Feet Protection While Hiking

[rtyhgn85]

This thread was started by a new member (suspected spambot) who did not introduce themselves or enter into any discourse.The information in this first post has been found to be a direct cut and paste from elsewhere on the net. The OP has been banned but this thread generated interesting discussion. I have left it to continue in that vein.
cheers,
Toddy



1. Keep your feet dry. Wet feet invite blisters and irritation. If they get wet from water or sweat, stop and change to dry socks if you have them.

2. Wear two layers of socks. The first should be a thin wick-away sock that wicks or removes moisture from the foot. The second should be a heavier sock that cushions the foot. Avoid cotton socks which keep moisture next to the skin.

3. Carry spare socks. If your socks get wet, you'll want spares. Fresh socks help cushion the feet and reduce foot fatigue.

4. Carry a first aid kit to treat blisters or foot injuries. The kit should include blister pads, antibiotic ointment, sterile gauze, band-aids, etc.

5. Promptly treat any signs of a beginning blister or chafed skin. The first signs are tenderness and a sense of burning, commonly known as a "hot spot." Use your first aid kit and blister treatments. The longer you ignore it, the worse it will get, to the point it can become almost impossible to keep hiking.

6. Choose the right boot. Select boots that fit properly and will provide the support and protection you need for the most difficult trail you're going to hike. Boots without proper support increase the risk of injury. Boots that are too tight pinch and chafe, causing blisters and pain.

7. Break in your boots before taking a long hike to avoid blisters and raw spots. New boots, particularly leather ones, take time to break in. Take several 1 to 2 hour hikes. You can soften leather using boot grease or leather conditioner

 

[BOD]

Why not introduce yourself to us first before sharing your knowledge?

 

[DavidJT]

8: Foot powder!
9: Soft light shoes (eg Crocs etc) for evenings around camp

 

[mrcharly]

Walk barefoot. Build up to it slowly, with short walks on pavement. After a few months, your feet will be hard enough to withstand thorns, rocks and coarse surfaces. Say goodbye to blisters and smelly socks forever.

 

[blacktimberwolf]

Also it's a good idea too when stopping ( brew break, lunch etc.) take your boots off, let your feet, socks & footwear air a little, when you put them back on it's like starting afresh again..........weather permitting of course & not too close to me.....................

 

[Harley]

1. Keep your feet dry. Wet feet invite blisters and irritation. If they get wet from water or sweat, stop and change to dry socks if you have them, etc

rtyhgn85 do you write for other blogs, as both of your posts appear to have been lifted straight from other sites without reference or acknowledgement of the original author?

 

[Puddock]

1. Keep your feet dry. Wet feet invite blisters and irritation. If they get wet from water or sweat, stop and change to dry socks if you have them.

How does this work? If your feet get wet from water, then presumably your boots are also wet. So you stop and change your socks and put your boots back on.......hey presto, wet feet again and now no spare socks?

 

[trekkingnut]

How does this work? If your feet get wet from water, then presumably your boots are also wet. So you stop and change your socks and put your boots back on.......hey presto, wet feet again and now no spare socks?

well, two things on that one, wring you wet socks and stick one in each trouser pocket, get as much water out your boots as possible and then dry socks and into boots, the socks in your pockets will dry off a little bit and its a case of just wringing and changing.

back in the forces, trick to this was, if your boots are well and truely soaked and going to stay wet but you are unlikely to go into the water again, slap on a pair of goretex socks (i only ever carried one pair) so that your feet stay dry even if your boots arent. worthy investment!

 

[santaman2000]

well, two things on that one, wring you wet socks and stick one in each trouser pocket, get as much water out your boots as possible and then dry socks and into boots, the socks in your pockets will dry off a little bit and its a case of just wringing and changing.

back in the forces, trick to this was, if your boots are well and truely soaked and going to stay wet but you are unlikely to go into the water again, slap on a pair of goretex socks (i only ever carried one pair) so that your feet stay dry even if your boots arent. worthy investment!

Also regular socks under the goretex

 

[trekkingnut]

Also regular socks under the goretex

if you so wish! not my thing.

