Nothing ruins a nice big hike like a nasty little blister, and ironically the former is almost always the cause of the latter. There are, however, steps you can take (no pun intended) to minimise the possibility of blisters rearing their ugly heads, as well as treatment you can undertake to ensure an existing blister doesn’t ruin your walk entirely.
Stop blisters before they start
Blister prevention starts at home – with looking after your feet. General foot care is one of the best habits you can get into with regards to keeping your feet in tip-top condition for the rigours you’ll be putting them through on long hikes and walks, so here is a checklist for a straightforward and regular self-care routine:
How to prevent blisters during a hike
Having the appropriate footwear and equipment – and using them correctly during your hike – is the most important thing you can do to prevent blisters from forming. Here’s what you need, and how to wear it.
How to treat blisters on feet
If you do start getting a blister while hiking, the treatment is fortunately extremely simple: apply a Compeed blister plaster to the affected area.
