Heel blisters during uphill travel

[Nancy Hummel]

I have an issue with heel blisters while skinning uphill. I have had this issue with many variations of hiking boots also. I have tried to get the proper fitting boots, different methods of tying the laces etc. and nothing seems to work.

I thought I read somewhere that some people use a silicone heel cup under their sock. Anyone try this? Any suggestions?

Thanks.

Nancy

 

[Analisa]

My boyfriend gets them really badly in his touring boots & mountaineering boots until they’re well broken in (~2 seasons). He had a lot of luck with leukotape and nylon knee-highs under his socks. Also worked for a friend who has to tele in ill fitting boots since there aren’t many options left on the market.

 

[James]

Here's some possible remedies. Link below.

You're supposed to stop as soon as it feels hot. Maybe warm for you. Years ago I was told that, it felt hot, figured nah, can't be bad, kept going for hours. I had spent the longest of anyone of our group fitting boots as I was determined not to get blisters. Hah.

Stopped and took off the boots. Huge blister popped already. Bad. Both feet. That was the first day of like a 7 day wilderness hiking trip. I had to be pretty religous about cleaning and using 2nd skin. First 45 min of the day was agony, then you got used to it and it was fine till you stopped for too long.
Being young helps.

https://www.wildsnow.com/2240/at-boot-lacer/

 

[Pequenita]

I haven't had issues in my AT setup, but I have in me XC BC boots. On a recent 3-day tour, I duct taped my heels, and they were fine. I tried my running BodyGlide on my heels before that, and it didn't work.

 

[CalG]

Those "neoprene" anklets are the cat's pajamas for blister prevention.

Sorry, I don't have a link, but I have a pair from my "adult soccer" play. They are in a box....somewhere. ;-)

 

[James]

Have a look at this review where one of the guys got blisters with an AT boot. Lace up liners/heel hold down seem to be the solution.

https://blisterreview.com/ski-boot-reviews/2018-2019-fischer-ranger-free-130

 

[neonorchid]

Those "neoprene" anklets are the cat's pajamas for blister prevention.

Sorry, I don't have a link, but I have a pair from my "adult soccer" play. They are in a box....somewhere. ;-)

Here you go (my recommendation is to start thin and I wouldn't go thicker then the 2mm version) -

https://www.inlinewarehouse.com/eZeefit_Skins_Ankle_Booties/descpage-EZSKIN.html

https://www.inlinewarehouse.com/eZeefit_Ultrathin_Ankle_Booties/descpage-EZUT.html

https://www.inlinewarehouse.com/eZeefit_2mm_Ankle_Booties/descpage-EZ2MMN.html

 

[pais alto]

Keep the instep buckle tightened when you’re in tour mode. I assume you’ve got a good footbed that will stabilize your foot, especially the heel?

 

[pchewn]

When I used to do regular X/C skiing, I would start each season with moleskin applied to my heels. After a couple of weeks of daily X/C, I could then go without the moleskin. Now as a casual occasional X/C skier, I just cut a big patch of moleskin for my heels and then go out blister-free.

 

[Andy Mink]

Any suggestions?

IKON or Epic.

 

[Bruuuce]

I have the same problem and was going to start a thread. Thanks for doing it. I've tried band-aids, moleskin and duct tape. None were effective for me. I've adjusted buckles every way possible and that helped some but didn't eliminate the problem. A friend recently suggested KT blister tape (apparently that doesn't move with perspiration the way duct tape does), but I haven't tried it yet. I'm looking forward to seeing what others are doing.

 

[Nancy Hummel]

IKON or Epic.

I am forunate to have both.

 

[Mike King]

I am forunate to have both.

And she didn't pay for either...

 

[Nancy Hummel]

And she didn't pay for either...

Oh, I continue to pay for Epic pass.

 

[Ken_R]

Keep the instep buckle tightened when you’re in tour mode. I assume you’ve got a good footbed that will stabilize your foot, especially the heel?

This helps a lot.

Also a more rigid liner will cause the foot to run against the liner. A more flexible touring specific liner generally moves with your foot better and minimizes rubbing.

 

[Mike King]

So, the pedorthotist who did my footbeds suggested packing tape in the heels of the shoes that regularly created blisters on my feet. I suppose the theory being that if your anatomy is such that your heel is not going to be secure in the heel pocket of the shoe, then you might as well minimize the friction of it movement. Anyone tried this in either touring boots or shoes?

 

[Mike King]

Oh, I continue to pay for Epic pass.

Ah, yes, the non pecuniary payment...

Mike

 

[Rod9301]

So, the pedorthotist who did my footbeds suggested packing tape in the heels of the shoes that regularly created blisters on my feet. I suppose the theory being that if your anatomy is such that your heel is not going to be secure in the heel pocket of the shoe, then you might as well minimize the friction of it movement. Anyone tried this in either touring boots or shoes?

I have, but for different reasons. No adverse consequences

 

[James]

Why not try this. They have a bunch of them.

Ultra-Low-Friction Tape Made with Teflon® PTFE
https://www.mcmaster.com/ptfe-tape

 

[Jtlange]

I have the same problem. The easiest solution ive found is a piece of athletic tape. Its made to stay on when sweaty. It moves the friction from your skin to the tape. Just make sure you over size the tape if you're getting lots of movement because you don't want it to ball up and make it worse.