looking after your feet

[karlpowell]

With just over 2 weeks to go , I am all ready preparing for Glasto , every year i end up with very bad blisters on my feet , I always wear boots and thick socks and try and clean and look after my feet everyday @ glasto but by satursday i will be in agony wiht my feet.

what can i do to stop them getting this bad .

[LusciousLucy]

Do you wear the same boots each year? I'd say the issue is with the footwear. And where do you get the blisters, ankles or joints and toes?

Can you get comfier boots before the G? I bought some super comfy Thinsulate boots from TK Maxx the other week for just £16 that have a cushioned and non blister making interior.

[karlpowell]

Hi lucy , I have extra wide feet (size 12/13 boots) so i always get blisters on my toes and just behind my toes and on the sides, think I might go get myself a new set of boots today :0

Edited June 5, 2011 by karlpowell

[geebus]

Right shoes and socks should solve most problems.

You can get double layered socks which slide over each other - this helps stop rubbing which can cause blisters.

Take some blister pads and apply at the soonest opportunity - will help stop it getting worse.

As above - some comfy shoes designed for the job.

Doing a few 'walks' before hand would help too (though not if you're still getting blisters, of course). In a vague aim to get fit, I've been walking the dog a fair bit recently - often for 10 mile walks. So suspect I won't have any particular problems this year as my feet are pretty used to it.

[LusciousLucy]

Millets still has a sale on their boots I think. I cant recommend Brashers enough. Until I lost them in Oz, they were extremely comfy walking boots.

Strange question, have you got any country shows coming up in your area or riding shops in the vicinity? The other festival boots I use now were got from one of these a few years ago.

They are called yard boots, totally waterproof and as long as you put really nice, comfy and think insoles in to reduce the hardness on the sole, they are brilliant. Only about £25 too. I discovered my gorgeous wellies had huge rips in them a day before I was heading to Glade in 09, I borrowed the boots from my dad and they were amazing in the mud. You would need gaiters if it looked like the G could be a mudmare but I shouldnt worry currently.

The ankle area is cushioned and super comfy and snug.

[rachmac]

You can get double layered socks which slide over each other - this helps stop rubbing which can cause blisters.

[strudders]

I have started the ore Glasto foot treatment as well. Lots of rubbing of creams and TLC in order to get them sorted. Will also clip my nails a week before (I am crap at this and if anybody else does it I giggle to much) so that if I do nip it close then they will be healed before we get there. My boots are viper combat boots with special in soles that protect the heals and the toes and these have been washed in no bio and are ready dryed.

Socks wise, only natural fibres as they protect and plenty of them.

The only time I have had issues in the past few years have been when wearing stupid shoes because the weather was good. So boots on all the time and no messing.

Look after your feet and your feet will look after you. (not literally of course as that would be quite weired and really give the boys and girls on acid a freaky trip)

[nellyt66]

I wear sandals ... and no socks ... keeps your feet nice and cushty. Last year I spent a large portion of the festival wandering around the park with no shoes on at all, although I wouldn't suggest that in the much stonier lower areas!

[karlpowell]

thanks for the replys folks , the main Issue I have is the width of my feet tends to make my toes squash together causing dry sky to rub and blisters then form.

Ive seen the memory foam insoles forsale , has anyone used these ?

Edited June 5, 2011 by karlpowell

[strudders]

http://www.widefitshoes.co.uk/wide-hikking-shoes-p-1682.html

Can't lost it in a linky thing as I am using the efest app.

What about these?

[LusciousLucy]

To counteract the dry skin, rub some e45 cream onto your feet before you out your boots on. I picked some up from Poundland and have been using it a fair bit since the hot weather started. The skin on my feet cracked for the first time ever when I was working a contract a month or two ago that had me on my feet up to 16 hours a day. The cream really helped to heal afterwards.

I wouldnt personally go with memory foam as I find the memory nature of them later causes discomfort. For a good deal but nice and comfy, the fairly thick blue foam insoles from Boots that retail at only £4.99 a pack work fine for me. I'm a wuss though and usually buy two packs for extra comfort.

