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Went for a 10km hike in the mountains with my 7.2 kg backpack for my first fully equipped training yesterday included new salomon hiking shoes! And the hiking socks I will be wearing for the camino..
Got home with 5 blisters and sore feet. Not cool! Is this normal when you break your shoes in? I am clueless.. And is there any way I can "man up" my feet?
Well Linni, it is not uncommon that "breaking-in" new shoes result in blisters but you should check on the following:Went for a 10km hike in the mountains with my 7.2 kg backpack for my first fully equipped training yesterday included new salomon hiking shoes! And the hiking socks I will be wearing for the camino..
Got home with 5 blisters and sore feet. Not cool! Is this normal when you break your shoes in? I am clueless.. And is there any way I can "man up" my feet?
Thanks for all good advice every one! Will probably have to try them out a few more times before I leave for the camino 20. September.. If they don't work they don't.. I hope they will tho! Crossing my fingers that these are just "breaking in" blisters
Always buy footwear that fits. Try them on with the sock combination you plan to use. Blisters come from friction. Friction comes from movement between the foot and the footwear. Find a way to eliminate the friction. Spot treatment with moleskin of Compeed may work. A general lubricant may work. I suggest that the lubricant include silicone, but many have success with Vaseline or Crisco. You may have to renew the lubricant during your walk. Don't ignore hot spots. Don't just keep walking. You will be taking only one pair of feet, so treat them as essential, not as an after thought. Focusing on speed or a destination while ignoring your feet is a recipe for failure.got them 1 and a half size too big
Come on, Linni! I wear sandals the whole year round. All day, every day.....but, once the next Camino draws near and after starting to soak my feet in tea, they really don't look very pretty. Now, do I want pretty feet OR would I like to hopefully walk my Camino blister free???Lucky you! Been sandal season here in Alicante since March so been trying to keep my feet soft and good looking = girly feet to me
annakappa, once you immerse your feet in the tea, how long do you soak them? Just until it cools? I depart Sept 25, so will start this regimen a couple of weeks out. Thanks. I think I had seen a thread on this before, then forgot about it. So far, I've had no problems whatsoever in my training. I'm still trying to figure out what 'breaking in' really means. My new Ahnu boots were super comfy when I first put them on; never a hint of any problems and two months later, still comfy. I have hammer toe, so use the gels between the two toes. No problem. And yes, I use the vaseline. But I'm also not going to assume I would never have a blister problem, so definitely will use the tea method.Come on, Linni! I wear sandals the whole year round. All day, every day.....but, once the next Camino draws near and after starting to soak my feet in tea, they really don't look very pretty. Now, do I want pretty feet OR would I like to hopefully walk my Camino blister free???Please note, that this year I somehow forgot to practice what I'm preaching here and forgot to do this, for me, vital pre-Camino preparation! Result: I got a blister - the first since 2008, which is when I started the tea solution remedy!
Well......I keep my tea solution bowl under the computer desk, so every time I go on the computer, I simply put my feet to soak in this pretty ugly looking tea solution.annakappa, once you immerse your feet in the tea, how long do you soak them? Just until it cools? I depart Sept 25, so will start this regimen a couple of weeks out. Thanks. I think I had seen a thread on this before, then forgot about it. So far, I've had no problems whatsoever in my training. I'm still trying to figure out what 'breaking in' really means. My new Ahnu boots were super comfy when I first put them on; never a hint of any problems and two months later, still comfy. I have hammer toe, so use the gels between the two toes. No problem. And yes, I use the vaseline. But I'm also not going to assume I would never have a blister problem, so definitely will use the tea method.
I've done well over 200kms (not at one time mind you) I first do the vaseline on my feet, then the toe gels, then a panty liner in my boot. I wear ankle-hi or knee-hi hose underneath my socks. If I feel I need another pair of socks, I first put on bamboo socks, then the Smartwool socks. I've walked with my backpack throughout my training, however my bag on the Camino will be lighter than what I am carrying now. I do 'get' that my walks here can't compare in distance of the Camino. It's just a training program I set up for myself back in March for 10-20km per day walks, with one rest day. I'll definitely try the tea treatment….. without the cream and sugar :>). Thanks again for the info...Well......I keep my tea solution bowl under the computer desk, so every time I go on the computer, I simply put my feet to soak in this pretty ugly looking tea solution.
