How to Preventing Blisters When Hiking

Robert “Bobby” Wiebel of Sparta, NJ, oversees daily operations of two Econo-Pak facilities as director of operations. He is responsible for managing 450 employees out of these two food-packaging facilities and manages employee recruitment and all new projects. An avid outdoorsman, Robert Wiebel of Sparta, NJ, enjoys hiking in his free time.
Before heading out on the trail, hikers should be sure they are knowledgeable about how to take proper care of their feet in order to prevent blisters and other problems. The first step should be to make sure that their shoes or boots fit against their feet snugly and comfortably. In many cases, friction, a common cause of blisters, is caused by poorly-fitting footwear. If shoes or boots do not fit properly, individuals may need to retire their shoes and purchase a new pair that fits better. Further, after hikers buy a new pair of hiking boots, they must properly break them in. This ensures the boot has stretched to fit the foot and will not cause swelling or pain.
Moisture accumulation also plays a big role in the formation of blisters, but hikers can usually prevent this issue by wearing the right pair of socks. Ideally, hikers should avoid cotton socks because they absorb sweat and other water they come in contact with. They also have a habit of bunching up inside the boot and causing increased friction against the foot. Instead, hikers should get a good pair of wool or polyester-blend hiking socks. These not only add additional padding to high impact areas, they also are more breathable, wick moisture away, and dry out much more quickly than socks made of other materials.
Finally, hikers can avoid blisters by paying close attention to their feet while on the trail. Whenever a hiker notices a hotspot developing on a foot, he or she should cover the area with moleskin or athlete tape. It’s also a good idea to dry the feet off whenever needed and take periodic breaks to prevent the continuous friction between foot and shoe.
