New high stack shoes feels like running on a sharp edge

What an interesting problem!

Since it's happening on two different shoes, is it possible that your socks are bunching up? I've experienced a similar problem with socks and resolved it by changing to a snug fit sock.

I've had insoles bunch up around the toes. Remove the insole and see if there are any creases in it in the locations of your pain.

It's possible that you've bruised your foot in the Hokas and it hasn't healed. Thus, you're feeling the injury in the other shoes.

Morton's neuroma occurs when the midfoot is too narrow, pushing. the bones in the ball of the foot together. Is this "edge" roughly in the middle of the ball of the foot? If so, it could be Morton's neuroma. The nerve pinch can radiate into the toes. If this is where the pain is, let me know. I can post solutions for Morton's neuroma.

When running in a shoe with a drop of 10mm, I will often get the feeling in my right foot that there's a bunched line in my sock. Is this something like what you're experiencing?

If so, I went to the podiatrist, who said it's because I have a high arch combined with a longer metatarsal. He said that basically was the perfect recipe for foot pain. He recommended custom orthotics, and the pain has been manageable ever since. It's still there on hard running days, but not nearly as bad as it was.

p.s. -- The pain gets worse with shoes in a lower drop (5 mm), which I think the Mach 4 has? Basically, if you have high arches, you may need a higher drop with some arch support. For me, that was even more than 10 mm, which is what the shoes I was running in had.

Anyway, go to a podiatrist if you can and see what they say.

Can't speak about the asics, but the Hoka platform is build like a canoe with sidewalls. You don't sit on top of the whole midsole but rather within the sidewalls. Hoka also uses a "bucket seat" analogy, but you get the idea. It's possible that your foot just isn't a match for the platform and I'd surmise the same could be true in the asics.

I think this could be the issue the OP is experiencing... at our shop we've heard a lot of similar feedback on the new Arahi as well leading to much higher than normal returns.

*stipe wrote:

Can't speak about the asics, but the Hoka platform is build like a canoe with sidewalls. You don't sit on top of the whole midsole but rather within the sidewalls. Hoka also uses a "bucket seat" analogy, but you get the idea. It's possible that your foot just isn't a match for the platform and I'd surmise the same could be true in the asics.

I have never had a blister in any running shoe I’ve ever worn. The Mach 4 not only gave me bilateral blisters on the lateral edge of my feet but dug a hole that is still tender. I have a medium arch and a relatively narrow foot! Wearing the Endorphin Speed and love them. Left Adidas after the totally ruined the boost line.

Thanks everyone for your answers!

Yesterday I tried another pair of shoes I bought with the Glideride 2, a pair og Magic Speed for faster runs. Same problem!?

Reading more, I suspect I might have a case of Mortons Neuroma, although it doesnt feel exactly like they describe. It actually feels like something is sticking up in between my toes,. But that might just be a feeling i get, and it is actually the nerve that makes it feel like this. The desription of a bunched line of sock is something similar, only that it feels much harder than a sock, more like hard plastic with a sharp edge. Weird thing is if I stop during the run and pinch my toes down, it definitely feels like a physical ridge there. But still, might just feel like it. If i walk for a minute or two, it goes away. I tried pushing down with my fingers to see if I could feel it still and couldnt. But guess the weight of me running is alot more than I can provide pushing with a couple of fingers.

I do have substantially high arches, so that might be a problem. But as mentioned, havent had any problems in the Pegasus. Also not in On Cloudflow, (which i feel is quite tight), Infinity React and an old pair of Boston Boost.

Im not sure the store will accept a return of two more shoes, after I returned the Mach 4, but can always try. Maybe my feet just needs to get used to the new shoes.

I will try to get some high arch support insole and see if it helps.

I really want the Endorphin Speed, but ended up with the Asics Magic Speed, as the Endorphin is in very limited supply here in Norway. Have had several people recommending this when I told them the Mach 4 were no good.

Thanks again for all your help. :D