What can happen when your boots don't fit properly; photo by Andy Anderson
- Get out your nail clippers, and trim down those razor-sharp foot fangs.
- Check the inside of your boot with your hand. Make sure there are no deficiencies in the fabric. Even the smallest rough spot can cause blisters.
- If you’ve just purchased a boot, vacuum your house and go grocery shopping. Breaking in a new boot will help immensely.
- Invest in a pair of hiking liners. The liners will act as an intermediary between your sock and the boot. Instead of your bare foot getting rubbed by the sock as your boot shifts it around, the liner will get rubbed by the sock, taking your foot out of the equation.
- Lose the cotton socks and get a pair that wicks moisture. Sweaty feet are prone to blisters because of the increased friction—your damp socks stick to your damp feet.
- Always check in with your feet while hiking. Stop every hour or so and de-boot to inspect your feet and check for hot spots (red spots on your feet that feel warm and uncomfortable).
- If you do see or feel a hotspot, take out your first-aid kit and put on some mole skin. This will protect that area from further rubbing and stop the hot spot in its tracks, before it becomes a nasty blister. If y0u do develop a blister, don’t pop it while on the trail. An open blister can get infected, which can end your trip.
If the above tips don’t help, and you still get blisters, it may be time to invest in a different pair of boots or to switch to a lighter hiking shoe. Have any suggestions on how to avoid blisters or cope with them when you do? Comment below.
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Tags: backpacking, first aid, hiking