Originally Posted by richard

barefoot of course.

Originally Posted by chgoeditor

I'm a runner, not a soccer player, but I wear running shoes that are 1.5 US sizes larger than I typically wear, and try to buy them in a wide when possible. You want as much room around the front of foot as possible.

I know you said you're buying the largest size you can find, but how much larger is it than your typical shoe size?

Originally Posted by dhuey

I'm also a distance runner, and I was going to suggest the same thing. Try experimenting with shoes that are 1 or 1.5 sizes bigger than what you would normally wear. Also, I'm a big fan of WrightSock. They are essentially two thin layers of sock; the design greatly reduces friction on the skin and nails. https://www.rei.com/b/wrightsock?r=b...google|main|NB

Originally Posted by Tchiowa

Your shoes are too small. You should have about 1/4" gap between your toe tips and the boots. Also, make sure the rest of the shoe is tight. If your feet are slipping forward then you're going to be hammering your toes on the shoe. And keep your toenails really, really short.

Try this, no guarantees. I wear the japanese "toe socks". Injinji is the brand I use. I wear a smaller size than I should so that the sock is really tight on the toes. Then I wear a second pair of socks over that. Plenty of padding, proper fit shoes, I haven't had runners toe or even a blister in years.

One other thing, if you've got a lot of pain while the nail is black (you usually do) there's a way to alleviate that. The black is from blood trapped under the nail and the pain is from the pressure of that. Disinfect a needle and slip it under the toe nail into the blood. Don't worry, it's not going to hurt. The nail is already separated from the toe at that point. Drain the blood, slather it with disinfectant and let it sit a few hours and you're ready to go.

Originally Posted by lhgreengrd1

Best way to avoid it: Don't run. Swimming and biking are better for you anyways.

Originally Posted by Tchiowa

I used to feel the same way. One day my knees took the opportunity to express a different opinion.

Originally Posted by dhuey

That day will come for me. I try my best to enjoy every race mile, given that I have a finite number of them left.

Originally Posted by onlysuites

You never know. I have seen 90+ year old runners run marathons.

Originally Posted by dhuey

Some of my favorite moments in races are when I see men & women in the 60s, or older, ready to roll. It's especially impressive for the women, as they grew up at a time when endurance sports for women was considered a strange idea.

Originally Posted by onlysuites

So basically
- Wear 2 pairs of socks
- Tie shoe laces extra tight

Nothing else right? Just grin and bear it?

Originally Posted by chgoeditor

Look a little harder for a larger shoe. What size non-athletic shoe do you wear? (And where do you live?)

Originally Posted by Silver Fox

I have found Big Foot, I claim my £5 !