Contributors to this thread:
Last couple years I've got blisters on my using 3 different types of boots. Do any of you guys tape your heels pryor to your hunt????
I would also like to see answers to this. Never had a problem before but do now
I have a 4E wide foot with a narrow heel so I have never found a boot that doesn't slip and have put duct tape on my heel for 20 years. I have never had a blister when I did duct tape from the beginning. Just put the tape directly on the skin then put a good sock on over it.
I think leuko tape is the stuff.
On I sheep hunt, I taped my heels as a preventative measure. However, I caused more problems than I prevented and got irritation and sores around the edges. Have you tried a thin liner sock or "dress" sock with another quality hiking sock over it?
Mike
I will use athletic tape if I start getting a hot spot. Always in my pack as an emergency treatment
I've found duct tape works much better than athletic tape. The slick surface causes the sock to slide rather than grab. Not sure what Leuko tape is but in spite of how redneck it sounds, duct tape works amazingly well.
Granted it is probably a good idea to try it now rather than on your hunt but if you have problems with hot spots and blisters, you may be shocked how well it works.
Moleskin - Thin or Padded = never have a problem ...
Never had blister issues but Aron Snyder says leukotape is better than duct tape at sticking and staying in place. It's what will be in my pack this fall.
never had a blister but my friend lost his toenails while hunting with me strange same boots same hike ,no 2 feet the same
You can also rub your feet with vaseline to help prevent blisters.
I'm curious what type of socks you're wearing...?
Yup... Leuko tape is the best imo... Stays on for a few days before needing changed.
I don't have the collective experience the guys above have. . . but after a 2010 hunt where I blistered badly, I've started wearing Icebreaker merino wool socks. Haven't had a blister since, even using the same boots as I did in 2010
Bake
Used to use duct tape but always had problems with moisture. Switched to medical/surgical tape and works like a charm. Never get blisters anymore. The tape is breathable and with merino wool socks, keeps my feet dry and blister free. Most medical supply stores carry that tape. Good luck
I guess that's what I was getting at with my sock question. My feet got tore up on my first elk hunt wearing cotton socks. Since I switched to merino wool socks I have not had a blister in 15 years. If I start to feel a hotspot I rub it vaseline and that has worked for me.
A quality set of boots with a liner sock underneath a merino wool sock has been the ticket for me. That being said, I've got some rubber boots that I plan on wearing for a caribou hunt that don't fit as well as some of my leather ones. I plan on using Leuko tape as a preventative measure. I've heard great things about it.
The few times it was necessary, I've used Moleskin covered with Athletic tape.....wearing VERY well broken-in boots helps me quite a bit as well.
I walk like that grasshopper dude on the rice paper light on the feet!
Mike why Vaseline in your pack :>
Hmmm my feet dont sweat i bet that's why some guys blister up makes sense
I understand that sandpaper is next level thinking....
Wear your hiking boots 2 days a week for the months before an extended trip.
It's not just your boots that need to be broken in, it's your feet that need to be de-pussyified.
I don't care what you do for work or how good of shape you're in: If you do something new that your body is not used to, it will hurt. And that goes for anything from swinging a hammer to standing over an OR bed for 12 hours. Your body gets used to whatever you do.
If you're going to spend 12-16 hrs in your boots on a hunt, you need to do that regularly before the hunt.
climb.on's Link
I don't tape before blisters, but if I do get one (or a hotspot) I first use Tincture of Benzoin over the area to make sure whatever I put down sticks. The stuff sticks like crazy! Then I use a donut of moleskin (to take the pressure off the blister then a larger piece moleskin over the donut. The Tincture of Benzoin ensure the moleskin will stick for the rest of the trip, but will come off easier than duct tape will. Duct tape can be nasty to remove sometimes.
You can get Tincture of Benzoin in a bottle, swabs or ampules. I like the ampules the best (see link). Bottle if they leak will make a huge sticky mess.
Lou- I am sure Mike will try and tell us he has Vaseline for fire starter! That old line!
A snug fitting boot is the way to go, clean dry socks to be changed often, sweat and loose fitting boots spell blisters, a good pare of hiking shoes can be a nice change from boots. never taped a foot once I figured out the cause.
My feet don't sweat much either but I always wear a thin liner sock under a thicker hiking sock and have never had a blister that I can recall. But I make sure all my boots are well broken in and fit correctly with that combo.
Blisters make good evening snacks !!!peel and eat
Ive made up oval pieces of duct tape stuck to wax paper but dont need them much. I will have to try that leuko stuff
Well guys, the vaseline is in my pack to rub on my feet to prevent blisters, duh!
Also, the inside of my nose often gets cracked and bleeds due to the dry mountain air. A little vaseline in the nose can sometimes prevent or alleviate the discomfort... and makes for some nice boogers. (Actually Aquafor works better)
What else would vaseline be used for? Sounds like you guys might have some experience... Ha! ;^)
I wore some bad boots several years ago. Duct tape saved the day. You do have to be careful where the edges are as they can cut into your feet. Good boots well broken in before the season are a must.
Will be looking for those toe tracks in unit 5 next week !!!!
I get these kind of blisters on the bottoms of my heals and the balls of my feet. I used to get blisters on the back of my heels but started using some stuff called Engo patches (they really work good) that stick to the inside of your boot and I haven't got a blister in the back since. I haven't figured out how to get rid of the ones on the bottom of my feet though. If you put an Engo patch on the floor of your boot, your foot slips all over inside the boot, not a good thing.
Lots of serious hikers use duct tape. They claim it works best of any types of tape they tried. Shawn
Flyby,
That looks painful! Have you tried duct tape? I think I would try anything if I was dealing with that even occasionally.
On another note, large pics of ugly men's feat on the bowsite is just more than a little unsettling.
Wow you are not wearing the right kind of boot. Buy your self an upper end boot, there are many. There are threads on bowsite about different boots. You might pay more but your feet won't look like that.
My feet do that even wearing tennis shoes. They have been like that as long as I can remember. Anytime I am moving on my feet, the bottoms heat up and start to blister. Just driving in the car, the pressure from the floor into my heal of my foot causes it to heat up and feel like it is burning. I have never tried duct tape but have used athletic tape and get the same blisters.
john yikes looks annoying
I searched amazon for the leukotape everyone was talking about and saw some stuff called blisterproof they make it for heals and soles it looks like something flybyjohn should give a try.