Numb Feet Problems

[trek4.5]

I am having problems with my feet falling asleep after about 15 miles of riding. I have tried two different shoes and cleats (and even moved cleats back) and Body Geometry insoles, but still have the problem. I think my first pair of road shoes was too small (Specialized) and then bought a pair of Louis Garneau terra vent sandals. I am looking for a new pair of road shoes and would like to know how others have solved this problem and what type of shoe they bought. I am looking at the new Bontragers right now. ;)

[tctrek]

One foot? Both feet? Toes only or whole foot? I have the toes of my left foot go numb sometimes and I know that my left leg is shorter. I have shims under the cleats on my left shoe to try to even them up, but still get numbness once in a while.

[nscrbug]

I get some right foot toe-numbing occasionally. I have weird toes, though...guess you could call them hammer toes. I used to wear Specialized shoes, but found that switching to a shoe with a wider toe box helped immensely. I now wear a pair of Northwave Velvet S.B.S shoes, and I love 'em! I have also discovered that my toe-numbing issue seems to correlate with the socks I'm wearing. If I wear too thin of a sock (such as the Smartwool Ultra Light cycling socks), the toe-numbing tends to be exacerbated. But if I wear a slightly thicker sock (like the Smartwool Light or Adrenaline sock), then the toe-numbing is much less prevalent.

[indysteel]

Out of curiosity, do you suffer from any sciatic nerve issues? Any alignment or back problems? Have you had a professional bike fitting?

At this point, I would start looking at other potential problems as the root cause of numb feet. I've had numb toes every so often on and off my bike. A simple stretch alleviates it almost at once.

[trek4.5]

It is mainly my right foot, but eventually the left goes numb also. I have to wear socks that do not have the seam on top of the toes (Defeet makes a no feel seam sock). They are probably medium weight socks. I wear a Body Geometry insole with one shim under each insole. I heard great things about the insoles and gave them a try, but still have problems. My bike has been professionally fit. No sciatic nerve issues. I'm willing to try new shoes next, but don't know which would be best. Any suggestions? Thanks.

[marni]

my solution to numb feet and long distances is to wear mtb cleats which are level with the sole and can be walked in easily. I ride with double sided pedals with the cleat clip on one side and a plain pedal surgace with friction teeth on the other side. If I am cruising at a steady pace for distance than I unclick so that I can flip the pedal and move my feet around. Also I find that the shimano mtb shoes have a firmer sole and roomier toes, so between being able to move my feet around to vary the pressur points and an easy fit on toes in my socks and shoes, I have pretty much eliminated the problem. It's like having aerobars so that I can move my hands.

[trek4.5]

Thanks Muirenn. I'm thinking that it might be something to do with the shoes. So I am looking into getting a new and larger road shoe. Which one do you wear? I have a pair of Specialized, but have noticed that Bontrager has a bigger toe area.

[yankiwi]

Trek 4.5 - I have been having numb toes on left foot for some time too, and still haven't found the solution even tho I have tried everything mentioned in the threads here. Am now considering going to foot doctor as it was suggested yesterday to me that it might be a pinched nerve in the ball of my foot (which apparently could be connected to the sciatic nerve also??). It's all strange and new to me as I never used to have any trouble but I also read that as we age (I'm 50), the fat part in the ball of our feet thins out making it more susceptible to pain, so I guess that's a possibility - I'm clueless :confused:

Anyway, my main reason for writing was when I saw that you were considering Bontrager shoes. My first pair of shoes were Shimano WM-60's, and they seemed too big. Since I purchased them at Performance, I was easily able to return them as they have a very liberal return policy (which is good info to know). Then I went and had a shoe/cleat fitting at a not-very-local bike store and they put me in MTB Bontrager shoes (grey & aqua color if you go looking) and fitted the cleats for me. These have been a much better fit all round (I have wide feet across the front but normal width at heel). However I am still getting numb toes on my left foot, and this kicks in at around the 5 mile mark still! Good thing tho is that Bontrager has a 30 day return policy on their shoes (altho they might not volunteer that info up front, so check). Hope this info is helpful to you. I've tried everything - moving cleats back, forward, in-between, loosening straps at toes, changing socks, insoles etc. Right foot is perfect but left is the problem. Nothing seems to work which is what makes me think that with 2 pairs of shoes down and the same problem with both, I might need to see a foot doctor - perhaps other here might confirm whether that would be the next step for me or not? Thanks.

[KnottedYet]

I always suggest folks try a set of metatarsal domes (or "buttons") which support the metatarsal "arch" and prevent the nerves in the ball of the foot getting pinched quite as badly. They only cost about $10 per set, and the shoe store should be able to show you where to put them on the sockliner or insole. (BEHIND the ball of the foot)

A set of domes/buttons is a lot cheaper than buying pair after pair of shoes, and can make a huge difference if you already have shoes that fit but still are getting numbness from compression at the met heads.

[jasmine]

Always get so many great ideas re my aching feet here! Ok what are met buttons??

[jasmine]

and where can you get them? Someone recently told me their doc told them soon there will be feet transplants available---I'm holding out for cheetah feet:)

[KnottedYet]

Always get so many great ideas re my aching feet here! Ok what are met buttons??

They are self-adhesive teardrop shaped pillows that you stick to the forward portion of the arch contour of the insole of a shoe. They essentially extent the center of the arch contour forward so it supports the length of arch of the foot more. Metatarsal buttons or metatarsal domes.

Not to be confused with metatarsal pads or cushions, which go under the metatarsal heads to supplant the cushioning of the ball of the foot for someone who is elderly or diabetic or who has somehow lost or damaged the fibrous fatty padding in the ball of the foot.

[OakLeaf]

Knott, do you have any brand that you recommend?

I'm using the Spenco ones now, and they're "okay," but getting them to stick was a big issue. I finally called Spenco and they recommended the kind of double-sided tape you get for carpet. That sticks well enough that they don't slide all over the place during a run, but they still move over time, and then of course there's a huge amount of residue on the insole and on the pad, that I have to get off before I can re-stick them.

[KnottedYet]

The ones I like best look kind of like this http://www.orthotics-online.co.uk/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=10 and are made in Germany.

They can be put exactly where you need them, and they don't move at all. I don't remember the brand, sorry.

[jasmine]

thanks all, I'm on it:)

[OakLeaf]

These ones (http://www.jimmytheshoedoctor.com/product_detail.php?category_id=64&group=foot-health&product_id=324)? Tacco is a German brand.

Thanks!