Preventing Blisters
Preventing:
How to avoid foot blisters
What causes foot blisters
HEAT !- is the main reason why we get foot blisters.
The heat is caused by friction and moisture.
The heat is caused by friction and moisture.
Friction:
This is when your skin rubs against your boot.
Any grit or dust that gets between them increases the chances of blisters.
This is when your skin rubs against your boot.
Any grit or dust that gets between them increases the chances of blisters.
Moisture:
In my opinion – This is the main cause for blisters.
Wet feet from sweat softens the skin so it becomes more open to friction.
In my opinion – This is the main cause for blisters.
Wet feet from sweat softens the skin so it becomes more open to friction.
So in a nut shell ; if you can prevent these two reasons (Friction) and (Moisture). The cause for blister is reduced.
What do I need to do to prevent blisters ?
What do I need to do to prevent blisters ?
1 Find the correct hiking boots
2 Wear the correct socks.
3 Get your feet fit for hiking.
4 After care (Treatment for those tired feet)
2 Wear the correct socks.
3 Get your feet fit for hiking.
4 After care (Treatment for those tired feet)
1 How to find the correct hiking boots !
You are going to set off on a trek to environments that are alien to hiking beginners.
That last thing you need is to find that half way through your trek your feet break-down.
What Type Of Hiking Footwear ?
The two Boots (or Shoes), are:- ‘Low Cut‘, and ‘Mid Cut’
We are going to look at just two types of hiking footwear,
These will be ideal for the shorter treks, or for the many beginners that are taking their first steps towards this life changing activity.
These will be ideal for the shorter treks, or for the many beginners that are taking their first steps towards this life changing activity.
The boot needs to fit and feel good.
Walking shoe. (Low cut)
Walking shoe. (Low cut)
For the beginner – you will start with short hiking so a good walking shoe could be what you need.
These would suit road or hill walking.
They can be made of a number of materials:- Leather – Suede – or fabric.
Most walking shoes have a combination of fabric and leather or suede.
What you are looking for is a stiff mid section with a flexibility to the front.
Do they need to be waterproof?
This depends of cause on where you are going to walk.
A dry arid enjoinment would probably be ok for a non-waterproof shoe.
This depends of cause on where you are going to walk.
A dry arid enjoinment would probably be ok for a non-waterproof shoe.
Walking in wet grass, rainy areas or place that have small streams. Would need a waterproof shoe so the trek would be more enjoyable.
Walking shoe: (Mid cut).
A bit more support.
A mid-cut boot is advisable when your trek takes you over fields or bush-walking.
If you plan to be trekking over snow, small streams or back-county areas the mid-cut would give you more ankle support and keep your feet drier.
A bit more support.
A mid-cut boot is advisable when your trek takes you over fields or bush-walking.
If you plan to be trekking over snow, small streams or back-county areas the mid-cut would give you more ankle support and keep your feet drier.
You need to find Hiking Boots that are a good fit that don’t rub your feet or have painful pressure points.
Breathable but waterproof Hiking Boots will get rid of the feet’s excess moisture and prevent water entering your boot.
A fully gusseted tongue is essential.
A fully gusseted tongue is essential.
Gusseted means the tongue is fixed to the sides of the boot.
This will prevent dust, sand and grit from slipping inside.
It will keep water out of your boot as well.
This will prevent dust, sand and grit from slipping inside.
It will keep water out of your boot as well.
2 Wear the correct socks:
WARNING ! - Do not wear cotton socks.
Cotton will not manage the moisture correctly causing blisters to form.
Use instead, a synthetic or wool sock.
A lot of regular walkers ware a combination of synthetic and wool as a double layer. It is recommended by experienced trekkers to apply the double layer wearing the synthetic against your skin.
If you are hiking during rainy weather, consider trying a high-technology overstock, This type of sock can help reduce blister problems caused by wet feet.
Always take spare socks with you to avoid walking with wet feet.
TIP :- Take the sock combination you choose to the boot store and wear them when trying you new boots on. You will need to buy a larger boot to compensate the extra thickness.
A lot of regular walkers ware a combination of synthetic and wool as a double layer. It is recommended by experienced trekkers to apply the double layer wearing the synthetic against your skin.
If you are hiking during rainy weather, consider trying a high-technology overstock, This type of sock can help reduce blister problems caused by wet feet.
Always take spare socks with you to avoid walking with wet feet.
TIP :- Take the sock combination you choose to the boot store and wear them when trying you new boots on. You will need to buy a larger boot to compensate the extra thickness.
3 Get your feet fit for hiking
Make sure that your feet are fit and healthy for Hiking.
To do this you will need to prepare and train your feet.
Don’t just strap on your new boots and fly off on a whim and a player.
You have to take it easy.
Two things why slowly-slowly is recommended;
* Your new shoes or boots need to be walked in.
* Your feet and body need to build the stamina and strength for the longer treks that are just around the corner.
You have to take it easy.
Two things why slowly-slowly is recommended;
* Your new shoes or boots need to be walked in.
* Your feet and body need to build the stamina and strength for the longer treks that are just around the corner.
4 Aftercare (Treatment for those tired feet)
The body is a wonderful thing.
Not only does it take you off to see the natural worlds in which we live in.
But It can restore and repair itself as well.
And to help with the recovery of an exhilarating hike?
Resting
Resting
is the most natural process to promote recovery.
Massage is a great way to improve your circulation.
It will help with nutrition and the bodies waste product, to move throughout the body.
It will help with nutrition and the bodies waste product, to move throughout the body.
Also-try making slow easy movements of your feet.
This will do a similar job to the massage.
This will do a similar job to the massage.
Another thing you can do is raise your feet a little.
You could lie down and prop your feet onto a rock or a fallen tree.
You could lie down and prop your feet onto a rock or a fallen tree.
Good Luck – See you all out there
Thanks a lot…
Hello, I really like this article, it seems that you know what are you doing. I’ll be looking forward to coming again….