Note, that I don't make a new brew each day!!! It lasts several days and gets progressively stronger
As far as breaking in is concerned, I try to walk in my boots for at least 100 Kms, 200 Kms would be better!
Obviously, the more you "know" your feet defects, the better you can PREVENT problems. I use a gel separator between my first and second toe, because of bunions. I put toe protectors on my two smallest toes, because somehow, they get sore quickly. I have always covered my feet in Vaseline, but have never used two pairs of socks.
I have never once walked at home with my pack, which usually weighs 6 kgs.
Remember: you will be walking every day for the length of your Camino! That's quite different from going out for a practice walk once a week and being able to pamper your feet ( or legs, or what ever) between your practice days!!! We do a "general maintenance" walk almost daily, thought the whole year ( that's of course the advantage of being in a "certain age group")!
Went for a 10km hike in the mountains with my 7.2 kg backpack for my first fully equipped training yesterday included new salomon hiking shoes! And the hiking socks I will be wearing for the camino..
Got home with 5 blisters and sore feet. Not cool! Is this normal when you break your shoes in? I am clueless.. And is there any way I can "man up" my feet?
Crikey! 10-20 km per day walk So! You will be more than fit when you start your Camino!!!I've done well over 200kms (not at one time mind you) I first do the vaseline on my feet, then the toe gels, then a panty liner in my boot. I wear ankle-hi or knee-hi hose underneath my socks. If I feel I need another pair of socks, I first put on bamboo socks, then the Smartwool socks. I've walked with my backpack throughout my training, however my bag on the Camino will be lighter than what I am carrying now. I do 'get' that my walks here can't compare in distance of the Camino. It's just a training program I set up for myself back in March for 10-20km per day walks, with one rest day. I'll definitely try the tea treatment….. without the cream and sugar :>). Thanks again for the info...
The trails here are not quite the Pyrenees. It's all an unknown right now how I will do, but that's all part of the journey….Crikey! 10-20 km per day walk So! You will be more than fit when you start your Camino!!!
Whew! thanksHi! I've done a Camino every year since 2008. My first Camino was the Frances. I walked it with walking shoes I've used on treks in the Alps and South America. I double sock. I have Bridgedale inner sock and Bridgedale Light outers (Light means meant for summer rather than winter walking). I never had a problem with blisters until the Camino. I had a large and infected blister develop on the way to Logrono. I was popping Ibuprofen like candy on the way in. We had a rest day in Logrono. It was suggested that maybe my feet were swollen because of the heart. It was worth checking out. My Camino partner found a sports shop and I limped along to get new walking shoes. I was amazed when I was fitted into a pair of walking shoes 3 sizes larger than my normal size. Yes, my feet were that swollen. My other shoes were posted back to Scotland. I would disinfect the blister and used compede. My blister began to heal! In one of the albergues along the route, I found some Unguento del Peregrino which was produced by Camino Mundi. This stuff was magical. It was vaseline based, but had eucalyptus and arnica along with other herbs. I would massage my feet at night and but a light coating on in the morning. This reduces friction and also means that your compede doesn't become one with your socks. If you can't get this, vaseline works well. I also use vicks vapo rub. Having sandals is crucial. I don't mean flip flops, I mean something you can walk in. I don't use sandals for walking the Camino, but they are an essential item to have once you arrive at where you are going to stay. You take your Camino shoes and socks off and slip into your sandals for walking around town. Sandals are TOTALLY worth the extra weight. I've never heard about soaking feet in tea. A chiropodist recommended soaking my feet pre-Camino in water with a bit of Potassium Permanganate for 20 min. It you put in too much you feet turn a bit brown. What this does is plug up your sweat poors. So your feet don't get sweaty, your socks stay dry and this reduces the chance of getting blisters. You can also toughen up your skin by squiring them with rubbing alcohol. The key thing is to listen to your feet. Prevention is a good thing. If you are walking and start feeling a bit of your foot rubbing, stop, take off your sock, examine your feet and put on a preventative compede. There are many theories on the Camino about how to deal with blisters. The Spanish are fond of using string. You have a needle with string. You take the needle and push it through the blister and leave both ends of the string (maybe 1cm on each side of the blister) hang out. This is supposed to wick out the liquid. You are supposed to move the string back and forth a wee bit to get things moving again. I've tried string. I prefer pocking the blister with a disinfected needle (a small bottle of alcohol is useful for this), squeexing out the liquid, letting it dry for a bit and then putting a compede on top. You should be aware that there can be blisters under blisters. So if you have popped and squeezed a blister and it still feels like there is more liquid, you probably have a deeper blister. So you need to stick the needle in deeper. You should also be aware that blisters can develop underneath toe nails. If you touch a toe nail and it is sore, there is probably a blister underneath. As horrible as this sounds, the best way of dealing with this is to stick the needle under the toenail. I had a large and painful blister under my large toenail after a winter climbing expecdition in Scotland. I had a friend who was a GP so I phoned him up about his. I was horrified at his suggestion, but by the evening I was in so much pain, sticking a needle under my large toe nail sounded like a good plan. There was such a build up of liquid that it literally squirted out. I pressed down on the toenail to get all of the liquid out and the relief from pain was immediate.
