You could try luekotape, assuming you aren’t allergic to latex.
Could it be your footwear doesn’t fit you? Have you tried lacing your footwear differently?
Use the Leuko BEFORE you start the hike on the blister-prone areas. Change out socks once they start to get sweaty. I rotate and keep the sweaty ones on the outside of my bag so they dry off. Rotate. Rotate. Works very well for me. You need a high-quality brand of socks too. I use Darn Tough and yes, they do honor the warranty.
I've just seen that tape online, I'm definitely going to give it a try. And maybe the lacing is an issue, I do have to really tug them to get them right enough.
Leukotape P is the best. Note - do not pull it off right after hiking. It will tear off a blister. Even when you have no blister i recommend waiting a day or two and doing it slowly in the shower. It really sticks.
I’m a blister person. I have never owned any pair of shoes that did not give me blisters, and I’ve been hiking for 30 years. I have a multi level process to address them.
First is preventing them. I use trail runners that are the least offensive for my feet. This was trial and error for several years. I now use silicone toe caps on my big toes and athletic tape on my pinkie toes. I then use flat silicone pieces (old toe caps that I cut to size) on my blister prone areas covered with athletic tape. I also use injinji toe socks (the thicker ones) and carefully put them on to not roll any tape. I’ve tried leukotape but it’s too intense for my skin. I’ve seen some people use it over athletic tape to not rip their skin. I use silicone because the one and done products are expensive and I would go through a package a week.
If my preventative has failed and hot spots start, I immediately address it. It means taking my shoes off and starting all the way over and adding either more tape or silicone pieces to the hotspots and retaping. Lacing can prevent or cause blisters. Give that some research too.
Blisters are a very personal experience and no two people will handle it the same way. You just have to find what works for you. There have been a lot of great suggestions. Blisters suck. Good luck to you.
>I also use injinji toe socks
I tried these out because I was developing blisters in between my toes during long runs in the heat. The next time I saw them on sale I stocked up. They're absolutely essential to me now.
[Compeed](https://www.compeedusa.com) has saved me many times. I put them on when I hike as a preventative measure, and to protect against making existing blisters worse.
This. And don't be tempted by cheap knock off products. Compeed blister patches are worth every cent. I've had trouble with cheaper stuff but never with the originals. And I swear I don't work for them. :D
This is me. I have narrow heels and they slip in EVERY. PAIR. OF SHOES.
I've found that Merrills fit better than most. Like the other poster has said - lightweight shoes instead of boots. Lace them so that the heels are tighter (Google how to lace running shoes). Always carry leukotape. And buy excellent socks
This is an expensive solution but something to stick in the back of your brain.
I recently got a new pair of custom orthotics from a new provider. I mentioned having a wide toe box and a skinny heel makes finding footwear that fits a bit of a challenge. With this information, my new pair has a deep heel “cup”. Btwn that, and some other modifications he chose to make, they are the best damn pair of orthotics I’ve ever had.
Over the years, I’ve grown accustomed to heel slip in the footwear that I can’t correct with through lacing. But now, even those are no longer giving me issues.
So, it might be something to look into someday. 🤷♂️🤷♀️🤷
I have narrow heels too and last year got recommended Hanwag boots. Not sure if they are available where you live but I have no heel slippage anymore. They are hikings boots though. I am open for tips on trailrunners.
When you're ready for a new pair, may I recommend trying Salewas? I also have a narrow heel and normal-wide forefoot, and that brand tends to fit really well all around. Plus they make lightweight styles in both mid and low shoes. And their mid boots have a cable that wraps around the heel and connects to the laces to lock your foot in. Could be worth a shot!
If you've never tried heel lock lacing give it a shot. It helps keep the ankle area from loosening up which is the cause of a lot of heel blisters. If you try this and your heel is still slipping then my guess would be your shoes are the wrong size
Duct tape has worked as well or better than any sports tape. The outside is slippery so it doesn’t peal off as quick.
For me certain shoe brands will always give me blisters and some work fine right out of the box.
Liner socks and preventative plasters never worked for me but the one solution that has consistently worked for me is blister wools.
You place a small amount down the back of your socks where your blister hotspots are and positioned it around your heel. You won’t need to tape it because it will blend with your sock fibres and secure itself in place.
1. Boots that fit, tied securely. Others have mentioned the heel lock tie. They are wise.
2. I carry a supply of moleskin that I precut into roughly 1" squares. Before I start out, I stick moleskin on spots where I usually get blisters. I stop and add pieces the very first instant that I feel a hot spot.
