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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Hattrick on September 08, 2009, 11:34:00 AM
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Ok i leave the 18th for the high country. Heres my problem i`ve been running with my new boots about a month now 1half miles 3-4 times a week not realy a problem on the pavement, yesterday i went for a hike around the farm about 2-3 miles with my dog ruff walking (nothing like elk country)an by the end my feet hurt an were blistered up pretty bad. I dont have time to get new boots i gotta get these things broke in better. I will be treating my work boots an taking as a back up. I thought i was good to go till the walking got ruff. All tips welcome
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Wear polysocks under your heavy socks. That will help with the rubbing. Also pack moleskin with you everywhere you go. If you get a hotspot, stop and moleskin it right away.
Mike
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Water blisters-pop them and you'll feel alot better.
In the Army we used to take a pin, heat it up with a lighter to sterilize it, then poke the side of the blister. You can squeeze them so all the fluid is on one side then poke the skin where the fluid is. Just want to get under the skin. The water will drain out...can squeeze out any extra water too.
Should feel alot better as the pressure will be released.
Can also take moleskin, cut it out in a doughnut or ring shape and put it over the blister with the blister in the middle and the ring of moleskin around the blister. Should cushion it.
Drugstores and such usually sell the moleskin already in the doughnut shapes.
Bring a needle/pin with and moleskin on your hunt too, just in case. We always had some with us in the field or or road march for when "the dogs start barking" as we called it.
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polysocks, just orders some. I just got done oiling my boots down trying to get them softer... should ur boot heel have some slip in it?
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I would ditch those new boots and find a pair that does NOT require a break in to be comfortable.
Irish Setters, upland game boot or wingshooters.
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If you are not looking to replace the boot then I am also thinking socks. Get some good liners like thorlo and wear them inside your normal quality sock.
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Irish setters is what I have, they are vary comfy till the walking got ruff.
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I usually get some adhesive tape--that kind that looks like nylon is good, and tape over the blisters so there's no friction. You'll be good to go--
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A few things. Hopefully your boots fit correctly (too late to worry about that). Good socks are a must. Moleskin patches for rub spots. For fluid filled blisters take a needle and thread a piece of 100% cotton thread through the blister (an inch or so excess on each side to let the fluid drain). Once its drained, pull the thread through (if you use something other than cotton its going to burn). We used to soak boots in warm water and then wear them till they were dry to break them in. Make sure you keep them well oiled so the leather doesn't dry out and crack. Good luck.
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Wore military boots for 20 years and there are 2 tricks I used to bnreak them in quickly.
1 is to get them soaking wet then walk them dry. Works but is not the most comfortable thing in the world.
2 My prefered method. Take a broom handle and whack the areas that are too stiff. This will soften them up quickly and in my case didn't mar the leather on my uniform boots.
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go to www.lathropandsons.com (http://www.lathropandsons.com)
look at their blister prevention kits.
I bought one for each foot my blistering problem
is gone.
And i use to blister pdq!
The other thing i used to do is buy the bliter packs at wally world put them on and then duct tape my feet this also worked pretty well.
Im leaving fo co the 13th.
Good luck hope this helps.
Ron
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I forgot
I still carry blister packs and duct tape just in case!
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Get your boots soaked then walk around and wear them until they are dry. They will fit a lot better. Duct tape works better than mole skin when you are hiking all day.
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Just a caution on the duct tape. I saw troops use it in the service for blisters and then rip their skin off when trying to take it off (of course they had left it on for a few days).
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I've also heard of a trick by other soldiers but never tried it myself.
For quick break in I've heard you can wet/soak your boots and wear them around until they dry.
Again, never tried it. Wear old socks if you try it though.
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Ok some beat me to the wet/dry thing...got sidetracked halfway through posting
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Originally posted by Hattrick:
... should ur boot heel have some slip in it?
Your feet shouldn't be sliding around in your boot. Anytime your foot slips, there is a chance for blisters.
If your boots are too loose, you need to get your sock layers just right to prevent movement.
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Also, an addition of a cushioned footbed will take up some space in your boot if they're too loose.
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DUCT TAPE
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Twoblades, good luck an shoot straight...may the ELK GODS shine down! hope too see some pics... seems duct tape an mole skin is a necessity .. i`ll be adding socks hope it makes a different s
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The boot heel should not have slip in it.That is one of the things you look for when you buy boots.Some stores have a ramp you can walk up and down when trying boots.You may be able to experiment with lacing tension to stop the heel slipping.Possibly a little more tension toward the top-not too tight though.
The blister pacs are a good idea as are the poly liner socks with heavy socks over.It is a good idea to carry an extra set with you everyday and partway through the day,take the wet ones off,let your feet dry,check them for blisters or hot spots,treat them if needed and then put on the fresh,dry socks.
Do not wear cotton socks.
Take the time to take care of those feet.The outcome of your hunt may depend on it.
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After wearing combat boots 10 to 20 hours a day for 20 years. And more than a few 20 mile humps with full gear and squad weapons. I've learned a few tricks to break in boots. 1- Spend the money for good heavy cusioned socks with no more than 50% cotten. 2-for new boots loosen the laces up and put on 2 or three sets of socks,jam them in your boots,then get them as tight as you can. Walk around for the whole day in them. Do this for about two days. This will stretch and loosen your boots at the flex points. By the third day one pair of socks laced tight should fit pretty good. If you dont wear your boots snug (or cant as they are too big), and your feet slide around,you will get blisters. I work construction now and still put in 12 to 14 hour days on my feet and never have any problems with work or hunting boots. Havent had a foot blister for i dont know how long or how many pairs of boots.
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Fred Bear used the flooded boot trick. You must wear 2 pr of socks, inner sticks to your foot and .outer sticks to your boot. This will lessen the chance of blisters, sore feet.
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Lots of good advice above. I use the double sock thing. I also had an experience this year with some new boots that were too stiff. I got blisters on my heels. I knew there was a hot spot and I should have stopped and put on the athletic tape. That is what I use on hot spots. After I got the blisters and they were popped I cut out a small piece of paper towel(the blue shop towel), put neosporin on the paper towel and stuck a piece of athletic tape over it all. I changed it twice a day. Within five days it was totally healed and they didn't hurt at all with them fixed that way. I couldn't believe it. Usually I fight them for a couple of weeks after I get them.
Gary
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Duck tape works great!
(http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm146/rappstar15/Picture059.jpg)