Blister Preventatives

badgerbrockhurst said:

if anyone can give me blister cure I would more than appreciate it.

Suggestion #1, have tough feet.
To get tough feet, walk around barefoot or at least without socks
(sandals or flip-flops) to keep your feet in the open air as much
as possible: they won't harden up if you're warm and clammy in
socks the whole time.

Beyond that, good quality socks while walking make a big
difference. £12 a pair might seem mad for socks, but the good ones
pay back the investment IME.

And of course make sure your footwear fits you well. If it
doesn't, no matter how many paludits were heaped on the design by
reviewers, they will be terrible. There is far more to fit than a
single shoe size, and the toughest feet will be reduced to sore
puddings if they're rubbed on every step.

Finally, if you're prone to blisters in the same place protect that
spot in advance with something like Compeed. Gaffer tape works
quite well as a cheap alternative, as it's also smooth and a
boot/sock can slide over it rather than "grab" it to rub.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

On 16 May, 20:10, badgerbrockhurst <[email hidden]>
wrote:
<snip>

Quoted message said:

the Pennine Way next year so if anyone can give me blister cure I
would more than appreciate it.

</snip>

Easy, don't wear boots, wear trail shoes.

V&G have an excellent page on their website http://v-g.me.uk/GearTech/GearTech-Footwear.htm

David
--
http://www.fenrunfellwalk.co.uk

On 16 May 2007 23:54:24 -0700, 214Fells <[email hidden]> wrote:

|!On 16 May, 20:10, badgerbrockhurst <[email hidden]>
|!wrote:
|!<snip>
|!> the Pennine Way next year so if anyone can give me blister cure I
|!> would more than appreciate it.
|!</snip>
|!
|!Easy, don't wear boots, wear trail shoes.

Trail shoes on the Pennine Way? I think not. Remember the peat bogs in
several places, and the numerous fords, trail shoes are IME useless except
where the going is dry.

I have both boots and trail shoes. I wear my boots on my afternoon stroll
because of two tiny fords where the water splashes over the top of my
Gortex trail shoes.
--
Dave Fawthrop <sf hyphenologist.co.uk> 165 *Free* SF ebooks.
165 Sci Fi books on CDROM, from Project Gutenberg
http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page Completely Free to any
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Peter Clinch said:

badgerbrockhurst said:

if anyone can give me blister cure I would more than appreciate it.

<snip>

Quoted message said:

Beyond that, good quality socks while walking make a big
difference. £12 a pair might seem mad for socks, but the good ones
pay back the investment IME.

Peter, any recommendations, please? I'll need to 'update' soon (by about 30
years) and would like some good socks that don't wear out inside a year or
so.

<snip>

Quoted message said:

Finally, if you're prone to blisters in the same place protect that
spot in advance with something like Compeed. Gaffer tape works
quite well as a cheap alternative, as it's also smooth and a
boot/sock can slide over it rather than "grab" it to rub.

If you walk a short way, until you /just/ feel something, then cover the
area (don't go on beyond this point - 100 yds and it's too late). The
stimulation in the area, if not excessive, will cause thicker skin to
develop.

I did this with some new boots (no short walks to try them out) that were
really more sutable for climbing; intended to do about 5 miles and did
nearly 20. My feet were a bit 'hammered' but the prone areas were OK.
--
Peter.
If you can do it today, you didn't put off enough yesterday.

badgerbrockhurst said:

Interesting site. I've just completed the Cumbria Way and still find
walking along watercourses a bit of a chore but well worth it for the
solitude of Langstrath. West Highland Way in three weeks then the C2C
on a bike in July. Walked Offa's Dyke Path, C2C, Hadrians Wall and its
the Pennine Way next year so if anyone can give me blister cure I
would more than appreciate it. [email hidden]. All tips
appreciated.

As mentioned by other posters, a good pair of socks, I think I paid in
the region of £10-12 each for a pair for me and my girlfriend, but
excellent value for money.

Dave Fawthrop said:

Trail shoes on the Pennine Way? I think not. Remember the peat bogs in
several places, and the numerous fords, trail shoes are IME useless except
where the going is dry.

