Toe pain/New shoes suggestions

I ride on Sidi shoes and really like them, can't say on long rides I don't get some hot spots tho... This may be a difficult process of trial and error other than a single identifiable problem. I'm interested in what others chime in.

What toe is it? I have small bunion on my pinkie toe, which compressed in the shoe can really be painful after a few hours. Could explain why you are also getting pain sooner too if it's getting worse.

I was having some similar problems with the big toe of my left foot. I have a bigger callus on that side and have some nerve issues going on as well. I'm good for about 1 hour in my road shoes, but after that the pain comes and goes but gets progressively worse. I teach spin classes and found with my spin shoes (SPD clips), I was having the same problem. Those shoes are 9 years old, so finally went to the bike store over the weekend and got new shoes. Taught 6 times in them this week and while I can still feel it a little, it is MUCH better!!

In the summer it's worse since my feet swell with the heat. My tri shoes are a little larger and I don't get that issue. So maybe try on a bunch of shoes, they all fit differently, depending on the shape, size, biomechanics of your foot. Hopefully you can find a pair that works!!

Have you tried orthotics in your shoes? I use Superfeet yellow and they have helped me with foot pain while riding.

Also, have you tried rubbing your toes down with glide before long rides?

More info on this. It's only one toe. It's the side of my big toe but it starting to make the tendon for that toe hurt a lot. I just did a 4 hour trainer ride today (shoulder is still mending from last week's bike accident). It did feel better today. I had to get off at 3:15 to get a water bottle from a cooler. That 1 minute break really made me feel better. My shoes don't feel too small. I'm using SPD-SL. When my tri bike was being worked on, I had to use SPD from my old road bike I haven''t used in years and that was all sorts of pain all over. Probably since I wasn't used to them.

I did notice something today. For whatever I sometimes lift my toes up on the upstroke. I noticed this more today and about hour 1...yup the pain was coming back. I used to think this helped but them I stopped doing that. Relaxed my foot as much as possible and I had a lot less pain. Of course this was inside and I still need to do an outside test but this could be one of the issues for me. I'd hate to spent $100+ for new shoes when I'm unsure if that's the issue. More so since they hit my feet great and it's only one foot causing the issue. My PM shows my left foot producing 51-54% of the power normally. It's hard to tell if this is true though since it's estimated L/R force.

I've had something that sounds real similar to what you are describing. Although it bothered me anytime I lifted my big toe. I got instant relief by taping my big toe. I kept it taped for 2-3 days and pain was gone.

My pain goes away almost instantly once I put on my running shoes. I always look forward to the run due to this. Feels like I'm walking on pillows after a few hours of that.

Edited by Blastman 2014-07-13 9:13 PM

I bought a pair of the Bont Riot shoes for something around $120 and really like them. You can heat mold them in your oven at home to fit your foot, and after doing that mine seem to fit perfectly. I'd recommend them if you try getting new shoes.