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How to Prevent Blisters
Q. I have heard that rubbing surgical spirits into you feet will help to toughen them up for long distance walking. Is this true, does is actually help?
Where can I buy surgical spirits and how often should I use it?
Jamie Evans, Loughborough
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A. I don't think this works as a permanent solution. Walking around barefoot as often as possible is a good way to develop a nice, natural leathery sole. Just walking barefoot around the house will go a long way to the objective. Long shoreline paddles on sandy beaches, if you can do it, are perfect for this purpose.
Having said that, if the intention is to avoid blisters, then the trick is to keep the feet dry, the boots tight and the pack weight as low as possible.
And just simply to do a lot of walking. But even the most hardened walkers can get some really nasty blisters, though.
Do what you can but limp with pride if it happens.
Mike Knipe, Crook
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A. Blisters are caused by movement within the boot so do make sure that your boots fit well.
It is worth paying money and attention to ensure good fit - 'snug' but not too tight or you will compromise your circulation.
Try a thin sock next to the skin and cushion with a good quality thicker sock.
Alan Barlow, Loughborough
A. Having just completed Wainwright's Coast 2 Coast walk in appalling conditions last week, I can tell you that surgical spirit definitly helped applied last thing before bed and first thing in the morning.
It can be obtained from Boots or any good pharmacy. I also used Compeed on hot spots and used clean coolmax socks for each days walk, even if it meant washing with travel wash each evening.
For really nasty blisters try moleskin, also from Boots, with an overlay of athletic adhesive tape.
David Grandage, Altrincham
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A. I do the Keswick to Barrow walk every year (40 miles) and I do the following: 1. Make sure I'm wearing good, well fitting shoes. 2. Wear a thin sock near the skin then a thicker one on the outside. Doing this means if there is rubbing it's normally between these 2 layers and not your skin! 3. Vaseline - rub loads of the stuff all around the usual places wear hotspots appear. This has made a big difference to me. Excellent for other areas that may chafe as well. 4. Use moleskin as soon as hotspots appear. It's no good applying it once the blister has formed fully. It acts as a second skin and prevents the blister from every appearing. They're my tips and from experience they really work :-)
Glenn Chapman, Grange
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