There’s no good time to get a foot injury. It’s always a bummer. You may have to wear a walking boot for your next holidays, or for many weekends in a row. Does it
I play soccer and had leg and foot injuries more times than I can count. A few of them involved crutches, and once I had to wear a walking boot. It was right before our Christmas break. Although I had to change our exciting plans for our trips to the Mornington Peninsula and the Blue Mountains, I still managed to have fun travelling while wearing a walking boot.
I hope my experience can help other injured
While reading this list, please keep in mind that every condition is different. If you have an injury, you should always ask for advice from a healthcare professional – and follow their orders – before considering any of these activities while wearing a walking boot.
Tips for wearing a walking boot when travelling
1. Talk to your doctor
Again, the best person to provide tips for wearing a walking boot is your doctor or physio. I felt I didn’t ask enough questions to mine. They know your injury and can advise you on what you can and cannot do, what you can try to do, and when you should stop. You should always ask a healthcare professional about the activities you can do while wearing a walking boot.
You may not like their responses: your injury may be worse than you think, or they may be conservative. I am glad I found a physio who was happy to work with me to identify activities I could do (after the required resting period, of course) and who took the time to go through the warning signs to help me decide when I should stop an activity. I’m happy to take risks to do fun activities when going on holidays, but I wouldn’t want to make an existing injury worse.
2. Learn how to use the walking boot before the trip
It’s quite simple to wear a walking boot, but there are a few tricks that you should know to be comfortable. It’s too sad to find them out along the way when discomfort appears, and you may have
A few tips I wish I knew about how to use the
- Start to close the straps on the toes and then move up;
- It’s an art to have the straps tight enough to avoid movement but without cutting off the blood flow – so check your foot often, don’t wait until it hurts;
- The air chambers can help limit movement, and it is sometimes enough to inflate/deflate as the swollen foot evolves, rather than redoing all the straps;
- Wear a shoe balancer* on the not-injured foot if you plan to walk, so your leg height isn’t uneven, and you avoid hip and lower back pain;
- Wear high large socks to limit your sweat on the liner of the walking boot as it’s not easy to clean (and dry!) – soccer socks* worked well for me;
- Protect your boot with a cover* if you plan to go to areas with sand and/or dust.
3. Be mindful of the floor surface
When you are in a familiar environment, you are so used to the floor surfaces that you don’t even think about it anymore. When
Tips for wearing a walking boot when flying
First of all, go back to tip number 1: have you confirmed with your doctor that you could fly? Most of the time, if you haven’t had surgery, it won’t be an issue. But better be safe than sorry. Your doctor may even have special tips for wearing a walking boot tailored to your particular condition.
You don’t want to just show up at the airport with your injury as a surprise. It will be a bad experience both for you and for the airport staff. Call the airline before your trip to let them know about your reduced mobility and special needs. They are often willing to make efforts, so your trip is more comfortable.
Ask for a wheelchair
No one likes the idea of going in a wheelchair. If you can walk, you may have the feeling that you’re making your injury bigger than it actually is. When all you wish is to go back to walking normally, accepting a wheelchair ride feels like regressing. But do yourself a
At the airport, you may have to cover long distances to your gate, and you may also be happy to avoid potential stairs. Being in a wheelchair and getting assistance from staff will also make it a lot easier, especially if you travel with a carry-on bag. I never like being
Make sure you arrive early and don’t have a tight schedule when you land. You sometimes have to wait for transfers or the lift to the plane, and you may be the last person out.
Be prepared for airport security
I read that some airport security might ask you to remove your walking boot. If that’s not an option for you, it could be helpful to carry a letter from your specialist doctor to support your claims during the discussion or reconsider travelling.
I’ve been asked not to go through security with my crutches. They offered a cane, but I still had to put my foot on the ground, so it wasn’t a perfect solution at all. Luckily, it wasn’t a problem for me to put weight on my foot for a few steps at that time.
Different rules apply to different airports, so checking in advance with them what will happen is always a good idea.
