Hello
Bit of an essay coming up - sorry 🙂
I am new to this group and although not new to walking, (learnt as a baby) I
am suddenly getting a lot keener.
Background: For years I have been walking the dogs in the country for
usually an hour a go (usually wearing wellies, trainers or deck shoes) and
spend considerable time walking on pavements when working in London (wearing
ladies low heeled shoes). Also been up that high mountain in Madeira wearing
trainers and joined my friend for the final two days of her Wainwright walk.
I can't confess to having too many problems, except horribly wet feet
sometimes and filthy trainers!
Anyway to get to the point. I finally decided (cos I was going to Walk the
Wight last Sunday, 26 miles and they have hills there as well) that I would
buy the 'proper gear' so .............. after trying on, (and testing at
home) umpteen boots from my local outdoor clothing shop I settled on a
Brasher Hillmasters. They sort of felt a trifle hard underneath, but that
was all. I followed the fitting instructions about wearing socks and
standing up with laces undone and being able to get a finger down the back
of the boots. I am normally a size 4 but cause of the hiking socks I needed
a 5. I wore them round the house for a few days then set off with the dogs
round the country lanes and tracks. Walks ranging from 20 minutes (bout a
mile) to 2 hours - 6 miles at my speed, and its flattish here, (yeh, I know
I am slow). But I am four stones overweight .... that's a handicap 🙂
First the toes on my left foot felt as if they were burning, and then the
right foot, then it would seem ok and some times both feet burning (bit
inconsistent my feet). The bottom of the boots inside often seem to be
quite hard. If I can chat and take my mind from it, its manageable. Anyway
I did the 26 miles last Sunday. No blisters since buying the boots so guess
they DO fit correctly, but I could not wait to get those boots off. My feet
were roasting and the soles of my feet were 'white' and felt very 'pins and
needles'. I have walked the dogs in them since - last night out for a
couple of hours and it was not painful, but unpleasant. All was ok, once we
got to the pub and took the weight off feet; walking to the loo felt quite
cushioned as I suppose it should have.
I have tried with one pair hiking socks (thick and not so thick) and with
and without lining socks that wick. Also with and without talcum powder on
feet.
Any ideas please.
Incidentally, my partner also purchased Hillmasters when I did and although
he got blisters whilst breaking them in he says his feet are lovely and cool
(despite the fact that he normally suffers from hot feet) and the boots are
comfortable