I hope this helps. I now wear larger shoes and double socks. I prepare my feet with pottasium permanganate before hand. I keep compede, a needle and a small bottle of rubbing alcohol in my first aid kit (tip: put something like tape on the end of the needle so is doesn't slip out of the compede box). Having Ibuprofen to hand is also good. It relieves pain and is also helps with inflamation. I rubb my feet with Vick Vapo Rub in the morning and do a top up if I'm doing a long day. I wear sandals once I've arrived at my end of day destination. I've done many Caminos blister free. My most recent Camino from Muxia-Fisterra-Santiago. I got a small blister on the last day because it was raining and I didn't want to stop to fix my foot. I figured that I could limp into Santiago and sort out the blisters once I was installed in a nice, dry room.
Buen Camino
For your consideration Linni-- 1) "toed" socks as the first layer (I use Injinji but there are other brands) have saved me: no friction between my toes as each is in its own little "cubby". 2) a lightweight second layer sock (thicker "winter-weight" hiking socks are too much for my feet). 3) rubbing some form of creme, salve or ointment on the feet before putting on the Injinis a/o bandaging the trouble spots beforehand. 4) As for the painful arch, that in some ways may be the more worrisome issue. In my (painful) experience, something that hurts like that causes me to alter the way I walk/hike and that "compensation" begins to affect other parts of my body--heels, toes, hips, low back etc. Finding the shoe/boot that solves that "hurting" arch, ball of foot, toes, heel, etc. seems essential if one is to complete one's journey. Less than three weeks away from walking my first Camino and I have had a Morton's neuroma flare up "suddenly" (as the training distances and days per week increased). The pain is excruciating/hobbling. I am now in the process of breaking in new boots with a wide toe box, increased length, and what is called a "zero drop" (aka no "heel height"). A website was recommended to me that you also might find helpful: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLLjwAZVkrYWent for a 10km hike in the mountains with my 7.2 kg backpack for my first fully equipped training yesterday included new salomon hiking shoes! And the hiking socks I will be wearing for the camino..
Got home with 5 blisters and sore feet. Not cool! Is this normal when you break your shoes in? I am clueless.. And is there any way I can "man up" my feet?
I've had some luck with Engo patches when I was developing a blister on the bottom of my foot next to the ball of the foot. Place the patch on the insole not on your feet. They're slick so they reduce the friction beneath your foot so they decrease the shearing forces that cause the blisters.No @Stephen Nicholls I haven't tried them but a friend swears by them so am taking a couple of patches on my next Camino.
Hi Kanga, I am starting the camino Frances on 9/9, and I wear New Balance running shoes all the time, and have been wearing them on my 50 miles of weekly walking on pavement and grass in a local 1000 acre park. I haven't gotten any blisters. I was going to wear a new pair of those on my camino. Did you also wear just regular socks on your caminos where you wore your Asics?If you wear Nike running shoes for 15km mountain hikes in Spain, in winter, why aren't you wearing those on Camino? I don't understand.
For 8 Caminos I wore ASIC running shoes very happily, and I now wear Ecco sandals.
