Tough feet??

[stag3]

I read or was told or made up the idea that rubbing your feet with alcohol (not Jim Beam) will dehydrate and toughen them. Thus, no blisters!!

Any opinions or experience with this?

[fredmugs]

My feet are unbelievably soft and I used to blister horribly until I started rubing vaseline on my feet and in between the toes. No blisters on my last two trips!

[Mother's Finest]

blisters are caused by shearing forces. in simple terms, excessive rubbing. It all starts with the properly fit shoe or boot, coupled with the proper sock, and the proper arch support. Shoe gear that fits properly should not cause blisters at all.
Overuse can aggravate a problem that already exists with the fit or the dynamic forces occuring between shoe and foot. That is where the proper arch support comes in, to control the foot and re-distribute weight properly.
As to the question of rubbing things on the feet, I doubt that alcohol would have any positive effect. Be extremely careful if you are diabetic when applying anything to the feet other than properly fitted shoes, cushioned socks and archsupport.
peace
mf

[Anumber1]

i started wearing the cheapest thin dress type socks i could find and have totally avoided blisters and sore feet, even when soaking wet for days

[BooBoo]

Soak your feet in a strong tea solution. The tannic acid in the tea will tan the hide on your feet and make 'em tough.

[Hana_Hanger]

That was Colin Fletcher in his Famous The Complete Walker book.

Of course others may have said it also...but he swore by it...everytime he removed his socks and shoes he put on the rubbing alcohol.

[Mountain Mike]

If you are prone to blisters I reccomend the two sock system. A light weight liner cock & thicjer oversock. Then never hesitate if it feels out of place to check it. Carry moalfoam, moleskin & second skin.

[fiddlehead]

I agree with Hana (above) and Colin Fletcher: Rubbing alcohol toughens skin and that will help you from getting blisters.
Also, thin nylon socks are better than thick wool ones if it's not too cold out.
Bigger shoes than you normally wear helps also.

[wilderness bob]

S3,
No experience using alcohol however, an old trick I learned years ago. Train up with nylon stockings as a first layer. They help prevent friction and thus help avoid blisters. The feet toughen up as the miles go by and eventually you do not need them anymore. I did almost the entire trail wearing white cotton socks. A few blisters but they were from the rocks in PA rubbing on the side of my feet. Trust me on that one.

Other tricks:

Keep a clean light pair of ankle socks to sleep in, absorbs moisture.

Air out your feet on long breaks, wear sandals

Re-tie your boots after the first 20 minutes of the day, material stretches.

Monitor hot spots and fix them immediately, do not wait.

Break in your boots well in advance, not on a trail.

Keep your nails trimmed, your climbing trails, not trees.

Feet swell, get a half size larger boot for hiking.

I am sure there are many other tricks as well. Good luck and enjoy the hike. WB

[SGTdirtman]

my feet are extremely tough, I walk around most of the summer without shoes on and have no problem running barefoot on gravel...

However I still get blisters, just because you have hard callases on your feet and they are tough doesnt mean you wont get blisters when your wearing shoes. I get blisters underneath my callases which is often more painfull than a blister on soft skin. the "tough" part of your foot will still rub on the soft skin underneath when your wearing shoes.

In my opinion dont worry about trying to make your feet tough, just wear good boots, make sure they are broken in well, and wear good socks.

[barefoothiker]

My experience in the Army agrees with the nylon socks or nylon pantyhose. If you do this, ensure you air out your feet and use talcum powder when you take a break. I learned this trick from the Drill Sergeants at Fort Knox and it was endorsed by my Light Infantry friends (who have to hump everything, everywhere!).