Hikers are vulnerable to suffering from blisters due to constant exposure to extreme conditions.
Add on to this the tough ground they are hiking on and even the incorrect selection of boots and the stage is set for a blister to happen.
Blisters can develop all around the foot, on the ball, heel and on the side or top of your toes.
So what actually causes blisters to appear and in what way will you lower the risk of getting them? What can cause blisters to happen? Warmth and moisture are prime circumstances for your socks getting stuck to your feet.
This causes rubbing between your socks and your feet and when movement occurs fluid can start to build up between the layers of skin.
This will happen as your body implements a natural defence against the friction to protect the affected area.
Here are a few things that can lead to the introduction of blisters while out hiking: Dampness: wetness can be a major factor in causing blisters and can be caused either by perspiration or it can come from outside your boots if they are not waterproof.
Heat: The most common source of heat is the weather, but heat could also result in friction when dirt or gravel ends up in your shoe.
Fungus: you could already possess a fungal condition that you are unaware of which under certain hiking conditions can flourish and cause blisters.
Allergies: burns and allergies can also trigger a blister How can you reduce the risk of blisters The good news is that there are plenty of things you can do to drop your risk of getting a blister.
Here are a few: The first thing to look at is your hiking boots.
Picking out the best hiking shoes for your specific needs will go a long way to ensuring foot comfort whilst on your hike.
They are going to be made from waterproof materials that can also permit your feet to breathe, thus protecting your feet from wetness by means of sweat and rain.
The best hiking shoes will also be a good fit for your feet and provide cushioning as you traverse the terrain.
They will also have gusseted tongs to keep your boots free from sand and gravel.
Layering up on socks is another option.
The best hiking socks will absorb moisture and keep your feet dry Adding another pair of socks on top can also be effective.
This combo can help to relieve some of the friction that only wearing one pair would cause.
Take the thickness of your socks into account when determining your hiking boots as you may need to buy one size bigger than usual due to the extra padding.
On the flip side, if your boots are not tight enough and allow you to wiggle your feet around inside then this is very likely to give you a blister due to the resulting friction.
Additional solutions hikers are known to make use of include wrapping tape around their feet and changing their socks regularly.
As a final point, you should always look to break your new boots in for a while before doing any serious hiking in them.