How to prevent blisters

[LSUfan4444]

There always seem to be threads popping up on how to prevent blisters and numerous people post advice on buying new shoes..ie crocs.

As an avid runner and triathlete, I would like to offer some long standing advice that is passed around to newbie runners around the world.

First, as "racers" we are always taught to never do anything different on race day you have not done in training. How does that relate to blisters? Never wear shoes to Disney you have not put alot of time in/on before the trip. If you have never worn crocs, it isn't a good idea to start wearing them on your first day to the parks. It doesn't necessarily mean you will get blisters, it just increases the chances.

Secondly, make sure your shoes are properly fit. When running or walking for a long time, your feet will swell. So, if your dress shoes are a size 9, your running shoes/tennis shoes/sneakers should be a 9 1/2.

The major causes of blisters are improperly fit shoes and moisture.

Which brings me to my thrid point. DO NOT WEAR COTTON SOCKS! Cotton absorbs moisture/sweat. This is why cotton hasn't been used for athletic clothing at any level (even high school) in years.

You want to stay away from 100% cotton socks. Once cotton gets wet, it stays wet. So, when your feet sweat or you step in a puddle, the moisture won't get wicked away. Wearing cotton socks in the winter will make your feet feel cold and clammy. And they'll cause blisters in the summer.
The best running socks are ones that are made from synthetic materials such as polyester, acrylic, and CoolMax because they'll wick away moisture. For winter running, wool blends such as SmartWool are also a good choice. Some people choose to wear double-layer socks (Wright Socks are one brand) for additional blister protection.

The best advice is to always make sure you get a proper fit on your shoes. Don't depend on a 16 year old clerk from a sports store that sells shoes, trailer hitch's, bbq pits and gun safes. If you want shoes to walk in for hours at a time, seek a spcialty store and get a proper fit.

If you spend alot of time in crocs, teevas etc then wear those in the parks.
Your foot has likely built up callases from the soles of those shoes and changing what you wear could cause blisters.

mens "running" socks
http://www.runningwarehouse.com/catpage-MSOCKTYPE.html

womens socks
http://www.runningwarehouse.com/catpage-WSOCKTYPE.html

It is also a good idea to use Body Glide (http://www.bodyglide.com/) as an ointment on your feet to prevent friction from chaffing and causing blisters.

 

[twokids0204]

Excellent advice...

We used Body Glide last time...

Good to know about avoiding Cotton Socks.

 

[Shmily01]

Thanks so much for the insight. I'm always the one who has the blisters by the end of the day. Didn't know that about cotton socks. I will have to try the others out.

 

[memster]

I'm a flip flop girl myself but thats what works for me, there sooo comfy

 

[justskip70003]

or you can always rent an ecv lol

 

[LSUfan4444]

I was asked to bump this, so, obligatory bump.

 

[TandLMommy28]

I used body glide lotion with wicking socks and sneakers in the morning. I put mole skin on when I felt those "hot spots" coming on and I tossed a pair of flip flops in the bottom of the stroller. When my feet started to hurt, I switched to flip flops.

Worked like a charm, not one blister to report.

 

[AuroraMeansDawn]

This is a very good and helpful post! Thanks to the OP

And ladies, don't freak out when they fit you for shoes if they bring out shoes that are as much as a size larger than you normally wear. Well fitted athletic shoes should be the largest sized shoe in your closet and you shouldn't feel them so much when they are on. Toes need room to spread out and if you're feeling anything pressing it's not good. If you can really feel that arch support means it's going to press and rub. They should feel "invisible" as possible when you put them on.

And I like coolmax socks. If you're in Texas sockguy.com does custom socks that I love for cycling. And my son used Bodyglide during his Philmont Scout Trip and was very happy with how it worked. It's a lifesaver.

 

[PatsMom]

If you are really prone to blisters and it is hot, you also might want to carry a change of socks with you. I don't bother at Disney since I rarely get blisters, but when I did my 3 Day 60 Mile breast cancer walk in July, I started in a very thick pair of socks. Around lunch time, my feet were swollen. I changed to a lighter weight sock. Wicking socks are a must if you are wearing athletic shoes!

And a warning to runners - walking is a totally different thing than running. One of my walking team is a marathoner and she had terrible problems with blisters. She got them under her calluses.

One other tip we got during our training was the Body Glide. Vaseline works too.

Band Aid is now making special blister bandaids that work pretty well. And if you can find good moleskin, it is great when you get a hot spot.

One last hint for the ladies - even though you might want your feet to look nice for the pools, don't get a pedicure soon before going. They will remove calluses that you need for protection for your feet!

 

[mlittig]

Great tips, everyone I love Body Glide I learned about it here on the DISboards

 

[fla4fun]

I know where the hot spots are on my feet at Disney, so before I put my socks on, I cover those areas with cloth adhesive tape - the kind of shiny type. This allows my feet to slide without friction in my shoes, and I haven't had one blister since I started doing this. I also always wear well broken in shoes. If I want new shoes for Disney, I buy them about three months ahead of time and wear them everywhere so they are broken in.

