I fight Plantar fasciitis in my left foot ( very painful ) and I work on concrete every day which doesn't help matters any! I'm looking for a hunting boot/shoe that's a little taller and waterproof. I've been wearing my hiking boots for hunting but they don't do much good for crossing creeks with anymore than 6" of water, plus I wear them for everything so they probably have a serious stench! Lol! My Lacrosse knee high boots kill me, so that's not an option. Hopefully by next season I'll be healed up, but for now, I need suggestions!
Thanks

I had plantar fasciitis for a long time until I discovered that if I wore boots that were wide enough in the front so that there was no side pressure on my toes or the ball area of my feet, the symptoms would go away.  This was not easy for me to do, because if you trace my feet, the result looks something like a ping pong paddle: wide in the front and narrow in the back.  So if I just went extra wide in a normal boot, my heels slid around and I was just substituting one problem for another.  But I finally managed to find a few brands of boots that worked, like Keen.  None of the brands I found were super high quality, but they fit well, so I just had to replace them more often.

This was the second season for me wearing a Danner Pronghorn 8" boot in the cooler/cold weather anyhow.  I'm only bringing it up here because these boots seem to be more comfortable than any cold weather boot I can remember off the top of my head,  and these are warm with 1200g of Primaloft insulation.  Waterproof so far,  being careful to not get over the height of the boot in water.  Not a slim profile boot but not a beast either like a lot of the insulated knee high rubber boots.  Maybe worth a look for ya, who knows!  I hope you find what you need.  Cold or worse cold and painful feet really has the makings to take the fun out of it ...........

You need to get some custom orthotics. Good feet work well, but the initial cost is high. Most insurance company's will cover them if you see a podiatrist.

Quote from: JD Covey on December 13, 2024, 08:48:42 AM
I fight Plantar fasciitis in my left foot ( very painful ) and I work on concrete every day which doesn't help matters any! I'm looking for a hunting boot/shoe that's a little taller and waterproof. I've been wearing my hiking boots for hunting but they don't do much good for crossing creeks with anymore than 6" of water, plus I wear them for everything so they probably have a serious stench! Lol! My Lacrosse knee high boots kill me, so that's not an option. Hopefully by next season I'll be healed up, but for now, I need suggestions!
Thanks

good gracious, I could have written this exact same post myself, right down to which foot I have it in! I was also looking at boots just yesterday for the same exact reason. haven't made it that far down the research road, but I will be following this thread closely! I plan to chase pigs in the spring on a WMA here that only allows non-motorized vehicles, so I'm looking for boots that are comfortable for walking, are waterproof, and provide good enough snake protection in the bottomlands.

I have $300 custom inserts in my Hokas that I wear to work, but they aren't doing the job right now and it's killing me! the cortisone shot she gave me wore off after about two weeks. good luck JD.

These guys know their stuff......

https://lathropandsons.com/

Quote from: McDave on December 13, 2024, 09:54:01 AM
I had plantar fasciitis for a long time until I discovered that if I wore boots that were wide enough in the front so that there was no side pressure on my toes or the ball area of my feet, the symptoms would go away.  This was not easy for me to do, because if you trace my feet, the result looks something like a ping pong paddle: wide in the front and narrow in the back.  So if I just went extra wide in a normal boot, my heels slid around and I was just substituting one problem for another.  But I finally managed to find a few brands of boots that worked, like Keen.  None of the brands I found were super high quality, but they fit well, so I just had to replace them more often.

I've actually wore Keens for years for this exact reason as I have an extremely narrow heel! I had a wild hair to try zero drop shoes and that's where things went bad. I know they work for some, but they didn't work for me and I'm paying the price. I've went back to my Keen Targhee and it's slowly getting better with the assistance of an insert. Maybe I'll just stick with em and get some taller with the 200 gram thinsulate.
Thanks everyone for the replies

Quote from: Terry Green on December 13, 2024, 11:17:57 AM
These guys know their stuff......

https://lathropandsons.com/

I've thought about giving them a call, but I had little sticker shock! Lol

Quote from: JD Covey on December 13, 2024, 11:33:14 AM

Quote from: Terry Green on December 13, 2024, 11:17:57 AM
These guys know their stuff......

https://lathropandsons.com/

I've thought about giving them a call, but I had little sticker shock! Lol

Yes, but your feet, and along with the rest of your body, will love you for it.

