View Full Version : Blister problems
I have a pair of trailrunners that have about 500 miles on them so break-in isn't an issue. It seems when I string together more than just a few miles (doesn't matter if it's mountainous or flat terrain), I'll develop a blister on the 4th toe between it and the middle one. My feet aren't sweating particularly and the weather is dry. This is the only place I'll get one. I don't think my feet are swelling much as the shoes are still very comfortable. Aside from the solution of moleskin, is there preventive measures to take? I remember way back in high school, we would spray something called Tuf-skin on blister-prone places, especially when we ran track.
I occasionally get hot spots 'tween my toes. I wrap them with cloth tape and it does the trick.
Gramps, one thing that helps me is to soak my feet in a strong tea solution for about 15-20 minutes once a day about a week out from doing a long hike. The tannins in the tea toughen up the skin. It's been well documented and podiatrists recommend it for distance and ultra runners. Save money and buy the "family size" tea bags from the dollar store.
I'd also recommend rubbing Body Glide on your feet. You'll find that at any good running store.
We carry a small travel size antiperspirant with us for this kind of stuff, works just like the body glide. Duct tape also works, but I find anything between my toes problematic.
bigcranky
05-25-2010, 20:26
My hiking partner uses Bodyglide between his toes.
Gramps, one thing that helps me is to soak my feet in a strong tea solution for about 15-20 minutes once a day about a week out from doing a long hike. The tannins in the tea toughen up the skin. It's been well documented and podiatrists recommend it for distance and ultra runners. Save money and buy the "family size" tea bags from the dollar store.
I'd also recommend rubbing Body Glide on your feet. You'll find that at any good running store.
So what strength- about double what you normally drink? Guess you have to be careful and not put it back in the fridge to drink, huh? :p
Gramps, one thing that helps me is to soak my feet in a strong tea solution for about 15-20 minutes once a day about a week out from doing a long hike. The tannins in the tea toughen up the skin. It's been well documented and podiatrists recommend it for distance and ultra runners. Save money and buy the "family size" tea bags from the dollar store.
I'd also recommend rubbing Body Glide on your feet. You'll find that at any good running store.
Great ideas Spokes! I'll have to try the tea remedy.
I'll throw one more idea into the mix, Leukotape P tape - the gold standard. It's breathable, form-fitting, and most important, resilient. Put in over the problematic spot (before hiking) to protect the sensitive area. Wet or dry conditions, this tape stays in place. Based on my experience, I think you will be pleased.
Spokes, do you add any sweetner, lemon, mint leaves, or ice cubes to that tea?
I'm going to try the skin toughening tannin solution.
I have to add that to the list of what I''ve learned today!
Thanks.
ChinMusic
05-25-2010, 21:35
I have a pair of trailrunners that have about 500 miles on them so break-in isn't an issue. It seems when I string together more than just a few miles (doesn't matter if it's mountainous or flat terrain), I'll develop a blister on the 4th toe between it and the middle one. My feet aren't sweating particularly and the weather is dry. This is the only place I'll get one..
Not to diss anyone else's suggestions, but I have the SAME problem on the SAME toe.
My solution works perfectly.
Just tape it before you go and use this stuff:http://www4.images.coolspotters.com/photos/93738/johnson-and-johnson-first-aid-waterproof-tape-profile.jpg
Problem solved. Don't bother with the other stuff.
Blissful
05-26-2010, 10:29
500 miles is getting near full use on trail runners, IMO. If it were me, I'd replace them. Also, what shape are the insoles in? If they are old and have creases in them, that contributes to blisters. Replace the insoles (and I would replace the shoes).
Ditto, Blissful. I just got off the AT in VA with blisters all over my feet. Between toes. pads, heels, sides where I had never blistered before wearing the same combo of socks, footbeds and footwear. It felt like walking on sand paper for most of the week.
