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Sock liner question

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They are one of many techniques for avoiding blisters. I use liner socks, dusting them with an antifungal foot powder before putting them on each morning, and haven't blistered using this approach on long walks.
 
The philosophy is that the thin liner socks provide an extra layer of protection between your feet soles and the boots/shoes. I have used this method for more than 10 years (including 3 climbs on Mt Kilimanjaro) and other walks. I think my total of blisters is less than 5. But the quality of the boots/shoes and the amount of padding under your feet can also have an impact - as does the weight of your boots and backpack. So less weight is more enjoyable. Buen Camino
 
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My husband and I used sock liners with Smartwool sox over them. We also rubbed vasaline on our feet before putting them on in the morning and at least once during a mid morning rest stop. 800 Km and neither one of us had a blister. I walked in Brooks trail runners and my hubby walked in low Merrill hikers.
 
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I walked the Frances and did not use liner socks. Instead I just used a brand of quick dry cool max athletic socks and had no trouble with blisters. However I just got a new pair of boots and I have been having a little rubbing that I worry might cause blisters on my Camino this coming summer. Everything else is good, so before I abandon the boots and try something else, I am thinking of trying some liner socks. I see they are made in silk, merino wool and cool max fabrics. Can someone talk about the differences? Liz
 
When I first started trekking (twenty years ago +) I used liners and talc with a great deal of success. But with good fitting modern walking shoes/boots and lighter pack weights due to modern materials I dispensed with them and have had no problems.
 
I used them and I believe I had few foot problems because of them. I now use light, thin socks under my hiking socks all the time.
 
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I've tried everything, different footwear, vaseline, 1000 mile no-blister guarantee socks, powder, etc and always wear sock liners under hiking socks, but I still get a blister or two every camino, appearing about day 3. A strip of thin plaster around the instep and heel helps.
Maybe longer training sessions pre camino is the answer so that blisters come and go before getting to Spain.

Good luck Cathy Duff. It sounds like sock liners work for most others. . .
 
Cathy Daff said:
I have heard sock liners reduce blisters? Any advice
Click to expand...
Cathy,

I used a thin layer of vaseline on my feet, thin silver infused sock liners, Marino wool socks, and well fitting boots. This worked very well for me, and my feet stayed in really good shape throughout. My wife used the same regime with the same results. Equipment is important, but I feel that listening to your body and your feet is probably equally critical in maintaining foot health during your Camino.

Have a Great Journey!
 
I have used liner socks for the first parts of all of my caminos. Also, apply "Glide" to my feet. After the first couple of weeks of walking, my silk socks get really "gunked up" and I toss them without experiencing any problems. So I'm not sure that it matters for me. Perhaps my feet are toughened up by then or I'm doing a good job of airing my feet out during breaks and changing socks a couple of times during the day
 
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Like wayfarer, I use liner socks and give each foot a good massage with gloves in a bottle so far on two camino's I haven't had a single blister. I also agree that comfortable foot wear is vital it really has to be sorted out well before you walk long distances .
 
Cathy Daff said:
I have heard sock liners reduce blisters? Any advice
Click to expand...

In my two times on the Camino I had good Saloman hiking shoes and some Wigwam Merino wool hiking socks. I commonly rubbed aloe vera on my feet before putting on the socks I never got a blister. I did not use liners but I have purchased some for this coming September because another layer of cushioning might be beneficial and more comfortable. Let's see how it goes.
 
Camino Way markers in Bronze
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
madame_shepard said:
I think that Injinji toe sock liners made the difference between horrible blisters on my first Camino and no blisters at all on my second. Many people get blisters between their toes and these liners keep your toes from rubbing together.
Click to expand...

The issue of blisters on the toes is not often addressed. I have some odd toes and they kind of get on top on one another so I taped some of them together and that took care of it. I also put a band-aide on the big toe to pad it from the one alongside. No blisters.
 
A reason I like liners is that they are thin and dry quickly. I want what is next to my skin to be clean so I wash them everyday. The mid-weight hiking socks that I wear for cushioning do not necessarily dry overnight, therefore I only wash them when I think I have a good shot at getting them dry.
 
I wore the thin Injini liner socks with lightweight Coolmax oversocks on my 2,500km walk across Europe this past Summer without any trouble. I also rubbed either Vaseline or Menthol rub (think Vicks chest rub)into my feet each morning as well. Dr Scholl make gel toe separators which might work for the overlapping toes. But as mentioned above listen to your feet. They will soon tell you if there is something wrong. I also often taped my toes with Fixomull (Elastoplast make something similar) depending on what the terrain would be like. For example if you know there will be a lot of downhill with your toes pushing into the front of your boot the tape the pressure points before you set off. Your feet are what will get you there. Buen Camino.
 
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madame_shepard said:
I think that Injinji toe sock liners made the difference between horrible blisters on my first Camino and no blisters at all on my second. Many people get blisters between their toes and these liners keep your toes from rubbing together.
Click to expand...
I had this issue walking the Frances...ordered some Injinji toe sock liners and am eager to test them out!! Larger boots are also on my list!!
 
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