Preventing blisters on charity walk - ideas?
Discussion
I've signed up for a charity walk next month: 60 miles in November but I'm aiming for 100 at least.
I'm 74 years old, over weight and sedentary but determined to kickstart regular exercise by doing this walk. Probably the furthest I've walked non-stop recently was two miles a couple of times last month so this will be more and every day too.
I've a couple of pairs of suitable shoes but what about socks or other blister preventative measures; I really don't want to fail to finish so any advice welcome.
I'm 74 years old, over weight and sedentary but determined to kickstart regular exercise by doing this walk. Probably the furthest I've walked non-stop recently was two miles a couple of times last month so this will be more and every day too.
I've a couple of pairs of suitable shoes but what about socks or other blister preventative measures; I really don't want to fail to finish so any advice welcome.
Decent socks and good supportive but not too heavy shoes/boots and start walking every day (starting today) aiming for 10k steps (you've probably got a step counter on your phone)...
Your feet will get used to it and you shouldn't get blisters. To be honest muscle and joint pain/achey feet, that sort of thing might be more of a problem than blisters anyway....
Your feet will get used to it and you shouldn't get blisters. To be honest muscle and joint pain/achey feet, that sort of thing might be more of a problem than blisters anyway....
Shoes are the most important thing, obviously.
They need to be suitable for your feet and broken in gradually.
Blisters come from your feet getting too hot and rubbing - either toes on each other/your foot or on the sock/shoe itself.
I've always prevented this (for the most part) by
> Ensuring your shoes aren't too tight - go at least a half size up from normal to allow your feet to expand when they get hot.
> Ensuring your shoes are right for the job - no point wearing trail or hiking boots if your miles will all be on smooth footpath.
> Cut your toenails. Obvious maybe, but I keep my toenails short and have never lost one or had a blister off one.
> Buy appropriate socks. Again, suitable for the task in question. Sport socks for sports shoes, walking socks for walking shoes.
They need to be suitable for your feet and broken in gradually.
Blisters come from your feet getting too hot and rubbing - either toes on each other/your foot or on the sock/shoe itself.
I've always prevented this (for the most part) by
> Ensuring your shoes aren't too tight - go at least a half size up from normal to allow your feet to expand when they get hot.
> Ensuring your shoes are right for the job - no point wearing trail or hiking boots if your miles will all be on smooth footpath.
> Cut your toenails. Obvious maybe, but I keep my toenails short and have never lost one or had a blister off one.
> Buy appropriate socks. Again, suitable for the task in question. Sport socks for sports shoes, walking socks for walking shoes.
Something I have always found that works is figure out where you tend to get some rubbing, then get a small square of Kinesio tape and stick it onto the area, making sure it has no creases or anything - essentially behaves like a second skin and massively reduces, if not completely prevents irritation.
Obviously, well fitting shoes and good socks are needed as well
Obviously, well fitting shoes and good socks are needed as well
dontlookdown said:
Prevention is better than cure, but if you do get blisters, competed plasters are way better than regular ones for dealing with them. Follow the instructions carefully, and good luck!
ETA Compeed, not competed. Autocorrect;)
Compeed seconded. Always taken on holiday when we might end up doing 10 mile walks. There's always one family member with new boots/boots they rarely wear/the wrong socks/etc and after a couple of miles a blister is developing.ETA Compeed, not competed. Autocorrect;)
Edited by dontlookdown on Tuesday 17th October 12:17
Bang a Compeed on immediately and forget about it for the rest of the break.
Brilliant things
Wow, that’s quite some challenge! Best of luck.
Lots of good advice above.
I would add wear your preferred shoes as much as possible so they match the shape of you feet.
You state you’ve got a couple of pairs of suitable shoes, could you expand on this? Did you go to a specialist shoe shop and get your feet measured? Our feet are all different shapes and sizes and getting a good fitting shoe will help prevent discomfort & reduce the chances of blisters.
60/100 miles is a good distance, maybe approach training in a similar way to running a marathon? Please keep us updated.
Lots of good advice above.
I would add wear your preferred shoes as much as possible so they match the shape of you feet.
You state you’ve got a couple of pairs of suitable shoes, could you expand on this? Did you go to a specialist shoe shop and get your feet measured? Our feet are all different shapes and sizes and getting a good fitting shoe will help prevent discomfort & reduce the chances of blisters.
60/100 miles is a good distance, maybe approach training in a similar way to running a marathon? Please keep us updated.
Sorry everyone, I really didn't make myself clear - it's 60 miles in the whole of November i.e. an average of two miles each day so apologies! It would however be satisfying by the end of the month to be able to do much more than that daily.
"Nothing to it!" I'm sure most of you will say but I have arthritic knees and hips so walking for me isn't always easy or pain free. I don't want to go at it gung-ho and find I've buggered up my feet in the first few days; I really do want to complete the distance plus a bit more.
Shoes fit fine and are comfortable. Both pairs have been worn on various holiday walks in recent years though on beaches and grass whereas the charity walking will be on mostly hard surfaces.
Compeed plasters - I've used them once or twice and found them excellent.
Socks - thanks for your thoughts.
