Shoe crease causing pain

Papa Doble · Mar 15, 2011

(I saw some old threads on this topic and chose to start a new one rather than bump an old one.) Some Allen Edmonds Park Avenues I've worn approximately 10 times have developed a crease that presses on the joint/knuckle of my big toe -- mainly on one foot, and to a lesser degree on the other (the person who sold them to me told me my feet were slightly different sizes, which is apparently common) -- which causes some discomfort. This is my first pair of real shoes, so I don't know if it's a last, sizing, or break-in issue. I should add that I'm meticulous about using shoe trees and never wearing them two days in a row.

AlexE · Mar 15, 2011

Originally Posted by Papa Doble

I don't know if it's a last, sizing, or break-in issue.

And nobody can tell you that with the little information provided...where does the crease form? are the shoes especially loose or tight in the width? ...?

LanceW · Mar 15, 2011

I went through this exact thing with my PAs. I kept wearing them and they kept hurting. Eventually though it went away. I think the leather above my right big toe just took a while to break in for me.

entrero · Mar 15, 2011

I had the same problem with my Loakes. It happened on my dominant foot where a crease forms that really digs on to my big toe.

Papa Doble · Mar 15, 2011

Originally Posted by AlexE

And nobody can tell you that with the little information provided...where does the crease form? are the shoes especially loose or tight in the width? ...?

I added a picture above. I don't think they're particularly loose or tight. Sometimes it feels like my pinky toe is slightly cramped, but usually there seems to be enough wiggle room.

Originally Posted by LanceW

I went through this exact thing with my PAs. I kept wearing them and they kept hurting. Eventually though it went away. I think the leather above my right big toe just took a while to break in for me.

My main concern is that I got the wrong size, and I don't want to repeat the mistake if I get Strands or McAllisters (same last). So, if it's simply a break-in issue I'm fine with waiting it out.

rossyl · Mar 15, 2011

I had the same with my loakes...turned out it was due to the shoes being too wide,. Ulimately, the pain has gone away now and i think it took longer as the shoe is corrected grain leather.

Claus · Mar 15, 2011

The image indicates that the crease is rather close to the lacing. It's always hard to tell from images, but this may indicate that the shoe is too long for your feet. Consequently, there's too much room above the joint/knuckle of your big toes and the crease became deeper than usual.

Since you know your feet are different sizes, you probably got measured. If Brannock was used, I'd suppose your ball length was higher than your foot lenght? Or maybe there were other reasons why you've bought a larger size?

In other words, my first bet is on sizing.

Of course, it could also be a last issue.

The only way to tell if a last fits your foot is by sticking to the shoe size, your foot length indicates, IMO. Note this is a minority opinion.

IIRC, you can buy "protections" for your toes (Sorry, I've forgotten the correct word). Wearing them may reduce the crease above the joint.

Hope this helps.

AnGeLiCbOrIs · Mar 15, 2011

I've had this problem with used shell cordovan shoes.

cioni2k · Mar 15, 2011

Originally Posted by AnGeLiCbOrIs

I've had this problem with used shell cordovan shoes.

+1 Happens ever so slightly with a pair of lightly used RL Darlton/Marlows I picked up. I think it should probably go away with more wears though

Papa Doble · Mar 15, 2011

Originally Posted by entrero

I had the same problem with my Loakes. It happened on my dominant foot where a crease forms that really digs on to my big toe.

What was the resolution for you?

Originally Posted by rossyl

I had the same with my loakes...turned out it was due to the shoes being too wide,. Ulimately, the pain has gone away now and i think it took longer as the shoe is corrected grain leather.

That's interesting. I'd think length would be the main factor, and I doubt mine are too wide for me.

Originally Posted by Claus

The image indicates that the crease is rather close to the lacing. It's always hard to tell from images, but this may indicate that the shoe is too long for your feet. Consequently, there's too much room above the joint/knuckle of your big toes and the crease became deeper than usual.

Since you know your feet are different sizes, you probably got measured. If Brannock was used, I'd suppose your ball length was higher than your foot lenght? Or maybe there were other reasons why you've bought a larger size?

In other words, my first bet is on sizing.

Of course, it could also be a last issue.

The only way to tell if a last fits your foot is by sticking to the shoe size, your foot length indicates, IMO. Note this is a minority opinion.

IIRC, you can buy "protections" for your toes (Sorry, I've forgotten the correct word). Wearing them may reduce the crease above the joint.

Hope this helps.

I'd definitely have to go wider if I went down a half size. Brannock was used to determine size, and we naturally chose shoes for the longer foot. I don't know what you mean when you say ball versus foot length.

Originally Posted by AnGeLiCbOrIs

I've had this problem with used shell cordovan shoes.

What was the resolution for you? To clarify, these are new and calf. Do you think new versus old or calf versus cordovan would affect this?

chatty · Mar 15, 2011

I had a similar problem with my Edware Geen chelseas.

I think they were too long, so there was excess leather that dug down into my foot.

I bought another pair of EGs that were halfsize smaller and did not have that same issue.

Over time, the EG leather got soft enough that it didn't quite hurt, but it took quite a while.

Papa Doble · Mar 15, 2011

Originally Posted by chatty

I had a similar problem with my Edware Geen chelseas.

I think they were too long, so there was excess leather that dug down into my foot.

I bought another pair of EGs that were halfsize smaller and did not have that same issue.

Over time, the EG leather got soft enough that it didn't quite hurt, but it took quite a while.

Yeah, the leather of the Park Avenues is quite stiff at the moment. Enough people have suggested going a size shorter than I might need to explore that option. Thanks.

MarcellHUN · Mar 15, 2011

Choose one or more:

1. Too thick leather (cordovan for example)

2. Wrong pattern construction

3. bad positioning of toe stiffener

4. bad fitting

5. wrong clicking - the leather stretches to a wrong direction - alongside

6. Foot problems

Anyway a local cobbler might be able to help...

patrickBOOTH · Mar 15, 2011

Try conditioning the inner lining of the shoe. It might help it loosen up a bit.

Papa Doble · Mar 15, 2011

Originally Posted by patrickBOOTH

Try conditioning the inner lining of the shoe. It might help it loosen up a bit.

That's very interesting.

Suppose I determined that a shoe on another last (say, MacNeils on last 7) better suited my feet and did not have this problem. Would a company like Allen Edmonds make a shoe intended for another last on the last that works (in this example, say, making Strands on the 7 last)?

Shoe crease causing pain

Distinguished Member

Distinguished Member

Senior Member

Distinguished Member

Distinguished Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Distinguished Member

Distinguished Member

Distinguished Member

Well-Known Member

Distinguished Member

Senior Member

Stylish Dinosaur

Distinguished Member

Classic Menswear Featured products

Similar threads

Featured Sponsor

Yes, I have a signature fragrance I wear every day

Yes, I have a signature fragrance but I don't wear it daily

No, I have several fragrances and rotate through them

I don't wear fragrance

Forum Sponsors

Forum statistics

FOLLOW STYLEFORUM ON: