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dcsportbik
Getting ready to hike down (and up) the Grand Canyon and don't want to run the risk of any blisters on my feet. Any clever ideas as to how to prevent them from occuring?
Answer
I have done a lot of Grand Canyon hiking and have experimented with a number of blister prevention techniques. This is one of those areas with a lot approaches and everybody seems to have their favorite.
I personally have had the best luck with putting Spyroflex blister pads on the most likely spots before I start hiking. Spyroflex pads are a very thin membrane sheet (similar to the latex part of a bandaid) that stays on pretty well, can last for several days and is waterproof. Spenco sells a very similar item called Second Skin. Both can be found at REI and most outdoors type stores. Make sure your foot is dry and clean before you put them on and ensure that you get it on as flat as possible with no wrinkles. I did a two week backpacking trip using those and was the only in my group to not get a single blister.
The main thing is that you want a covering that is very thin and will stay in place (duct tape and athletic tape can also be used, but the above Spyroflex and Second Skin allow your skin to breath better). I have never had much luck with Moleskin or similar 'padded' products as they always seem to instantly get pulled off and stuck to my sock within a mile.
Other techniques which I have tried (and others that I know swear by) including putting a bit of baby powder in your sock (seems to work, but can be messy) and wearing a smaller liner sock inside your main sock (I always ended up feeling like my feet were suffocating even in cool weather).
As others above have mentioned, probably the most important thing is that you want to make sure that you have boots that fit you properly and are well broken in (and your feet are used to) before you start. This can eliminate a lot of blister and soreness problems before they even start.
Also, as soon as you start to feel any sort of friction or a place where a blister might be forming (a 'hot spot') you should stop and take care of it (put some sort of pad or protection on the area) immedately - don't wait until you have a full fledged blister before you do something about it.
I have done a lot of Grand Canyon hiking and have experimented with a number of blister prevention techniques. This is one of those areas with a lot approaches and everybody seems to have their favorite.
I personally have had the best luck with putting Spyroflex blister pads on the most likely spots before I start hiking. Spyroflex pads are a very thin membrane sheet (similar to the latex part of a bandaid) that stays on pretty well, can last for several days and is waterproof. Spenco sells a very similar item called Second Skin. Both can be found at REI and most outdoors type stores. Make sure your foot is dry and clean before you put them on and ensure that you get it on as flat as possible with no wrinkles. I did a two week backpacking trip using those and was the only in my group to not get a single blister.
The main thing is that you want a covering that is very thin and will stay in place (duct tape and athletic tape can also be used, but the above Spyroflex and Second Skin allow your skin to breath better). I have never had much luck with Moleskin or similar 'padded' products as they always seem to instantly get pulled off and stuck to my sock within a mile.
Other techniques which I have tried (and others that I know swear by) including putting a bit of baby powder in your sock (seems to work, but can be messy) and wearing a smaller liner sock inside your main sock (I always ended up feeling like my feet were suffocating even in cool weather).
As others above have mentioned, probably the most important thing is that you want to make sure that you have boots that fit you properly and are well broken in (and your feet are used to) before you start. This can eliminate a lot of blister and soreness problems before they even start.
Also, as soon as you start to feel any sort of friction or a place where a blister might be forming (a 'hot spot') you should stop and take care of it (put some sort of pad or protection on the area) immedately - don't wait until you have a full fledged blister before you do something about it.
Any suggestions for a backpack baby carrier?
jveryrad
I have a very active 15month old daughter. She likes to grab objects and destroy them. She is difficult to bring to a store. Yesterday, I had to hold her while shopping in hardware stores because she insisted on opening packages or bottles if I let her down. The shopping carts can be very dirty in a hardware store.
Does anyone use a backpack baby carrier for their toddlers for shopping? I don't do much hiking, and I use a stroller to take her on walks. So I would just use it to take her where I don't want her to run around.
Is it safe to get into? Is there a risk of dropping her while putting the backpack on? Any other uses for this? Any suggestions for brands? I heard Tough Traveler is good. Thanks.
Answer
I love my backpack for shopping, and I can still carry my soon to be 3 year old. This is the one I have http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441776409&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302735239&bmUID=1160421939450 . We bought it almost 5 years ago when our oldest was the right size for it. It still looks brand new. I used it for shopping and long walks, my husband uses it for hiking. Have fun!
I love my backpack for shopping, and I can still carry my soon to be 3 year old. This is the one I have http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441776409&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302735239&bmUID=1160421939450 . We bought it almost 5 years ago when our oldest was the right size for it. It still looks brand new. I used it for shopping and long walks, my husband uses it for hiking. Have fun!
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Title Post: What's the best way to prevent blisters on your feet while hiking?
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Rating: 96% based on 987 ratings. 4,7 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
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