I’m getting blisters within the first hour of hiking. I change my socks daily but haven’t found a solution yet. Any advice?
Change your socks private.
Camden said:
Change your socks private.
I’m getting blisters within the first hour of hiking. Surely you don’t mean that I should be changing my socks hourly. I do change my socks daily.
@Niko
They meant find better socks than what you’re currently using.
@Niko
Have you tried Vaseline on your feet before putting socks?
Cade said:
@Niko
Have you tried Vaseline on your feet before putting socks?
No, I haven’t. Sounds weird, but I’m willing to give it a go!
@Niko
The real question is WHERE are you getting blisters. That will help determine what you should do.
I typically wear Injinji liner socks with Darn Tough hiking socks over them. I also tape any areas I expect to have problems with before I hike.
I have bone spurs on my heels so I always put a strip of leukotape over each heel before heading out.
It’s a matter of finding the perfect fit. Blisters come from friction. If you can find shoes or boots that don’t slip, even a little bit, you can either seriously reduce or completely eliminate blisters. They, of course, need to fit perfectly everywhere around the profiles of your feet.
Wash well, Vaseline, powder, good socks and if all else fails a bandage at the area
Leukotape on any spots you’re having issues with.
Help you avoid blisters? You literally shared that a certain shoe never gave you blisters…
Buy another (the same) pair of low top Merrells?! I feel like I’m taking crazy pills.
Cort said:
Help you avoid blisters? You literally shared that a certain shoe never gave you blisters…
Buy another (the same) pair of low top Merrells?! I feel like I’m taking crazy pills.
Good point. I guess I wanted to move to high top boots because I’ve been building up to longer hikes and my friends recommended that. I was hoping that the same brand in a slightly taller model would be similar enough, but I guess I was wrong.
Break into your shoes before taking them on a long hike directly, especially if you aren’t used to wearing high top/haven’t figured out the correct socks for these shoes
Liner socks plus building up gradually in volume instead of jumping to a large volume will adapt virtually any foot and shoe to each other.
Alternatively buy the pair that didn’t give you blisters
Besides buying the shoes that don’t give you blisters (which is the best path forward) you can also try a thin liner sock or nylon under your main socks, and/or look into ENGO blister patches. They’re an adhesive patch that goes on the inside of your shoe in the affected area and reduces friction there. Some people are very susceptible to heel blisters- it has to do with your anatomy and gait - so the patches can be an option for those people even if most boots don’t work for them.
How often do you take breaks? It’s pretty easy to march straight through sweat and hot spots and get yourself into some trouble when you’re in a power rhythm. The key is to stop your feet from getting soft while they’re under friction. Short, frequent breaks are good not just for cardio endurance, but they give your skin a chance to evaporate off some of the moisture. Even the best wool socks aren’t infinitely absorbent. If you’re prone to sweaty feet, no amount of liners and fancy insoles will make up for the fact that you just need to get the moisture off your feet. And one of the easiest ways to do that is to stop, let your skin do what it’s supposed to do, and check in with any off sensations like pressure areas or hot spots.
Do you have sweaty feet? I do and I have to go through an entire routine for my feet to avoid blisters. Carpe foot antiperspirant, plus merino wool tufts, Leukotape, liner socks + merino socks, better lacing…
Blisters are no joke. Maybe also get some gaiters for the tops of your shoes/boots to help keep out sand and debris. That’s always a problem I have when hiking (probably because of my gait).
Good luck!!
Leuko tape. Its better than kt strips by like, a bazillion percent. Also, if possible get to a store that will have multiple options to try on and wear about in the store to see if they fit right.
Have you tried custom footbeds. Locking down the heel can reduce friction.
Liner toe socks in combination with your favorite normal socks. Do you have sweaty feet? Try synthetic socks for extra moisture wicking. Make sure the socks are tight and don’t fold on your heel. Put on of those blister bandaids on your problematic spots. Make sure to clean your skin first before applying. Vent your feet on your normal breaks. And finally find the perfect shoes. Some people need rigid boots, other prefer softer ones. Try aftermarket foodbeds.
For socks I prefer Injinji, Compeed for their durable bandaids.
It really is a thing of trial and error.