Blisters and Boots, bad fit or deal with it?

[snopro176]

So I've had my Scarpas for a year now, have probably close to 30 miles on them and I feel they get a little better as time goes on. But this weekend I went on a quick overnight scouting trip and immediately got blisters on my heels which made the hike out miserable yesterday. I've never really had an issue with blisters until now, and this wasn't exactly the steepest thing I've ever hiked either. I know my boots are about a half a size too big but I've managed it for this long.

Do all you guys with all your favorite boots still get blisters on your heels or is that a thing of the past once you find one that truly fits you? I guess I'm wondering if I should let these go and try again or if this just part of the territory. I've only been truly backpacking a couple years yet so I'm still pretty green, any help is appreciated.

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[Laelkhunter]

What type of socks are you wearing? Thin or thick ? Can you add thicker socks to take up the extra space? You have to have comfort, especially in your boots. If your feet hurt, you won't have much fun. It will get to a point were your blisters will have blisters, and your feet will be raw. You can get Leuko Tape to put on your hot spots, but don't put it over a blister, it will peel the skin off when you eventually take the tape off. Leuko Tape works good to prevent a blister, but as I said earlier, your boots need to fit well, and it sounds like yours don't (you said they are a half-size too big).

 

[couesbitten]

Leukotape is great for covering up hot spots, but I prefer not getting hot spots or blisters. Personally, I find that the first step in ensuring a blister free fit is aftermarket insoles to help lock your heel into the heel cup. Insoles combined with proper lacing can make a huge difference in the fit and function of your boots.

 

[snopro176]

What type of socks are you wearing? Thin or thick ? Can you add thicker socks to take up the extra space? You have to have comfort, especially in your boots. If your feet hurt, you won't have much fun. It will get to a point were your blisters will have blisters, and your feet will be raw. You can get Leuko Tape to put on your hot spots, but don't put it over a blister, it will peel the skin off when you eventually take the tape off. Leuko Tape works good to prevent a blister, but as I said earlier, your boots need to fit well, and it sounds like yours don't (you said they are a half-size too big).

So I did the anti hell slip lace technique once I got service on the hill but by then it was too little too late. They have new Lathrop and sons custom insoles in them which made them a bit more comfortable but that's all. I was wearing darn tough thin(ish) wool socks. I could go thicker but when it's 90° out it's hard enough not cooking my feet of as it is. I'll definitely have to look into that tape. Maybe these are better suited for late season when it's not as warm.

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[Ridge Ghost]

Aftermarket insoles and adjusting the lacing were the first things that I was going to suggest, but sounds like you have tried those. I have found that wearing a thin liner sock under my normal hiking sock can reduce rubbing on my feet.

To answer your other question: NO, blisters shouldn't happen once you find a boot that fits right. I have tried several pairs of boots that feel comfortable in the store but slip in the heel when doing a steep uphill, which gave me blisters. Both Lowas and Kenetreks have fit me well, without any sort of heel slip and blisters. I'm glad I kept searching and didn't accept blisters as something that I just had to deal with. If your feet hurt, you will be in for a miserable hunting season.

 

[snopro176]

I had a set of lowa Camino gtx's that we're extremely comfortable,just wanted something a little stiffer and boy I got it. Might have been a mistake..

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[530Chukar]

With only 30 miles in the boots, I doubt that they are fully broken in yet.


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[fishslap]

I haven't tried everything but lacing and insoles have not worked for me. Leukotape works fantastic but if the slipping is real bad and your feet sweat a lot, it can start to roll up over time, requiring that you keep some with you to replace or add to it. Snug socks help. I have a few pair that fit a little less than perfect and they will contribute to the problem in less than perfect boots. The only thing that's worked completely is simply finding the right boot. For me that's a flexible boot like the Lowa Renegade. My Rangers aren't bad but I tape for caution on those since there's a little slipping and they're a bit stiffer (and a little bigger). I have an almost new pair of Meindle Cabela's Perfekt Hikers that I'm about ready to get rid of. Felt great in the store but they either slip or the lacing pressure is too much on my foot no matter what I try. I'm getting the L&S mountain hunters with their insoles but they won't be here until late august.

 

[Ridge Ghost]

I had a set of lowa Camino gtx's that we're extremely comfortable,just wanted something a little stiffer and boy I got it. Might have been a mistake..

If the Lowa Camino's were comfortable but you want a stiffer boot for hunting, it might be worth sticking with the same brand and trying a pair of Tibets. That's what I currently wear and they are very comfortable.

Of course, everyone's feet are different and experiences may vary, but I have found Lowas to fit very similarly between various models.

 

[FlyGuy]

I'm not an expert but a few things you can try. I have the same issue. It gets me on steep climbs. I've got well over 50 miles on my kenetreks, but I only have flat land to train in so I never really know if it's going to be a problem until I get there.