Not done a Mountain Marathon, I take it? ;-)

They typically start the courses with a river crossing well over the
ankles. Last one I did I went into a bog up to my thigh at one point.
Wet feet aren't necessarily a problem.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

PeterC said:

Peter, any recommendations, please? I'll need to 'update' soon (by about 30
years) and would like some good socks that don't wear out inside a year or
so.

Roos and I are both keen on Bridgedales. I've used Thor-Los in the past
though they tend to be a bit long for my feet in the right size (but not
necessarily *your* feet). Smartwool seems to have many happy users, and
someone's said very nice things about Fox River socks here in the past.

Quoted message said:

If you walk a short way, until you /just/ feel something, then cover the
area (don't go on beyond this point - 100 yds and it's too late). The
stimulation in the area, if not excessive, will cause thicker skin to
develop.

Cunning...

And listen to what he says about acting straight away. I've done it
wrong enough times that I /should/ have learned, if you've got a niggle
but it doesn't feel too bad... it will actually be much worse than it is.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

Peter Clinch said:

badgerbrockhurst said:

if anyone can give me blister cure I would more than appreciate it.

Suggestion #1, have tough feet.
To get tough feet, walk around barefoot or at least without socks
(sandals or flip-flops) to keep your feet in the open air as much
as possible: they won't harden up if you're warm and clammy in
socks the whole time.

Beyond that, good quality socks while walking make a big
difference. £12 a pair might seem mad for socks, but the good ones
pay back the investment IME.

12 X £1 pairs and regular cahnges seem to do the job far better for
me. However expensive the socks they soon wear out if you wear them
regularly for long periods of intensive walking.

Message-ID: <[email hidden]> from Peter Clinch
contained the following:

Quoted message said:

Wet feet aren't necessarily a problem.

But I'd guess for most of us they aren't particularly desirable either.
--
Geoff Berrow (put thecat out to email)
It's only Usenet, no one dies.
My opinions, not the committee's, mine.
Simple RFDs http://www.ckdog.co.uk/rfdmaker/

Tim Jones said:

12 X £1 pairs and regular cahnges seem to do the job far better for
me. However expensive the socks they soon wear out if you wear them
regularly for long periods of intensive walking.

They seem to last me several years, Let's say I threw them away at the
end of each year, it's £1 a month for (IME) more comfortable feet.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

Geoff Berrow said:

Message-ID: <[email hidden]> from Peter Clinch
contained the following:

Quoted message said:

Wet feet aren't necessarily a problem.

But I'd guess for most of us they aren't particularly desirable either.

As usual, it's not that simple. Yes, I'd prefer dry feet to wet ones,
but then I'd also prefer the lightest and most breathable footwear. And
you can't have both, so the question is where do your particular
priorities lie?

Different people have the goalposts in different places, but you don't
really know if they're in optimum places until you've moved them around
a bit and tried alternatives. Most people's experience of wet feet is
in heavy boots where they really aren't any fun at all, and that's the
basis used to decide they're terrible, but in lighter footwear if it
isn't cold it's less of a problem than people anticipate.

Think of a marathon on a wet day: do folk with 26 miles of blister
possibilities go for waterproof, or light weight?

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

Message-ID: <[email hidden]> from Peter Clinch
contained the following:

Quoted message said:

Different people have the goalposts in different places, but you don't
really know if they're in optimum places until you've moved them around
a bit and tried alternatives. Most people's experience of wet feet is
in heavy boots where they really aren't any fun at all, and that's the
basis used to decide they're terrible, but in lighter footwear if it
isn't cold it's less of a problem than people anticipate.

Well I've had wet feet in boots and have not found it a particular
problem but I'd draw the line at a boot full of slurry or mud. If it's
moist I like boots and gaiters. I like gaiters anyway because they keep
the stones and snow out. But I've no plans to walk marathons, let alone
run them and so I think this is the right choice /for my kind of
walking/.

--
Geoff Berrow (put thecat out to email)
It's only Usenet, no one dies.
My opinions, not the committee's, mine.
Simple RFDs http://www.ckdog.co.uk/rfdmaker/

Geoff Berrow said:

Well I've had wet feet in boots and have not found it a particular
problem but I'd draw the line at a boot full of slurry or mud. If it's
moist I like boots and gaiters. I like gaiters anyway because they keep
the stones and snow out. But I've no plans to walk marathons, let alone
run them and so I think this is the right choice /for my kind of
walking/.

