Things You'll Need:
- Properly Fitting Shoes
- Duct Tape
- Extra Socks
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Step 1
Make sure that your shoes fit properly before getting out on the trail. Blisters usually come from the heel of your shoe being too tight or loose. Wear your regular hiking socks when trying on boots. Walk around the store and do your best to feel if there is, or is going to be, friction against your heel. Try on multiple pairs before choosing which you will buy to see what your options are and what they feel like. Usually the staff in outdoor stores are fairly knowledgeable and can help you find the ones that are the best fit for you. Hiking boots are not a part of your gear that you want to skimp on, it can make or break your experience on the trail.
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Step 2
Wear your boots in before your long hike. This will prepare your boots and your feet for the trail. If you are going to get blisters, this is the best time to do it (if there is such a thing!). Wear your boots when you are walking the dog, to the store, or on short day hikes. Your feet will acclimate to the boot, and toughen up as a result making them more resistant to blisters.
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Step 3
Wear an extra pair of socks. Wearing a thin sock underneath your thick hiking sock will help pass the friction to the inner sock rather than your heel. Look for a wicking-type sock that will pull the sweat away from your foot and help keep it cool. This isn't a foolproof method, but it is a good practice. You may have to loosen up your boot a bit for a comfortable fit.
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Step 4
Pack duct tape. Before your blister grows and explodes in your shoe, cut a piece of duct tape and cover the affected area with it. This, like the extra sock, will pass the friction to the tape rather than your skin. The most important part of this step is to do it before the blister gets unbearable, if you wait too long it's going to hurt really bad taking the tape off!
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Step 5
If you're stuck on the trail with a bad heel blister and no duct tape, do your best to walk "toe first". This technique is the opposite of how we normally walk, "heel first". Normally when we walk we roll our feet from the heel to the toe in a natural motion, this will cause you serious pain if you're stuck with a heel blister. If you land the toe of your foot first against the ground it will relieve some of the friction against the back of your foot that is caused by normal walking. This is very hard to accomplish while walking uphill, but downhill it is a fairly natural process.
