparting those words of wisdom....

Anyone have any ideas? It is really annoying

[Kojak]

yeah this happens to me as well, pain in the buttocks that's for sure. You can buy some of that leather/suede material and cut and glue a small patch over the point where the boney part of the heel rubs against the liner. This works really well.

[laotze]

Probably simply lacing tighter would do it, but I had this problem and found that changing shoe brands was the fix.

Asics models over the last few years have a stronger weave in the heel lining and I've never had this problem with them.

[brizza]

you are being over controled by the shoe and moving inside it,unless you have a reason to use a strong antipronation shoe a lighter more flexible shoe stops this completely.There is a shoe for everyone,this may not be your perfect shoe-briz

[Kojak]

I should add I wear orthoses and thus lifts my heel higher than the manufactures intended.

[DanielleH]

Hmm... Thanks for all the advice.

I thought these were the shoe for me - had them fitted at "Active Feet" in Melbourne (apparently run by podiatrists etc, and they use treadmill/video to assess correction).
Frustrating spending good money on shoes and never feeling like you've got the perfect fit.

Thanks for advice re:Asics having stronger fabric. Might be worth a try!?

[wobbly man]

http://www.newbalance.co.uk/2005/TechCentr...it-Lacing.shtml

Then click on heel slippage..

Pay particular note to the top part of the lace structure - it works well for me

[djc42]

Here's another link ; the diagram is nice and clear. It works a treat ...

Lacing guide

D

[DanielleH]

Great diagrams (good to see they both suggest the same thing)...
Will definitely give this a go.
Thanks
-dh

[inganbangan]

I've had the same problem for a long time now. Very frustrating. I wear Asics and still get it.

Recently I've seen a podiatrist about an unrelated problem (knees) and mentioned it to him. He said that I've got slight heel spurs. That is, a build up of calcium (bone) on the heel (where the hole in the shoe is occurring). This, he said, is caused by the angle that the achillies is being pulled at by the calf when I'm running. It's rubbing slightly and so causing a calcium build-up.

He said the orthotics I'll be getting (for my knees) will probably stop the spurs getting any bigger, but nothing (except surgery) can make them go away. He thinks that with the orthotics my foot position will be better and so it may stop the holes, but he's not sure.

I'm about to look at the lacing diagrams now and give that a shot. Interested to see if it will help.

[flat feet]

I had this happen in ASICs.

I have been using Brooks and it is happening in those.

I also use footbeds which the raise the foot to a higher foot position.

I use the lacing system suggested.

A little annoyed however not unexpected really!

Edited by flat feet, 17 April 2007 - 07:24 PM.

[lulu]

I have the same problem which is caused by orthotics raising my foot so it rubs on the back of the shoe. I get blisters if I don't get the right shoe.

I tried the lacing but I actually found it made it worse as the more I pulled the shoe in to the heel, the more it rubbed. In the end I went back to normal lacing and find that better for me. I still rub the backs out of my shoes but I don't get blisters any more.

Experiment with the lacing system and see how you get on.

[mack]

You can minimise the wear in the heal section by utilising the the two extra lace holes on the top rim of the runner (heal lock holes) By looping the laces through them and then leveraging the laces when tieing the knot you directly tighten the whole rim of the runner causing less play at the rear to cause the wear. Works well for me.

[Bernie G]

mack, on Apr 20 2007, 06:29 AM, said:

You can minimise the wear in the heal section by utilising the the two extra lace holes on the top rim of the runner (heal lock holes) By looping the laces through them and then leveraging the laces when tieing the knot you directly tighten the whole rim of the runner causing less play at the rear to cause the wear. Works well for me.

This works for me too.

[WrightsockinOZ]

Hi everyone,

I worked at athletes foot for over ten years, and have also ran with orthotics in my shoes for the past six years. Generally speaking trying one of the many lacing techniques (primarily lock lacing which there have been a couple of great diagrams posted) works a treat. But in my experience to get minimal movement most people (including myself on occasions) pull the laces way too tight and choke their feet.

