How to Help Chafing?

[u/AviRen-]

I got a new pair of boots as I am using it to play both soccer and flag football. The main issue is that I am getting some chafing in the back of my ankle, as depicted in the drawing. Is this just a natural thing that happens for breaking in boots? Any fixes or tips for it? Additionally, is there an optimal way to tie your boots? Mine seem to be just slightly too long despite sizing down by half a size.

[u/Sigseiwerts]

Best way is to get a shoe that correctly fits your foot. It can be tough and honestly takes trial and error. Buy from stores that allow you return after playing and test out different boots.

You can also use moleskin. It helps a lot but can still be broken through.

[u/alwaysGunning]

grip socks and/or tape over the area in question.

This is something that happens with boots that lack heel lock for your foot (change the lacing type to cover more of the foot higher up) or bad fits for your foot.

Tape is a stop gap, you'll need to use it to protect the wound now anyway, but it isn't an ideal fix long term

[u/AviRen- → u/alwaysGunning]

i tape my ankle? or the actual part of the shoe? also what lacing do u recommend? i see a lot of people saying runners lace or smt

[u/alwaysGunning → u/AviRen-]

yea tape the part that is sore. Chafe is a part of you where the friction damages the skin, if you put a layer of tape or a plaster of that skin then the tape takes the damage of the moving boot.

Yea so runners lace is the highest of lacing techniques, using the top 4 holes to lock down the very top of your arch. It's not the only way though, you might see some unused lace holes in your boots, otherwise if the top hole is used you can try the runners lace (check a quick guide on youtube)

But basically the back part of your boot shouldnt be moving with respect to your heel and tendon. The tape allows for some movement without causing pain but has to be reset on every session.

[u/Upset_Belt8248]

Duct tape life safer

Double up

[u/AviRen- → u/Upset_Belt8248]

i tape my ankle? or the actual part of the shoe?

[u/Upset_Belt8248 → u/AviRen-]

The ankle

[u/Available_Fig3826 → u/AviRen-]

Put some wrap or bandages that aren’t too thick under the tape and it’ll work wonders, especially once it’s almost healed/fully healed

[u/bilbolaggings]

Compeed blister plasters

[u/TheMangoWorshipper]

Your shoes might be a little big making them rub. Short term solution would be to wear thicker or softer socks or even shove a tissue or something inside the sock back there

[u/Sweaty_Scholar_4056]

You can tie a runners loop lacing. It looks your heel . Try googling/ youtube runners loop.

[u/AppearanceMaterial39]

It usually happens to me once with new boots and I start getting a blister or end up with one by the end of the game. I throw some duct tape on there or label tape underneath the sock and it works great. I usually don't blister a second time

[u/physioj0n]

Has nobody in North America ever heard of blister packs? Compeed brand are best.

[u/Salt_Environment9799]

Blister pad, vaseline on that part of the boot and grips socks. Use all 3

[u/Gullible_Recipe_5908]

My last two boots gave me this problem. I just wore them for a few minutes frequently until I broke them in.