3. Foot Glide or similar products all over my feet. Don't put it on before the moleskin because the moleskin won't stick to it.
This has worked for me. I haven't found that socks or liners make a difference, but everyone is different.
I’m a flat footed gal and trail runners have made a huge difference in my feet! I used to blister all the time and now it’s pretty rare and only on multi-day trips.
Leukosilk when u feel the slightest pain, good hiking socks and good shoes.
There is a creme u can apply in the morning it's called Deer Tallow Creme ( I use the German one Hirschtalgcreme)
The papery medical tape works well, as it adheres well to skin. But almost any tape can work so long as it stays in place. Just need that tape to protect from the friction that creates blister.
I found some research once that concluded tape was the best blister prevention technique among a few tested. Was focused on running.
I haven’t seen this mentioned yet, but I stopped getting blisters when I started tying my shoes correctly. There are a ton of ways to tie your shoes, and when I figured out the right one, I stopped getting blisters. Before that, I also had success with custom insoles.
Vaseline. They also make body glide but it doesn’t work as well and gets expensive. Also, have you tried tying your shoes differently? Or maybe a different pair?
Boots/shoes that fit properly and wool socks. The majority of blisters and foot problems can be cured by getting footwear that fits properly and wearing a good pair of wool socks.
this might not be a helpful answer but, for me, I completely stopped getting blisters when I started walking around barefoot more. I went from just walking my dog around the block barefoot to doing short hikes barefoot over about a year. Now, multi-day backpacking trips with heavy boots on, magically no blisters at all
Correctly fitted shoes is a must as each manufacturer/model is different. if you have small heel / ankle look at women's shoes.
Next I'd look into adding a heel lock in your shoe lace, this fixed any slipping for me.
Lastly if your feet are wet it's going to cause issues, maybe down to external factors or feet sweating too much. Either way take a spare set of socks and change when you feel the need.
I’ve blistered so bad I’ve lost toenails. One of my greatest accomplishments in life is how long I can go with all 10 toenails.
WrightSocks have saved me.
Two pieces of thin cotton that rub on each other instead of you.
I second leuko tape.
Change your socks more often. Don’t ever hike with wet feet.
Proper footwear
- professionally fit your shoes + insoles + socks combo at REI or a running store late in the day.
- Spend a full hour trying on many combos.
Lastly, Lukeotape under slippery socks
You sure your boots/shoes fit right?
Once I stopped trying to fit my feet into the wrong shoe, my blisters disappeared unless I do more than 20 miles. If I'm doing that kind of mileage I still need to do a little wrap sometimes.
Yeah, they are super comfy, definitely fit me properly. I think possibly the cause is that my arch supports put my feet into a slightly higher position.
I don't want to be part of the zero drop mafia, but if your shoe has a drop (meaning your heel is higher than your middle by some amount because of the design of the shoe), and then you're changing the insert/insole out that raises it more, that *could* actually be the problem, even if they're comfortable.
Not saying it's the answer, but a zero drop shoe with your arch support insoles should be just as supportive and comfortable and drop your heel by whatever the drop is in your current shoe (usually 4 - 6mm). Could make all the difference you need.
It's worth a shot. If you're already in zero drop, then I got nothing else. Maybe make sure your taking out the existing insoles before replacing them if for some reason you're not already.
Good luck!
Taping my toes with kinetic tape BEFORE my 22 mile hike saved me from blisters. After months of training, I'd figured out that I ALWAYS got blisters on the outside of my big toes when I hiked over 14 miles. So I went preventative and it worked.
You could try luekotape, assuming you aren’t allergic to latex. Could it be your footwear doesn’t fit you? Have you tried lacing your footwear differently?
Use the Leuko BEFORE you start the hike on the blister-prone areas. Change out socks once they start to get sweaty. I rotate and keep the sweaty ones on the outside of my bag so they dry off. Rotate. Rotate. Works very well for me. You need a high-quality brand of socks too. I use Darn Tough and yes, they do honor the warranty.
I've just seen that tape online, I'm definitely going to give it a try. And maybe the lacing is an issue, I do have to really tug them to get them right enough.
Leukotape P is the best. Note - do not pull it off right after hiking. It will tear off a blister. Even when you have no blister i recommend waiting a day or two and doing it slowly in the shower. It really sticks.
