[pct-l] Blisters and more.

[Eric Lee]

Sean wrote:
>
I am wondering how in the world can I better prepare or treat blisters
before hand or while on the trail???
>

I'll probably just repeat the excellent advice that people have already
given but here's my version.

Everyone's feet are different.  What works great for one person is murder
for another person.  The only way for you to figure out what works for you
is to try a bunch of different things, walk a lot, and see what works.  Yes,
that can get kind of expensive if your feet are finicky.

For me, I found a particular model of lightweight boots (I need ankle
support) that my feet get along with and I use only that model.  I also use
Kinesio Tex tape to tape the balls of my feet before I even start walking
because I know that I sometimes blister there.  That particular brand of
tape is expensive but works excellently.  It stays for multiple days exactly
where I put it and does a great job of preventing the kind of blisters I
tend to get.  The key is to get the tape on there before I even start to
have a problem.

With my preferred boots and some preventative taping, I can go from a desk
job to a 130 mile, 5 day section hike and not get any blisters.  Granted, so
far I've only section-hiked Washington and Oregon where it may get warm but
not scorching hot.

Eric