 You can reduce the risk of blistering by doing something as simple as taking slightly shorter strides when going up hill and by finding flattish placements when you can. When you're really striding out there is a lot of preasure put on your heel. Also on really steep slopes point your toes to one side and walk up a bit sideways. It might not sound like much but over the course of 15 miles it'll make a huge diference to the amount of pressure put on your heel. I walk like this whenever I'm wearing my winter boots and they never give me greif. I used to have a lot of trouble with blisters on my heels when I was wearing boots as I spend the summer walking in trail/fell running shoes and the switch accross to boots in the winter always caused blisters. I went through the usual processes of checking laces, insoles etc but none of it made much of a difference. Once I changed the way I was walking the trouble stopped. I'm not saying dont try what the others have suggested, just that theres one more thing to try!
|
 |
 So true Ward! It is all about taking your time and not going hell for leather! I took my time last week walking 15 miles a day but not stretching myself and it made a huge difference. I think when your doing longer distances you underestimate just how quickly you can actually get from A to B by going at a steady pace.
|
|
Those who know me know I'm not a huge advocate of "taking your time" but I really don't think that taking smaller steps up hill slows you down a hell of a lot. You can just increase your cadence to compensate a bit and the fact you're not striding out means you're conserving energy so maybe wont have to stop for rests so much. You're right though Its amazing how far you can go in a day just by ploding on slowly but relentlesly! Jos naylor managed to do the bob graham round in 24hrs without running after all.
|
|
Jos naylor managed to do the bob graham round in 24hrs without running after all.
PS... I don't think that was beacause of broblems with blisters though
|
|
 just to add my 2c worth i had a pair of lowa 4 season boots which never gave me blister probs but got a pair zamberlan monta rosa which gave me awful blisters with the thick socks i used to wear with the lowas, i have several pair of thin socks which dont give me any blisters so thinner socks sorted me out. you just have to try stuff until you get it right. mind you i know people who have theown boots away cos they just kept on getting blisters.
|
|
I get blisters on left foot more than the right (slight variation between feet fairly common or maybe my mother only told me that to make me fell less "special"). Also get hardened skin under my metatarsal Thanks, Parky, for introducing me to lacing techniques but most of all for Ian's Shoelace Site - Bringing you the fun, fashion & science of shoelaces For my biking needs - http://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/hikingbikinglacing.htm This will solve the porblem of my laces catching on the peddles (the loops have a habit of lassooing the around the cogs as well).
|
|
Thanks everyone for all your suggestions.
Blisters have now disappeared!
So i know now how to take care of my feet whilst walking!
New laces are tied nicely AND boots fit nice n snug now.
So cheers for top tips.
|
|
A tip for toughening up the skin on your feet is to use meths. Many years ago I returned from my first hike and my feet felt like they were on fire. My mother told me not to use cream as it would ony soften the skin further (like someone said earlier.) Her advice was to use methylated spirits. Use cotton pads to wipe the soles, ankles, heels and the top of the toes. It really toughens the skin.
|
|
 Hi Nicki, I was known throughout my school for my blisters whilst taking part in walking challenges-I tried everything imaginable but in the end what did it was a pair of sorbothane innersoles to help with pressure (the usual cause of blisters on the bottom of the heel) and a pair of salomon boots to help with friction (the usual cause of blisters on the side of the heel) as I have very narrow feet and the clever locking bit that the laces go through kept my heel in place. Also these boots were more breathable than my previous cheapy boots which helped to keep my feet very slightly drier. Like derek said-I also used surgical spirits on my feet which helped. Glad your blisters are sorted-I hope this will prove helpful to someone though
|
|
 I recall quite suddenly, that Country Walking magazine staff and readers were forever always banging on about using Calpol Babies Teething Gel on ones blistered feet-to dissolve away the blistered blues! Presumably one can also use the rival similar brand of goods on the chemists shop shelves equally well, to similarly soothe properly tattered tootsies after a long hard walk too!
|
| Edited: 06/04/08 12:15 |
