Boots?

HGHCOUNTRY · Sep 13, 2004

Just a question about hunting boots. I have a pair of danners, miendls, and a pair of la sportiva boots. I seem to run into the same problem with all of them. My heel slides up and down when I walk, leaving me with blisters about the size of a dime on both heels. Anyone have any suggestions? They dont seem too big, but maybe.. I wear the smart wool backpacking socks, maybe I should switch socks? To be fair I have only worn the meindls a few times. Maybe the answer is simple, any suggestions would be great. Thanks

-Hghcountry

Blueoak · Sep 13, 2004

Tape your heels or find a boot that fits tight. I always carry tape, because sometimes even the best fit isn't good enough. I wear Danner elk hunters, with a tight fit and no problems.

lucdavis · Sep 14, 2004

My favorite combination to keep the feet warm, comfortable and able to go through long days is to double up socks. Put on my polypropolene base and then the woolies over the top. Don't know if anyone else uses this method, but it works for me...

-Lucas

~

Oakbuck · Sep 14, 2004

Lucas, I do the same thing and it works great for me as well. I haven't had blisters with either of my boots (Meindel and Cableas Outfitters). I use merino wool as they itch less and work just as well.

Oakbuck

driftersifter · Sep 14, 2004

I wear my first pair of socks inside out so that the smooth side is against my feet, it is the rough part of the sock that balls up and gives abrasion to your feet. I learned this from my college basketball coach. This has served me well for many years even if I don't get my feet in shape for the up and down hill hiking. I also carry tape as mentioned in earlier posts for the same purpose.
your most humble and
obediant servant
driftersifter

Coach Hunt · Sep 14, 2004

Howdy,

Highcountry, you are getting GOOD advice from these folks. I have the same Meindls that you do, I wear two pair of socks, one of which is the same wool you wear. I reverse the thin pair like was mentioned. The only thing that I would recommend different is trying either Thermax or Thermastat liner socks. To my feet they are better than Polypro.

Best to you.

Coach

need2hunt · Sep 15, 2004

I practically live in my boots year 'round, a pair of cabela's all-leather mountain hikers. I work outdoors and I'm out and about on the weekends a lot, go thru a pair of these a year. Make sure your laces go through eyelets over the top and then through.....not from the bottom and out. You can snug up better this way and it keeps your laces from becoming loose again while walking over rough terrain.

I use to have problems with blisters when I wore Danner boots. To help things out I used moleskin in the areas needed, I guess tape would work as well. I stopped buying Danners because of this and I found that they came apart at the seems too easily.

keener · Sep 15, 2004

Take a look at the La Sportiva (sp?) catalog I think they have a few methods for lacing the boots illustrated in it that they say will help lock the heel down. If you go to there web page you can order a catalog, or go to a sporting goods store and see if they will give you one or make a copy for you. Also try a liner sock as others have recommended. Be proactive with your blisters if you know the problem area protect it before you hit the trail. Good luck????..

AndymanSavage · Sep 15, 2004

Liner socks work for me. There is always friction when you walk, and the extra sock layer is what moves, rather than the layers of your skin moving against eachother and allowing fluids in to form blisters.

SneakAttack · Sep 15, 2004

I get blisters just looking at boots. The first major problem was on the face of Timp. Not a good place to be with bleeding heels. That's where I tried the liner sock. Works wonderfully. I also use tape when I'm breaking in a new pair of blister makers. Everything mentioned above is awesome. One more thing that gives me grief, is when my feet sweat. Wet feet always get blisters. Try spraying your feet with antiperspirant, not deodorant, you don't want your piggies smelling like teen spirit.

Sounds weird I know, but try it out. You never know what it will take to make those long miles feel better. Good luck!

?It's all about the gut pile?

HGHCOUNTRY · Sep 15, 2004

LAST EDITED ON Sep-15-04 AT 12:24PM (MST)[p]Thanks for all the suggestions guys. So it sounds like tape and or liner socks are the way to go. I went Cabela's web site and looked at liner socks, it seems like there are all different kinds. is the polypropylene a better sock material than all the others listed?( ie; Thermax,CoolMax ) Or will they all do pretty much the same thing? Thanks again for the help. Happy huntin!

-Hghcountry

TheSwede · Sep 15, 2004

Duct tape my friend. It is the key. You can also try a base layer of moleskin and then duct tape over the top of it for extra protection. And then a liner sock and top it off with a thick sock.

berto · Sep 16, 2004

i can never get duct tape to stick on my heel for more than a few hundred yards...i use medical tape.

ALL boots give a person blisters if they walk far enough. i use meindls and love 'em.

Deerlove · Sep 17, 2004

If your rifle or muzz hunting try putting baby powder in your socks and boots it keeps your feet slippery. If bow hunting put in baking soda. (no smell) Russ

BUCKSPY · Sep 22, 2004

I get heel blisters in anything under about a 10" boot other than lightweight hikers like Merrells. Might be part of the problem with a lower boot if thats what you are wearing. Moleskin with duct-tape over it works really well.

Bluehair · Sep 22, 2004

Get a bottle of that liquid band-aid stuff. It's like super glue. If you paint it on your heel you won't have to worry about blisters for a few days until you need to hit it again. A bottle has 10 applications. It also works on knife wounds.

It's super stuff. I won't go on a long walk again without a bottle in my pack. ;-)

wallhanger · Sep 23, 2004

Some good suggestions here. I'll give a couple more. If you get a blister, put a gob of vaseline on it, then put tape on it. the vaseline will keep the friction off of your skin.

specialty running shops are also a good place to look for tips on treating and preventing blisters. Marathon runners have a lot of trouble with blisters, so they're used to dealing with them.

Other than that, wear those boots every chance you get. Eventually they have to break in, don't they?

WH

Mule_Deer_Crazy · Sep 24, 2004

Along the same lines, when you forget your chapstick on a long hunt and your lips get all wind-burned, cracked and bleeding, you can take some fresh deer or elk droppings, crush them up and rub them on your lips. It doesn't make them feel any better, but at least you'll stop licking them!

Hornseeker · Sep 24, 2004

Get a pair of super feet insoles in them too, it will raise your heel up a bit more than the factory insoles and probably give you a better, snugger fit in the heel. What La Sportivas do you have? I have the Glaciers and they are awesome, but a bit heavy and definitely too loud and hard for bowhunting.

Two socks will definitely help too.

Good Luck