Comments on: Blister prevention: once you’ve got one, it’s too late

By: Blister treatment at Hike Hacker

Blister treatment at Hike Hacker — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 15:54:00 +0000

[...] a a meter of prevention is worth a kilometer of cure, even the most careful hikers still get [...]

By: Lemony

Lemony — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 04:52:43 +0000

I’ve officially sworn off hiking boots. I put hundreds of miles into my last pair and they NEVER broke in or stop tearing up my heels, even with prophylactic moleskin, liner socks, or whatever.

I have this problem with every pair of hiking boots. Instead, I end up wearing in my trail running shoes or cross trainers, hiking the last two days of backpacking trips carrying the darn boots around with me, gingerly hobbling with bad blisters and hoping they don’t get infected. An infected blister landed me in the ER with cellulitis and a fever once; it is no joke.

I also sprained my ankle in hiking boots once, so I don’t buy the whole protective argument.

For me, the best way to avoid blisters is to reserve hiking boots for snow and slush.

By: Susan "Backpack45" Alcorn

Susan "Backpack45" Alcorn — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 05:00:16 +0000

I started getting blisters on the inside of my ankle last year in a place I’d never had them before. It was the seam of my shoe (same brand, same size, I’d worn previously, but anyway…). I put blister pads on my foot, but I also took some moleskin (duct tape might work) and put a couple of layers over the seam of the shoe. It worked like a charm for hundreds of miles after!

By: Rod

Rod — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:59:13 +0000

hmmm for me the best is actually antiperspirant. Which absorbs the extra moisture and provides some slickness. Amazing what it can do it the right places.

By: How to beat blisters? Prevention, prevention, prevention :: UpNorthica

How to beat blisters? Prevention, prevention, prevention :: UpNorthica — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:38:21 +0000

[...] the best treatment is to never let them form. Hike Hacker offers up some sage advice on how to keep your feet happy on those long [...]

By: Dicentra

Dicentra — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 13:52:58 +0000

My best blister prevention is water!! Staying hydrated. Your skin won’t be so tight and prone to blisters if you are well hydrated. So drink up!!

By: Susie

Susie — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 19:48:35 +0000

The best stuff to use for blister prevention is from 2 toms (2toms.com). The powdered blister shield is so great. My husband and I used it on hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back. No blisters for either of us! The powder is like little ball-bearings and they don’t absorb moisture so your feet stay dry.

By: Stuart

Stuart — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 21:52:02 +0000

Having the right footwear is critical of course, but even the best pair of hiking boots will become worn inside and a little looser .. leading to blisters from heel-lift.

A trick I carried over from heel-lift problems in snowboarding is to insert filler (duct tape, ripped ski-map etc) under the arch of my foot. It creates a pivot-point that reduces the amount of movement in the heel.

By: Mark Griffith

Mark Griffith — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:31:18 +0000

Gaiters are like condoms, except they prevent blisters instead of babies.

Made me smile.

I could have used some scree gaiters on this hike.