Blisters on your feet

[Deafirishman]

Every year that I have gone elk hunting, I ALWAYS end up with blisters on the back of both heels. I have tried everything from mole skin, real sticky band aids, liner socks under wool socks. You name it, I always end up with these painful blisters. Is there any other technique to prevent this from happening ?

[Trophyhill]

How often do you wear your hunting boots? It almost sounds like either they aren't broke in or they just don't fit.

[elkmtngear]

The poly sock liners solved the problem for me, I had the same problem for years. Could it be related to boot fit? Mine always fit snug but not too tight.

There is a product called "Leukotape" that is supposed to work better than moleskin. You can get it on Amazon, I just sent some to my Daughter who is in Marine Infantry Training right now.

[pointysticks]

I got some leukotape. The stuff is amazing. It won't come off sweaty feet. Unless you take it off.

I would change boots. Even Great boot. " aren't for everyone" I think big heel blisters is a fit prob.

And I recently added a twist to my laces after the last eyelets before it goes to those lace hooks. Put a half cinch like you're gonna lace your boots down there. I can cinch snug to prevent any heel lift.

I can take a pic if my explanation sucked.

[Lark Bunting]

My son dealt with this last year. We bought him new boots this year and he has had no issues on the three hikes we've been on since.

I have issue with the tops of my boots rubbing the outsides of my calves. I have to put a ton of lotion on to avoid the rash. Otherwise, my boots fit perfectly...that rubbing though sucks!

[DMiller6868]

I got some leukotape. The stuff is amazing. It won't come off sweaty feet. Unless you take it off.

I would change boots. Even Great boot. " aren't for everyone" I think big heel blisters is a fit prob.

And I recently added a twist to my laces after the last eyelets before it goes to those lace hooks. Put a half cinch like you're gonna lace your boots down there. I can cinch snug to prevent any heel lift.

I can take a pic if my explanation sucked.

I wouldn't say it "sucked", but a picture would be quite useful. Thx

[pointysticks]

I got some leukotape. The stuff is amazing. It won't come off sweaty feet. Unless you take it off.

I would change boots. Even Great boot. " aren't for everyone" I think big heel blisters is a fit prob.

And I recently added a twist to my laces after the last eyelets before it goes to those lace hooks. Put a half cinch like you're gonna lace your boots down there. I can cinch snug to prevent any heel lift.

I can take a pic if my explanation sucked.

I wouldn't say it "sucked", but a picture would be quite useful. Thx

You're too kind. Thanks. Pic coming up. Let me roll up my pajama pant leg.

[pointysticks]

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1394387255.707117.jpg (164.44 KiB) Viewed 11652 times

It's a triple twist. You can get the lowers super tight before you lace up the top half. I found if I didn't do this things would loosen when I changed up to do the hooks. Similar to tying string around a box or a meat roast. You know how you get someone to put a finger on the string?

Careful. You can actually go too tight. There are better knots. But mine is easy in the dark, huddled under a tent vestibule.

[pointysticks]

Gonna oil my boots now:)

[zpd307]

I bought keen hiking boots and have used them the last two years. even being constantly wet last year, from all the rain, I haven't had any problems with my feet. my buddy is the exact opposite. I do take my boots and socks off in the afternoon when I resting up on the mtn.

[Elkduds]

While my feet are unblistered, clean and dry, I get a piece of duct tape about 1.5" square. I put it on the bony part of my heel with corners pointing up and down, like a diamond shape. I smooth all the wrinkles out and let it set for a couple of minutes before I put on socks. I have used this on multi-day pack trips, the tape stays on for at least 2 days, then I replace it. Never had a blister under the tape w this setup. Also, I buy B width boots to fit my B width feet.

[Indian Summer]

The only way to get blisters s from friction. If you've tried sticky bandaids... which would be similar to both of the above mentioned tape methods... then you really do have a fit problem. Those fixes all eliminate friction. So if you STILL have friction you have a serious boot issue.

Break in can be a big deal too. Steel shank boots like Kenetreks or very stiff soled boots will literally take 75+ miles to break in. In the meantime the stiff soles will hold the heel of the boot down when you lift your heel. It sounds like this may be the problem. If a boot is too wide you can have the same problem because your heel is able to lift in the boot.

Oil them up and break them in. If that doesn't work those may just not be the boots for you. When you have boots that fit properly and are broken in you shouldn't need fast fixes to eliminate problems from friction. Polypropylene liners are the most you should ever really need. That said.... nothing is worse than wearing a boot that doesn't work for your feet so I feel your pain. It's early in the year so I'd be on top of that. No feet: no elk hunting!

[Lefty]

I need to be really careful with my feet. I lost a lot of nerve and circulation from frostbite. I have gotten blisters once in the past ten years and that was because I didn't know my toe was curled under,.

Make sure you have proper fitting boots and to tie them correctly. And wear good socks

Maybe Ive been lucky
However my archery elk boots are the exact style boot that I wear daily for work

[8upbowhunter]

While my feet are unblistered, clean and dry, I get a piece of duct tape about 1.5" square. I put it on the bony part of my heel with corners pointing up and down, like a diamond shape. I smooth all the wrinkles out and let it set for a couple of minutes before I put on socks. I have used this on multi-day pack trips, the tape stays on for at least 2 days, then I replace it. Never had a blister under the tape w this setup. Also, I buy B width boots to fit my B width feet.

x2 - I had a problem getting blisters with a pair of snake boots when they were new. I put a piece of duct tape like Elkduds said and never had another problem. Now that they are broken in I don't need the tape anymore but it was a life saver when they were new.

