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The last time I hiked into Grand Canyon, two years ago, I lost both my big toenails. It actually took 4 months for them to fall off completely. Gross, I know. Grosser going through losing them, though the nails that grew in behind them were just fine. I don't want to do that again! I read on a web site with tips for getting along in Grand Canyon that you can buy these ToeFlo pads that ballet dancers wear for dancing on their toes. This person claims the pads keep you from getting toe jam and losing your toenails. Has anyone ever tried these things? Do they work? Are they terribly uncomfortable? I have new (broken in) boots now with a bigger toe box, so maybe I don't need the pads? I just don't ever want to go through that toe jam routine again! (It was interesting too--I never had any pain while hiking and didn't even realize I had a problem until I got home to Mesa! Then the purple cuticles and black toenails set in. Thank goodness for nail polish!) Anyway, June 8th is re-entry day for the Canyon so I would like to know if I should get these things!

I don't know anything about the ToeFlo pads - I have never heard of them.

However, I do know this: most people do not wear properly fitted footwear. I mean for any type of footwear. Most people have never had to find a really good fitting pair of shoes and consequently don't know what type of parameters make for good footwear for given conditions. Hiking shoes are a good bellweather for knowing how to buy shoes.

What you experienced in toenail loss was due to poorly fitted boots. Some of the possible reasons might have been

- the toe box was too small
- the shoe length/size was too short
- your foot moved to the front of the boot too easily
- your foot strike was too focused on a frontal motion
- your toenails were too long and easily bruised
- you didn't have the proper type of sock and it was catching on your toenail

There are also several less likely scenarios that are possible. But those are the main ones. Things like the length being too short or your toenails being too long are problems that no amount of padding or other solutions will fix. You will continue to loose toenails until you fix the problem.

The trick is to know what the propper fit for a hiking boot is, then find the right size and fit to accomodate your particular foot and walking style. I cannot tell you what that is, nor can anyone else. You will just have to experiment to find out.

Here are a few tricks to finding the right shoe:

- don't rely on a single size. Most shoe makers use a different "Last" or mold to design their shoes on - these models are different for each brand. I, for example, wear anything from a 13 to a 15 depending on the manufacturer
- for hiking, make sure your foot is secure. If there is too much forward/backward or side/side movement, that is not the right shoe, or it isn't laced properly
- more expensive doesn't necessarily mean better fit. Remember that all shoes are not designed for the same foot - disregard price and go with fit
- make sure you are trying on the boot with the exact same type and brand of socks you will use when you are hiking

I think that if you have found the right boot and the right fit - you will know because you won't be loosing toenails any longer. ToeFlo or not...

Olesma's right....a properly fitted boot, laced properly will protect those toes from jamming. (it really helps to keep the toenails trimmed close as well) I wear everything from a 10 in Teva's (Yeah Bandit...I wear Teva's boating and to loaf around in!)to an 11-1/2 in the trail runners I plan on hiking to Phantom Ranch in. I wore the trail runners as a test on the Granite Mountain hike because of the steepness and really, really tried to make my toes hit the front of the shoe on the way down and couldn't. Both pair of hiking boots are 11's as opposed to my regular shoe size of 10-1/2. Put your boots on, lace them properly and find a really steep hill to hike down; try to make your toes jam the toebox; if they do you have the wrong boots! I've heard of someone putting something in the toes of their boots to try and protect them; think she lost ALL her toe nails!

Diane-

I've heard about those ballet dancer things but I've never used 'em. I've only read comments from others who have used them and they seem to like 'em.

During summer hikes, I like to use a thin polypropelene liner sock under my SmartWools and that really helps. If your heading down one of the well-maintained corridor trails in GC try Tevas with a good pair of socks. I did it a couple of years ago on the South Kaibab after hearing about it from one of the rangers stationed at Phantom. It was great! I don't think I would try it with a heavy pack but I was packing fairly light that trip. What a difference.

-Nealz

Thanks for the comments. The time I described (last GC hike) I did have very short nails and had been hiking in boots I had used to hike in the Canyon previously. I had liner socks and good socks over them when I lost my nails. The difference was, I think, the length of time and slowness of hiking. Our friends and we brought our kids with us on this trip, which was almost a big mistake. It took twice as long to hike down as ever before, and it was slow going. But still, my boots should not have caused my feet to slide so far forward, which was, I guess, the problem. I think I might try it without the ToeFlos this time (June 8th), since I do have new boots with bigger toe boxes. Anyway, I will also be hiking minus the backpack (which, on the lost toenail trip, we adults had to stuff with the kids' things as well as our own as they were not able to hike and deal with the weight of the packs). New boots and less weight will maybe do the trick. If not, I guess I'll try the ToeFlos next time...