Gregory Goes There

George has a few opinions.

While there’s that saying about opinions - something about everyone having one? - we thought it’d be worth asking the man behind ‘Ask George’ what’s worse on a backcountry trip than a pack that doesn’t fit right.

And he had an opinion - as well as some advice.

What’s worse than an ill-fitting pack?  Ill-fitting boots. Or at least it’s arguable.  Back when I led people into the backcountry, I noticed one of the biggest mistakes people make when preparing for a trip is buying brand new boots only a few days before the trip.

When picking out your footwear of choice, you might be overwhelmed by the plethora of options. Our founder and spiritual leader Wayne often offers the advice, “fit a pack like a good pair of shoes” (hence our ‘fit’ philosophy). But, unlike a pack, most boot and even some lighter weight hiking shoes require a break-in period.  That break-in period will vary in relation to the individual as well as the kind of hiking boots chosen, as there are so many variations to soles, uppers, materials, etc.  I would allow a few weeks (up to 6) to break in a more supportive boot.

When hiking or training, you may feel pressure points. It is important to stop and treat, in order to prevent the formation of a blister. Let’s not be fooled: even a well broken in, good-fitting shoe can cause a blister in the right conditions.  There’s nothing worse than dealing with a debilitating blister on one of your stank doggies.

So what’s the root cause of blisters? Friction.  You can expedite the formation of blisters with moisture and sweat.  I’ve seen some serious blisters form in a matter of only a few minutes while the repercussions could last hours, if not days.  There are many different and often conflicting ways to go about treating a blister, but there are some definite standards you can follow.

Before performing any first aid, the blister (along with your hands) should be cleaned and dry.  If a hot spot has not turned into a blister, moleskin is a good friction reducer.  When an actual blister forms, I find moleskin not as effective, and would therefore go with molefoam.  I will typically cut a doughnut around the blister, fill with triple anti-biotic ointment (great for reducing friction and keeping infection out), and then cover with moleskin to keep dirt out.  For serious blisters, especially if they’re painful and stubborn, I recommend 2nd skin.  If you don’t know what second skin is, it’s awesome and definitely worth a few extra dollars.

There are different schools of thought concerning whether you should drain a blister of its fluid or not.  My personal reasoning is only if you must.  If you are to drain a blister of its fluid, be sure you are using a sterile needle (or sharp object) and heat with a lighter (and be sure it cools before contacting skin!). Make a slight hole or puncture near the edge of the blister and allow the fluid to drain.

As with many injuries, prevention is key.  To prevent blisters, a couple of actions can be taken.  As mentioned already, be sure that your hiking footwear is well fitted, comfortable, and broken in. Hydration is a key component when traveling in the backcountry. Making sure you’re using a synthetic, wool, or synthetic/wool blend sock (as opposed to cotton) is key, and sometime you can reduce friction by layering a regular hiking sock over a thin, base-layer sock (though there are different philosophies on that).  If you’re prone to sweating, a good foot powder may help in keeping your feet dry(er). My personal favorite is Gold Bond. And don’t overlook the value of adding a good aftermarket footbed in your boot to improve fit and cushion. Most of the ones that come out of the box are junk, and you can get a big step up in fit by adding one of these to your setup, particularly if you have narrower feet. 

Feedback anyone? Thoughts, techniques, or horror stories on blisters?