Blister Prevention Tips for hikers
Hikers can be prone to suffering from sores as a result of continual exposure to the elements. Add on to this the uneven terrain they're walking over and even the incorrect choice of hiking boots and the conditions are right for a blister to appear. Sores can develop all over the foot, on the ball, heel and on the side or tops of your toes. So what exactly causes blisters to show and are there any blister prevention methods that will you lower the risk of getting them?
What causes blisters?
Heat and dampness are ideal circumstances for your socks getting stuck to your feet. This causes rubbing between your socks and your feet and when movement is introduced it can lead to a buildup of fluid between the layers of skin. This will happen as your body tries to protect the area where the rubbing is occurring.
Here are a few things that can bring blisters on while out hiking:
- Moisture: damp is a main component and can be caused either by perspiration or it can come from outside your boots if they are not waterproof.
- Heat: The obvious source of warmth is the climate, but warmth may also result in friction caused by dirt or gravel making it into your boot.
- Fungus: you could already possess a fungal condition that you are unaware of which when out hiking can flourish and cause blisters.
- Allergies: some allergic reactions are known to make your feet susceptible to developing blisters
Best methods of preventing blisters
Here is the good news, there are a number of preventative actions that you may take to lower your risk of getting a blister. Here are some of those tips:
- The first thing to look at is your hiking boots. Making sure you wear the best hiking shoes to match your feet as well as the type of hike you are going on will contribute greatly to being comfortable whilst on your hike. They are going to be made from watertight materials that can also permit ventilation for your feet, thus protecting your feet from wetness in the form of sweat and wet weather.
- The best hiking shoes will also be a good fit for your feet and provide cushioning as you traverse the terrain. They will also keep sand and gravel out utilizing gusseted tongs.
- You could also try layering up on your socks. The most effective hiking socks will absorb moisture and keep your feet dry
- Adding another pair of socks on top can also be effective. This combination can help to relieve some of the friction that wearing just one pair would cause.
- Take the thickness of your socks into account when choosing your hiking boots as they will sometimes cause you to need to go up a size due to the extra padding. On the other hand, if you have too much wiggle room inside your boots then this is very likely to give you a blister because of the friction that this causes.
- Other solutions hikers are known to make use of include wrapping wrapping tape around their feet and changing their socks regularly.
Finaly, it is highly recommended to break your new boots in a month or so before taking them out on their first hike.