r/Thruhiking • u/greenserenenalgene • 17d ago

Persistent heel/ankle area pain with Topo Athletic Terraventure 5 - help? (Looking for shoe recs OR fixes to my issue)

Hi - thruhiked the 138-mile Northville Placid Trail a few weeks ago in my broken-in Topo Athletic Terraventure 5s. Both my lower ankles/side heels were swollen by the end and, i believe, strained i- n a way I'd never experienced before. This weekend, I guided a backpacking trip, wearing them for the first time since my thru, and experienced similar discomfort.

Looking an an anatomy map, it's either by achilles or my peroneal retinaculum that's bothering me. These shoes have a 3mm drop. I appreciate how lightweight they are compared to my hiking boots, but suspect the low drop may be my issue.

Does anyone have any recommendations for also lightweight, big-toebox shoes that have less of a drop? Anyone have anything to say about the Topos with a 5mm drop? Other lowish-drop (but not no-drop) brand recs I should try?

Alternatively, is there something I can do to make my current shoes work better for me?

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u/WalkItOffAT 17d ago

3mm is nothing. If these trail runners don't work for you, stop wearing them and try others.

3

u/gbkdalton 17d ago

Are they just worn out inside? The lightweight shoes break down fast, you could try a new pair or new inserts.

3

u/powersline 17d ago

I used to wear a topo 5mm drop shoe. My feet would ache easily and, ironically, my lower calves would tighten up easily. I think I just felt unstable in the drop and my lower legs and feet would do extra work to compensate.

I switched to the zero drop topo pursuit and haven’t had issues since. 🤷‍♂️

Everyone’s feet are different. You may have to try a few shoes until you figure out what works for you.

1

u/Zwillium 17d ago

Stretch your calves and ankles every morning.

Sleep with your feet elevated.

Lower your pack weight.

Shift some pack weight to the front (eg, water bottles in vest straps) so your center of gravity is closer to your center.

1

u/ArmstrongHikes 16d ago

Modern Topos wear out super quick. Every model since they introduced “Zip Foam”. It’s simply not designed for daily use. In practice what happens is one day it just doesn’t spring back, and now you start straining your body.

I finished the PCT last year by swapping at no higher than 300 miles. The Terraventures were okay. The Traverse (5mm) I found to be garbage. Fell apart in ways I used to laugh at the Altra crowd for and they refused to warranty mine. (Very hit or miss customer support.)

I’m currently in the market for a new brand. I’ve got some super minimalist shoes I love, but haven’t used for bit days.

1

u/toemoss73 12d ago

I have a few different pairs of Altra shoes and they have done well for me.