[MamaJojo]

thanks for the replys folks , the main Issue I have is the width of my feet tends to make my toes squash together causing dry sky to rub and blisters then form.

Ive seen the memory foam insoles forsale , has anyone used these ?

[coma girl]

I bought my wellies a size too big and put in memory foam insoles and they were quite comfy, I got a cheap pair so I'd imagine a pricier pair would be even better.

I was wondering about gel insoles but not got round to getting a pair

[LusciousLucy]

Gel are good. I had them in my lovely boots I wore to death on that contract.

[karlpowell]

or get socks like this:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41vdU0S+HeL._SL75_.jpg

[so_wot]

My tips:

- boots that fit

- insoles

- two pairs if socks for wellies

- a bowl big enough to soak your tootsies in

- talc to make sure they are dry

[HurrahBrother]

I always wear boots and thick socks

[podge52]

If you've got a sports direct near by go there and buy karrimor mount mid 3 boots. There are other retailers online, but not sure if they are as cheap as sports direct. They are good for wide feet, they're gortex lined, very comfy and they last ages too. I have had 1 pair for 3 years, i wear em for work, for leisure and go cycling inem 4 times a week and also going to Glasto. The best bit is they are only 29.99.

[jimmystobo]

just stick plasters all over your feet where you get blisters or potentionally could get them.

you're only walking around like i presume you do every other day of the year.

[Staggers]

You need to have properly fitted boots. Its amazing how many people don't understand their foot type/shape and how different manufacturers all have different boot shapes. Some will not got along with certain feet at all whilst some will be perfect. Often footwear brands are consistent across all their styles. In terms of walking boots Meindl area German brand which have particularly wide fitting. If you went to a proper 'outdoors' shop they should be able to offer you a proper fitting by a trained boot fitter. Though Meindl boots are much more expensive than the others quoted here they are superb, high quality boots and as others have said look after your feet and they will look after you.

[geebus]

thanks for the replys folks , the main Issue I have is the width of my feet tends to make my toes squash together causing dry sky to rub and blisters then form

[James Bolivar]

You need to have properly fitted boots. Its amazing how many people don't understand their foot type/shape and how different manufacturers all have different boot shapes. Some will not got along with certain feet at all whilst some will be perfect. Often footwear brands are consistent across all their styles. In terms of walking boots Meindl area German brand which have particularly wide fitting. If you went to a proper 'outdoors' shop they should be able to offer you a proper fitting by a trained boot fitter. Though Meindl boots are much more expensive than the others quoted here they are superb, high quality boots and as others have said look after your feet and they will look after you.

[pondlife]

I have to agree regarding the sorbothane insoles. No matter what quality boots I buy I always change the insole. My walking boots have sorbothane double strike insoles fitted and I regularly cover 15 to 20 miles in total comfort.

http://www.sorbothane.co.uk/index.php/produits.html

Some good deals on fleabay.

[orbiter]

I have massive problems with rubbing boots. But I recently found some brasher soft leather boots that fit me like a glove, what i found i needed to do was buy smaller boots than i was used to. i always buy trainers probably size too big because i like them roomy, but the boots needed to be a snug fit.

as for glastonbury i'm usually a sandals/trainers/wellies man. this year, i've bought some crocs. i know they fugly as hell, but i fully expect massive comfort! I also got some of those short, light wellies from decathlon for a tenner. much lighter and easier to get on and off than my trusty old dunlops.

EDIT: oh, and for blisters i recommend either putting gaffer tape over your heels or that compeed blister stick or vaseline over the rubbed areas. and compeed plasters too.

Edited June 5, 2011 by orbiter

[pie_and_a_pint]

Apply Compeed to places you think you might get blisters. Don't leave it until the shoes start to rub. Apparently (and I have no experience to back this up) Vaseline is a suitable emergency (and cheaper) alternative to Compeed, but I guess you'd need to reapply frequently which might not be practical.