On closer inspection, footbeds (Superfeet) were cracked. Shoe liner in the heel area was loose. Footwear was leaking along the toe edges. Socks were hard packed.
Solution: Socks, shoes footbeds all into the trash barrel at the nearest gas station after my hike.
During the hike, band aids, tape, moleskin, new skin. None of it stayed on long. None of it worked.
The only product that came close to working which was actually hard to remove (and, of course, I only found on the last day at the bottom of my first aid bag) was a Dr. Scholl's "Cushlin Ultra slim Blister treatment sterile cushion" But. it was a thicker rubber like version that I have not been able to find any more.
NB: Footbeds do wear out and break down causing blisters at the spot on the pad just before the toes start. It happened to me before. It can also happen if your footbeds are the wrong size, too big.
Here is a sock that helps prevent between-the-toes blisters:
http://www.injinji.com/
Spokes, do you add any sweetner, lemon, mint leaves, or ice cubes to that tea?
I'm going to try the skin toughening tannin solution.
I have to add that to the list of what I''ve learned today!
Thanks.
hehehehehehehe..........
Too funny!!! Thanks for the chuckle.
So what strength- about double what you normally drink? Guess you have to be careful and not put it back in the fridge to drink, huh? :p
The stronger the better Gramps. I use between 4-6 family size bags in a my soak water.
garlic08
05-26-2010, 13:36
Maybe your shoes are a tad too tight in the toe box. I had that same problem until I found a shoe that is wide enough for me.
For chronic blister problems, I definitely agree with Body Glide if you want to buy it and carry it. I carry cloth tape, the uncoated breathable kind that's 1.5" wide and is used to tape sprains.
Maybe your shoes are a tad too tight in the toe box. I had that same problem until I found a shoe that is wide enough for me.
For chronic blister problems, I definitely agree with Body Glide if you want to buy it and carry it. I carry cloth tape, the uncoated breathable kind that's 1.5" wide and is used to tape sprains.
I've had toeboxes in other shoes a little narrow and the outside of the little toe was always my "sore" spot. The liner was a little thin to begin with so I added a pair early on and they worked well. To all, thanks for all the tips. I'm sure something will work out.
1. keep your feet as dry as possible, take breaks and take off your socks and shoes to air them out on the trail. use gold bond powder on your feet to help. use moleskin on hot spots as soon as possible
if you still get blisters
2. clean the blister area, pop it if needed, apply neosporin, try 2nd Skin or Band-Aid Blister bandages over the blister, cover with first aid adhesive tape. Duct tape will work too if no other tape available
using Smartwool sock liners can help too. do not use cotton socks for hiking
good luck
BigFoot2002
05-29-2010, 17:02
I put duct tape on any hot spots i find during my frequent breaks first days on the trail. Then a clean (or at least dry) pair of socks. You can dry damp socks under your base shirt layer at night .Remove the duct tape at night and make absolutely sure your feet are dry all night. Reapply duct tape to all tender spots in the morning. Really obsess over your feet the first few days on the trail. I did this and had not one blister my last long hike.
I have a pair of trailrunners that have about 500 miles on them so break-in isn't an issue. It seems when I string together more than just a few miles (doesn't matter if it's mountainous or flat terrain), I'll develop a blister on the 4th toe between it and the middle one. My feet aren't sweating particularly and the weather is dry. This is the only place I'll get one. I don't think my feet are swelling much as the shoes are still very comfortable. Aside from the solution of moleskin, is there preventive measures to take? I remember way back in high school, we would spray something called Tuf-skin on blister-prone places, especially when we ran track.If this has repeatedly happened it may just be, as other's have said, the shoes themselves. I have multiple pairs of shoes and boots for hiking and walking. Then I can alternate. If it is dry somtimes I will just wear sneakers, and if it gets cold or muddy or rough terrain, then I will switch to a heavier boot. This works well, and if I were you, I would try a different pair of shoes/boots and see what happens.:-?