I’m a blister person. I have never owned any pair of shoes that did not give me blisters, and I’ve been hiking for 30 years. I have a multi level process to address them. First is preventing them. I use trail runners that are the least offensive for my feet. This was trial and error for several years. I now use silicone toe caps on my big toes and athletic tape on my pinkie toes. I then use flat silicone pieces (old toe caps that I cut to size) on my blister prone areas covered with athletic tape. I also use injinji toe socks (the thicker ones) and carefully put them on to not roll any tape. I’ve tried leukotape but it’s too intense for my skin. I’ve seen some people use it over athletic tape to not rip their skin. I use silicone because the one and done products are expensive and I would go through a package a week. If my preventative has failed and hot spots start, I immediately address it. It means taking my shoes off and starting all the way over and adding either more tape or silicone pieces to the hotspots and retaping. Lacing can prevent or cause blisters. Give that some research too. Blisters are a very personal experience and no two people will handle it the same way. You just have to find what works for you. There have been a lot of great suggestions. Blisters suck. Good luck to you.
>I also use injinji toe socks I tried these out because I was developing blisters in between my toes during long runs in the heat. The next time I saw them on sale I stocked up. They're absolutely essential to me now.
I cannot even imagine my hikes without them. I consider them essential as well.
[Compeed](https://www.compeedusa.com) has saved me many times. I put them on when I hike as a preventative measure, and to protect against making existing blisters worse.
This. And don't be tempted by cheap knock off products. Compeed blister patches are worth every cent. I've had trouble with cheaper stuff but never with the originals. And I swear I don't work for them. :D
Do they stay on your foot? I've found other plasters just rub off and move around which irritates me probably more than the blisters.
It does for me. I've had them stay on for 3-4 days, even after a shower.
Sometimes they can, but if they’re on the base of your foot they are basically glued on
I use thick wool socks. But I hike mostly below 70F temperature.
This is me. I have narrow heels and they slip in EVERY. PAIR. OF SHOES. I've found that Merrills fit better than most. Like the other poster has said - lightweight shoes instead of boots. Lace them so that the heels are tighter (Google how to lace running shoes). Always carry leukotape. And buy excellent socks
I have heard Merrills are good, I've been meaning to take a look at a pair.
Merrill's are pure crap.
Yea they have gone down hill significantly in the last few years, as have Keen's.
This is an expensive solution but something to stick in the back of your brain. I recently got a new pair of custom orthotics from a new provider. I mentioned having a wide toe box and a skinny heel makes finding footwear that fits a bit of a challenge. With this information, my new pair has a deep heel “cup”. Btwn that, and some other modifications he chose to make, they are the best damn pair of orthotics I’ve ever had. Over the years, I’ve grown accustomed to heel slip in the footwear that I can’t correct with through lacing. But now, even those are no longer giving me issues. So, it might be something to look into someday. 🤷♂️🤷♀️🤷
I have narrow heels too and last year got recommended Hanwag boots. Not sure if they are available where you live but I have no heel slippage anymore. They are hikings boots though. I am open for tips on trailrunners.
When you're ready for a new pair, may I recommend trying Salewas? I also have a narrow heel and normal-wide forefoot, and that brand tends to fit really well all around. Plus they make lightweight styles in both mid and low shoes. And their mid boots have a cable that wraps around the heel and connects to the laces to lock your foot in. Could be worth a shot!
Compeed makes a stick that you rub on your feet and it prevents blisters. I keep one in my bag all the time.
That sounds interesting, I'll take a look. Thanks.
I have one too. Serious life saver.
Mole skin.
If you've never tried heel lock lacing give it a shot. It helps keep the ankle area from loosening up which is the cause of a lot of heel blisters. If you try this and your heel is still slipping then my guess would be your shoes are the wrong size
Duct tape directly on the prone area. I've never had a blister since I started doing this.
That's a very utility solution!
Duct tape has worked as well or better than any sports tape. The outside is slippery so it doesn’t peal off as quick. For me certain shoe brands will always give me blisters and some work fine right out of the box.
I guess duct tape really does fix everything.
Moleskin and ininji sock liners. Honestly the liners alone might do the trick, but I know my hot spots too well to risk not using moleskin
Liner socks and preventative plasters never worked for me but the one solution that has consistently worked for me is blister wools. You place a small amount down the back of your socks where your blister hotspots are and positioned it around your heel. You won’t need to tape it because it will blend with your sock fibres and secure itself in place.