I agree with the larger size shoes too. I usually go a half size up and one width wider on the athletic/walking shoes, and I haven't had any trouble there either. Remember, it's about comfort, not vanity!

 

[IvyandLace]

My most recent trip to WDW was in June 2010 for 7 days, and I *thought* I had done everything right this time when it came to preparing my feet for Disney. I read just about every thread I could about blister prevention. I ended up buying new Keen sandals and broke them in (along with Croc sandals) by walking almost every day. I bought "wicking" socks and Body Glide. I did not get a pedicure before I went.

I ended up with the worst blisters I have EVER had...really horrible! I also lost the toenails from each toe next to my big toe because the blisters were underneath the nail!! My husband could not believe that I was even able to walk at all when he finally agreed to look at my blisters.

I had to go to CVS pharmacy a few times for blister band-aids. They did provide cushion enough to help me be able to continue my park touring (just at a much slower pace). I scraped the sandals and just wore my broken in sneakers with socks.

I always get blisters when I go to WDW. I have even gone so far as to wrap my feet totally in Duct tape to help with blister prevention. Basically, I'm up for anything that will keep me touring! Any other suggestions??? I am planning on going to WDW in February 2011 and DO NOT want to have to deal with blisters again while I'm there!

IVY

 

[freecia]

IvyandLace - check that a) you're getting the right fit for your shoes rather than focusing on "size" (like women's fashion, a size 8 sandal in one brand fits differently than another) b) you have proper tension in them so your feet aren't slipping around or hitting things with your toes c) that you don't need a larger toe box. Sounds like your toes might be rubbing up against another toe or the toe box. Maybe look into an open toe shoe?

All these aside, it could be the way your feet are currently formed and the way you walk. Seems basic, but worth paying attention to. Are you a heel-roll-toe walker? Meaning your heel hits the ground, roll towards the ball of your foot, lift the toes off the ground. Some women are used to heels and have a modified gait that might not be the best for extended walking. Also check that your toes don't rub against each other. That might need a toe spreader to help correct toe placement and less shoes that are narrow through the toe box.

Even if you break in the shoes, perhaps you can "train" for Disney. It is more movement and standing than most feet are conditioned to.

Hopefully some runners can chime in. I hear losing toenails during marathons is pretty common so there must be a few other tricks to help.

As an aside, the blister bandages look like the hydrocolloid bandages. If they're the same, they should also be fab. as a bandages for scrapes. Less scarring and it stays on in the water.

 

[mousireid]

Well I wear my fav comfy open, airy sandals. I always put a little deodrant on my feet too - no moisture - no blister.

 

[fla4fun]

I scraped the sandals and just wore my broken in sneakers with socks.

I think this is your best solution. The shoes I wear to Disney are the shoes I wear to work every day (in my case, Propet wash and wear walking shoes), so they are as broken in as they can get. And even so, I still put adhesive tape on my typical "hot spots" just to be sure. A lot of people comment that their feet get too hot in sneakers, but when it comes right down to it, you want to provide the best protection possible for your feet. Sometimes that means a good closed shoe and good socks.

Another suggestion - if you have a couple pair of well worn in shoes that fit slightly different on your feet, it can be a good idea to alternate back and forth between them. It's a good idea in general to have a back up pair of shoes in case one pair gets soaking wet or damaged.

 

[PatsMom]

I cannot walk the parks in sandals or Crocs of any kind. Have to wear my broke in walking shoes. And do invest in a good pair. Go to a store that specializes and they will want to watch you walk, see an old pair to see your wear patterns, etc. What works for me is a New Balance walking shoe that is a wide width and about one size too big. Even then on my sixty mile walk, I lost a toenail. Not uncommon they told us.

One lady gooped up her feet with body glide, vaseline and foot powder. She said it made a mess of her socks but was the only thing that worked for her blisters. Changing socks and alternating shoes does also help since each shoe will have different pressure points.

 

[larryz]

Thanks for starting it!

 

[geenerbell]

For the ladies...if you are getting a pre-trip pedicure DO NOT let them buff off all your callouses (sp?). That is a guaranteed blister waiting to happen.

 

[book_junkie]

OK, so I'm lost... I've seen the body glide (ones I've found come looking like DO sticks)... How do you use it on your feet? Just rub it around? How do you know you have enough? (My husband- not so helpful this afternoon- says probably when you slide across the floor)....

 

[PatsMom]

OK, so I'm lost... I've seen the body glide (ones I've found come looking like DO sticks)... How do you use it on your feet? Just rub it around? How do you know you have enough? (My husband- not so helpful this afternoon- says probably when you slide across the floor)....

I don't do Body Glide but some ladies I walk with do. They just apply it like a deodorant stick only to the feet. Its also good if you have chafing in other body areas - that is what I use it for. You don't need a lot of it - just until you can feel slippery. Your husband's idea of when you slide across the floor might be a good one!