I’m going the additional mile to keep away from blisters when winter day climbing and backpacking as a result of I don’t need to sit on the bench for 2-3 weeks whereas they heal. Everybody has a special system for winter blister prevention as a result of everybody has totally different toes and footwear, however I believed I’d describe my system and the way I keep my toes to provide you some perception into the choices accessible.
Foot Taping
I all the time tape my heels earlier than winter hikes with a sticky fabric tape known as Leukotape, which I apply the night time earlier than a hike as a result of physique warmth helps to extend the adhesive grip. I generally overlook to do it at night time, so this isn’t a must-do sort of factor, but it surely does work higher than making use of it within the morning. I additionally put on Leukotape on my heels once I put on path runners the remainder of the 12 months. This tape stays on when it will get moist and it’ll keep on for a number of days at a time once I go backpacking. I additionally carry pre-cut strips of it in my first support equipment. I usually undergo two rolls a 12 months.
Pores and skin Lubrication
I lubricate parts of my toes with vaseline earlier than I placed on my socks, particularly the ball of my left foot and in between the toes of my proper. The ball of my left foot experiences some friction, which is mitigated by the vaseline. I additionally cowl the issue space on my insoles with a chunk of slick (low friction) Engo Blister Prevention Tape to make the floor tremendous slippery. That is very slippery tape you apply to your sneakers, not your toes. It’s extremely popular within the Extremely-running neighborhood the place repetitive friction can result in actual issues on lengthy runs.
I additionally apply vaseline between the toes of my proper foot in order that they don’t rub in opposition to one another once I’m climbing. That friction tends to annoy the nerves of my proper foot, a situation known as Morton’s Neuroma, which looks like your sock is bunched up round your toes, even when it isn’t. Morton’s Neuroma is an overuse damage and one skilled by many hikers as they become older. I stumbled onto utilizing vaseline this manner final summer time and haven’t had a recurrence of Morton’s since. It’s that easy. I’m shocked my podiatrist didn’t suggest it.
Moisturizing
The heels on my toes and parts of the underside of my toes are callused and dried out. This may trigger blistering, significantly when the outer layer strikes, however the inside doesn’t, one thing known as “pores and skin sheer” which is the mechanism that causes blisters. To assist forestall this, I rub an ointment known as Dr. Scholl’s Extreme Cracked Heel Balm on my heels and the balls of my toes at night time and canopy them with a skinny sock. It solely takes a number of purposes to see a marked enchancment in pores and skin elasticity. I do that each couple of weeks and it retains the pores and skin on the underside of my toes supple.
Toenail Upkeep
I preserve the toenails on my toes fairly quick in order that they don’t bang up in opposition to my boots and sneakers, flip black, and fall off. This simply includes trimming them periodically with nail clippers. I additionally file my toenails once they get thick. When you hike lots, your toes are sure to expertise nail trauma which ends up in thick toes nails that stack up as an alternative of rising longer. It may possibly have the looks as toenail fungus which is commonly misdiagnosed by your loved ones doctor in the event that they don’t perceive what it means to be a severe hiker. It’s lots like a scab that retains getting thicker on high. I take advantage of a heavy file to sand the nails down in order that they don’t stick out and get irritated. I’ve climbing pals who do the identical factor.
Issues I don’t do
Once I began critically winter climbing, I used to put on skinny polyester liner socks below heavy wool socks. I don’t do this anymore as a result of trendy 400g insulated winter climbing boots are very heat by themselves, with out the necessity for further augmentation (at the least for me).
Whereas double socking can be utilized to forestall blisters…it really works by wicking moisture away out of your pores and skin into the outer sock layer your toes may very well really feel colder as a result of it will possibly inhibit blood stream if it makes your boots match extra tightly. Air can also be one of the best insulator, so give your toes loads of wiggle room they usually’ll keep hotter.
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