Find legroom on the plane
A corridor seat is tempting as it will offer more space to extend your leg in the aisle and move. However, in such a narrow environment, it comes with the risk of someone stumbling upon your injured foot. And it isn’t ideal if you have people sitting by your side as they may need to pass over you to get to their seats or move during the flight. As I’m short and didn’t need elevation or movement, I felt more comfortable with a window seat with my injured foot protected against the wall of the plane.
If you can pay the extra fee to get a seat with extra legroom, that would be the most comfortable option. Remember the exit rows
Did you injure your foot during your holidays? Check if your travel insurance can cover an upgrade to business or first class.
Suggestions for fun activities to do when travelling with a walking boot
Most destinations offer activities for people with special needs. Depending on your foot injury, you may be able to do activities that are accessible to people in wheelchairs, families with
I recommend looking for resources about accessible travel in your destination. Tourist information
I highly recommend calling operators to ask questions about accessibility and reviewing photos when you are making travel plans.
1. Road trip
A road trip is ideal as it doesn’t require using your legs most of the time. There are some road trip destinations where you don’t need to walk for too long to get the best views. You can hop off the car only a few
For some injuries, you will need to keep your leg elevated. It will be challenging in most cars, so keep this in mind before planning to spend a lot of time in your vehicle.
2. Walking
How far can you walk in a walking boot?
For some injuries, no weight-bearing is allowed with the walking boot (at least at the start of the rehab). But if your injury isn’t too bad, you may be allowed to walk as much as you want with the walking boot. Ask your doctor about how far you can walk in a walking boot. Mine was okay with no limit, as long as I was cautious, of course, and listening to my body. My walking boot totally removed the weight on the part of my foot that needed to heal.
It’s not the case for every type of injury, unfortunately. Some will need more rest than others. Or it may be too soon in your healing process to walk a lot in a walking boot. You don’t want to make your injury worse, so ask a healthcare professional. If your doctor clears you for walking, make sure you don’t walk too far too quickly though and have the right equipment (see tips below). You should not feel pain with a walking boot. Keep this in mind and if you feel pain, stop the activity you’re doing and talk to your doctor.
Go progressively and have the right equipment
If you plan to walk in a boot, make sure you wear a shoe balancer*. I didn’t
When you start walking in a boot, you want to go progressively to test your resistance. Flat accessible tracks like boardwalks are the best to begin with. You may even want to bring your crutches when you start in case you feel you walked too far with your walking boot and need to stop using your injured foot.
I was able to hike at Wentworth Falls and Pulpit Rock with an injured foot and a walking boot in the Blue Mountains, but I started with flatter and shorter wheelchair-accessible strolls!
3. Canoeing/kayaking
You don’t need your foot to paddle. However, it may be challenging to get in the canoe. It will be easier if you can get in from a pier. If you’re embarking from the shore, you may need someone’s help as you don’t want to get your walking boot all wet. Putting a plastic bag or a cover* around it protects from splashes but won’t resist submersion.
When I went canoeing near Coffs Harbour with my walking boot, I removed it while on the canoe and placed it in a waterproof bag. This way, it wouldn’t get wet, but I still had it with me should something happen that would require me to walk. Again, I asked my physio for approval beforehand. Some injuries require wearing the boot at all times.
You’d need to stick to places with no current and wear a life jacket as swimming isn’t an option and it’s not the right time for an adventurous expedition.
4. Joining a boat cruise
That’s even easier than canoeing. Once on the boat, you need to find a great spot and stick to it. It only works if you have someone willing to bring whatever you may need. Indeed, finding your balance may be challenging if you try to walk while the boat is moving and even not recommended for your injury.
As often, the best is to call the operator and explain your condition. If they know in advance, they should be able to arrange a few extra services to make your cruise more comfortable.
I ended up having crutches for our trip to Sydney for the Vivid Festival. There was no way I could deal with hoping in the crowd and standing up for hours. So we ended up booking a cruise around Sydney Harbour to view some of the light shows. Although it wasn’t our initial plan, we had a fantastic time, and it was a nice way to visit the city.
5. Snorkelling
If you are wearing a walking boot to avoid putting weight on a particular area of your foot – which was my case with my midfoot injury – you might be able to
Like for canoeing, the access will be challenging. And you’ll have to choose a safe and easy place without current, so you don’t need to use your foot. With a flotation device and a line, or a friend (or a guide), you won’t need to make many efforts with your legs. If you are not an experienced snorkeller, you’ll surely want to wait for a better time to try this activity.
