When most people go on a hike in the mountains, they just grab some gear and go out, but they forget to prepare one part that is very essential to their success. This part is their feet. Many of times I have gone on hikes with my unit just to hear most of them complain about how much their feet hurt and the big blisters that they have. By following simple steps, they could have averted this pain.
The first task of helping your feet survive a hike is to choose the right pair of socks. The socks should be thick, cushioned, and made of the right material. The material should wick out the moisture and keep the feet dry. The best socks that I have found are 100% cotton or 100% wool. These socks usually cost around five to ten dollars a pair. Believe me socks can make or break one on a hike.
The second task that one should do before a long hike is prepare one’s hiking boots. The boots should be comfortable and not rub anywhere. It is also important for one to choose a size that doesn’t squish the foot or let the foot move excessively around. A good test is to put on the boot (with thick hiking socks) and walk around the store. The heel should pretty much stay in place. The last part of choosing a boot is to make sure it supports the ankle. After choosing the right boots, one should take a week or two and break them in. All this takes is putting them on and walking around in them. This makes the insole conform to the contour of the foot and makes it more comfortable. If it feels as if some parts are rubbing against the foot, one can take a stick, put it into the boot and stretch it out. If the arch of the foot starts hurting, this can be resolved by adding arch supports.
The third task one should do before a long hike is to take smaller hikes. This makes the bone and muscle structure get used to supporting extra weight and the strain of hiking. A good start for a beginner is five miles with a pack that weighs 20-30 lbs. Then each week the distance and weight should gradually increase by 1 mile and 5 lbs until it is 75-90% of the distance that one desires to complete. Sometimes it can take months to prepare for a hike that will take days to complete.
The fourth task one can do before a long hike is to know how to take care of one’s feet while on a hike. Before starting the hike, the feet should be dry and comfortable. While hiking a break should be done every hour and last about 10 to 15 min. At each stop the feet should be lightly powdered with foot powder and socks should be changed each seven to ten miles. This keeps the feet dry and helps prevent blisters and trench foot.
The final task of keeping your feet healthy when hiking is done at the end of the hike or when the day of hiking is finished. Immediately when it is determined that one is going to stop for the night, one should take off their boots and socks and dry their feet. Once dry, put on some shower shoes or flip flops. This helps the feet stay dry, expand, and recover from hiking. If there are any blisters, they should be drained. Then before hiking the next day, mole skin should be applied.
This is how one can take care of their feet when hiking. By keeping your feet healthy, you can focus more on what is going on around the area and get a better experience. On top of that many people will want to know the secrets that you know.