 

[Shewie]

1. Keep your feet dry. Wet feet invite blisters and irritation. If they get wet from water or sweat, stop and change to dry socks if you have them.

2. Wear two layers of socks. The first should be a thin wick-away sock that wicks or removes moisture from the foot. The second should be a heavier sock that cushions the foot. Avoid cotton socks which keep moisture next to the skin.

3. Carry spare socks. If your socks get wet, you'll want spares. Fresh socks help cushion the feet and reduce foot fatigue.

4. Carry a first aid kit to treat blisters or foot injuries. The kit should include blister pads, antibiotic ointment, sterile gauze, band-aids, etc.

5. Promptly treat any signs of a beginning blister or chafed skin. The first signs are tenderness and a sense of burning, commonly known as a "hot spot." Use your first aid kit and blister treatments. The longer you ignore it, the worse it will get, to the point it can become almost impossible to keep hiking.

6. Choose the right boot. Select boots that fit properly and will provide the support and protection you need for the most difficult trail you're going to hike. Boots without proper support increase the risk of injury. Boots that are too tight pinch and chafe, causing blisters and pain.

7. Break in your boots before taking a long hike to avoid blisters and raw spots. New boots, particularly leather ones, take time to break in. Take several 1 to 2 hour hikes. You can soften leather using boot grease or leather conditioner


Tips & Warnings

Keep your toe nails trimmed and short. Long toe nails can cut through your socks, and rub uncomfortably against the boot's sides.

Use a light dusting of talcum powder in your socks to help prevent chafing.

If a pebble or trail debris gets into your boot, stop and remove it. It will cause a blister as well as make hiking unpleasant.

Take breaks. If your feet are feeling tired, stop.

Avoid taking your boots off while hiking - your feet will swell, and you may find it harder to get your boots back on.

 

[Toddy]

and if you're wearing wool socks anyway, they'll walk dry and so will your boots just from the heat of your feet. Won't chaff or blister either .....three weeks sodden wet fieldwalking in the Lake District with every single pair of boots and wool socks I owned sodden wet; surprisingly not a single blister or chilblain. That's wool, real wool, only wool and not some nylony mixture. By the end my socks had work felted to fit my feet perfectly

Go and pester your nearest relation who can knit, and buy her decent wool and bribe her to knit you 'real' socks, your feet will love them and it'll still be cheaper than sealskinz and the like..... and they won't ever stink of sour sweaty feet either

cheers,
Toddy

 

[trekkingnut]

1. Keep your feet dry. Wet feet invite blisters and irritation. If they get wet from water or sweat, stop and change to dry socks if you have them.

2. Wear two layers of socks. The first should be a thin wick-away sock that wicks or removes moisture from the foot. The second should be a heavier sock that cushions the foot. Avoid cotton socks which keep moisture next to the skin.

3. Carry spare socks. If your socks get wet, you'll want spares. Fresh socks help cushion the feet and reduce foot fatigue.

4. Carry a first aid kit to treat blisters or foot injuries. The kit should include blister pads, antibiotic ointment, sterile gauze, band-aids, etc.

5. Promptly treat any signs of a beginning blister or chafed skin. The first signs are tenderness and a sense of burning, commonly known as a "hot spot." Use your first aid kit and blister treatments. The longer you ignore it, the worse it will get, to the point it can become almost impossible to keep hiking.

6. Choose the right boot. Select boots that fit properly and will provide the support and protection you need for the most difficult trail you're going to hike. Boots without proper support increase the risk of injury. Boots that are too tight pinch and chafe, causing blisters and pain.

7. Break in your boots before taking a long hike to avoid blisters and raw spots. New boots, particularly leather ones, take time to break in. Take several 1 to 2 hour hikes. You can soften leather using boot grease or leather conditioner


Tips & Warnings

Keep your toe nails trimmed and short. Long toe nails can cut through your socks, and rub uncomfortably against the boot's sides.

Use a light dusting of talcum powder in your socks to help prevent chafing.

If a pebble or trail debris gets into your boot, stop and remove it. It will cause a blister as well as make hiking unpleasant.