6. Paragliding and parasailing
During a paragliding tandem flight, you kind of sit, relax and enjoy the views. The take-off and landing will be challenging parts, especially with an injured foot. In Rainbow Beach (near K’gari/Fraser Island in Australia), my instructor could handle take-off and landing with me just lifting my legs so I wouldn’t use my injured knee.
However, being able to fly like this may depend on a few other things that I’m not aware of. The best way to know if it can work with your particular injury is to ask!
7. Skydiving
You don’t need your legs to free fall from an airplane, right…? And your instructor will manage the landing. Isn’t it incredible that you may be able to do one of the craziest things ever while wearing a walking boot? I have a friend who did this in New Zealand when she injured her ankle just before her trip and had to wear a walking boot. Like I did when I went paragliding, she lifted her legs for landing. Of course, this activity, again, will not be appropriate for any type of injury (some cannot even go on a plane) – make sure you ask your doctor or physio and the operator.
8. Eating and drinking
It could be the most appropriate time to enjoy a foodie experience. Some destinations are all about food and drinks. You should be able to access wineries, breweries, and restaurants with a walking boot without too much effort. Bonus: if you cannot use your foot, you won’t have to take part in the debate about who will be the driver!
In the Mornington Peninsula, we spent some time visiting a distillery and a winery.
9. Going to the beach
Depending on your level of mobility, you may not be able to go to any beach, unfortunately. Walking on sand is a lot harder than on a hard, flat surface. I tried with crutches, and it was a full-on workout session for my arms; I wouldn’t recommend it.
Some beaches have beach mats that make them accessible for wheelchairs. It’s also a lot easier to walk on the beach mat when you have a foot injury.
If you have good mobility and your healthcare professional is happy to clear you for walking on sand, your main challenge when going to the beach with a walking boot is not to let sand come inside your boot. Your skin may get irritated and itchy if sand comes in, and sand gets everywhere… You may want to add some protection with a cover for your walking boot like this one*. As it doesn’t take the bottom of the boot, you won’t lose the grip. Those taking the full boot can be very slippery, and I would not recommend them for walking.
10. Cultural activities
I’m a huge fan of outdoor activities. But I sometimes enjoy going indoors for an opportunity to learn more about the culture of the destination I’m visiting. If, like me, you’re not fond of museums, how about art galleries, shows or even classes? They are calm activities that you can do when wearing a walking boot.
Some museums and art galleries are big and require a lot of walking and standing. You may want to ask before signing up if there are some seating opportunities during the visit.
What clothes to wear with a walking boot when travelling?
I found out I could not wear most of my usual pants and socks with a walking boot; they were not comfortable. As mentioned before, you should wear a shoe balancer* on the non-injured foot if you plan to walk. A high-breathable sock to reduce sweat and friction on the liner of the boot is also recommended; I found my soccer socks* did the trick. If you cannot find socks that are high enough, leggings* may work well. Then, it’s all about being comfortable rather than fashionable. I recommend avoiding pants that you’ll have to fold in the walking boots or above it; it won’t be comfortable at all.
That’s why I really liked wearing leggings or breathable hiking pants with my walking boot. The clothes you wear with a walking boot when travelling will obviously depend on the weather. If it’s hot, shorts or skirts can be a good option (as long as you have high socks).
If you want to wear pants to cover the walking boot and look more elegant, wide-leg pants* and elephant pants* can work well for women. My walking boot was black, and I found that wearing black pants worked better to blend the walking boot in with the pants.
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FAQs
What activities can you do in a walking boot? ›
If you are in a walking boot, then you can stand, but avoid doing any exercises that involve jumping or otherwise moving your feet. It's usually ok to stand in one place, however, and do the upper body strengthening.
What should you not do in a walking boot? ›Keep your feet and your knees straight.
The weight/shape of the boot is going to make you want to turn your feet outwards as you walk, sit or stand. DON'T. Be sure your second toe is always pointing in the same straight line as the center of your knee.
