I am the kind of person that tests out a dozen models of backpacking, hiking, mountaineering, trail-running shoes before choosing the right one for me. I always wear my shoes for hiking for 15 miles or more on a daily basis, as soon as they come out of the box.  But guess what? Most of the times, I do not get blisters as I have got a few tips and tricks up my sleeves to keep them at bay.

The first thing that you need to remember is that to cause blisters, three things have to be present – Heat, Moisture, and Friction. If you also hate blisters like me, follow these quick strategies and control this problem.

 

Buy the Right Boots – The most common reason for blisters is wrong shoes. You will always feel a friction between your feet and shoes if they are of the wrong size. Before settling on one, try a variety of shoes and see which one fits the best.

Footwear Should Be Non-Waterproof and Lightweight – Opt for the shoes that have no membrane and mesh uppers. This enables quick-drying of shoes even if they get wet. But most of the time, nobody hikes when its raining so there is no point of buying waterproof shoes. The wise choice is to buy non-waterproof shoes that keep your feet dry and do not cause sweat.

Get an Extra Pair of Socks – A lot of people face the issue of feet sweating all the time. This causes a formation of blisters and ultimately, a lot of pain. Always carry an extra pair of socks with you so that you can change into dry ones when necessary. Socks made from wool and wool-blend are the best choices as they have moisture-wicking and quick-drying properties.

Skin Lubricant  – This trick has been most of the distance runners’ favourite. Always apply lubricant to the areas that become victim of blisters and chaffing. Apply it to your toes, inside the thighs, and heels to reduce the friction and discomfort.

Your Feet Should Be Dry – One of the most effective and quickest ways to keep your feet blister-free is stopping for five minutes to give your feet a break. Take off your boots and socks to eliminate or reduce the level of heat and moisture in your feet. This also helps you feel good in case you find a lake or stream to cool off your feet.

Protect the Hot Spots – Carry blister-treatment products like Moleskin in severe cases of blisters. But I personally use athletic tapes to stick on the skin region prone to blisters. Leukotape is what I opt for as it can be applied to damp skin easily. If I feel that any hot spot is forming, I always use two-to-three, overlapping athletic tapes for maximum protection.

Adjust the Trail Laces – When we are hiking, most of the times the laces of your shoes and boot loosen up. This allows your feet and ankle to move in a different way and enduring various pressure points depending on where you are hiking. This makes your feet swell up that ultimately causes a lot of pain. Lace up your shoes properly before you start hiking to reduce the chances of slipping and friction.

Tape, Just in Case – On days you are taking a long trail run or dayhike, there are a lot of chances that friction in-between the shoes and feet would occur. Thus, I always tape my heels beforehand so that I do not face any discomfort.

These 8 pro tips would help your feet stay free from blisters and make your hiking trip a memorable experience.