Blisters... but not immediately

[Elkino]

Hi everyone,

I just returned from my first Camino.
I had bought some Merrell mid-high hiking shoes/boots for the trip. I loved them a lot. Actually I didn't get any blisters for about 3 weeks. And then suddenly I got a few!
It was so weird, right at the moment where I started to feel confident I'd hike the whole Camino without a single blister (and had handed out all of my Compeed! lol), they showed up! I'm now wondering whether I could have prevented this in any way. Or did someone else experience something similar?
I didn't get wet feet due to rain, wore the same type of socks... I have no idea what it could have been.

It seems so weird to me. I thought that if someone gets blisters, they'd get them during their first days of hiking.



Elke

 

[mikevasey]

Where was the location/area you first noticed them. Was it after a long descent, ie going down to Acebo and into the Bierzo. Your shoes could have really loosened up in the previous 3 weeks and your shoelaces maybe needed altering, just a guess, but think of the areas you went through, could also have been the extra asphalt in and around Ponferreda.

 

[Anniesantiago]

I had the same thing happen on my last Camino.
I had no blisters until Villafranca del Bierzo.
It was so bizarre, and all I can figure is something about the change in terrain made the shoe pinch.

 

[Elkino]

I had the same thing happen on my last Camino.
I had no blisters until Villafranca del Bierzo.
It was so bizarre, and all I can figure is something about the change in terrain made the shoe pinch.

Yes, I guess that must be the thing.
For me it started in Astorga. I started my trip in SJPDP. Very weird. The terrain in Saint-Jean wasn't too flat either though. ;-)

 

[MichaelB10398]

It is wise to remain aware of our feet regardless of how long we have been walking/hiking. When we sense a hot spot, even after three weeks, it is time to stop and check our feet. Our body changes during extended periods of walking and that has an impact on how well our shoes are fitting our feet. I always carry a small amount of tape with me; when I sense a hot spot I tape it for the next day or so. My body re-adjusts and it goes back to the way it was.

 

[Sue Blue Mountains]

It is wise to remain aware of our feet regardless of how long we have been walking/hiking. When we sense a hot spot, even after three weeks, it is time to stop and check our feet. Our body changes during extended periods of walking and that has an impact on how well our shoes are fitting our feet. I always carry a small amount of tape with me; when I sense a hot spot I tape it for the next day or so. My body re-adjusts and it goes back to the way it was.

What sort of tape do you use Michael?

 

[MichaelB10398]

What sort of tape do you use Michael?

I always carry athletic adhesive tape - I don't have a brand preference. What I am looking for is at least a one inch wide, cloth tape that tears easily. I find that if I put it on the hot spot I prevent almost all blisters IF I catch it earlier enough. I know others that use anything from black electrician tape (socks and such slip over the top easily) to gorilla tape.

If you do not hike much and your feet are tender - i.e. without much callouses or touch skin - then you need to provide more protection. Some hikers swear that using Vaseline on their feet prevents blisters. Every morning that cover their feet with Vaseline and then off they go. I have never used this process, but many do.

Bon Chemin,