You can't sit in an exit row and you might struggle to fit into a normal row, depending on how big the boot is. Best to contact the airline and inform them about it, they'll do their best to accommodate you.
Is it OK to walk in a walking boot without crutches? ›Do You Need Crutches with a Walking Boot? The idea of the walking boot is to take excess weight off your injured foot so you can feel better. The legs are the ultimate shock absorbers and keeping weight off may require using some assistive device, even with a walking boot, but it doesn't have to be crutches.
Is it OK to drive with a walking boot? ›It is NOT safe to drive with a cam boot or cast. The bottom line, here, is that braking response time – the time it takes to brake in response to a perceived need – is significantly increased whenever the ankle is restricted. Thus, it is NOT safe to drive with a cam boot or cast.
Should I keep my walking boot on all day? ›If supplied, wear the boot for comfort and use crutches when walking. It is ok to take the boot off at night, when resting at home and to wash. Regularly perform the exercises below to get your movement back.
Is a walking boot weight bearing? ›Physicians routinely prescribe partial weight bearing in a walking boot following fractures of the lower limbs in order to produce the needed mechanical environment to facilitate healing. Plantar pressure measurements can provide key information regarding the mechanical environment experienced by lower limb bones.
How many hours a day should you wear an Aircast? ›DO wear your sock and boot any time you are on your feet. DO spend about 2 to -3 hours each day with your ankle elevated above the level of your heart. This helps to reduce swelling and bruising.
Should I wear a sock under my walking boot? ›Adding a sock to the equation is a good idea for a few reasons: It will help reduce any friction between the brace and your skin, which can help prevent any chafing or blisters. Socks for walker boots can act as a buffer between your foot (and its sweat and dead skin cells) and the brace.
Can you go to the beach with a walking boot? ›If you have good mobility and your healthcare professional is happy to clear you for walking on sand, your main challenge when going to the beach with a walking boot is not to let sand come inside your boot. Your skin may get irritated and itchy if sand comes in, and sand gets everywhere…
How long should you walk with a walking boot? ›
Overview. Walking boots protect broken bones and other injuries of the lower leg, ankle, or foot. They prevent more damage and help the area heal. Your doctor may have you use a boot for 1 to 6 weeks.
How much room should you have in a walking boot? ›The rule of thumb when buying walking boots is that you should be able to fit a good finger width (1/2 inch) between the back of your leg and the shoe. Your footwear should not slide at all and there should be a bit of wiggle room at the front of the shoe for your toes.
What is the best shoe to wear with a walking boot? ›The most important thing to do in order to wear a walking boot comfortably is to ensure that you are wearing a shoe of the same height on the opposite foot. A running shoe often works well if it has a higher heel than forefoot.
How do you sleep in a walking boot? ›Another good tip on a related subject is to sleep with pillows surrounding the boot in order to support the foot and avoid its displacement. It will also cushion the foot against any external impacts that may aggravate the injury.
How much does a walking boot weigh? ›How much does a walking boot weigh? Most walking boots are about 8-12 pounds. However, there are different styles that are lighter, some that are heavier. The average range is 8-12 pounds.
How long do you wear a walking boot during the day? ›Reducing pressure here allows the tissue to rest and heal. How long to wear it? For ball of foot pain, most patients wear the boot for about 7 days.
How long does it take to wean out of a walking boot? ›These progressions typically happen over a 2, 4 or 6 week period. In some cases we allow patients to transitional directly out of the after an appropriate amount of time. This will be determined at your visit based on your condition and recovery process.
Should your foot move in a walking boot? ›The boot should limit movement but not cut off your blood flow. If your boot has one or more air chambers, pump them up as directed by your healthcare provider. Stand up and take a few steps to practice walking. Deflate the air chambers before removing the boot.
Should walking boots be tight or loose? ›Walking boots should be snug and comfortable, with no space for the feet to move around, but not too tight to allow them to remain breathable. When trying on boots, perhaps wear thicker socks than usual to keep in mind that you'll need additional space for hiking socks.
What happens after 6 weeks of non weight bearing? ›Skeletal muscle weakness and atrophy occur following an extended period of decreased use, including space flight and limb unloading. It is also likely that affected muscles will be susceptible to a re-loading injury when they begin return to earth or weight bearing.
