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steve_podleski Member
Joined: 19 Sep 2007 Posts: 309 | TRs | Pics Location: mukilteo |
For the second time in two years, I have experienced heel blisters going up the Granite Mountain trail. I have had the boots for 5 years and last year was the first time I have experience heel blisters. I also have used the same liners and wool socks used in previous hikes. I am guessing collapsed insoles?
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DIYSteve seeking hygge
Joined: 06 Mar 2007 Posts: 12655 | TRs | Pics Location: here now |
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DIYSteve
seeking hygge
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Fri Jul 06, 2018 5:20 pm
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steve_podleski wrote: | I am guessing collapsed insoles? |
Good place to start. I have eliminated blisters in hiking and ski touring boots simply by installing high volume Superfeet insoles.
If that doesn't do it, there's always Leukotape. Prepare with tincture of benzoin for enhanced stickiness.
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Windstorm Member
Joined: 16 Dec 2014 Posts: 288 | TRs | Pics
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You could also check that your socks aren't wearing thin in the heels (although it's less likely to be the problem since you're wearing liners). I'm pretty sure worn out socks were partially to blame for a recent blister of mine.
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texasbb Misplaced Texan
Joined: 30 Mar 2009 Posts: 1153 | TRs | Pics Location: Tri-Cities, WA |
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texasbb
Misplaced Texan
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Fri Jul 06, 2018 7:46 pm
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In my experience, heel blisters are almost always caused by excessive pressure, not rubbing. Stopping the laces an eyelet or two below the top can help on the uphills.
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reststep Member
Joined: 17 Dec 2001 Posts: 4757 | TRs | Pics
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reststep
Member
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Fri Jul 06, 2018 8:10 pm
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Ezeefit Ankle Booties
I have not tried these myself but I have heard they work and might be worth a try.
"The mountains are calling and I must go." - John Muir
"The mountains are calling and I must go." - John Muir
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steve_podleski Member
Joined: 19 Sep 2007 Posts: 309 | TRs | Pics Location: mukilteo |
I am going to try all your suggestions. It's too painful not to.
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moonspots Happy Curmudgeon
Joined: 03 Feb 2007 Posts: 2456 | TRs | Pics Location: North Dakota |
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moonspots
Happy Curmudgeon
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Sat Jul 07, 2018 5:21 am
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DIYSteve wrote: | I have eliminated blisters in hiking and ski touring boots simply by installing high volume Superfeet insoles. |
Try wearing women's calf length nylons under the socks. The socks slide against the nylons, not your skin. Also, get packs of glacier gel, put 'em on as soon as you notice blister starting (hot spot on skin). See if any of these techniques work for you.
"Out, OUT you demons of Stupidity"! - St Dogbert, patron Saint of Technology
"Out, OUT you demons of Stupidity"! - St Dogbert, patron Saint of Technology
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SusanHikes Member
Joined: 29 Dec 2010 Posts: 227 | TRs | Pics Location: South Puget Sound |
https://goengo.com/
These were a game changer for me. Same concept as some of the other solution in that it creates a frictionless surface but this solution establishes the solution in the show rather than on the foot.
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Schenk Off Leash Man
Joined: 16 Apr 2012 Posts: 2372 | TRs | Pics Location: Traveling, with the bear, to the other side of the Mountain |
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Schenk
Off Leash Man
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Mon Jul 09, 2018 3:03 pm
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+1 on Superfeet.
Depending on your age, and the types of footwear you wear on a day-to-day basis, your feet may have flattened and grown a bit in length which can cause a change in the way footwear fits over a couple-few years. Some boots shrink over time too...especially sturdy boots with Top/Full grain chrome tanned leather.
This is one of the reasons Superfeet work for many folks (including me). Without going into a long explanation of how (it has to do with supporting the calcaneous' shelf), Superfeet insoles help put the foot in a more neutral position which effectively shortens the foot a little. Perhaps more importantly, they help reduce tension on the Plantar Fascia tendon which allows the foot to flex more naturally.
Nature exists with a stark indifference to humans' situation.
Nature exists with a stark indifference to humans' situation.
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geyer Member
Joined: 23 May 2017 Posts: 462 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle |
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geyer
Member
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Mon Jul 16, 2018 2:57 pm
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This might be specific to me, but I started getting heel blisters and thought it was my boots. In a way, it was, because my boots had been rubbing on my heels for so long that it created a heel bone spur. Now, boots just don't fit me unless they are custom molded. And even then, its a crap shoot.
If you have a bone spur, my only suggestion is to switch to softer heeled shoes - either boots with a lot of cushioning in the heel (which will wear out quickly) or trail runner/approach shoes.
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graywolf Member
Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 808 | TRs | Pics Location: Sequim |
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graywolf
Member
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Mon Jul 16, 2018 8:10 pm
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The only easy day was yesterday...
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InFlight coated in DEET
Joined: 20 May 2015 Posts: 847 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle area |
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InFlight
coated in DEET
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Thu Jul 19, 2018 10:47 am
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A lot of foot problems hiking are exasperated by wearing heavy boots with high heel lift and inflexible soles.
You tend to take larger strides with excessive heel strike.
If your barefoot you tend to take smaller strides, and have far less heel strike. You also roll your rear foot on the toes more (which you can't do in a heavy boot).
You might try some low rise trail runners. The reduced heel padding will encourage you to relearn a lower heal strike stride and allow a more natural walking style (w/ flexiable sole).
“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately...” ― Henry David Thoreau
“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately...” ― Henry David Thoreau
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treeswarper Alleged Sockpuppet!
Joined: 25 Dec 2006 Posts: 11272 | TRs | Pics Location: Don't move here |
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treeswarper
Alleged Sockpuppet!
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Sun Jul 22, 2018 7:35 am
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SusanHikes wrote: | https://goengo.com/
These were a game changer for me. Same concept as some of the other solution in that it creates a frictionless surface but this solution establishes the solution in the show rather than on the foot. |
Those worked well for me until the rainy season hit. I wore them on my daily walks. When my shoes got wet, the pads came off and stuck to my socks, and a blister was started from that.
What's especially fun about sock puppets is that you can make each one unique and individual, so that they each have special characters. And they don't have to be human––animals and aliens are great possibilities
What's especially fun about sock puppets is that you can make each one unique and individual, so that they each have special characters. And they don't have to be human––animals and aliens are great possibilities
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steve_podleski Member
Joined: 19 Sep 2007 Posts: 309 | TRs | Pics Location: mukilteo |
Visited Jim at Custom Boot Service and he stretched the boots a bit and inserted a heel lift to get my heels to the back of the boot. He also suggested some foot exercises to get better balance. I also put on some leukotape. Made a small test on a 9 mi. hike on Johnson Ridge. Although the hike had only about 2600ft gain, I had no problems. Only negative was that the flowers where not yet out on Scorpion
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