First, I have ordered the Keen's Rose Sandal in Cranberry Red and can't wait to get it! What a fun color to wear, if you have to wear a hiking sandal. I thought I'd pass on a little tip from another reviewer from Trip Advisors. I plan on purchasing them online, and I guess they are the best bandaids to use for chafing.
Compeed Blister Relief Pack. I believe you need to buy them on Amazon, can't get them in stores.
I bought the Compeed Blister Relief Pack in Spain because I had a blister problem while I was there. I brought with me BandAid brand Blister band aids but ran out of them on that Spain trip. I bought the BandAid Blister bandaids at Walmart and Walgreens next to the other BandAids. They are very similar to Compeed, work the same way.
Lulu, we never travel/distance-hike anywhere without moleskin (available at any drugstore). The trick is to apply patches as soon as you sense an area becoming tender - not after the blister has appeared or the skin is broken. Tuck in a small pair of scissors for cutting the size of patch you need.
Hikers have been using this stuff forever.
Better to prevent blisters than treat blisters.
http://m.runnersworld.com/tag/blisters
Annoying and painful, blisters are caused by friction, usually your
shoes or socks rubbing against your skin. Anything that intensifies
rubbing can start a blister, including a faster pace, poor-fitting
shoes and foot abnormalities, such as bunions, heel spurs and
hammertoes. Heat and moisture intensify friction by making your feet
swell.
I use to tape heel "hot spots" from poorly fitted ski boots with cloth adhesive tape. No blisters.
I can never get hiking/snow/ski boots with a narrow enough heel so I always use paper tape, similar I am sure to what Edgar does. I just layer it on preventively. The paper tape works fine. It's cheap. You don't need scissors. It does NOT work if you already have a blister as it will pull the skin off but it works great ahead of time.
Hopefully your new shoes will fit well enough that you won't need blister bandaids. You can buy the compeed blister bandages in most pharmacies in Europe. Really, you need to start walking in your shoes as soon as you get them. Go for 3-4 miles at least in them regularly!
I actually read on TA about using the paper tape on the back of your heels before you even start out if you think it will rub to a blister...great to read that you all recommend that. Depending on the size, it's probably not that noticeable even on a sandal with a strap in back.
I fully agree with Pam. I learned my lesson the hard way in July of '12 on my first trip to europe. I brought a pair of shoes I;d been wearing comfortably for months only to find that weren't at all comfortable pounding the pavement for miles a day. I had open, bleeding blisters on the back of each heel and burst blisters on the bottoms of my feet as well. Bandaids would rub off of my heels and wad up on the bottoms of my feet when they got damp. Fortunately, a fellow tour member had moleskin and it literally saved my hide! You can bet when I get to Europe this spring it will be in high quality, well broken in walking shoes (Broken in on the streets as opposed to around the house and in a carpeted work environment). I'll make sure to have moleskin for any unexpected issues!
Lulu, I do not think it will show, but really you need to keep your feet in good shape when you travel so it doesn't really matter if it shows! No one is going to be looking at your feet. I always keep a roll of paper tape (squished down so that the center roll is broken) in my purse, along with one of the mini rolls of duct tape (aqua and pink jaguar print, lol!!)
The same thing that happened to Rankster happened to one of my fellow tour members on my 21 day BOE. She thought her shoes were comfortable but she wound up with blisters and miserable feet.
Duct tape works really well. Thick enough to offer protection, sticky enough if feet get wet and slippery enough to avoid more abrasion. It really is the greatest invention of all time.
Wear socks when you are breaking in your new sandals around the house right after you get them. Socks will protect you from getting blisters to some extent. When you are on your trip, take the precautions others have mentioned here.
Yes, you can use the blister bandaids to prevent blisters. I noticed a hot spot on one foot so out came the blister bandaid. And they do not bunch up like a regular bandaid. Just be sure to remove them carefully by stretching the bandaid or soaking so as not to tear your skin.
I like the liquid-bandage products. I know where on my feet I tend to get blisters, so I apply the liquid to those spots and it builds an extra layer of protection against friction.
Compeed blister bandaids saved my trip last summer in Vienna--I somehow, despite wearing comfortable, broken-in boots and good socks, managed to get a huge blister, compounded by wearing my second pair of shoes with no socks and moleskin for protection. I had to go to an old-fashioned pharmacy and ask for them, the clerk was surprised that I bought so many packs but it was day 2 of a 14 day trip and I needed to be sure I was covered. I travel with all kinds of bandaids, tape, toe-pads and Body Glide, never without because even the best shoes can turn on you.
To Warren,
I thought I had read "duct tape for blisters" somewhere. Thx for the confirmation.
I take two small rolls of duct tape with me as it is a temporary remedy for broken toilet seats, torn bags while out, and many other uses. Minimus.biz sells a travel 2-roll pack.
I am the only one in my group who carries duct tape. My fellow travellers laughed at me the first time until they found a need for it. :-)
I always take moleskin for my husband and I, but we have never had to use it. The shoes/boots on our feet may not be the most fashionable, but we have never had a blister. Good socks and and shoes, well broken in, are our preventatives.
He swears by Merrells and Eccos. My current faves are Ahnus and Abeos.
We both wear compression socks which we find are the best solution for comfort and breathability. Most people associate them with old folks like us, but they started out as athletic socks intended to improve circulation and performance. That's a big positive for lots of walking and standing.
I prefer the Sockwell brand, lots of cute colors and designs. My husband tends toward TravelSox and Fox River brands. We both wear over-the-calf ones.
I also read about duct tape, I wonder if they sell it in clear or skin toned, as I will be wearing walking sandals.
Lo, thanks for the recommendation for compression socks. That's on my list to wear on the plane over.
`Lulu,
The least expensive compression stockings as good as the e expensive ones I have found online at discountsurgicalstockings.com. I have to wear them everyday due to a bout w/DVTs.
I buy the "Value Brand" for a about $10.95/pr.
ADD-ON. - Check your Walmart or Target for a skin-toned color Edit . . . duct tape
Discount Stockings carries their socks in basic colors . . . Black, white, tan with some styles in navy. I use the cable athletic socks for women. They are sold in the medium pressure (15-20 mm) and are not difficult to put on.
So true than any good shoe can 'turn' on you! I had a pair that were great up to 4-5 mile distances but a little uncomfortable at the 6-7 mile point, and positively beastly at 8-12 miles (we walk a lot). Breaking them in on the types of surfaces you'll be walking on (pavement/stone/steps) is essential - although cobbles are pretty hard to find where I live! Along with blister protection, I always pack some gel pads for heel/ball-of-foot tenderness which can occur after walking hard/rough surfaces for days on end.