Are you supposed to wear a sock in an Aircast? ›
Always wear a sock or stockinette when in the air cast. Inflate the air cast equally on both sides. Make sure the air cast fits snugly. If the air cast feels too tight, release some air from the air cast bladders.
What is the difference between an Aircast and a walking boot? ›Unlike the standard walking boots, the Air Cast Boot surrounds the regions of the leg that are covered in a comfortable and “supportive” air cushion. These boots are also much easier to adjust to provide a customized fit and comfortable support.
Can a walking boot cause blood clots? ›When you have your leg held in a certain position by a cast or boot, you are at higher risk of developing a blood clot. This leaflet will help you understand how you might reduce the risk of this happening.
Do you take walking boot off to shower? ›Keep your boot dry. Moisture can collect under the boot and cause skin irritation and itching. If you have a wound or have had surgery, moisture under the boot can increase the risk of infection. If your doctor says to keep your boot on to shower, protect it so that it won't get wet.
Can I fly with a fracture boot? ›It's best to check with your travel operator or airline. Some airlines require you to wait 24 hours after a plaster cast has been fitted for flights less than 2 hours, and 48 hours for longer flights. This is because there's a risk of swelling after a plaster cast is first fitted, which can affect your circulation.
What clothes to wear with a walking boot? ›The clothes you wear with a walking boot when travelling will obviously depend on the weather. If it's hot, shorts or skirts can be a good option (as long as you have high socks). If you want to wear pants to cover the walking boot and look more elegant, wide-leg pants* and elephant pants* can work well for women.
Are you allowed to walk with a walking boot? ›In general, as long as you have crutches or a knee scooter, you can walk as much as you need to in a walking boot. But your options of where you can walk, and what else you can do while walking, are very limited. This is because your upper body isn't used to carry your body weight.
Should you wear boots to the airport? ›1. Boots or shoes that are difficult to remove. Some airports will only make you remove your shoes if they are boots, as they might have metal tips or thick soles. We travel wearing crocs or other slip-on shoes to the airport, which are super easy to remove when required going through security.
Should you wear a sock with a walking boot? ›Adding a sock to the equation is a good idea for a few reasons: It will help reduce any friction between the brace and your skin, which can help prevent any chafing or blisters. Socks for walker boots can act as a buffer between your foot (and its sweat and dead skin cells) and the brace.
What to expect after walking boot comes off? ›After weeks of wearing a cast, your foot is likely to feel a little strange when it comes off. Apart from looking a bit pale and wrinkled, your foot may also be swollen and a bit stiff. But once the cast is off, your foot will feel lighter and easier to manoeuvre.
Should I wear my walking boot all day? ›
If supplied, wear the boot for comfort and use crutches when walking. It is ok to take the boot off at night, when resting at home and to wash. Regularly perform the exercises below to get your movement back. X Try to stop using the boot and to walk without crutches.
Can you bear weight in a walking boot? ›Physicians routinely prescribe partial weight bearing in a walking boot following fractures of the lower limbs in order to produce the needed mechanical environment to facilitate healing.
Is a walking boot considered orthopedic? ›A controlled ankle motion walking boot, or CAM boot, also sometimes called a below knee walking boot or moon boot, is an orthopedic device prescribed for the treatment and stabilization of severe sprains, fractures, and tendon or ligament tears in the ankle or foot.
Why should you wear socks at the airport? ›But anyone who's ever been left barefoot on the cold airport floor has likely wondered: Should I be wearing socks? The short answer: Probably. "Just about every floor surface—at shopping centers, gyms, airports, and other places—is coated in bacteria like E. coli and Staph as well as other pathogens," says Kathryn H.
What should you not wear at the airport? ›What Not to Wear: Cargo Pants or Shorts. “Cargo pants and shorts are one of the most difficult items of clothing at the airport,” Pruitt advises. “All the different pockets become a major hassle because they almost always set off the alarm.
What are airport friendly boots? ›Unlike regular steel cap safety boots, airport friendly boots are made with composite toe caps and other non-metal materials, which can include Kevlar, fiberglass, plastic, and carbon fibre, among others.