Blisters: Prevention is better than cure.
- Find the right shoe and fit for your feet. Your feet swell during hiking so make sure that your footwear fit properly. Break in your boots before taking them out on a hike.
- Make sure that you trim your toe nails, and keep your feet clean and dry when out on a hike.
- Clean boots with Nikwax – it will keep the boots clean and fresher for longer.
- Watch how you lace your boots, lacing your boots incorrectly causing your toes to hit the front of your boot, could cause blisters on your toes.
- When your boots are wet after a hike, air them out properly, you could also place newspaper into the boot over-night to dry them completely, before putting them on the next day again.
- When you feel a hotspot reacts quickly, prevention is much better than cure. Leukotape is worth investing in, as it is a very sticky tape that will stay on your skin during a hike.
- When you first feel a hotspot, take off your boots, air out, and clean your skin and stick leukotape to the hotspot.
- Do not stick clean leukotape to an area that has already formed a blister as it will rip the skin when you peel it off.
- In this instance, place a small amount of hikers wool, or toilet paper of the blister, and then put leukotape over the area to avoid further friction. Leukotape comes on a large roll, roll some onto a small stick, and place it into your medics bag, or pre-cut pieces and place them on wax paper to use when you need them.
- Once a blister has formed you will have to decide whether to pierce and drain the blister or not.
- On a hike, I would recommend that this only be done if you experience pain walking on the blister.
- It is best to not pop the blister and further expose your skin to infections, but blisters do take long to heal; so you will have to weigh up what is the best option for you.
- I would also recommend placing KT Blister plasters or Compeed on blisters when they have formed to buffer the area and protect it on a thorough hike.
- When using waterproof / Gortex boots in hot areas remember that your feet will build up moisture in the boot that could lead to friction, so it is best to stop every 2-3 hours to air out and dry your feet, socks and boots.
- This is good practice if your feet feel that they are heating up anyway, and it could help swapping out and putting on a fresh pair of socks when giving your feet a bit of a breather anyway.
- Vaseline, or a Compeed stick could assist with further reducing friction on areas on your foot prone to hotspots.
- Invest in a good pair of Merino Wool Hiking socks that are moisture-wicking, quick drying and will keep your feet comfortable for longer.
- Sock liners – you can wear a thinner sock liner under your socks to create an extra layer to avoid friction.