"Nothing to it!" I'm sure most of you will say but I have arthritic knees and hips so walking for me isn't always easy or pain free. I don't want to go at it gung-ho and find I've buggered up my feet in the first few days; I really do want to complete the distance plus a bit more.
Shoes fit fine and are comfortable. Both pairs have been worn on various holiday walks in recent years though on beaches and grass whereas the charity walking will be on mostly hard surfaces.
Compeed plasters - I've used them once or twice and found them excellent.
Socks - thanks for your thoughts.
Riley Blue said:
Sorry everyone, I really didn't make myself clear - it's 60 miles in the whole of November i.e. an average of two miles each day so apologies! It would however be satisfying by the end of the month to be able to do much more than that daily.
"Nothing to it!" I'm sure most of you will say but I have arthritic knees and hips so walking for me isn't always easy or pain free. I don't want to go at it gung-ho and find I've buggered up my feet in the first few days; I really do want to complete the distance plus a bit more.
Shoes fit fine and are comfortable. Both pairs have been worn on various holiday walks in recent years though on beaches and grass whereas the charity walking will be on mostly hard surfaces.
Compeed plasters - I've used them once or twice and found them excellent.
Socks - thanks for your thoughts.
I watched a video on Youtube recently suggested that simply wearing 2 pairs of socks would stop blisters as it acts as a second layer of skin, similar to what Dave suggested above."Nothing to it!" I'm sure most of you will say but I have arthritic knees and hips so walking for me isn't always easy or pain free. I don't want to go at it gung-ho and find I've buggered up my feet in the first few days; I really do want to complete the distance plus a bit more.
Shoes fit fine and are comfortable. Both pairs have been worn on various holiday walks in recent years though on beaches and grass whereas the charity walking will be on mostly hard surfaces.
Compeed plasters - I've used them once or twice and found them excellent.
Socks - thanks for your thoughts.
I found that 2 pairs of socks gave me worse blisters as one would bunch up and start rubbing.
I would get some lightweight but bouncy running shoes, will be less effort to walk and the cushioning will reduce the impacts.
Mizuno are my go-to brand these days but any proper running trainer will help.
Every lb of footwear is equivalent to carrying 5lb on your back, it makes quite a difference.
I would get some lightweight but bouncy running shoes, will be less effort to walk and the cushioning will reduce the impacts.
Mizuno are my go-to brand these days but any proper running trainer will help.
Every lb of footwear is equivalent to carrying 5lb on your back, it makes quite a difference.
dudleybloke said:
I found that 2 pairs of socks gave me worse blisters as one would bunch up and start rubbing.
I would get some lightweight but bouncy running shoes, will be less effort to walk and the cushioning will reduce the impacts.
Mizuno are my go-to brand these days but any proper running trainer will help.
Every lb of footwear is equivalent to carrying 5lb on your back, it makes quite a difference.
Re the two pairs of socks .I would get some lightweight but bouncy running shoes, will be less effort to walk and the cushioning will reduce the impacts.
Mizuno are my go-to brand these days but any proper running trainer will help.
Every lb of footwear is equivalent to carrying 5lb on your back, it makes quite a difference.
I used to wear a thin inner pair and a thicker outer pair.
Worked for me , never bunched up.
Best distance was 32 miles at one go.
Knees were knackered though.
Stan the Bat said:
dudleybloke said:
I found that 2 pairs of socks gave me worse blisters as one would bunch up and start rubbing.
I would get some lightweight but bouncy running shoes, will be less effort to walk and the cushioning will reduce the impacts.
Mizuno are my go-to brand these days but any proper running trainer will help.
Every lb of footwear is equivalent to carrying 5lb on your back, it makes quite a difference.
Re the two pairs of socks .I would get some lightweight but bouncy running shoes, will be less effort to walk and the cushioning will reduce the impacts.
Mizuno are my go-to brand these days but any proper running trainer will help.
Every lb of footwear is equivalent to carrying 5lb on your back, it makes quite a difference.
I used to wear a thin inner pair and a thicker outer pair.
Worked for me , never bunched up.
Best distance was 32 miles at one go.
Knees were knackered though.
Works like a multi-plate clutch !
Riley... You may find that doing a couple of miles a day (and building) works wonders for your joints. It does for many. You'll feel it initially though.
Re distance walking. Just to add re: socks. Take several pairs. Change them every x miles when your feet get sweaty and damp. Makes a huge difference to foot comfort.
Same goes for hill walking or mountaineering... But add in a change of baselayer so you can whip off the sweaty one when you get to the top and descend in comfort.
Re distance walking. Just to add re: socks. Take several pairs. Change them every x miles when your feet get sweaty and damp. Makes a huge difference to foot comfort.
Same goes for hill walking or mountaineering... But add in a change of baselayer so you can whip off the sweaty one when you get to the top and descend in comfort.
An old Army sergeant told me as a 13 year old to paint the soles of my feet with Iodine, to toughen them up and make them less susceptible to blistering when I did my DofE Bronze. I can't be sure it worked for the reasons he said, but I certainly don't recall any blisters. I find that good footwear and well fitting socks are the thing. Scarpa boots have become my go-to. For a 2 mile a day walk however, I'd be looking at something more like a trail trainer. They're light, but If you go for one with a Vibram sole, they're generally hardwearing.
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