I have issues with it. I've found that it helps me to switch up my every day shoes some, and not wear the same ones all the time. I think my feet get flexed and exercised in more areas. This is probably more of a preventative than cure though.

I've read up on the new model Keen Targhee 4's. they have some at my local store so I'm gonna go try some on today after work.

Quote from: johnnyk71 on December 13, 2024, 03:06:14 PM
I've read up on the new model Keen Targhee 4's. they have some at my local store so I'm gonna go try some on today after work.

20 years ago, all Keen boots seemed to use the same wide in front last.  The last time I bought them, some models still had the wide in front last, while others didn't, so you may have to try on some different models until you find the ones that fit.

Quote from: eminart on December 13, 2024, 01:35:46 PM
I have issues with it. I've found that it helps me to switch up my every day shoes some, and not wear the same ones all the time. I think my feet get flexed and exercised in more areas. This is probably more of a preventative than cure though.

YES!

There's a few stretches you can do to help it out. Ice when it is very painful. I have been dealing with it for the last few years. This year I have been wearing caterpillar boots, steel toe for work standard for hunting. Sometimes it is good and sometimes it's not. I also have a hard plastic ball with spikes on it that helps when it flares up. Good luck and report back if you come up with a good solution.

Quote from: McDave on December 13, 2024, 03:22:12 PM

Quote from: johnnyk71 on December 13, 2024, 03:06:14 PM
I've read up on the new model Keen Targhee 4's. they have some at my local store so I'm gonna go try some on today after work.

20 years ago, all Keen boots seemed to use the same wide in front last.  The last time I bought them, some models still had the wide in front last, while others didn't, so you may have to try on some different models until you find the ones that fit.

I've recently bought 2 pairs of the Targhee IV and the toe box is still very roomy. Also they have redesigned the soles so they supposedly have a lifetime warranty. I've had several pairs of these I've had to glue the soles several times, but so far the new ones have been good.

It took me over a year to get rid of mine.  I would stretch my feet every morning for 10 minutes before getting out of bed.  Little by little it got better, and has not returned, and that was about 5 years ago.  I like my boots a little bigger, even for working.  I always wear 2 pairs of socks also, no matter what.  The extra pair helps with the cushioning and the bigger/wider boot size.

Quote from: JD Covey on December 13, 2024, 05:21:51 PM

Quote from: McDave on December 13, 2024, 03:22:12 PM

Quote from: johnnyk71 on December 13, 2024, 03:06:14 PM
I've read up on the new model Keen Targhee 4's. they have some at my local store so I'm gonna go try some on today after work.

20 years ago, all Keen boots seemed to use the same wide in front last.  The last time I bought them, some models still had the wide in front last, while others didn't, so you may have to try on some different models until you find the ones that fit.

I've recently bought 2 pairs of the Targhee IV and the toe box is still very roomy. Also they have redesigned the soles so they supposedly have a lifetime warranty. I've had several pairs of these I've had to glue the soles several times, but so far the new ones have been good.

yep, the new way they fuse the sole on guarantees they won't delaminate. tried some on today. They were nice! Thought I'd need the 12 wide, but the 12 medium was actually plenty wide and fit better in the ankles. I even put my custom orthotics in them just to make sure they fit. I will probably pick up a pair pretty soon.

edit - told the wife I tried some on, and she said to order some early for my January birthday. woohoo! I liked the green ones.

ALWAYS buy high quality boots and shoes.

Learn the stretching excersises that will fix your problem. I had PF terribly about 4 years ago. Stretching saved me.

One other thing that has been helping me recently is sleeping with my feet on the footboard. Keeping your feet flat instead of allowing your toes to drop keeps the tendons from contracting over night.

If you want to wade 6"s of water, those Keens aren't going to cut it.