- Time of past OR future Camino
- Frances 15,16,18
VdlP 23, Invierno 23, Fisterra 23
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Also, it might be even more interesting to hear from the people who have had blisters and learned to reduce their frequency. When I hear from people who have never had a blister, I suspect that their skin is less susceptible to blisters. Otherwise I just feel like a failure!If you have never had a blister on Camino, what worked best for you?
Also, it might be even more interesting to hear from the people who have had blisters and learned to reduce their frequency. When I hear from people who have never had a blister, I suspect that their skin is less susceptible to blisters. Otherwise I just feel like a failure!
And that is one of the answers to how not to get blister - don't ignore hotspots!If you don't stop and check a source of discomfort, a blister is not far away
And that is one of the answers to how not to get blister - don't ignore hotspots!
I would be interested in seeing any reports of research behind the suggestion that hydration (through drinking water) affects blister formation.
Of course severe dehydration can have many effects on the body - in which case, blisters should be the least of your worries. Putting aside that extreme, is there is any observed relationship between quantity of water drunk and frequency/extent of blisters?
Agreed! But I still question whether there is any connection between blisters and hydration - with or without electrolytes.Building on my previous reasons for blisters and @C clearly question on hydration. Water is not the answer. We found that in the desert for extended periods of time over-hydration without replenishing electrolytes caused many problems: cramping, dizziness, muscle weakness, etc.
Any of these will affect your ability to function at optimal levels.
So, drink water with added electrolytes and possibly avoid blisters.
@Robo Hate to burst your bubble (er, blister)...its only a matter of time! Twenty plus year's of walking on varied surfaces with quality footwear and seldom blister one. First time on Camino and massive blisters almost forced me to go home. Anything “unusual” can cause a blister. Small pebble, fold in your sock, dampness, cramp in your knee or hip that changes your gait, etc. If you don't stop and check a source of discomfort, a blister is not far away. In my case it was hubris. I wanted to prove I could conquer the Camino by pressing along too fast and ignore many of the “signals” previously mentioned.
Buen Camino
Arn
I'll have to try sheep's wool if/when we in the US get to eventually "go" again. I've always treated hot spots with compeed or duct tape...just gotta catch them early! Both work well for me. After about the first week of walking I never seem to get any more hot spots.If you feel a ‘hot spot’ coming, just use some sheep wool . It works .
@Robo if only more pilgrim's had the discipline you entail...they to might avoid the onset of blisters. Well done!Very true @Arn I realise I might be on borrowed time
But you raise some really good points. 'any' small thing can lead to a blister.
a tiny pebble, fold in the sock, bad seam in a sock, incorrect laced footwear.
I try to make a pint of being aware of all these things and 'fixing' them right away.
Even to the extent, that my spare socks used to change into during the day, are a different material/brand.
They fit and rub in a different way and so don't aggravate any particular area further.
Fresh socks midday also mean fresh vaseline, tape, hikers wool etc.
It really is a 'regime' and 'focus on the detail' type of thing I reckon.
consider this...if you do not hydrate your skin loses its elasticity. A way to check this is pinching your skin. If it snaps back into place...you are hydrated. With your feet its a bit different. The more water you drink, without replacing the electrolytes the more elastic the skin becomes. There are folks that toughen up the soles of their feet thus developing calluses. Still, with the movement of the soft tissue of the foot, they developed blisters under the calluses. Over hydration, without replacing the electrolytes cramps the muscles of the foot creating two hard surfaces between which is soft tissue... This a blister!Agreed! But I still question whether there is any connection between blisters and hydration - with or without electrolytes.
But you raise some really good points. 'any' small thing can lead to a blister.
a tiny pebble, fold in the sock, bad seam in a sock, incorrect laced footwear.
That's what happened to me when I wore toe socks! I got a big bubbly blister right between my big toe and second toe. Fortunately, it wasn't in an area that got any pressure on it, so it didn't hurt. I just left it alone and it finally just healed.
The other time that I got a blister on the Camino was during my first Camino. I had been walking with a "Camino family" from Roncesvalles, and we always took good breaks, the weather was hot and I always aired out my feet and checked them out during those breaks. Eventually the family drifted apart, and I found that when I was walking alone I didn't take the time to rest, and therefore wasn't checking my feet. I remember finally stopping for lunch in San Juan de Ortega, and there it was - a blister on one of my toes! Even though it was tiny it hurt!!
Strangely, the following year while I was walking that stretch between Villafranca Montes de Oca and San Juan de Ortega that same toe started to be sore - it was almost like it had a memory of developing a blister at that point on the Camino! That time I did stop and checked it out, but there was no redness or other evidence of a hot spot, though I did wrap a small bandage around it.
My "secret" for avoiding blisters is to put some Omnifix or Hypafix tape on the "trouble spots" - the balls of my feet and a couple of toes every morning.