Take breaks. If your feet are feeling tired, stop.

Avoid taking your boots off while hiking - your feet will swell, and you may find it harder to get your boots back on.

Do this BEFORE you leave! pour some talc into your spare socks, give them a wee whirl, ball them up and waterproof them. this will ensure you dont have to pour talc all over the place when putting on your fresh pair. standard army practice.

 

[Highbinder]

The first should be a thin wick-away sock that wicks or removes moisture from the foot

Can anyone recommend good wicking/ hot weather liner socks? I hear them mentioned all the time but don't really know the details myself.

 

[trekkingnut]

Can anyone recommend good wicking/ hot weather liner socks? I hear them mentioned all the time but don't really know the details myself.

cotswold outdoor sell them.... they are available in most of the more specialist shops too. cant think of any brands off the top of my head.

 

[Toddy]

Silk or wool......beats everything else hands down.
http://www.patra.com

cheers,
M

 

[santaman2000]

and if you're wearing wool socks anyway, they'll walk dry and so will your boots just from the heat of your feet. Won't chaff or blister either .....three weeks sodden wet fieldwalking in the Lake District with every single pair of boots and wool socks I owned sodden wet; surprisingly not a single blister or chilblain. That's wool, real wool, only wool and not some nylony mixture. By the end my socks had work felted to fit my feet perfectly

Go and pester your nearest relation who can knit, and buy her decent wool and bribe her to knit you 'real' socks, your feet will love them and it'll still be cheaper than sealskinz and the like..... and they won't ever stink of sour sweaty feet either

cheers,
Toddy

Depends on the climate. In the Lake District no problem but in a hot humid climate....you'll have green fungus growing between your toes.

 

[santaman2000]

and if you're wearing wool socks anyway, they'll walk dry and so will your boots just from the heat of your feet. Won't chaff or blister either .....three weeks sodden wet fieldwalking in the Lake District with every single pair of boots and wool socks I owned sodden wet; surprisingly not a single blister or chilblain. That's wool, real wool, only wool and not some nylony mixture. By the end my socks had work felted to fit my feet perfectly

Go and pester your nearest relation who can knit, and buy her decent wool and bribe her to knit you 'real' socks, your feet will love them and it'll still be cheaper than sealskinz and the like..... and they won't ever stink of sour sweaty feet either

cheers,
Toddy

Depends on the climate. In the Lake District no problem but....in a hot, humid climate you'll have slimy green or grey fungus growing between your toes by the second day.

 

[widu13]

Thin merino socks are great for wicking whatever the weather. Aldi/Lidl regularly sell them for £2.99. Don't forget that feet need conditioning too! If you aren't used to wearing boots you can reasonably expect foot trouble on a long walk especially with weight. The best way is to harden feet is through conditioning. If there isn't time, an old trick is to rub methylated spirits in the feet 1-2 weeks before hand- they'll harden up a treat.

Wet socks? Place them IN-BETWEEN your coat layers to dry out. (Old soldiers trick before gortex :yikes At night take your wet socks to bed with you to dry. Army maggots have pockets for this. Above all take care of your feet.

If you get blisters and you have to walk on them, there simply is no other way than to get on an lance 'em. I can't tell you the relief a lanced blister brings on a 30 mile jolly.

 

[Toddy]

Santaman the wool works in *any* climate. Even in the desert or the jungle
It thermo regulates and it's kind to the skin.

I blister easily, so I'm careful about what I put on my feet, but I really do agree with Widu13 We know it's best if the blister is left, but there are times that just to relieve that pain is wonderful (cue blissed out smilie ), and if done carefully then it lets you walk on and home. Moleskin patches can be very effective, but the new hydrowhatever plasters are brilliant, just make sure to use big enough ones.

I found that if it gets desperate and you're out walking here, find some sheeps wool on the fence or walls or heather, pick it clean and pad a light layer of that down inside your sock over the hotspot/blister and it'll ease the whole issue. It's not sterile though so don't use on broken skin. Really good on those little toe rubs. These days two pairs of wool or silk and wool and I have no problems so long as my boots fit properly.

cheers,
Toddy