Preventing Problems With Your Feet While Hiking

[AZ Prepper]

Preventing problems with your feet while hiking
Link: http://offgridsurvival.com/feet-hiking/


Your feet can really take a beating out there on the trail. From blisters to sprained ankles hiking can present a whole host of foot related problems. Here are a couple tips that can make your hike more enjoyable.

Train Your Feet for the Hike:
Don’t underestimate the importance of conditioning your feet for hiking with a heavy pack. Before setting out, start taking short hikes gradually increasing the weight in your pack until it is fully loaded.

The Right fit:
Your boots or hiking shoes are probably the most important part of keeping your feet feeling good. When trying on boots for the first time, make sure that you are wearing the same socks that you will be wearing out on the trail. A good fit is essential and should never be overlooked.

Break In Your Boots:
Don’t hit the trail with brand new boots. Wear them aroung the office, the store and around the house for a few days to make sure that they have time to stretch and soften up.

Hiking Socks:
Put Down the Cotton! Moisture-wicking wool or synthetic hiking socks can help your feet stay cool and dry on the trail. Wearing the wrong socks can make things misearable and can increase your chances for getting blistters.

Manage those Blisters:
The moment you feel a blister coming to the surface, STOP! Now is the time to fix the problem. Check out our tips for preventing blisters.

Keep Them Clean:
Many hikers neglect their efeet. Take the time to massage, air out and wash your feet throughout the day. And don’t forget to trim those nail.

Rest:
Take it easy! If your feet feel tired or start to hurt, find a cool place to sit down and rest. When you stop for the night a cool pair of sandles can help keep your feet cool and aired out.

[AZ Prepper]

How To Prevent Blisters
Link: http://offgridsurvival.com/how-to-prevent-blisters/


Hiking can wreak havoc on your feet! Excessively sweaty feet can increase your chances of getting blisters and worse yet an infection. Sweaty feet can also create nasty foot odors, ruins socks and boots, and create conditions for cold injuries like frostbite and trench foot.

So what can you do?

1.) Wear polyester or wool socks that wick moisture away from your feet. Switch out wet socks for a dry pair as often as possible. Make sure you dry your boots and your socks out at night.

2.) Break in your boots. Before you set out on a big trip, go out for a couple of small hikes near home, you should also wear your new boots around town for awhile.

3.) Pack Weight. A Lighter pack will help take the strain off of your feet.

4.) If you feel a blister coming on, stop and treat it right away. Don’t continue to walk, if you do you will make things a lot worse.

5.) Apply a Bandage or Moleskin pads over areas that have discomfort.

6.) Remove your boots and air out your feet during breaks.

What do you do to prevent or treat your blisters?