Compression socks/anklets for hiking – worthwhile?

I’m looking forward to a three day hike next week, quite flat (northern half of Fife Coastal Path) but 35km days.

I wasn’t concerned about the distance, doesn’t seem THAT long ago I was doing 30km days over multiple Munros with my camping gear, but my feet and Achilles think otherwise! I think it’s a sort of incipient plantat fascitis thing although I feel it mostly behind the heel rather than below. No doubt because tendons still aren’t used to 20,000 or 30,000 steps a day!

Not much more prep I can do now, have stuck a more supportive pair of insoles in my shoes and will swap my sturdy 2kg tent for the fiddly 1kg tent 😂

Would a set of compression socks or the wee ankle versions help? They seem popular with runners anyway…

Are you in a sitting job? Could be your feet just aren’t used to walking lots. When I had a driving job my Achilles suffered especially.

Good new socks, regular breaks and a bit of foot massage on my regular stops help. Reducing the weight on your back, yes.

Sometimes a more supportive shoe, heavier probably but comfier overall. I have a meindl boot that I can walk forever in but is heavy. My altras are super lightweight but sometimes not supportive enough if I’ve not worn them enough

Are you in a sitting job? Could be your feet just aren’t used to walking lots

Absolutely this. I thought I was doing enough walking etc. to re-condition myself but evidently too little too late.

I might have gone the wrong way, switched from heavy/sturdy Altbergs to some more cushioned running shoes, but I wonder if the flex in the running shoes is exposing the weakness in my feet more. Too late to switch back though I think.

At least feet aren’t crazy sore today, and I finished a biggish hike yesterday merely ‘tender’ than properly sore. It was only banging my heel against a wooden chair leg later in the evening that was properly agonising!

I went straight into a 3 week trek last summer in untested altras, I was worried as my arches hurt underneath pretty badly although everything else felt good. I’d been wearing work boots for ever and I think my feet were just used to a heavier supportive boot. After a couple of days the arch pains disappeared, I had never experienced t before so was worried but it was fine. I can only assume I got used to the new shoes pretty quick!

I think the softer flexible soles do expose your foot strength as you say. Tales a while to build up the muscle, or in my case two days!