Pre-tape your feet. It's a PITA to stop, drop your pack, take off your boots. Most guys tend to push a hot spot too far on day one and then have to suffer for it all week. Just tape the crap out of your trouble spots before you even put on your boots the morning before you get there. A good fresh role of lueko tape will stay in place throughout just about any hunt. I've gotten 10 days out of it before. (Hint- buy a fresh role of it for your hunt. Don't use the role that was stored in a box in your garage all summer in 100+ degree heat. The glue doesn't hold up)

Also, make sure that you move your knee forward about 10° when you start to lace up the ankle. There is a video on it in the "wearing in vs breaking in" thread. With stiff boots, something has got to give when you are climbing those slopes. Since the foodbed can't move, then the upper needs to. If the upper is laced really tight and prevents That, then the only thing left to give is your heel. (That's the way I recall the guy at Schnee's explaining it to me anyway).

Lacing and insoles can also help, but if you are still fighting blisters after trying all this, then you probably need to try some new boots.

Good luck and let me know how it goes.

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[Stid2677]

30 miles IMHO is not enough for a good break in, I like 100 or so before I hunt in a pair. As already stated, pretape the spots that have blisters BEFORE your next hike. Check out youtube for some heal locking lacing methods. If you are using the insoles that came with the boots, toss them and get a quality pair of insoles. (it does make a difference). Took me years to learn my feet swell when hiking and I needed larger sized boots, so make sure they fit good. Last tip and I admit I scoffed at these at first, but after 2 seasons and zero foot issues, I'm a believer, and that tip is to wear these toes socks as a liner under whatever hiking sock you like. They stick to your feet and drastically reduce friction. I had to tape my toes every hike until I started wearing these funny ass toe socks.

Amazon.com : Injinji Run 2.0 Lightweight No Show Toe Socks 3 Pack (Black, Medium) : Athletic Socks : Sports & Outdoors

Steve

 

[snopro176]

I definitely think pre taping would have mitigated most if not all of this problem. I have a few more scouting trips to go before archery to hopefully get it died. Thanks everyone for all the tips! I have some no show socks, as odd as it seems, I'll definitely have to give it a try

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[goph707]

You might want to look into 2Toms blister shield powder. That stuff is amazing.

 

[Gumbo]

I think some people just get blisters very easily and others do not. My wife and brother-in-law get blisters immediately when hiking in any type of boot, even those that fit right. I never get them. And 30 miles should be plenty to figure out if a boot works for you or not. As for a break-in period, I've never noticed a difference between mile 1 and mile 1000 in most stiff-soled hiking boots I've had, they either work for me comfort-wise or they don't.

 

[sneaky]

Trail toes cream is amazing stuff too. For anything that chafes.

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[Desk Jockey]

I think some of the best info on blisters can be found from the back packing crowd:

Blister Prevention: Hiker, Heel Thyself - Backpacker

Focus on
1 - preparation. Good fitting boots. Good lacing techniques. Pretaping
2 - prevention. Keep feet and socks dry. Remove boots. Air out feet. Address hot spots fast.
3 - care. Donuts. Friction tape. Padding. Superglue.

I am a big fan of leukotape and before that ole fashioned duct tape for friction relief and covering blisters.

I have certain hotspots on my feet that exist regardless of boots. Some boots are better and some worse but it is my feet/gait/stride that is the cause. I have to watch these in all footwear.

However, some boots just don’t work. Unfortunately, to properly break in a pair of boots you have to wear them far longer than any return policy is going to accommodate. I accelerate breakin by soaking boots and walking them wet until they dry out - like a Saturday AM short hike followed by wearing them around the house until they are mostly dry. Unfortunately there is a lot of trial and error involved in finding the right boots.

 

[Rokwiia]

I don't see any reason to accept blisters. Fifty years ago when the choice was a stiff boot or a stiff boot, then maybe. Not any more.

There are a myriad of choices out there and if you have to have leather there are boots makers with a thinner leather to chose. Limmer Boots have everything from a full custom boot to four different stock leather boots. One of the stock boots is their ultralight which would likely break in the fastest.

I'll never wear boots again especially when I can get lightweight trail runners that get the job done. YMMV

 

[OregonInAlaska]

30 miles IMHO is not enough for a good break in, I like 100 or so before I hunt in a pair. As already stated, pretape the spots that have blisters BEFORE your next hike. Check out youtube for some heal locking lacing methods. If you are using the insoles that came with the boots, toss them and get a quality pair of insoles. (it does make a difference). Took me years to learn my feet swell when hiking and I needed larger sized boots, so make sure they fit good. Last tip and I admit I scoffed at these at first, but after 2 seasons and zero foot issues, I'm a believer, and that tip is to wear these toes socks as a liner under whatever hiking sock you like. They stick to your feet and drastically reduce friction. I had to tape my toes every hike until I started wearing these funny ass toe socks.

Amazon.com : Injinji Run 2.0 Lightweight No Show Toe Socks 3 Pack (Black, Medium) : Athletic Socks : Sports & Outdoors

Steve

Hey Steve, do you have problems with those toe socks slipping down ever?


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[Stid2677]

Hey Steve, do you have problems with those toe socks slipping down ever?


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No Sir, they stick like glue, even more so when you get a bit of L-tape residue.

 

[tracker12]

I will never wear boots that give me blisters If you can’t walk without pain you will never get it done