AN experienced camper has shared his tricks to avoid blisters in hiking boots.
His tried and true lacing techniques and sock choices make a huge difference.
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Andy Halliday, owner of Expert Camper, shared the preventative tips.
He explained that a common mistake campers make is attempting to break in their new hiking boots and shoes.
“Many synthetic materials don’t have the malleability as leather and have a little or no break in time necessary,” Halliday said.
While the latest hiking styles don’t require extensive breaking in, a bit of use before a big hike will save your feet a lot of pain.
“Once you get your boots, put them on to walk around your house, garden, or neighborhood,” he suggested.
“You might feel silly, but it’s worth the comfort down the road.”
Sizing mistakes can also be critical and dramatically impact your hiking experience.
“Remember that your feet tend to swell during hiking. So if your boots are already tight with rested feet, it may be beneficial to size them up,” Halliday advised.
For extra arch support and wider feet, the expert uses inserts and looks for specialized boots.
“If you have wide feet, getting hiking boots specifically made for wide feet is worth the extra hunt. Narrow shoes will just blister the sides of your feet faster,” he said.
Hiking socks are also a great way to protect your feet while wicking away moisture.
Wool, especially, is a great material for moisture control that also aids with blister prevention.
Before pulling on your hiking socks, Halliday recommends dusting your feet with powder to keep them extra dry.
Halliday revealed three lacing techniques that change the way shoes rub against the feet.
By focusing on proper boot break-in, investing in quality socks, ensuring the right fit, and mastering effective lacing techniques, you’ll be well-prepared for any adventure.
Andy Halliday
The Twisted Knot method prevents shoes from slipping off the heel.
“For the top two hooks of your boots, closest to your ankle, twist the laces around each other twice before threading them through the eyes or hooks,” he said.
“This puts more tension on where your foot and ankle meet, keeping your heel in place.”
His “window-lacing” method avoids putting pressure on the top of the shoe.
“If you feel as though the tongue of your shoe is digging into the top of your foot, leave a square ‘window’ by not crossing the laces over the top of your foot,” he said.
“Keep them crossed by the toe and ankle so your shoes still stay together.”
The top skip lace also avoids putting pressure on the toes.
“If your toes are feeling crushed, take a seat and completely take out your laces. Do them back again as normal, except skip the row closest to your toes. You’ll have a bit more wiggle room and relieve some pressure on the piggies,” he said.
“By focusing on proper boot break-in, investing in quality socks, ensuring the right fit, and mastering effective lacing techniques, you’ll be well-prepared for any adventure.”
