Hikers can be vulnerable to suffering from blisters as a consequence of constant exposure to extreme conditions. Add on to this the tough terrain they are hiking over and possibly the incorrect choice of hiking shoes and the conditions are right for sores to show up. Blisters can crop up all around the foot, on the ball, heel and on the side or top of your toes.So what actually causes blisters to show and how will you lower the risk of getting them?
What can cause blisters to transpire?
Heat and dampness are prime circumstances for your socks getting stuck on your feet. This causes friction between your socks and your feet and when movement occurs fluid can start to build up between the individual layers of skin. This happens as your body tries to protect the area where the rubbing is occurring.
Here are a few things that can lead to the introduction of blisters while you are out hiking:
Dampness: internal dampness is the first candidate for creating blisters and can come from either perspiration or it can come from outside your boots if they are not waterproof.
Heat: The obvious source of warmth is the climate, but heat may also result in friction when dirt or gravel ends up in your shoe.
Fungus: you may already have a fungal condition that you didn’t know of which when out hiking can easily end up resulting in blisters.
Allergies: some allergies are known to prime the foot for developing blisters
How can you reduce the risk of blisters
Here is the good news, there are plenty of things you can do to lower your likelihood of getting a blister. Here are a few:
The first thing to look at is your hiking boots. Choosing the best hiking shoes to match the shape of your feet as well as the locations you will be trekking will contribute greatly to being comfortable during your hike. They are going to be made from waterproof materials that are breathable, thus protecting your feet from moisture by means of sweat and wet weather.
The best hiking shoes will also fit your feet well and act as shock absorbers as you traverse the terrain. They will also have gusseted tongs to keep sand and gravel out of your boots.
Putting on multiple pairs of socks is one more option. The most effective hiking socks will absorb moisture and keep your feet dry
Adding another pair of socks on top can also be effective. This second pair can help to reduce the friction between your feet and your boots.
You will need to consider the thickness of your socks when deciding on your hiking boots as you may need to buy one size larger than normal due to the extra padding. On the flip side, if your boots are not tight enough and let you to wriggle your feet around inside then this is very likely to give you a blister because of the friction that this causes.
Other techniques hikers are known to use include wrapping wrapping tape around their feet and regularly changing their socks.
Finally, it is highly advisable to break your new boots in a month or so before doing any serious hiking in them.
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