I have found the best combination for me is to use the lock lace, but also a double layer sock (yes I know this sounds like an advert) Wrightsock, Adidas twin skin, or in other topics people have suggested 2 pairs of socks (normally a thin pair on the foot and a slightly thicker one over that). The reason for either a double layer sock or 2 pairs is that one layer will stay with the foot and the other will stay with the shoe, the interaction between layers absorbs friction which will help to increase the life in the heel of your shoes, and also eliminate blisters if that is a problem too.

I do apologise if this sounds too much like an advert for the socks my company brings in, but it truly is the best solution that I have found over the past 13 years.

check them out at www.wrightsock.com more info email info@getoutdoors.net.au

Cheers,

Terry

[Fish]

I am another orthotics wearer and primarily wear ASICS. I have now resigned myself to the fact that this will happen to me for every pair of ASICS I buy due to the orthotic lifting me higher in the heel cup than the shoe design actually intends. Thankfully I don't get any blisters and once I've worn through the liner they are actually very comfortable, it is like they have been molded to my foot (which I guess in effect they have!).

I use lock lacing as well and have done for the past few years, but I had the same problem before this so I don't think lacing (or sock choice) is the solution if you are an orthotics wearer. I think the only solution would be a shoe with a deeper heel cup specifically designed for orthotic wearers, not much chance of this happening though!

I mainly wear the 21xx series shoes for all my training (and race in DS trainers and another lightweight Nike shoe I can't recall the name of). The 21xx shoes do seem to wear out much faster in the later versions of these shoes, but all in all I don't mind too much. For me it doesn't affect the life of the shoes, and once I've worn through and finished the molding process they fit really well and are more confortable than when they were new.

Around 5 to 6 years ago I got really annoyed the heel liner kept wearing through and kept getting my shoes replaced (free of charge) every few months. It was like sponsorship for about 12 months!

[Grandpa]

I have this problem. But it is not really a problem. Shoes are supposed to wear out and its just another wear area. I prefer to have my shoes a little loose, particularly for long runs. I've experimented and ended up with swelling, throbbing toes when the shoes are laced too tight. I don't believe 'heel slippage' is costing any time in races. If it is, I'd go for comfort anyway. Discomfort holds me back in races.

A hole in the back of the shoe is only a cosmetic concern

Grandpa

[MPHinLondon]

I have a particularly bony right heel and it always cuts a hole in the shoe, made worse as I wear orthotics too which raises my heel to a point where the shoe isn't expecting it.

I do get nasty blisters though when this happens as the plastic behind the lining then rubs my heel to bits. I found some suede heel patches (more for slipping really) for 3 bucks at Coles the other night and bostiked that over the hole, and now all is good again.

Edited by MPH, 02 May 2007 - 10:12 AM.

[Jonnoo]

I'm bumping this thread from a few years ago, for a similar but different issue.

My last 3 pairs of running shoes have all had holes form right where the big toe would push on to the top of the shoe. This is on both the left and right shoe. The shoes fit fine and I don't believe they are too big. When I raise my big toe it is basically touching right at the join of the mesh and the toe box trim, exactly where the hole is. I don't notice my big toe pushing up when I run, and now being conscious of it, I am deliberately keeping my toes down.

Very strange, not sure if anyone else has this. What I am trying to do now is find a way to avoid this hole forming - currently I have taped over the hole with gaffer tape (on the inside), so will see how this goes. May also try some sort of leather type insert over the tops of my toes to stop them pushing on the top of the shoe.

[Strips]

I also have this problem and have collected about 6 pairs of part worn Brooks with the heal liner rubbed through. I tried lacing and applying sticking plaster to the shoe liner. My last version was to use duct tape and let my heal slip. Nothing really works is just slows it down.

But I have now solved the problem very cheaply and easily.........I now run barefoot !!