Thanks Mike. I actually do not get blisters. I was replying to Linni who had experienced them on a short training hike. I like the idea of taking sandals and have included them in my pack. Buen Camino.Sherrie
It's much better to aim for prevention rather than cure but both aspects should be considered - and I'm just complementing what others have said
I get blisters on my heels if I walk with regular shoes that have a hard edge at the top - so I walked the Norte with very light trail running shoes that have soft fabric edges - more importantly, they fit like a glove at the rear so that there is no movement (as others have said, friction is the root cause) and yet there is enough width in front to wiggle my toes - so I'd be wary of buying shoes that are much too big
So now I don't need to use a second pair of sock or apply Vaseline - but you should still bring enough spare socks so that you can change them two or three times a day - this will give your feet some fresh air and allow you to check for hot spots - you can also put tape over problem areas to add some protection
You might also bring some alternative sandals that you can use - to give you a rest from walking in your main pair for part of the day
If all else fails, and it might, Compeed will then be your best friend - it absorbs moisture from the blister whilst giving sufficient comfort to keep walking
Mike
Everyone is different but.....I have walked the Camino Frances twice...no blisters!Went for a 10km hike in the mountains with my 7.2 kg backpack for my first fully equipped training yesterday included new salomon hiking shoes! And the hiking socks I will be wearing for the camino..
Got home with 5 blisters and sore feet. Not cool! Is this normal when you break your shoes in? I am clueless.. And is there any way I can "man up" my feet?
Called NOK in other places. It is supposed to be good for conditioning your feet.Hi Linni
A great product available in Spain is Pedi Relax. There's a few varieties but the one
with a blue stripe on the packaging was fantastic. I think it was in Burgos where a
kindly assistant in a chemists introduced it to me as an alternative to vaseline. ( I was
also given a lollipop because I was a peregrino ! ). I slathered it onto my feet each
morning. Bish, bash, bosh
Buen Camino
Movement within the shoe can cause blisters, so going larger and larger will not help and can be bad, unless of course you have been wearing too-small shoes. You must have a shoe that is the right shape for your foot, allowing room for some expansion late in the day but no slippage earlier in the day.
I also lose a toenail! And my feet who swell just because they can on a regular day at the office NEVER do on a Camino.Oh how true, C clearly! When I win the lottery, I will have some shoes custom made! But till then I just have to put up with the inevitability that in order for me to get a shoe that is comfortable across the very wide ball of my foot/metatarsal, I have to get one that is a bit too long. This means that every single year I lose the nail of both second toes (caused by my foot slipping forward on downhills), but that is far preferable to the alternative of having the shoe be too narow across the ball of the foot. I learned that the hard way. Buen camino, Laurie
Laurie: can't you 'pad' your second toe? You could either buy one of those tubes, made of gel inside and covered with mesh on the outside, which you then cut to size, or buy toe covers. I use both. Depends on the vulnerable toe ( most of mine are vulnerable)!!!
I also have short toes, which means that shoes are always a bit long if they fit the widest part. I have found that Salomons fit my narrow-heel wide-forefoot well, and that light boots hold my foot in position because they are laced up snugly over the instep. That's why I say that the shape is so important. Good luck on that lottery!for me to get a shoe that is comfortable across the very wide ball of my foot/metatarsal, I have to get one that is a bit too long. This means that every single year I lose the nail of both second toes (caused by my foot slipping forward on downhills),
Pano:Question to @annakappa and @Rambler: Tea's getting a strange flavor after bathing my feet in it; what do I do wrong?
Hi Kanga, I am starting the camino Frances on 9/9, and I wear New Balance running shoes all the time, and have been wearing them on my 50 miles of weekly walking on pavement and grass in a local 1000 acre park. I haven't gotten any blisters. I was going to wear a new pair of those on my camino. Did you also wear just regular socks on your caminos where you wore your Asics?
Hi sorry my bad....it was actually NOT a "Bass pro" brand but their main cheap sandal they carry. they are called Redhead River sandals .[QUOTE="
I also brought some hiking sandals (bass pro brand only $39 ) that I wore everyday for the last 5 km or so when my feet were just longing to some more wiggle room and just a change.
/QUOTE]
I'm not finding Bass Pro Shops brand on their website. Was it another brand? I'm searching for a hiking sandal that works for both switching off when I walk and can also be used in the shower.
No worriesFOund them! Thanks for your quick reply. Do they dry fast? Do you think they would be okay for shower use? And, are they light weight? (Sorry for all the questions!).
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