How to not bruise your toenails?

megamind

megamind

Legend
I feel like everytime I play a match, I have a 1/3 chance of bruising my toenails or getting blisters. I moved from Barricades to Gel Resolutions, and that didn't really solve this issue.

What do you think I'm doing wrong?
Any tips?

It also happens only on my left foot, it's strange. My right foot never gets any bruises or blisters during matches, everything happens on my left.

Sorry if this post was too much info, im just tryna keep my feet pretty :X3:
 
T

Tennis_Hands

Banned
Yes, use shoes with a roomy toe box (neither the Barricades nor the Gel Resolutions have such).

Why do people assume that having their toes squeezed won't result in bruised/damaged toes/toenails?

:cool:
 
David Le

David Le

Hall of Fame
Like another user said, cut your toe nails when they are longer than usual. Also, if you are getting blisters, I would suggest putting a little baby powder then slightly tape that area with athletic tape.
 
megamind

megamind

Legend
David Le said:
Like another user said, cut your toe nails when they are longer than usual. Also, if you are getting blisters, I would suggest putting a little baby powder then slightly tape that area with athletic tape.
Click to expand...

My toenails are cut, it's just the "main" part of the toenail gets bruised, and I can't cut that off, right? (at least I probably shouldn't)

Might try another pair of shoes. I do like the support my Gel Resolutions provide (apart from this one issue)
 
David Le

David Le

Hall of Fame
megamind said:
My toenails are cut, it's just the "main" part of the toenail gets bruised, and I can't cut that off, right? (at least I probably shouldn't)

Might try another pair of shoes. I do like the support my Gel Resolutions provide (apart from this one issue)
Click to expand...
Haha I suggest you shouldn’t. I would get another pair of shoes if needed, but try the other methods first.
 
megamind

megamind

Legend
David Le said:
Haha I suggest you shouldn’t. I would get another pair of shoes if needed, but try the other methods first.
Click to expand...

Tennis_Hands said:
K-Swiss Hypercourt Express
Babolat SFX
Adidas SCB
Adidas Ü3

There are more, but I haven't looked them up for one reason or another.

:cool:
Click to expand...

Looked at those, but wasn't feeling the colourways on TW (non-wide shoes have so many more options)

Ended up ordering some Nike Air Vapor X Wide shoes

This'll be my first time ordering wide shoes, so hopefully this does the trick, thanks for your help!
 
AceyMan

AceyMan

Professional
Most people wear their shoes too short.

Go up a half size, learn how to really lace up your shoes (websearch Ian's shoelace site) and then use socks to tweak from there.

/Acey

Certified Shoe Nerd since Forever

[edit] I'm not assuming you've fallen victim to this pattern, but I've seen it *so many times* it's the first thing I suggest when I hear "bruised toenails."
 
Last edited:
I

Injured Again

Hall of Fame
megamind said:
I feel like everytime I play a match, I have a 1/3 chance of bruising my toenails or getting blisters. I moved from Barricades to Gel Resolutions, and that didn't really solve this issue.

What do you think I'm doing wrong?
Any tips?

It also happens only on my left foot, it's strange. My right foot never gets any bruises or blisters during matches, everything happens on my left.

Sorry if this post was too much info, im just tryna keep my feet pretty :X3:
Click to expand...

As I've gotten older, my feet have flattened out and I've become more susceptible to plantar fasciitis, I've taken to stacking three of those sponge pads that are used in ladies high heel shoes to provide cushioning for the balls of their feet, but I use that stack as an arch support. It helps prevent plantar issues and as a side benefit, allows me to more loosely lace up my shoes but still not have my feet slide forward in my shoe. I haven't had a bruised toenail in years, whereas before it was a common occurrence.
 
megamind

megamind

Legend
Injured Again said:
As I've gotten older, my feet have flattened out and I've become more susceptible to plantar fasciitis, I've taken to stacking three of those sponge pads that are used in ladies high heel shoes to provide cushioning for the balls of their feet, but I use that stack as an arch support. It helps prevent plantar issues and as a side benefit, allows me to more loosely lace up my shoes but still not have my feet slide forward in my shoe. I haven't had a bruised toenail in years, whereas before it was a common occurrence.
Click to expand...
thanks for the tip! i will look into this

im glad you are feet aren't Injured Again no more
 
socallefty

socallefty

G.O.A.T.
Most likely you are wearing shoes that are a half-size too small. Manufacturers change their sizing on the same model with newer versions - for instance, I was a 10.5 on Barricade 7s and had to move to 11 on Barricade 2017/2018. I first bought a 10.5 on Barricade 2017 and got bad toe-bruising and blood clots under the big toenail. It had happened to me in the past with Nike Air Max Breathe shoes too. Unfortunately, manufacturers keep making tennis shoes narrower than they used to and even people with medium-width feet have to buy bigger sizes nowadays,

Buy shoes that are half-size bigger and then if they are slightly loose, you can fix it by wearing thick socks like Thorlos. If you have heel-slippage with the bigger size, try a runner’s knot when you tie the laces to get a better fit in the back.

