>>There will be a steel bar in my shoes. My wife had similar with walking boots (worn at the time) on a previous holiday.
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Shoes and boots were often made with steel "shanks " in the sole.
from another source
"The Shank is a very important part of making a top quality shoe. Between the floor and the sole of the shoe there is a space under the arch of the foot. The purpose of the shank is to provide support in this area, thus bridging the gap between the heel and the ball of the foot. Cheaney leather soled shoes all have tempered steel shanks which are encased in a plastic polymer. This type of shank provides maximum support and has little risk of moving or squeeking, problems that have plagued makers of welted shoes for decades."
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