Over the weekend, 300,000 participants took part in the two-day hiking event. Yesterday, reporters learned from multiple hospitals in Dalian that although no major physical injuries caused by the hike were reported this year, a number of patients with foot injuries did draw doctors' attention. "This mass-participation event revealed some minor accidents that highlighted misconceptions among Dalian residents when engaging in outdoor sports," said Tang Xuejie, director of the Emergency Department at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University. These common injuries show a serious mismatch between the public’s enthusiasm for outdoor sports and their lack of knowledge about choosing proper sports gear.
　　Event: Improper shoe selection leads to foot injuries
　　On the afternoon of May 19, in the treatment room of the Emergency Department at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, medical staff were cleaning the foot wound of 35-year-old Lin Hong. It turned out that she discovered her right big toenail had fallen off due to shoe compression and had noticeable injuries around the nail after participating in the hiking event the day before.
　　Lin Hong said that before joining the hike, she picked a pair of newly bought soft-soled leather shoes. The salesperson specifically told her that these shoes were very foot-friendly and comfortable for daily walking. However, as her heels are relatively small, to prevent the shoes from slipping off, she usually opts for a smaller size when buying open-toed shoes. Wearing these soft-soled shoes, she arrived at the hiking venue. Initially, she felt very comfortable, but after walking for over an hour, she felt her right big toe being tightly squeezed by the shoe upper. The longer she walked, the more swollen her feet became, and the pain in her toes intensified.
　　When she wanted to stop and rest, she realized that her hiking companions and the main group were moving forward, making it impossible for her to turn back or find a suitable resting spot. She had to endure the pain and keep walking. By the time she reached the next intersection where she could take a break, her right toenail area was covered in blood, and the back of her heel had been rubbed raw by the shoes.
　　She then went to the hospital for foot wound cleaning, but the toenail groove had been severely deformed and even embedded into the flesh, so the doctor had to remove the necrotic parts.
　　"After the hiking event, the emergency department treated over ten foot injury cases in just one afternoon, and there were many similar cases to Lin Hong’s, with toenails and heels being the most affected areas," Tang Xuejie said. From the condition of those who withdrew from the hike with foot injuries, improper shoe selection during exercise is largely to blame for these injuries.
　　Additionally, at the Hand and Foot Surgery Department of Dalian Central Hospital, Dr. Zhang Tiehui treated several patients who suffered foot sprains due to improper movement during the hike. He said that, based on his cases, many accidental injuries could have been effectively avoided if participants had chosen the right shoes for the activity.
　　Viewpoint: Choose slightly larger shoes for sports
　　Zhang Tiehui advised that when walking, the impact force exerted on the feet from the ground can be more than three times one's body weight. Therefore, the protective function of shoes cannot be overlooked. The belief that simply choosing thin or soft-soled shoes is enough to protect the feet during hiking is incorrect. Because the impact force on the feet during activity must be absorbed by the foot joints, and the absence of proper sole support during long-duration events like this hiking gathering can naturally lead to chronic foot injuries.
　　Zhang Tiehui believes that when choosing shoes, they should be tried on with cotton socks, and it's best to select ones that fit well or are slightly larger and looser. Also, for hiking, it's better to choose specialized sports shoes instead of substituting with soft-soled fashion shoes. Although some fashion shoes emphasize comfort with soft soles, they also prioritize appearance. Some shoes may have soft soles but a narrow fit, leading to foot compression or even toenail loss. Short walks may not reveal these problems, but during prolonged activity, many issues become apparent.
　　The protection provided by sports shoes isn't just about whether the sole is soft; it also includes aspects such as ankle support. Zhang Tiehui believes that when selecting sports shoes, the most important factor is how well the inner sole conforms to the shape of the foot, providing full support to the entire sole and ensuring balanced pressure distribution and foot safety.
　　In addition, the shoe upper should also be soft during hiking, so it can evenly distribute pressure across the toes and the top of the foot. When the toes bend, the top of the foot shouldn’t feel tight. Especially, the material at the front of sports shoes should be thickened and reinforced to protect the toes well and prevent blisters or blood blisters—or toe injuries—caused by excessive toe movement. Moreover, good sports shoes must have excellent breathability. Shoes made of synthetic leather tend to have poor ventilation, which can cause discomfort over time and increase the risk of athlete’s foot.