Co
consider this...if you do not hydrate your skin loses its elasticity. A way to check this is pinching your skin. If it snaps back into place...you are hydrated. With your feet its a bit different. The more water you drink, without replacing the electrolytes the more elastic the skin becomes. There are folks that toughen up the soles of their feet thus developing calluses. Still, with the movement of the soft tissue of the foot, they developed blisters under the calluses. Over hydration, without replacing the electrolytes cramps the muscles of the foot creating two hard surfaces between which is soft tissue... This a blister!
I'm not a podiatrist, but after walking thousands of miles, that appears how it might happen to me.
@Robo if only more pilgrim's had the discipline you entail...they to might avoid the onset of blisters. Well done!
My deepest respect my friend!I'm just a coward @Arn . I don't like pain
Between by bad knees, bad back, bad tendons, excess weight (reducing) and tendency for shin splints......
The very last thing I need to add to all that is Blisters!
So blister avoidance has a regime.
I have a stretching regime for back and legs.
A 'roller' regime for shins.
Just takes a few minutes here and there through the day.
But if I don't do it, I know I'll get problems.
And walking a Camino is hard enough without adding more burdens
Yes, I'm consideringconsider this..
In my case it's based on being responsible for hundreds of individuals walking hundreds of miles carrying packs three times the weight of a pilgrim on Camino.Yes, I'm considering. Certainly all the systems in our bodies function together, and an upset in one system can lead to unexpected effects elsewhere, but I'm still skeptical about how direct a relationship there is between blisters and modest differences in hydration! It would be hard to prove. But since people have made that claim, I am asking what it is based on.
@davebugg was it you who produced that advice /research about a lack of hydration potentially leading to increased risk of blisters. I know it was very sound and has stuck with me ever since.
If it wasn't you I'll try to find it.
G'Day Robo. I have been using the two sock trick for about 6 years (plus three climbs on Mt Kilimanjaro) and can also report no blisters. I have been wearing the "toe socks" for the past 5 years, they keep your toes separated from each other, hence no rubbing.OK, this should create some 'Healthy' debate.
This is what works for me.
3 Caminos, 2,000 kms or so and about 100 days on Camino.
Not ONE blister. Same for my wife Pat.
(I'm tempting fate just saying that)
Not saying it's the only approach of course, just one that I have found works well.
If you have never had a blister on Camino, what worked best for you?
Agree on the benefits of Aquarius. It is actually quite low sugar (c.13g) vs a can of regular Coke (c.40g) for example. It is only c.78kcal vs c.140kcal for regular Coke. All figures for 330ml serving. I have also found sugar free Aquarius is widely available on the Frances.Sounds very logical @Arn .
I now have a habit of carry little packs of electrolytes.
I pop a sachet into a spare 3 ml bottle and sip that through the day. Seems to help.
A bit like Aquarius without all the sugar.
Though I find Aquarius is a great energy boost on a long hot day.
@davebugg was it you who produced that advice /research about a lack of hydration potentially leading to increased risk of blisters. I know it was very sound and has stuck with me ever since.
If it wasn't you I'll try to find it.
When you drink water, it doesn't automatically go to the skin - it hydrates cells once absorbed into the bloodstream and filtered by the kidneys. So at the cellular level, drinking water is great as it flushes the system and hydrates our bodies overall. Water will actually head straight for all your other essential organs before the skin. So, hydration is best fed to the skin on the surface. Therefore, with respect to blisters, topical moisturisers can actually be much more effective than drinking water.Still trying to track down some research on dehydration potentially increasing the risk of blisters.
This article is really good on hydration overall but it makes mention of the issue of reduced shin elasticity with dehydration.
that's starting to make sense. I'll keep looking. Sorry I did not keep the original reference!
Hydration: How To Prevent Dehydration While Hiking
Adequate hydration is essential for your overall health while hiking, backpacking, or trekking. But did you know there's a right and wrong way to hydrate?otterbeeoutdoors.com
This is good information, Rob. Thanks. In addition, I would say a product that we took with us from the USA that kept us walking after getting blisters was a wonderful item by Spenco called "Second Skin Blister kit" and particularly the gel squares. I haven't seen anything like this anywhere else, although there could be. We discovered these prior to our first Camino, and oddly enough my first blister was not on my feet. (We follow a similar regimen as you with our feet for preventing friction, moisture and heat.) It was on my collar cone from my overloaded pack! These gel squares are super helpful. Another item that helped us prevent friction in our hikers is a nifty product by Engo called Blister Prevention Patches. Essentially they are pliable teflon patches with adhesive on one side that you cut to fit and apply to your shoe if you have a spot that is rubbing too much. (We use these on all types of shoes back home, too, especially new ones we are breaking in.) These items are available from Amazon here. It's always helpful to share this information in case it can help someone. Thanks for yours.OK, this should create some 'Healthy' debate.