While it's entirely possible what you have is right for you, I note that
I have no plans to run marathons either, and thought boots were the way
for me... until I /actually tried/ lighter things. I don't always make
the same choice: some days I'll go light, sometimes heavy, and my
choices change with time.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

Peter Clinch said:

Tim Jones said:

12 X £1 pairs and regular cahnges seem to do the job far better for
me. However expensive the socks they soon wear out if you wear them
regularly for long periods of intensive walking.

They seem to last me several years, Let's say I threw them away at the
end of each year, it's £1 a month for (IME) more comfortable feet.

Several months for me!

Once they've lost the "magic" features that allegedly justify the
excessive cost they're just very expensive socks ;(

Geoff Berrow said:

Message-ID: <[email hidden]> from Peter Clinch
contained the following:

Quoted message said:

Wet feet aren't necessarily a problem.

But I'd guess for most of us they aren't particularly desirable either.

Agree with Peter - depending on what Trail Shoe you buy the action of
walking (or running) pumps the water out.

I really don't have a problem with getting my feet wet! I would
however dry the line at wet and very cold.

David.
--
http://www.fenrunfellwalk.co.uk

Peter Clinch said:

PeterC said:

Peter, any recommendations, please? I'll need to 'update' soon (by about 30
years) and would like some good socks that don't wear out inside a year or
so.

Roos and I are both keen on Bridgedales. I've used Thor-Los in the past
though they tend to be a bit long for my feet in the right size (but not
necessarily *your* feet). Smartwool seems to have many happy users, and
someone's said very nice things about Fox River socks here in the past.

Right, thank you, I'll make a not of those.
I'm nervous about socks since 1 pair, from new, went to worn and
uncomfortable in a single walk.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

If you walk a short way, until you /just/ feel something, then cover the
area (don't go on beyond this point - 100 yds and it's too late). The
stimulation in the area, if not excessive, will cause thicker skin to
develop.

Cunning...

And listen to what he says about acting straight away. I've done it
wrong enough times that I /should/ have learned, if you've got a niggle
but it doesn't feel too bad... it will actually be much worse than it is.

Oh yes - then your back to square -n

--
Peter.
If you can do it today, you didn't put off enough yesterday.

Tim Jones said:

Peter Clinch said:

badgerbrockhurst said:

if anyone can give me blister cure I would more than appreciate it.

Suggestion #1, have tough feet.
To get tough feet, walk around barefoot or at least without socks
(sandals or flip-flops) to keep your feet in the open air as much
as possible: they won't harden up if you're warm and clammy in
socks the whole time.

Beyond that, good quality socks while walking make a big
difference. £12 a pair might seem mad for socks, but the good ones
pay back the investment IME.

12 X £1 pairs and regular cahnges seem to do the job far better for
me. However expensive the socks they soon wear out if you wear them
regularly for long periods of intensive walking.

I do v. little walking nowadays (but have 10 days in the Lakes in June) and
last time, not being sure about the boots, used thin-medium-medium and got
away with that.
Need to get some training in - must explain to the bikes!
--
Peter.
If you can do it today, you didn't put off enough yesterday.

On 16 May, 20:10, badgerbrockhurst <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Interesting site. I've just completed the Cumbria Way and still find
walking along watercourses a bit of a chore but well worth it for the
solitude of Langstrath. West Highland Way in three weeks then the C2C
on a bike in July. Walked Offa's Dyke Path, C2C, Hadrians Wall and its
the Pennine Way next year so if anyone can give me blister cure I
would more than appreciate it. [email hidden]. All tips
appreciated.

Thanks for the replies to my query ref blisters which i posted through
the walking englishman.
i`ve used all the methods available including well fitting zamberlan
boots & merrill trail shoes,the main area is always the outside of
both heal areas.
I`ll give the old compeed as a preventative measure & gaffer tape over
the top of these then let you know how i`ve faired.
Next problem is my dislike of walking along watercourses so any veiws
on loch lomond?

nickadams8 said:

Next problem is my dislike of walking along watercourses so any veiws
on loch lomond?

You don't like walking alongside water. It is the biggest lake (by
area) in Great Britain.

As our American cousins would say, "you do the math!" ;-)

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/