Avoid Getting Blisters While Hiking
There's nothing like painful blisters to ruin your backcountry hiking trip, but you can avoid them by taking these measures.
Instructions
1. Break in hiking shoes or boots well before your hike, wearing the same shoe-sock combination you will use on the trail.
2. Wrap your blister-prone spots with athletic tape or duct tape before you start hiking, if you know you're likely to have a problem. Put the tape directly on your skin; when you're done hiking, take off your boots and pull off the tape immediately. The heat and sweat from your feet will make it easier to remove.
3. Soak any developing hot spot (an area that is irritated from rubbing) in cold water or air-dry it until the spot cools.
4. Apply a patch or doughnut of moleskin to the hot spot or cover it with tape. Theories about the pros and cons of patches, doughnuts and tape vary. Experiment and find what works best for you.
5. Use foot powder and change into a dry pair of socks before you put your boots or shoes back on and continue hiking.
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