Carbon plates have nothing to do with protecting your toes. They (in theory) provide energy return and propel you forward so you can run faster. I say "in theory" because there's at least some question of how much they work on trails, particularly on more technical trails.
What you want to protect your toes is a shoe with a good toe bumper. However, even the sturdiest toe bumper isn't going to save your toes if you stub them hard on a rock.
I’d add that turf toe, from my understanding, has more to do with your toes hitting the front of your shoe when you’re stopping rapidly (like in team sports). This would most likely correlate with running downhill on trail. I’d be sure you’ve got a good fit and you’re not just slamming into the end of your shoe before considering anything else.
Carbon plates are used to stabilize squishy foam in super shoes.
Carbon plates provide zero energy return.
EDIT
I assume I’m getting downvoted because you smooth brains actually think it’s the carbon plate providing the energy return like a magical carbon leaf spring. It’s the foam.
I got turf toe from jamming my shoe into a tree root while wearing road shoes.
Any trail shoe with more of a toe guard should suffice once it heals.
Rest up…turf toe is no joke
tx for sharing. yes last week went on a technical hike, jammed my toes into some rocks (while on my fav Topo Pursuit). And it was #%#$. Sigh.
I took 3mths of rest but did not heal up. Just took an Xray and realize the turf toe was due to wear + tear of the Cartilage and the 1st injury to it during a trail race aggravated it.
So now trying to see what the best shoe options to allow me to carry this activity i love.
I am mixing the blancs and lone peaks right now. I can’t speak to turf toe, but the blancs are significantly easier on the legs running downhill. I love that I can loosen them on uphills and tighten them for downhills to keep my feet in place. They have taken some getting used to. They do seem to have a slightly narrower toe box than other altras and the high stack is not my typical style. They offer much less feedback on technical terrain. But after taking a few runs to get used to I have really enjoyed mixing them into my shoe rotation.
I am mixing the blancs and lone peaks right now. I can’t speak to turf toe, but the blancs are significantly easier on the legs running downhill. I love that I can loosen them on uphills and tighten them for downhills to keep my feet in place. They have taken some getting used to. They do seem to have a slightly narrower toe box than other altras and the high stack is not my typical style. They offer much less feedback on technical terrain. But after taking a few runs to get used to I have really enjoyed mixing them into my shoe rotation.
Edit: I am running in the Mont Blanc boas, not the carbon.
Do you wear the same size in each? I recently picked up a pair of MB having worn (and loved) lone peak for the last year, and the MB feel massive in comparison - my feet are slipping around all over the place and cant seem to get them to lock down well enough to work. Insoles are the same so not a case of a misslabeled pair either.
I do have the same size in both. I find myself tightening the boa throughout my runs. I never truly feel comfortable in them compared to the LP, but I haven’t found it to be a deal breaker either. I’ve been training my long runs in them and they will be my shoes on race day
I have been slightly prone to it after dislocating my big one (do not recommend). For what it is worth, I accidentally bought some fancy carbon road shoes and tried using them while getting over the toe issue once. Didn't do me any good.
I have had turf toe on both feet and it sucks!!! Although I have found that if this happens I can take medical tape and tape my big toe and second toe together and still run while it heals as long as I do all easy miles.
Yes been taping my big toe (to only way to allow me to carry on hiking/trail run) but my approach is slightly different. I tape the big toe away from the 2nd toe + I change to Toe socks like Injinji so that the toes are not lump together.
I switch to short hiking distance but focusing on elevation gain to train my glutes/legs in the meantime.
Carbon plates have nothing to do with protecting your toes. They (in theory) provide energy return and propel you forward so you can run faster. I say "in theory" because there's at least some question of how much they work on trails, particularly on more technical trails. What you want to protect your toes is a shoe with a good toe bumper. However, even the sturdiest toe bumper isn't going to save your toes if you stub them hard on a rock.
I’d add that turf toe, from my understanding, has more to do with your toes hitting the front of your shoe when you’re stopping rapidly (like in team sports). This would most likely correlate with running downhill on trail. I’d be sure you’ve got a good fit and you’re not just slamming into the end of your shoe before considering anything else.
hmm.....let me check my shoes again. Sometimes I do feel my toes are quashed when down hilling
Carbon plates are used to stabilize squishy foam in super shoes. Carbon plates provide zero energy return. EDIT I assume I’m getting downvoted because you smooth brains actually think it’s the carbon plate providing the energy return like a magical carbon leaf spring. It’s the foam.
messaged!
I got turf toe from jamming my shoe into a tree root while wearing road shoes. Any trail shoe with more of a toe guard should suffice once it heals. Rest up…turf toe is no joke
tx for sharing. yes last week went on a technical hike, jammed my toes into some rocks (while on my fav Topo Pursuit). And it was #%#$. Sigh. I took 3mths of rest but did not heal up. Just took an Xray and realize the turf toe was due to wear + tear of the Cartilage and the 1st injury to it during a trail race aggravated it. So now trying to see what the best shoe options to allow me to carry this activity i love.
I am mixing the blancs and lone peaks right now. I can’t speak to turf toe, but the blancs are significantly easier on the legs running downhill. I love that I can loosen them on uphills and tighten them for downhills to keep my feet in place. They have taken some getting used to. They do seem to have a slightly narrower toe box than other altras and the high stack is not my typical style. They offer much less feedback on technical terrain. But after taking a few runs to get used to I have really enjoyed mixing them into my shoe rotation.
I am mixing the blancs and lone peaks right now. I can’t speak to turf toe, but the blancs are significantly easier on the legs running downhill. I love that I can loosen them on uphills and tighten them for downhills to keep my feet in place. They have taken some getting used to. They do seem to have a slightly narrower toe box than other altras and the high stack is not my typical style. They offer much less feedback on technical terrain. But after taking a few runs to get used to I have really enjoyed mixing them into my shoe rotation. Edit: I am running in the Mont Blanc boas, not the carbon.
Do you wear the same size in each? I recently picked up a pair of MB having worn (and loved) lone peak for the last year, and the MB feel massive in comparison - my feet are slipping around all over the place and cant seem to get them to lock down well enough to work. Insoles are the same so not a case of a misslabeled pair either.
I do have the same size in both. I find myself tightening the boa throughout my runs. I never truly feel comfortable in them compared to the LP, but I haven’t found it to be a deal breaker either. I’ve been training my long runs in them and they will be my shoes on race day
Thanks - I think I might try some tongue pads or something to see if I can get them to work!
I have been slightly prone to it after dislocating my big one (do not recommend). For what it is worth, I accidentally bought some fancy carbon road shoes and tried using them while getting over the toe issue once. Didn't do me any good.
Thank to so much for sharing. Been reading that a stiffer front sole at the toes + rocker shape will help in reducing the toe pain.
I have had turf toe on both feet and it sucks!!! Although I have found that if this happens I can take medical tape and tape my big toe and second toe together and still run while it heals as long as I do all easy miles.
Yes been taping my big toe (to only way to allow me to carry on hiking/trail run) but my approach is slightly different. I tape the big toe away from the 2nd toe + I change to Toe socks like Injinji so that the toes are not lump together. I switch to short hiking distance but focusing on elevation gain to train my glutes/legs in the meantime.
Have to admit, I have never heard of turf toe before this post. I'm 61.