This is what works for me.
3 Caminos, 2,000 kms or so and about 100 days on Camino.
Not ONE blister. Same for my wife Pat.
(I'm tempting fate just saying that)
Not saying it's the only approach of course, just one that I have found works well.
If you have never had a blister on Camino, what worked best for you?
I have done 4 Caminos, Norte, Primativo, Portuguese and of course Finisteri. Last walk was in 2018 for 90 days.OK, this should create some 'Healthy' debate.
This is what works for me.
3 Caminos, 2,000 kms or so and about 100 days on Camino.
Not ONE blister. Same for my wife Pat.
(I'm tempting fate just saying that)
Not saying it's the only approach of course, just one that I have found works well.
If you have never had a blister on Camino, what worked best for you?
Hi RoboOK, this should create some 'Healthy' debate.
I would How or Why do you get blisters
I have walked over 10000km of Caminos in Spain France and Portugal over 10 years and never got blister
I never use vaseline and a no no never take a shower in the morning
I wear a lite waterproof trekking boot
Well broken in at least 6 months
During the last year I have walked 7000km and worn out a pair of boots and no blisters now breaking in New pair for late Autumn Camino hopefully
I managed to lose 11kg of weigh during lockdown walking
Been Camino all whenever you make it
I would like to mention the infamous Camino Portuguese cobblestone effect on feet for those planning to do the Portuguese Camino, especially for those planning to walk from Lisbon.
For those who have been to Portugal would know that the Portuguese people love their cobblestones.
There are tens of millions of them everywhere, on every road, footpath, walkway, stairs and maybe even airport runways for all I know.
I agree, had an assortment of blisters until a Pilgrim told me that showering in the morning predisposes the feet to blisters. It seems to have worked, just saying.....I would How or Why do you get blisters
I have walked over 10000km of Caminos in Spain France and Portugal over 10 years and never got blister
I never use vaseline and a no no never take a shower in the morning
I wear a lite waterproof trekking boot
Well broken in at least 6 months
During the last year I have walked 7000km and worn out a pair of boots and no blisters now breaking in New pair for late Autumn Camino hopefully
I managed to lose 11kg of weigh during lockdown walking
Been Camino all whenever you make it
The big differences from my first Camino and other walks and subsequent Caminos was increasing frequency and duration of breaks or “recovery time”. Instead of 4 to 8 hour walking with rest stops I took 8-12 hours with longer breaks to air out my feet and rehydrate, where I noted that the same Spanish and Portuguese peregrinos used a similar protocol. Another blister free person claimed to cool his feet in every stream on the Frances.
Great point I forgot to mention.
Keep the feet dry in the mornings!
Ahh great point there - but I really love a quick shower in the mornings.
I've tried to shower by sitting down on the floor, with feet poking out the shower cubicle, so as to keep them bone dry - but I then can't reach the taps!
So if you see a guy in a bathroom using a blow dryer to dry his feet, that'll probably be me.
Dry feet in the mornings is seriously good advice.
Cheers
Graham
We also avoided blisters by using carded wool to wrap around any hot spots - or areas that we thought might rub. It is cheap, lightweight, easy to use (and reuse) and antibacterial. We always brought extra and gave it away to people who had blisters.LOL.
My feet are not immune.
I used to blister terribly in my past Military and Hill Walking days.
Old leather boots, single socks, wet feet......
Maybe I've been lucky on Camino so far,
But it takes a lot of care and a strict regime to avoid them I think.
I managed to get Pat through 2 caminos blister free using this regime.
Though we did run out of Hikers Wool.
She worked on the basis that if it helps, more must be better!
Leukotape works for meOK, this should create some 'Healthy' debate.
This is what works for me.
3 Caminos, 2,000 kms or so and about 100 days on Camino.
Not ONE blister. Same for my wife Pat.
(I'm tempting fate just saying that)
Not saying it's the only approach of course, just one that I have found works well.
If you have never had a blister on Camino, what worked best for you?
Sizing up may be one - two sizesI
I find that I curl my toes if the shoe is too big (long). Your feet may swell but they don't get much longer! Instead of "sizing up" more than one size, consider finding a wider shoe. Unfortunately this is not easy. Maybe we consumers need to keep asking for the option of wide shoes.constantly curl my toes and dig in on the right foot
Thank you. You are correct, and it's a rather expensive use for this purpose when tape will do.1. Don't put a Compeed blister plaster on a hot spot. That is not what they were intended
Good point if sizing up too big. As a kid remember slipping on my Dad’s shoes to go get the mail at the end of our long gravel driveway. Toes were holding them on! I have sized up one size. I curl/dig in my toes in most shoes I wear, be it hiking, casual walking in the grocery store! Not sure why and only right foot. Definitely concur with wider shoe. The Altra‘s have more of a square toe vs. round, which works better for me. Who knows!!?? What is happening in the foot may be due to what is going on in the knee, or hip, or back, or shoulder, or neck. Not to mention the mental aspect!!!I find that I curl my toes if the shoe is too big (long). Your feet may swell but they don't get much longer! Instead of "sizing up" more than one size, consider finding a wider shoe. Unfortunately this is not easy. Maybe we consumers need to keep asking for the option of wide shoes.