[rudyc]

"I got some leukotape. The stuff is amazing. It won't come off sweaty feet. Unless you take it off."

+++2

Had real good luck with it last year. Got a couple of "hot spots" on the bottom of my feet the the Leukotape took care of the problem. It does stick like the dickens and that's a good thing!

[Deafirishman]

Thanks for the input guys. I appreciate it very much. Last season I bought a good quality boots (Red Wing Shoes Trailblazers) They were new last year bug broke in quite well before the hunt. Maybe they weren't broke in enough and that could have been the problem but the blisters were in the same place when I wore a different style of boots that I used for a couple of seasons. After reading some of the responses, maybe I do have a fitting problem. I always tie my boots as snug as they can be to eliminate the heel from moving up and down. Maybe I can convince the wife that I need a new pair of boots ?? I already spent too much $ last year so this would definitely put me in the dog house

[Elkduds]

Another reason my feet and boots get along well is that I use orthotic footbeds. I take out the factory footbeds and put in orthotics when trying on boots. I'm not talking over the counter Dr. Scholls footbeds. I had an awesome footbed guy, Gerhard Rill in Grand Junction, spend 2 weeks custom building and fitting them to me over several visits, and they make every shoe fit better.

[4araquiver]

Sounds like a fit problem to me as well. I tried several pairs of boots on when I was looking for a new pair. Different boot brands fit different styles of feet and I did not find any that we're working for me. I called lathrop and sons and talked to Steven. I described my foot and hunting style and he gave me a few recommendations. The synergy high country foot beds work great also. Give Steven a call and rid yourself of the trouble.

[Trophyhill]

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1394387255.707117.jpg

It's a triple twist. You can get the lowers super tight before you lace up the top half. I found if I didn't do this things would loosen when I changed up to do the hooks. Similar to tying string around a box or a meat roast. You know how you get someone to put a finger on the string?

Careful. You can actually go too tight. There are better knots. But mine is easy in the dark, huddled under a tent vestibule.

I just saw a video over on the western forum of that other sight showing your triple twist and another technique. I'm gonna give another technique a try

[pointysticks]

ugh..stomach is bad this AM.. calling in sick.

i just saw that same video..since i cant sleep anyways.
here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOE28brAcEc&app=desktop

[pointysticks]

here is where i learned to play around with lacing.

http://www.backpacker.com/gear/5245

[zpd307]

i also tighten the s**t out of my laces so that my feet don't slide around inside. maybe that's why i have not had a problem.

[Csrbowhunter]

I have had the same problem with blisters! I tried the twist lacing and all it did was cut off the circulation in my feet. I don't know if I buy my boots to big or what. I always get huge blisters on my heels. I've tried the two layers of socks,that seemed to slow it down but still in the end got blisters. I've used Mendel perfect hikers and danner pronghorns. This year I thought about crispi Idaho but just worried I'm wasting money. Two years ago I hunted with a buddy that was wearing underarmer speed freaks and he went everywhere I went and didn't get any blisters. He didn't even tie his boots tight.

[Zonk54]

I try to go barefoot as much as I can during the summer to toughen them up. My feet get pretty calloused and crusty but I haven't gotten a blister yet.

[Swede]

I worked for years in the woods hiking, fighting fires, etc. on some of the nastiest ground in the mountains of Oregon and Washington. I bought good fitting boots, broke them in, and kept them soft so they flexed where my foot does. Good fitting boots usually don't take long to break in. I have had some that were a little tougher than others. If you can't find over the counter boots that fit well, find a custom boot maker and give them a try. They are a little more expensive, but may be well worth the extra cost. I and a lot of the people I worked with used the custom boot makers. Even though it is not a big issue with me, I also like good quality socks. They can help.

[msd1228]

It really does come down to fit - you can have a $1000 pair of boots, but if they don't fit perfectly you will be in for a world of hurt, whereas a $150 pair of perfectly fitting boots will have you hitting the hills hard all week. I wear Red Wings for work, but when it comes time to hit the hills I can't wear anything from that brand. They are fantastic boots, but for that specific application they just don't work for me.

[Triplebhunters]

This will keep you going after you get blisters. Along with silk sox, I buy the cabelas silk sox when they are on sale.

Dave

[Elkduds]

BBBhunter, put that on first and skip the "getting blisters" part. Friction causes hot spots, then blisters. Duct and other tape products are slicker than skin, so no friction. Preventing a problem is easier than repairing one, and hurts less.

Zonk, do you get a camo pedicure for those barefoot summers?

[pointysticks]

Some guys just have awesome feet. I would buy leukotape over duct tape. That stuff is amazing. It hurts less yanking it off. And I bet it stays on while swimming. It is kinda waterproof. I wrap my little toe. I bent it during a bike crash and it never healed right. L-tape stays on for a five day hike. It gets gross and I change it. But I wouldnt have to if I didn't want to. It is neat stuff. Duct tape is the better multitasker tho.

[Zonk54]

Elkduds no one in their right mind would touch my calloused up feet for a pedicure. Duct tape is good preventive tip. Knew a guy in the military who would wrap his feet in duct tape before 20 and 30 mile road marches and it worked well for him.

[elkmule123]

On some pairs of boots, I've worn three pairs of socks. A thin liner sock, a merino wool sock (about the thickness of a every day cotton sock), and a thicker (heavy duty) hiking sock. I haven't gotten any hot spots doing this. The only issue I've had is one of my liner socks was slicker than my others and y merino sock worked its way down to my toes. Definitely stay away from cotton using three socks.