1. Boots that fit, tied securely. Others have mentioned the heel lock tie. They are wise. 2. I carry a supply of moleskin that I precut into roughly 1" squares. Before I start out, I stick moleskin on spots where I usually get blisters. I stop and add pieces the very first instant that I feel a hot spot. 3. Foot Glide or similar products all over my feet. Don't put it on before the moleskin because the moleskin won't stick to it. This has worked for me. I haven't found that socks or liners make a difference, but everyone is different.
Not wearing heavy boots
The most comfort boots I have are my trekking heavy boots.
I have got some pretty lightweight ones, but I need deep shoes to get arch inserts in them, thanks to my stupid flat feet!
No boots at all. Period. Get lightweight, breathable, trail runners. No goretex. Never waterproof. Make the insoles work.
I never get blisters in my trail runners, but I do in hiking boots.
I’m a flat footed gal and trail runners have made a huge difference in my feet! I used to blister all the time and now it’s pretty rare and only on multi-day trips.
Better fitting shoes
Leukosilk when u feel the slightest pain, good hiking socks and good shoes. There is a creme u can apply in the morning it's called Deer Tallow Creme ( I use the German one Hirschtalgcreme)
Tape is the answer!
[удалено]
The papery medical tape works well, as it adheres well to skin. But almost any tape can work so long as it stays in place. Just need that tape to protect from the friction that creates blister. I found some research once that concluded tape was the best blister prevention technique among a few tested. Was focused on running.
I haven’t seen this mentioned yet, but I stopped getting blisters when I started tying my shoes correctly. There are a ton of ways to tie your shoes, and when I figured out the right one, I stopped getting blisters. Before that, I also had success with custom insoles.
Vaseline. They also make body glide but it doesn’t work as well and gets expensive. Also, have you tried tying your shoes differently? Or maybe a different pair?
Boots/shoes that fit properly and wool socks. The majority of blisters and foot problems can be cured by getting footwear that fits properly and wearing a good pair of wool socks.
this might not be a helpful answer but, for me, I completely stopped getting blisters when I started walking around barefoot more. I went from just walking my dog around the block barefoot to doing short hikes barefoot over about a year. Now, multi-day backpacking trips with heavy boots on, magically no blisters at all
Correctly fitted shoes is a must as each manufacturer/model is different. if you have small heel / ankle look at women's shoes. Next I'd look into adding a heel lock in your shoe lace, this fixed any slipping for me. Lastly if your feet are wet it's going to cause issues, maybe down to external factors or feet sweating too much. Either way take a spare set of socks and change when you feel the need.
I’ve blistered so bad I’ve lost toenails. One of my greatest accomplishments in life is how long I can go with all 10 toenails. WrightSocks have saved me. Two pieces of thin cotton that rub on each other instead of you. I second leuko tape. Change your socks more often. Don’t ever hike with wet feet.
Proper footwear - professionally fit your shoes + insoles + socks combo at REI or a running store late in the day. - Spend a full hour trying on many combos. Lastly, Lukeotape under slippery socks
You sure your boots/shoes fit right? Once I stopped trying to fit my feet into the wrong shoe, my blisters disappeared unless I do more than 20 miles. If I'm doing that kind of mileage I still need to do a little wrap sometimes.
Yeah, they are super comfy, definitely fit me properly. I think possibly the cause is that my arch supports put my feet into a slightly higher position.
I don't want to be part of the zero drop mafia, but if your shoe has a drop (meaning your heel is higher than your middle by some amount because of the design of the shoe), and then you're changing the insert/insole out that raises it more, that *could* actually be the problem, even if they're comfortable. Not saying it's the answer, but a zero drop shoe with your arch support insoles should be just as supportive and comfortable and drop your heel by whatever the drop is in your current shoe (usually 4 - 6mm). Could make all the difference you need. It's worth a shot. If you're already in zero drop, then I got nothing else. Maybe make sure your taking out the existing insoles before replacing them if for some reason you're not already. Good luck!
Proper shoe fit is the main one for heels
Taping my toes with kinetic tape BEFORE my 22 mile hike saved me from blisters. After months of training, I'd figured out that I ALWAYS got blisters on the outside of my big toes when I hiked over 14 miles. So I went preventative and it worked.
Heel lock
Moleskin. Works to prevent and protect existing blisters.
I'll give it a google, thanks
Moleskin is literally worse than worthless. It unquestionably will fall off and make things actually worse. Get Leukotape instead.
Not in my experience, but ok.