So
you have a blister. Every single step is a painful
ordeal. You've tried EVERYTHING to avoid them but
you still get them! Well, with a little planning and
care the thought of strapping on your boots shouldn't
make you wince ever again. Follow these simple tips
to give you a little more bounce to your step the
next time you hit the trail.
Double
Check The Boot Fit:
If you're a beginning backpacker and you're not used
to the feel of hiking boots, wear them at home for
a couple of days for several hours to be sure they
are comfortable. Seek out a reputable store and an
experienced salesperson to find the best fit. If you
wear them at home and they don't feel right, you can
take them back to the store for exchange.
Break
In Your Boots:
This is usually as much of an issue of toughening
your feet as softening your boots. Any way you look
at it, your feet and boots are going to have to reach
a compromise, and better they work out their differences
near home than on the trail. I like to walk about
50 miles in new boots before I hit the trail (which
is great exercise, too). But even trustworthy comfy
boots need to be reintroduced to your feet if you've
been sitting around all winter. Before a big trip,
go out for a couple of four- or five-mile shorties
near your home so your feet and your boots can renew
their acquaintance.
Wear
Wicking Socks:
polypropylene or nylon are fine - under a pair of
wool or wool-and-nylon blend outer socks. The wicking
socks are less abrasive, plus they move moisture away
from your feet. Never wear cotton socks - cotton absorbs
moisture and practically guarantees blisters.
Take
It Easy:
Go easy on the mileage and keep your packweight as
low as possible.
Fix
The Problem Right Away:
The absolutely number one most important rule of blister
prevention: The second you feel the slightest hint
of something rubbing in your shoe, STOP! Ignore your
hiking partner's pleas to just keep going. Find the
pebble, grass-seed, clump of dirt, grain of sand,
or wrinkle in the sock. If it's a tight boot that's
causing trouble, rub the inside of your boot with
the blunt rounded end of a Swiss army knife to try
to stretch the leather or fabric. If you know you've
got a vulnerable trouble spot, like the back of your
heel, put a piece of moleskin on it before you start
walking. Another good way to beef up a known hot spot
is by applying crazy glue (yes, crazy glue!) to the
area. Crazy glue gives you an artifitial extra layer
of skin and can sometimes be more comfortable than
moleskin.
Treatment:
Treat a hot spot with moleskin on the trail. If
a blister has already started forming (it can happen
in mere seconds), use a dressing called Second Skin
(available from Spenco). This dressing was developed
to treat burns—and after all, blisters are
nothing more than friction burns. Whether you're
putting moleskin over a hot spot or adhesive tape
over a Second Skin dressing, remember that tape
adheres better to dry skin than wet skin—so
use a bandanna to dry your sweaty feet first.
So
you have a blister. Every single step is a painful
ordeal. You've tried EVERYTHING to avoid them but
you still get them! Well, with a little planning and
care the thought of strapping on your boots shouldn't
make you wince ever again. Follow these simple tips
to give you a little more bounce to your step the
next time you hit the trail. 
Double
Check The Boot Fit:
For
more information please refer to the