Molasses Finally Solves her Blister Problem
Those of you who have followed us for a long time will know that I complain about blisters pretty often. We've even had to cut backpacking trips short because of them.
I've tried every solution out there. From making sure to break my shoes in and always wearing thick socks and liners to Body Glide on my feet to Moleskin and Duct Tape after the fact. Nothing was cutting it for me.
Let me preface this by saying that I have extremely sensitive skin. We're talking insanely sensitive. An example of just how sensitive my skin is, is simply that I can't wear fabrics that other people consider basic, everyday, fabrics, like cotton t-shirts, unless they're made to be very soft, we're talking like infant-onesie soft. Normal items, like the basic cotton t-shirt you see everywhere, absolutely make my skin itch. And items made out of denim, forget about it. Denim, quite literally, feels like sand-paper against my skin no matter how soft it claims to be. And, since I've started hiking, I've learned that, apparently, properly fitting shoes, sock liners, and medium weight wool socks, don't keep my feet from blistering if I'm walking 3 or more miles.
After 6 years of torture I was becoming pretty certain that blisters were just going to be something I had to live with.
Recently though, I finally went on a long hike, I can't remember the exact mileage, but I came out completely blister free!!
Before I share the products with you I'm going to start by saying that I get absolutely nothing if you buy these products. I, seriously, just want to save people the pain I went through.
For most people the usual recommendations will work fine, but for those of you with extra-sensitive skin like mine (assuming you exist), you may need to pull out the big guns and wear not one, not two, but three layers of the right type of socks.
I've tried every solution out there. From making sure to break my shoes in and always wearing thick socks and liners to Body Glide on my feet to Moleskin and Duct Tape after the fact. Nothing was cutting it for me.
Let me preface this by saying that I have extremely sensitive skin. We're talking insanely sensitive. An example of just how sensitive my skin is, is simply that I can't wear fabrics that other people consider basic, everyday, fabrics, like cotton t-shirts, unless they're made to be very soft, we're talking like infant-onesie soft. Normal items, like the basic cotton t-shirt you see everywhere, absolutely make my skin itch. And items made out of denim, forget about it. Denim, quite literally, feels like sand-paper against my skin no matter how soft it claims to be. And, since I've started hiking, I've learned that, apparently, properly fitting shoes, sock liners, and medium weight wool socks, don't keep my feet from blistering if I'm walking 3 or more miles.
After 6 years of torture I was becoming pretty certain that blisters were just going to be something I had to live with.
Recently though, I finally went on a long hike, I can't remember the exact mileage, but I came out completely blister free!!
Before I share the products with you I'm going to start by saying that I get absolutely nothing if you buy these products. I, seriously, just want to save people the pain I went through.
For most people the usual recommendations will work fine, but for those of you with extra-sensitive skin like mine (assuming you exist), you may need to pull out the big guns and wear not one, not two, but three layers of the right type of socks.
Sock Liners - Really, any sock liners should work, just make sure they are not cotton! Cotton is terrible at wicking moisture away from the skin. You want a non-cotton sock-liner as well as non-cotton socks. My personal favorite is the Injinji liner because it has toes. My toes blister when they are allowed to rub against each other, these liners solve that for me.
Wrightsock - These, specially designed, double layer, anti-blister socks, are two socks in one. They are designed to be worn alone, without a separate sock liner. They even have a no blister guarantee. Now, by no fault of the sock, I actually still got blisters wearing them. However, as soon as I paired these socks (the thickest one's that they sell) with my injinji liners I finally got relief from the blisters that have plagued me since we started hiking in 2008!
So, there you have it. My solution to blisters! Finally! 3 pairs of socks is a little extra warm in the summer, I'll admit, but it's totally worth it.
Now, next time we attempt a multi-day hike on the Appalachian, I shouldn't have to limp off the trail a day early because of severe blistering.
Happier feet = Happier Trails,
~Molasses~
So, there you have it. My solution to blisters! Finally! 3 pairs of socks is a little extra warm in the summer, I'll admit, but it's totally worth it.
Now, next time we attempt a multi-day hike on the Appalachian, I shouldn't have to limp off the trail a day early because of severe blistering.
Happier feet = Happier Trails,
~Molasses~