Getting blisters while breaking in trekking boots

Hello

I've been trying to break in my trekking boots - they're not heavy, just regular ankle high ones. Perhaps because they're waterproof, they run hot (??).

I have got blisters though in just two days. Can someone kindly suggest what's the way to treat the blisters using any commonly available indian products?

Any other way to prevent blisters while hiking in waterproof boots(I cannot increase air circulation in the boots certainly).

thanks
Vaibhav

Avoid using waterproof shoes in non extreme conditions. They are a pain most of the time. But even if you plan to use them anyways, carry some dry socks and keep on drying your feet every now and then while hiking.

Hi Vaibhav,

Put them in water and dry them. (That's for the boots, not for your feet! LOL)

For your feet: wear two pairs of socks. Try to wear them around the house daily increasing the time you wear them. Good luck.

Talcum powder maybe helps prevent blisters.

I was always told that rubbing blistered feet with surgical spirit was the fastest repair. I didn't have to use it very often as I followed the advice above to wear two pairs of socks (innermost ones thin cotton). I don't know if surgical spirit is available in India and it does sting a bit.

Additional - According to Wiki the world outside the UK knows this stuff as rubbing alcohol.

Whether it is light sandals or heavy boots... try to catch the situation before the blister becomes a blister, and put sticking plaster on the area of the foot. This protects the skin while the process of the rubbing areas on the shoe get a little soft and those on the foot get a little hard.

My wife calls it shoe bite.

... ahh, well this isnt an option. They will eventually get used in conditions that require them but I have to break them in first!.

Thanks!! I'll surely try the latter (and possibly the former, if i can muster the courage to put brand new boots in a bucket of water).

It's called surgical spirit here too and it's available. I'll go look. thanks!

Is that same as a band-aid?

Excellent advice! I do that for all new pairs of shoes, not just hiking boots.

Ask Mrs. N what the expression for blistered feet is in Tamil or Malayalam. "Shoe bite" might be the literal translation. In Bihar "shoe bite" meant "anthrax" because people picked up the disease from leather made from poorly cured hides of cattle that had died of it.

Shoes get adjusted after walking for, say, around 15 minutes. So, it is always better to put on shoes at least half an hour before trek. Then you should untie and retie the shoe laces just before start your trekking.

You must have observed (during live telecast) athletes doing this during their important races.

One more thing helps, shoes should not be left loose so that it starts rubbing ankle-skin and/or toe-skin. The friction causes blisters.

So that's what rubbing alcohol is!

Yes

Brilliant! The things you learn on Indiamike!



Vaibhav, good luck with it.

Yes!

Sorry, my typo (it should have been plaster) made this even harder to understand.

My answer was to your last query about avoiding blisters while hiking. Blisters are common while using waterproof shoes, even if they are broken into.

My experience is that these shoes can be avoided at most of the places. Infact, socks do a better job because most of the times, these shoes will cease to be waterproof as water will come from upside in case of a puddle or stream.

But as you say, and good for you that you are well aware of the conditions that require them, so I will quietly ease myself out of the discussion as I am no expert in these matters.

I did not know that blisters are common with waterproof shoes even after breaking in. I had another pair from the same brand, those are shoes and not boots and have lasted about 6 years now - those are waterproof as well (oil treated leather). They're really worn out so I dont want to take a risk with them.

Is that usually the case (getting blisters while hiking) with all waterproof boots? I really dont know so if there's any chance I can do something with this pair (I dont have any other options here, it's these boots or just plain sneakers), then that'd be good to know...

I've also edited my original post for clarity.

If they are oil or wax treated leather boots you should be able to wear them without problems once they are broken in. Follow the advice above about socks and make sure that your feet are not slipping or rubbing inside the the boots. Talcum powder might also help although the sort of people I used to walk with would have laughed at anybody using it.

If they are rubber wellington boots or similar I would not recommend walking any great distance as blisters are almost inevitable.

As far as dealing with existing blisters Madame W has reminded me of a special type of plaster called "Compeed" which she has used very successfully to treat blisters on her feet. They are readily available in the UK but I don't know about availability in India.

They are full grain, waterproof leather . Thanks for the ressurance - i will continue to handle the pain for a few more days I suspect wearing only one regular sock layer may have caused this.

I googled it and am fairly certain i've not seen it here. I think Nick's suggestion would be closer to my needs. We have band-aids and band-aid knockoffs all over the place.

compeed works but the best way is a roll of strapping plaster - individual plasters never stay on long enough - easily obtainable at an Indain pharmacy. at the first sign of chafing, wrap it up and keep it on, replacing as necessary until you get back home