With regards to why the bruising happens only with your left foot, your left foot might be slightly longer than your right foot - it is very common for most people to have one foot that is slightly longer. If you go to a shoe store and have your feet measured, you’ll probably see this.
 
sredna42

sredna42

Hall of Fame
megamind said:
I feel like everytime I play a match, I have a 1/3 chance of bruising my toenails or getting blisters. I moved from Barricades to Gel Resolutions, and that didn't really solve this issue.

What do you think I'm doing wrong?
Any tips?

It also happens only on my left foot, it's strange. My right foot never gets any bruises or blisters during matches, everything happens on my left.

Sorry if this post was too much info, im just tryna keep my feet pretty :X3:
Click to expand...

Your left foot might be slightly larger than your right, so it gets toe jam/blister rubbing whilst the right is just dandy in the same size shoe.
 
Isca

Isca

Rookie
Tennis_Hands said:
Well, they don't sell shoes in different sizes for each respective side.

:cool:
Click to expand...

There used to be websites where you could find other people with the opposite foot length discrepancy and swap a shoe with each other (e.g. you need 10 left and 10.5 right, they need vice versa)! Not sure such things exist any more but I always thought it was a neat idea, though never tried myself...
 
sredna42

sredna42

Hall of Fame
megamind said:
do you have any recs?
Click to expand...
Kswiss hypercourt express, but the cushioning underfoot is garbage, take the insoles out and get aftermarket good quality ones. I gone through many many pairs.
The new HE are pretty good too, not as giving in the upper, but ever so slightly more cushioning underfoot.

I'm trying Nike Zoom Zero at the moment, they are narrow, but the material is soft so gives to your foot, and the cushioning underfoot is really good. But they have made my toes sore as hell, which is why this thread caught eye. I really like this shoe so far despite all that.

Adidas solecourt boost I'm trying as well, they are perfect for wide toebox people. But rub on the ankle bone that pokes out, and pretty bad, because of the high hard edge.
 
Isca

Isca

Rookie
sredna42 said:
Adidas solecourt boost I'm trying as well, they are perfect for wide toebox people. But rub on the ankle bone that pokes out, and pretty bad, because of the high hard edge.
Click to expand...

This is exactly what I felt about the Solecourt Boost I just tried - just wide enough in the midfoot, a bit long in the size I bought, but a dealbreaker for me was the discomfort around the collar against my ankle and upper foot. I could feel it was going to rub there. Do you find the Hypercourt Express equally wide in the mid/forefoot, but less stiff in the collar?
 
sredna42

sredna42

Hall of Fame
Isca said:
This is exactly what I felt about the Solecourt Boost I just tried - just wide enough in the midfoot, a bit long in the size I bought, but a dealbreaker for me was the discomfort around the collar against my ankle and upper foot. I could feel it was going to rub there. Do you find the Hypercourt Express equally wide in the mid/forefoot, but less stiff in the collar?
Click to expand...

Yep. The edge is alot softer around the ankle. The orginal HE are just like running shoes almost, they would be perfect if they had better cushioning, once it wear thin, your knees and hips cop every impact with every step. You will like them alot, but get better insoles. You might not think you need them at first, but trust me.

I have heaps of trouble finding the right shoes, it drives me insane. I wish I had normal feet, not these cromagnon things
 
T

travlerajm

Talk Tennis Guru
It really comes down to having shoes that fit your feet right, and making sure that the tongue area of your shoe is tight enough to prevent your foot from sliding forward. You can also try tongue pads, to allow tighter fit at the tongue with more comfort than simply lacing up tighter (as the tongue pad will keep your foot more snug against the the heel without strangulating the mid foot).
 
rader023

rader023

Rookie
sredna42 said:
Your left foot might be slightly larger than your right, so it gets toe jam/blister rubbing whilst the right is just dandy in the same size shoe.
Click to expand...
I have both of these issues, second toe on each foot always gets bruised. Its the longest toe on one foot, but not on the other, LOL.

One of my feet is definitely longer than the other, i could swear it got worse when I had knee reconstruction on the knee with the shorter foot.

To combat the bruising i have had to got from my normal size 13 to a size 13.5 or 14 and also a wide when available. It sucks that my shoes are slightly too long on one shoe, but its better than constant toe pain.
 
mmk

mmk

Hall of Fame
Tennis_Hands said:
Well, they don't sell shoes in different sizes for each respective side.

