Tabi for both feet???

[neanderthal]

Ive just been diagnosed with diabetes and one of the problems with diabetes is that it can affect your feet badly, so basically i need protection for both feet as much as possible.
as ive been out of practice i expect the blisters and what not!!!
the dr. said i shouldnt continue with kendo but i see no harm if my feet are protected.
are there any really good tabi out there or are the general ones fine. ive always used one on my right foot as that seemed to get the most battering.
also any more general advice on foot care, especially after practice - im thinking a foot bath then a cleaning with surgical spirit.
thanks in advance for your advice.

[ScottUK]

Would you be better off with tabi that protect the whole foot? There are some iai ones with a leather sole that may suit you and still provide a decent grip on the floor (or at least, better than the cotton-soled ones offer).

[jjcruiser]

This sounds like a good question for a diabetics group. Unless there are diabetics or doctors on here, none of us is going to be able to give good advice on the underlying question. Personally I don't know why or how feet are in danger from diabetes, but I know that no matter what tabi or heel protectors you wear, Kendo is inherently hard on your feet. That said, all the major kendo supply places have various foot protectors. Buy a few and see which ones you like.

[ender84567]

I have seen diabetics wearing the full foot tabi before.

[MikeW]

I've been diabetic for 42 years and have done kendo for about 12. The main thing is to make sure you look at your feet and take care of them not only after each practice but regularly regardless of practice. After each practice it is a good idea to wash your feet and if there are any blisters, cuts or any place the skin is broken you should make sure it is cleaned and put some antibiotic ointment on and then a bandage. Diabetics are prone to circulation problems, especially in the extremities and foot problems are common if you don't take appropriate care of your feet.

That said I have not had any trouble with my feet despite kendo. When I first started I used to get blisters occasionally but now I rarely do (can't remember the last time I had a blister). It's not a bad idea to keep some antibacterial spray or ointment in your bogu bag along with some clean cloth and bandaids so you can make on the spot care if something happens. Also you should always carry some juice or some kind of quick energy snack with you in your bogu bag so if you start encountering low blood sugar at or after practice you can stabilize yourself. lastly, you should make sure several people, including your sensei and/or senpai know you have diabetes because they can often times pick up that you are low on blood sugar before you can realize it yourself.

[neanderthal]

Thank you all so much for your replies.
my diabetes dr. said i should give up kendo and take up swimming, i almost laughed her out of the room and then cried my poor heart out. but i just nodded and thought nothings going to stop me.
For those non-diabetics, diabetics are prone to having bad feet and very easily infected from the tiniest cut or graze and ive seen some alwful ulcers and sores.
that said having been out a while it will take a few blisters to harden up the skin more and i just needed advice on prolonging the baby feet skin.
i will definately tell my senseis and also carry a few snacks and sugary drinks for emergencies along with my blood glucose test. As if im giving it my all and start to look wobbly, they will be able to spot it and tap me out, i may just get carried away.
anyway i will start slowly at first, perhaps with the beginners as i need to get my swing back and the basics are always fundamental no matter how many years youve practiced.
thanks again for your time and advice!!!

[Tort-Speed]

Hello, Though not diabetic I have had foot-skin trouble especially the right at the front part, since starting Kendo 23 years ago. (Former classmates called me "the Mummy" til I moved to Japan and found dark blue protectors and lots of folks wearing them.) The left has hardened and cleared up but I still wear a thick-soled half-tabi covering the toes and ball of the foot and a heel protector on the other; for Dan tests, I have used skin-colored tape. About your physician's advice, possibly the chance of infection is also there in swimming pools and showers. Keep laughing and go for it!

[neanderthal]

excellent advice from everyone.

as for the cover all tabi, where are they sold?

i will check out my local budo shop this weekend but ive never seen them apart from kimono type tabis which im sure id be sliding everywhere inif i wore those.

thanks again its really helpful.

[ScottUK]

Nine circles used to do some leather-soled ones, so they are definitely available. Ask at your local shop.