I am going on a charity walk. 20 miles per day , for 5 days
( 100 Miles). I have a very good pair of leather gortex boots that are very well broken in. I have a few pairs of very good quality socks. How can i prevent blisters , ie do i need to harden my feet etc etc ? if so , what with ? Also , if i do suffer blisters , how can i best treat them quickly so i can continue with my walk?
2006-09-15 05:05:50 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Other - Outdoor Recreation
Yes I'm a squaddie, yes you are going to get blisters and they are going to hurt.
To help prevent them:-
Build up your exercise levels day by day, long before you do the walk, no more than an hour per day in the first week, wearing the socks/boots you will be wearing. Increase the duration over a month to a couple of hours a day
Best way to avoid them is to try to keep your feet dry, talcuum powder does a half decent job,but only for a short time.
wash them carefully every night.
Attached site gives some more info
2006-09-15 05:23:24 · answer #1 · answered by Martin14th 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, I would have and do use Smartwool or similar socks any time that I walk for a long ways and have for years. Just, 'good quality' isn't good enough. Second, I would use 'quality' nylon under socks for the first few days of any long walk. Leather gortex is an oxymoron. Are they leather or are they Gortex? I've found that feet sweat more in Gortex boots thatn leather and generally tyhe Gortex boots are not as sturdy as leather. And why even wear boots? Most serious hikers and backpackers walking decent trails use trail shoes or running shoes because they are lighter and let you make more miles without wearing you out. Additionally, I would never wear boots if the walk is on pavement. Last, please do a few training walks starting with even a half mile and building up until you can expect to actyally finish this walk. A hundred miles in 5 days is no laughing matter. Good luck!
2006-09-15 05:23:17 · answer #2 · answered by Nightstalker1967 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First and formost, make doubly sure that your boots do NOT rub when you're walking - especially when it comes to inclines/declines and over uneven terrain.
For treating blisters, try a 'second-skin' type product that provides protection against your sock or boot rubbing on your skin. Band-aids are always a good option too. Try to wear two pairs of socks too, that'll 'insulate' your skin against the movement of your boots.
For prevention, try a spray on anti-perspirant on your bare feet befoe you put on your socks and boots. Sweaty feet can cause layers of socks to stick and move together, increasing friction on your skin and the possibiltiy of blisters.
Happy Hiking
2006-09-16 04:45:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
For caring for blisters I recommend the Band-aide brand blister bandages...they work great and cushion the blister as well. If you have great socks and well broken in shoes with great arch supports you should be good in theory...not sure myself as I have only done 40 miles in a week. Good luck & have fun.
2006-09-15 05:18:13 · answer #4 · answered by Barbiq 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Friction = Blisters
I suffer from blisters when I backpack/hike so the solution I came up with years ago was to put vaseline on the areas I have trouble with AND then I cover the vaseline with Johnson & Johnson waterproof first aid tape....Sure works for me...
2006-09-15 18:03:12 · answer #5 · answered by jack 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to prevent blisters you can try baby powder (so I've heard...)...
to treat them, and I've tested the method, just make sure you a needle and thread... simply pass the thread through two points in the blister and cut it so that you leave a bit of it... a day or 2 later, you can get rid of the thread...
it might seem gross but it works... the liquid will leave the blister through the thread, and the thread will prevent you from having to pierce the blister over and over...
2006-09-15 05:19:44 · answer #6 · answered by Memphis_II 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Surgical spirit! you will be able to walk across broken glass in no time.
Downside is in 10 years time you will need to take a cheesgrater to your feet twice a week.
but worked wonders for me, surgical spirit injected into a blister hurt like hell but....
No pain no gain!!
2006-09-15 05:26:59 · answer #7 · answered by Dark_Mushroom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are a squaddie,you should know yourself!! but if not put a little bit of vaseline over your your feet!*** on buddy you are taking the p..s !i am just back from Basra(6 months)drink a crate and enjoy
2006-09-15 05:24:41 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Surgical spirit, it hardens the skin and makes it less prone to blisters.
2006-09-15 05:08:36 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
tape up the areas where you blister before excercise
2006-09-15 05:26:11 · answer #10 · answered by Ross F 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