:cool:
Click to expand...
About 25 years ago I was testing software with a guy whose right foot was a 12 and his left an 11. He bought shoes from Vans, which at least back then allowed you to buy separate sizes/side. I don't know if they still offer this, but of course they don't make real tennis shoes.
 
Y

Yamin

Hall of Fame
Going nike was probably the right move. You can go down to toddler sizes and the toe will still have a mile of length.
 
T

Tennis_Hands

Banned
Yamin said:
Going nike was probably the right move. You can go down to toddler sizes and the toe will still have a mile of length.
Click to expand...

I found that more often than not it is not about the length of the shoe only, but also the shape/width of the toe box. For example, the Gel Resolutions 7 are plenty long, but if you have a broad forefoot they won't be comfortable, because they taper relatively severely. It has been a while since I wore Vapor 9.5 Tour, but I remember them being with a wide enough toe box, despite of not being as long.

:cool:
 
!<-_->!

!<-_->!

Hall of Fame
Have tried many shoes and have sized up as well. Also have this issue.

Head Sprint Pro - Way too narrow - Pinky and ring toe bruised
Adidas SCB - Index toe got bruised for the first time ever
Nike Zoom Zero - Pinky toe bruised
Nike Vapor X - didn't really have too much of an issue, but not enough cushioning
Babolat SFX3 - too wide
 
Johnny505

Johnny505

Semi-Pro
Have used those silicon toe protector bought from a well known auction site, far better than sponge tubular variety. Doesn't affect how your feet fit in the shoe, soon forget you're wearing them, washable and does a good job protecting the tip of toes from banging the front of the shoe. Front of the Barricade 8 was really stiff and didn't soften much after break in , switched to GRs and suffered the same fate.
 
D

dahcovixx

Professional
Im opposite than what was said. I prefer a very tight shoe so my foot cannot slide and toes slam into tip.

Im using the wilson rush shoes. They have a 6month warranty and a tongue sock thing (tongue attaches to insole, elstatic ends) that actually helps prevent some slide. Feels like an elastic ankle brace on the top of your foot
 
Ronaldo

Ronaldo

Bionic Poster
Modify your shoe,
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California

California

Semi-Pro
I know this sounds simplistic, but I would make sure you tighten the laces enough so that your feet don't slide forward and hit the end of the shoe when you stop quickly. Also shoes with a lot of plastic all over the toes like say, an Eclipson 2 can bother your toenails and not just your big toe. I have issues with my 3rd toe nails in shoes that the toe box is covered in plastic. As others have said, the right size is also critical. Good luck!
 
woodje12

woodje12

Rookie
I had this issue in the past and an aggressive combination of the recommendations above really helped, namely:

1) go up .5 size
2) use lace lock technique when extra holes are present
3) keep shoe laces in the mid/bottom laces tighter (if you can slip your foot into a shoe without having to struggle/use a shoe horn I'd suggest that is too loose)
4) know which brands/models you can trust (have had great success with Asics, Babolat, Adidas Ubersonics less so with Adidas Barricades)
5) keep toenails trimmed especially on big toes even though dermatologist suggested they're a little on the short side for her preference

Good luck!
 
T

Tennis_Hands

Banned
Flootoo said:
It seems like the Adizero Ubersonic is really narrow in the toebox area. Or is it just me?
Click to expand...

That would be Adidas Ü2. I wouldn't say "really narrow" as they taper less severely at the toe box compared to for example SS3s. The fit is medium to medium-narrow.

Adidas Ü3 is rather roomy at the toe box.

:cool:
 
McLovin

McLovin

Legend
I've given up and have accepted that at any time, a few of my toenails will look as if I had them painted w/ one of the latest fashionable colors: dried blood...
 
Flootoo

Flootoo

Semi-Pro
Tennis_Hands said:
That would be Adidas Ü2. I wouldn't say "really narrow" as they taper less severely at the toe box compared to for example SS3s. The fit is medium to medium-narrow.

Adidas Ü3 is rather roomy at the toe box.

:cool:
Click to expand...
And HOT. I know it's hot out here, but my feet definitely feel the heat more than they do in other tennis shoes.
 
M

mctennis

Legend
Tennis_Hands said:
Well, they don't sell shoes in different sizes for each respective side.

:cool:
Click to expand...
You use a half sole insert shim type item to make the bigger size shoe on the smaller size foot not slide around. I have that issue, one feet is bigger than the other one. So I have been using the half sole shims to make them feel the same.
 
megamind

megamind

Legend
tried wearing 2 thin socks in a recent match with a different type of lacing, still got blisters, and felt it was a tad tight, on to the next approach!
 
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