We also avoided blisters by using carded wool to wrap around any hot spots - or areas that we thought might rub. It is cheap, lightweight, easy to use (and reuse) and antibacterial. We always brought extra and gave it away to people who had blisters.
Another thing that really helped was to tie our boots “Camino style” (this according to the woman who taught us how to do it). We now keep the toe box really loose in order to avoid tight spots that could lead to blisters. We do not criss cross the laces on the toe part of the boot but start the criss cross closer to the ankle and tie them at the ankle to keep them stable/prevent movement in the heel.
The other thing we learned was to stop right away if we felt like a stone got in our boots or if anything part of our feet were rubbing - and not wait until they turned into blisters. For blisters, like many other things in life, prevention is so much easier than repair.
After several caminos, hiking long distance for over 20 years.....I recommend the following , boots that fit your feet well and quality medium weight socks , get miles up to toughen your feet, if prone to blisters , know your hots spots and religiously tape up with fixomull stretch tape every day. This tape can be cut with the paper backing on to suit your foot.OK, this should create some 'Healthy' debate.
This is what works for me.
3 Caminos, 2,000 kms or so and about 100 days on Camino.
Not ONE blister. Same for my wife Pat.
(I'm tempting fate just saying that)
Not saying it's the only approach of course, just one that I have found works well.
If you have never had a blister on Camino, what worked best for you?
And if you are unmarried, get married. At best, it will help prevent blisters, using the tip outlined above. At worst, blisters are the least of your problems.My Blister tip is... Check your Wedding Ring.
Often, your Hands and Feet swell at the same time.
Give your Ring a twirl right now. That is what normal feels like.
If you think you're experiencing swelling from Over Hydration, Dehydration, 30+C, a Big Hill (what ever)...
Check your Ring. If it is tight, it's now time to loosen (retie) your Boots.
Give your Feet some extra room.
I didn’t avoid the blister debacle on my first camino in 2019 but I have been training wearing armaskin socks. They have a light rubbery lining and do not slip on your feet causing friction. They are pricey at $35 a pair.OK, this should create some 'Healthy' debate.
This is what works for me.
3 Caminos, 2,000 kms or so and about 100 days on Camino.
Not ONE blister. Same for my wife Pat.
(I'm tempting fate just saying that)
Not saying it's the only approach of course, just one that I have found works well.
If you have never had a blister on Camino, what worked best for you?
When I hear from people who have never had a blister, I suspect that their skin is less susceptible to blisters. Otherwise I just feel like a failure!
I had blisters on my first camino in 2019. For my preparation for my camino this year I bought a pair of armaskin liners. So far, and it’s only training, I have had no problems with blisters. These liners have a sticky surface on the inside that prevent the liner from shifting on my foot thus preventing friction. They were not cheap, $35 a pair. I bought two. I even soaked one foot in water before a 4 mile walk with no problems at all.OK, this should create some 'Healthy' debate.
This is what works for me.
3 Caminos, 2,000 kms or so and about 100 days on Camino.
Not ONE blister. Same for my wife Pat.
(I'm tempting fate just saying that)
Not saying it's the only approach of course, just one that I have found works well.
If you have never had a blister on Camino, what worked best for you?
True. But there is no proof of why!Blister-avoidance theories are like navels - everybody has got one ;-) The proof is who has the least blisters at the END of a camino.
Blister-avoidance theories are like navels - everybody has got one ;-) The proof is who has the least blisters at the END of a camino.
This. I also did this and never even had a hot spot.LOL.
My feet are not immune.
I used to blister terribly in my past Military and Hill Walking days.
Old leather boots, single socks, wet feet......
Maybe I've been lucky on Camino so far,
But it takes a lot of care and a strict regime to avoid them I think.
I managed to get Pat through 2 caminos blister free using this regime.
Though we did run out of Hikers Wool.
She worked on the basis that if it helps, more must be better!
Blister-avoidance theories are like navels - everybody has got one ;-) The proof is who has the least blisters at the END of a camino.
Well actually if the bear family was near you when you immersed your feet then blisters would be the absolute least of your worries.I sometimes joke, as an absurdity which actually would work, that my favored approach is to stuff a sock full of bear grease then immerse my foot inside the goopy sock. :-:
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