I've been running for about a year now, and my running has improved and is going really well, the problem is that despite buying good quality running shoes (Kayanos) I'm still getting more that my fair share of black toe nails. There is plenty of room in the shoes so I don't believe not that they're to small or anything. Does anybody have the same sort of problems? Or are some people just more prone to this than others. Maybe I should consider trying a different brand, problem is that with so many brands and models on the market it can be so confusing, and also very costly. Does anybody have any advice, suggestions, or tips? Wayne FrewenBridgend
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My shoes are 1.5 sizes bigger than street shoes, my nails are short as they can be, but I still get sore, and sometimes black, nails on the second toe when my long runs are more than ten-twelve miles.
I think it's just the repeated striking on the ground.
I was told to fit 2 fingers behind your heel and the shoe. I haven't had a problem since...
Sometimes, my street shoes are a 6 or 7. My running shoes are an 8...
Seriously...bigger shoes and chop your nails regularly.
Another one is to push your heel back in your shoe and there should be a thumbs's width between the end of your longest toe (not always the big toe) and the front of the toe box.
Cutting the toe nails short so there's no white and having your shoes 'top laced' so it cups the heel to prevent excessive movement can help.
Sometimes it's the pressure of footstrike though, not the toe actually bashing the end of the shoe.
The toe box on a running shoe needs to fit for length, width and height. If you've got the correct size of Kayano and your nails are short then I would guess you should try a different shoe (start with the comparable shoe from other brands). Alternatively get some Thorlo socks because they're quite padded around the toe area.
The other thing i've found is that black toe nails don't disappear very quickly even if you sort out the cause of the problem.
just let them fall off and make a necklace out of the bits....
Or leave it on the side of the bath so your other half picks it up thinking it's a plaster...
It could be that your toe-nails are hitting the top of the toe-box, rather than the end.
Or it could be your socks. I have one toe-nail that gets bruised by my sock rubbing on it when I run really long distances.
definitely an issue - I had this problem with some NB shoes (they had some hard plastic above the toebox) so ditched them 'cos of that
A big thank you everybody who took the time to respond, there are so many tips and suggestions, and I'm sure that between them I'll find a way to lessen, if not totally cure, my black toenail problem. The suggestion from M.ister W sounds very plausible. Some of the suggestions and comments are very funny like the 'making a necklace out of the toe nails' from Karl "nice one Karl", and the NB comments from Fat Buddha and from ploddingOn. Again a big thanks to all who took the time to respond.
Wayne Frewen
good luck
It's fun and games this running malarky! I think running should be reclassified as a dangerous sport! Thanks wayne for your comments - guess I just have to get used to the black toes. Glad mine aren't a snooker set...green toes..humm!!
This is an old thread! I have been running for about twenty years and because I am a runner I'm stupid.
I cured the problema couple of years ago. What happens is your foot moves in your shoes if you have not laced them right up to the butterfly holes,As you do the good bit (running downhill) the foot slides forward and the toesnails go all black as they hit the front of the shoe. Little toes get squashed if the box part is not wide enough.
These things happen even if the downhill does not really show up as a hill.
I work in a running shop in Central London so i hear this every weekend-
...go one size bigger or half a thumb width/full thumb width...You may have a great shoe (Kayano) but is it right for you gait...It is not just the swelling that increases the foot size - it is also the individual foot strike and foot shape...you may need a squarer shoe or toe box (Mizuno or NB for eg) - when the foot strikes it acts like a spring and stretches outward/forward and sideways - the shoe may not be high enough also...try some other brands at a running shop...they may be able to help...You need space at the side slightly aswell as the front...experiment...I go 1 full size up and run 30/50 miles per week and have never had a black toe nail plus i wear twin skins and vasaline...GOOD LUCK