Tibets and suddenly getting blisters

[Whaledriver]

Hello. I have had my Tibets for about 3 years now and really like them. I had an issue last year with an achilles flaring up on my. A foot doc recommended insoles (i have an extremely high arch) to help with issue. I am using sole insoles and they seem comfortable. Now the issue is blisters on both heels, slightly towards the inside of heel. I am wearing silk liners with smartwool socks. Is this something that needs breaking in since I have new insoles? Or should I look at new boots? Thanks in advance.

 

[Jason Snyder]

Might have to change your sock thickness. Is the new insole a different thickness than the old one?

 

[airlocksniffer]

I'd guess your insoles are higher than the stock ones, moving your heel up in the boot and creating a new hotspot. Perhaps some low profile Superfeet or something similar in height to the stock beds would help.

 

[Jason Snyder]

The SOLE insole come in different thicknesses. The red ones are thicker than a normal Lowa insole. The gray ones are about the same thickness as a Lowa insole.

 

[Whaledriver]

Ha yep forgot to mention that part. I went from a 3.4mm thickness to a 1.6mm and still no different. I appreciate the quick responses.

 

[Whaledriver]

Not sure on stock thickness. Will try to measure this evening.

 

[tttoadman]

Just a weird idea, but perhaps the heel lock is tightening much harder on the raised part of your foot now as opposed to driving the heel back tight in the heel cup. I hammer my heels back when I put my boots on. You may have to put more emphasis on back setting your foot now that you have a higher arch in there.

 

[Stid2677]

I have had luck using heel lock lacing techniques,, try a few and see if that helps.

How to Lace a Hiking Boot For Better Fit - YouTube

 

[Whaledriver]

Thanks a bunch guys for all the suggestions.

 

[Vids]

Another suggestion - I have Kenetreks and suffered the notorious heel blisters that everyone seems to get. Just to experiment, I stopped wearing silk liners and started wearing Darn Tough socks by themselves, haven't had a hot spot since. Seems counter intuitive, but it worked for me for some reason. Might be worth a shot.

 

[KChunter71]

You might need to go up a size or 1/2 size because the insole is bigger requiring more room. Not what you want to hear, I use sole insoles but you need to fit the boot new with a bigger size.



TK

 

[Bughalli]

Try new insoles first. Look for low profile. Otherwise I bet you need to go up a half size. Those aftermarket insoles take up a lot of room.

 

[warrior80]

I'd guess your insoles are higher than the stock ones, moving your heel up in the boot and creating a new hotspot. Perhaps some low profile Superfeet or something similar in height to the stock beds would help.

^^this. I put the blue Sole insoles in my Tibets and I got blisters on one of my heels. They are the high volume insole though. I really like how comfortable they are, but they raised my heel too much. I put them in a different pair of boots that work great and put the orange Superfeet back in the Tibets. I don't love the Superfeet insoles, but at least I don't get heel blisters. I was still looking for a better alternative before I blew out my knee. Now I don't have to worry about it for this season.

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[warrior80]

I was going to mention, I also agree with trying different sock combinations. With and without liners. Different types of liners. I will also do two pairs of merino socks. Either a thin one with a thicker one or two thin ones. Darn Tough socks are great if you haven't tried them. There are some other good options too.

And you can always use Leukotape. It works great for blister prevention.

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[wapitibob]

A strip of gorilla tape on the heel will prevent future blisters.

 

[CarlTuesday]

Partial thread jack: for you tape folks, have you had better luck going "horizontal" or vertical so it goes under heel a bit? Other?

Sideways seems best, but most likely to roll at edges.

Assume it's the standard middle of back of heel blister...

 

[warrior80]

I go horizontal. The Leukotape will stay on for days without rolling.

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[wapitibob]

Horizontal too. I've never used leukotape, gorilla is what was laying around so I used that. Sticks better than duct tape and is thin so it won't add to the problem. I think if you get too thick like mole skin it will roll easily.

 

[Stid2677]

Leukotape, stays on like no other. Takes me days after I get home to get it all off. I cut and sand my nails and wrap all toes, I place strips across for the pad of my foot and other know trouble spots. I pretape before I leave the day of the hunt.

 

[GKPrice]

Another suggestion - I have Kenetreks and suffered the notorious heel blisters that everyone seems to get. Just to experiment, I stopped wearing silk liners and started wearing Darn Tough socks by themselves, haven't had a hot spot since. Seems counter intuitive, but it worked for me for some reason. Might be worth a shot.

Same here - I first noticed this years ago when I tried silk over wool liners but then I realized I didn't even need liner socks after going to Lowa boots and high quality socks