achilles tendon rubbed raw in ae fifth avenues

[random512]

I took a pair of AE Fifth Avenues with me on a trip recently. I had worn them before but not for more than a block or two. Going to a restaurant or something like that. I went for a walk after dinner this time and after around 2 blocks I started feeling irritation on my Achilles tendon and after 4 blocks it had become painful and impacted my gait. Have you had this experience before with AE Fifth Avenues or similar shoes? Have you figured out any good tricks for breaking in the top back area of the shoes in order to avoid this?

 

[madhat]

You can use your hands to flex that area to loosen it up, but honestly this type of complaint is possibly a symptom of a fit issue like them being too short. Did you have any other pains?

 

[random512]

The abrasive achilles rubbing was the only issue. I wouldn't be surprised if the shoe backs were too short. One of the biggest problems I've had with AE is that the fit of their shoes can vary drastically (same model, same size) from pair to pair.

 

[tcbinnc]

I have a new pair of Fifth Avenues and have had no problems. I did however have the same type of irritation with a pair of AE Boulders as they are not lined and the seam in the back was a bit rough. I put a heel pad on the inside back of the shoe which solved that issue, and because there was also some heel slip due to that foot being a little smaller than the other, I put one on under the tongue as well. No problems since. The shoes overall though were a bit tight in the toes, especially of my larger foot but have been loosening up in that area along with the rather rigid sole, to where they are now comfortable overall. None of the seven or eight other AE's I have, all lace-ups, presented any of those problems. Good luck.

The heel pad pictured here looks like it's under the sole pad but it's not. You could also lay it in higher up or longitudinally depending on where your friction area is located. And, you can see the sole on the boulder is quite a solid mass.

 

[random512]

I'm going to try to work those areas with my hand like madhat mentioned. I'm also going to try to soften up that area with some mink oil.