BROWSE HOW TOs

How to Avoid Getting Blisters While Hiking

By eHow Sports & Fitness Editor

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There's nothing like painful blisters to ruin your backcountry trip, but you can avoid them by taking these measures.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Extra Socks
Foot Powders
Moleskin
Athletic Tapes
Backpacks

Step1

Break in hiking shoes or boots well before your hike, wearing the same shoe-sock combination you will use on the trail.

Step2

Wrap your blister-prone spots with athletic tape or duct tape before you start hiking, if you know you're likely to have a problem. Put the tape directly on your skin; when you're done hiking, take off your boots and pull off the tape immediately. The heat and sweat from your feet will make it easier to remove.

Step3

Soak any developing hot spot (an area that is irritated from rubbing) in cold water or air-dry it until the spot cools.

Step4

Apply a patch or doughnut of moleskin to the hot spot or cover it with tape. Theories about the pros and cons of patches, doughnuts and tape vary. Experiment and find what works best for you.

Step5

Use foot powder and change into a dry pair of socks before you put your boots or shoes back on and continue hiking.

Tips & Warnings

Many hikers use liner socks' thin socks that absorb sweat and heat away from your feet. Regular thicker socks are worn on top of these. The liners provide a protective layer for the outer socks to rub against.
This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

Comments

natlog said

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on 10/6/2008 Avoid wearing cotton socks because they wrinkle and cause blisters when they get damp.

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 AGP 4x/8x was the old standard. If you are building a new PC right now, you want PCI-express, also noted with x16 at the end.

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 If you know that you are going on trip ahead of time, try to do a couple of walks with your boots and a light backpack. If/when you feel hot spots forming, stop! Go home, rub your feet with rubbing alcohol and let them dry out. This should allow you to form calluses that can protect you on moderate hikes.

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 If you rub a dry bar of soap on the inside of your shoe, The part you stand on, it will help prevent blisters! Make sure the soap is dry though!