Blisters and boots!

[poppyh24]

Epic fail! 

Thought I'd try breaking in new walking boots today... have the biggest blister in the history of blisters !

So, two questions... 

best way to break in boots & best way to treat blisters the size of a fist?!!

 

 

[CaledonianGonzo]

Wait a couple of weeks and then do again what you've just done today again - though maybe stop before the blisters get quite so bad.

[The Nal]

Wear thicker socks!

[CaledonianGonzo]

I always wear shoes and boots around the house for a few days before venturing outside in them.  It doesn't necessarily break them in fully / prevent blisters but it means you're not starting completely from scratch if you're out for a full day the first time you wear them.

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

Wear two sets of socks. Put thin socks on first and then cover these with a thicker pair of socks. Apparently it reduces friction on the feet.

Edited January 9, 2017 by Yoghurt on a Stick

[Charm]

Blister plasters really work. 
Charm x

Edited January 9, 2017 by Charm

[Ovechkin]

had converse and wellies bought on site 2013, worked fine

[BlackHole2006]

4 minutes ago, Charm said:

Blister plasters really work. 
Charm x

This.

They were an absolute godsend when I came up with a humungous blister after walking around Barcelona. 

[Spindles]

14 minutes ago, Yoghurt on a Stick said:

Wear two sets of socks. Put thin socks on first and then cover these with a thicker pair of socks. Apparently it reduces friction on the feet.

This, this and only this.  I just use 2 pairs of cheapie primark socks, never had a single blister in many years of festivals.

[Woffy]

2 hours ago, CaledonianGonzo said:

I always wear shoes and boots around the house for a few days before venturing outside in them.  

 

1 hour ago, Scruffylovemonster said:

And best way to break them in is to wear them for short intervals at first. I tend to wear them round the house for half hour or so for atcouple of days. Then do a short walk. 

In only boots and socks? Phwoar. 

Say it's so.

[Woffy]

15 minutes ago, Scruffylovemonster said:

Pulled up to my knees - with a sock garter too. 

I'm spent. 

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

30 minutes ago, Woffy said:

I'm spent. 

I'm frightened.

[phillyfaddle]

As others have said, two pairs of socks (one thin liner, one thick walking), PLUS plenty of supplies of Compeed blister plasters. Apply them AS SOON AS you feel a hot/sore spot literally anywhere on your foot. 

I'm a hard core trekker (Everest Base Camp, Annapurnas, Dolomites, Yorkshire 3 Peaks) and didn't get any blisters at all with this strategy. However, I did get a black toenail and impressive sock rash after the Yorkshire 3 Peaks challenge - 3 peaks + 26 miles, under 12 hours in blistering heat 

(Ironic that I'm writing this wearing an orthopaedic boot after rupturing my Achilles tendon at the end of November....after manically pogoing barefoot to a band playing 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'  Main thing is that it'll be well healed in time for Glasto!)

[guypjfreak]

In the war they used to piss on there boots as it makes the leather soft... Tis true 

If your boots are a fraction tight stuff some wet newspaper down them and dub them every day as the paper drys ( over a few days obviously ) and this will stretch the boot just a little.. 

As for wearing thick socks I find my feet sweat I'd go with the 2 sock option. 

 

[Deaf Nobby Burton]

1000 mile socks, they aren't cheap but you are guaranteed not to get blisters. Wouldn't go to Glastonbury without a few pairs now.

[CaledonianGonzo]

Surely if your boots are properly broken in you shouldn't get blisters, even if you're wearing them all day like you would at the G.

If you've got new boots then get the pain and blisters out of the way now, then come June you should be good to go with a pair of boots that are broken in and used to the shape of your feet and their shouldn't be a blister in sight.

[ClementsMike]

Tescos (for one) sell blister socks - like a double layered sock, but only actualy one sock. Genius.

Only a few quid for a twin pack and do the job.