I always get horrible blisters no matter what I do .... any tips?

[lentesta]

I'm partial to duct tape and good shoes. We generally walk 20-30 miles per day in the parks, and the vast majority of my team gets by on those two things. I'll probably try some of the high-tech socks mentioned here on the next trip - they sound great.

Finding a comfortable shoe is the hard part. I really like Ecco, but they're expensive. I've used a pair of Nike Air Max Motos with good results - they're lightweight and have a lot of mesh for air circulation.

Whatever setup you decide, I'd suggest a couple-mile walk around the neighborhood to see whether everything works. It's not exactly the same as a day in the parks, but it'll illustrate any obvious issues for you.

Hope this helps.

Len

 

[cindala]

Originally posted by DiznEeyore
I am the WDW Blister Queen. At least once on every trip dh offers (seriously) to get me a wheel chair so that I can actually move around the parks comfortably.

Are we related? I can definitely identify with you!!! I gave up on sneakers, and started using the Nike Straprunner Sandals. I've had the best results from them. Now I make it to the 5 day mark before I notice any sore spots!

My problem is no so much blisters, but pain on the bottoms of my heels and pad of my foot. I find the cushlin pads from Scholls work well for that.

Originall posted by Dancind
flying in a bone dry airplane for 3 1/2 hours, then landing in the humidity of Orlando and walking around made my feet swell up like miniature pressurized rafts. [B/]

LOL!! Yup, I know what you mean!! That's why I wear sandals with adjustable velcro straps.

I'm not old, have no circulatory problems or high blood pressure, nor am I huge in size. I know none of my family ever gets the problems that I do, so it really must be the gait/walk of the individual that contributes to the problems.

I've always said that Disney should have a store that sells new feet to replace our worn out ones!!! I bet it would be a busy store!

 

[wdwobsessed]

LOL at the wheelchair comment. You have no idea how close we have come to renting one in the past for me and my poor tootsies!

It is kind of funny how I would get up 1/2 hour early just to pad my feet with all the moleskin and such each morning

Thanks again for all the great tips!

wdwo

 

[jaletu2000]

I also vote for the Blister Relief pads by Band-Aid. Got an awful blister on the side of my toe right before leaving a cruise to go to the parks. Used the Blister Relief and voila! never even thought of it again. Was able to swim, walk, run. These things work.

 

[NotUrsula]

I do own some Thorlos, for walking at home when it is too cold for sandals. Just thought I would pass along a couple of Thorlo shopping tips:

These are THICK socks. Unless you normally wear roomy walking shoes, be prepared that your shoes might be too small when wearing the Thorlos. The company recommends that you purchase your shoes AFTER purchasing the socks.

Thorlos can often be purchased for around $3/pr. at Marshall's stores. This is less than half of what they normally cost at regular retail.

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

I found Thorlo sock to be too thick and too hot for me. I am going to look into the " BodyGlide " , though.

Here is my 2 cents......

There is this ointment that I buy.........you will find it in a grocery store or drug store.......sorry to say, that it is in the "hemorrhoid" department. YEP.....that's where you will find it. It is made as an anestetic for an itchy "you know what"
or it can be used for bug bites, or anything that hurts.

This goop is called " Nupercainal" and it is great ! As soon as I develop even a slight hot spot on my foot, I sit down, take a break, take off my sock, and goop up any area of my foot that hurts. Yes....it makes my sock messy, but I don't care. The sore spot sort of slides around, elimating the friction, and then the goop also is a painkiller.

It works for me !!

 

[loriandmatt]

ok - i have to agree with 999thghost on this one.

much cheaper than the special socks that are basicly the same thing......
go to wally mart and get yourself some of those grandma looking footie nylons. (i think they call them peds) and wear those under your socks. They draw away moisture and any slippage that will occur happens between your sock and the nylon - not your tender tooties.

I was afraid that my feet would be hot as heck with two layers on there, but i didn't notice them at all.

Of course i only do this when wearing my tennies - which is most of the time.

- lori

 

[Dee & Greg]

Or so I dubbed myself for years...(!) Any blister threads have always contained my story, but here goes again...

Had too many miserable WDW trips due to blisters and said "enough!"

1. Went to a runners shoe store... they not only measured my foot, but layed on the floor and watched how my feet/toes moved as I walked. Guess what! My little toes curl over each other and that's why I get blisters in between toes (ouch!) Bought great shoes.. Saucony

2. Bought Cool Max sock (I like the thin ones)

3. Use Vaseline between my toes to prevent friction and on the balls of my feet (anyone had blisters on the bottoms of your feet?)

4. I still carry a first aid kit with pre cut moleskin, and Band Aid Blister Blockers. Have never needed them, but they are my security blanket.

I've never had a blister since.. and I've been in August!

I love to watch ladies in those beautiful sandals.. who can really wear these? My feet would be bloody stumps! The skins literally peels off the bottoms of my feet in sandals.. oh well. So much for style!

Good Luck!

 

[shelle94]

My tip is to start walking weeks before you go. Not just to break in your shoes, but also to get your feet and the rest of your body used to it. I see a couple of other people mentioned this. I am constantly on my feet at work for 8 hours a day. I am tempted to wear a pedometer to see how many miles I walk in an average day. Last year I was at the world for 5 days and I did it commando style. My feet didn't hurt a bit and I didn't get any blisters.

 

[honeymo78]

Anyone know where to get Bodyglide other than online stores? Do regular drug stores sell it? I'm going to try that and pick up some peds from Walmart as well as bring my Birks along too. From the time I was able to walk around WDW on my own I have gotten horrid blisters. More than once I've ended up in a wheelchair over it. The people at WDW first aid wouldn't let me leave without one. But we never used it to get to the front of the line since the only time I need a wheelchair is at WDW lol. Hopefully this will time will be better but I'm prepared to suffer through it if not.

 

[Sandy51]

A tip I read on this board last spring and used on two trips since then: buy Arrid antiperspirant CREAM and slather both feet liberally before you put on socks. Worked great for me!

Sandy

 

[beattyfamily]

I'm bumping this great and informative thread on Blisters!!!

It took awhile for me to find it!

Our trip is coming soon so I was on the look out for it!

 

[missypie]

I agree with the person who said to make sure your shoes are the right size. I heard one time that the most commonly sold women's shoe size is 7 1/2 B ... but that the most common ACTUAL women's shoe size is 8D! I remembered that because while pregnant with child #2 my feet spread and never went back and now I'm a D width. Easy Spirit is about the only place I canalways find my size.

 

[cindy_k]

Another vote for Ecco Cosmo sandals. I've bought a pair at the beginning of the summer. I have taken them to Disney once already. They really are wonderful. I need to get a second pair.

My sneakers will give me a blister when a start walking the distances needed at Disney but not these sandals.
I do switch them off with my Teva running sandals (I'm a sandal fan) just for the change.

I love sandals too because they dry fast. If you get caught in the rain or go on a wet ride you are not squishy around in wet sneakers all day. You just need to make sure they are good sandals, not cheap flip flops with no support.

Have a good trip!
Cindy

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by cindy_k
Another vote for Ecco Cosmo sandals. I've bought a pair at the beginning of the summer. I have taken them to Disney once already. They really are wonderful. I need to get a second pair.

Cindy

A girl after my own heart!!!!!!

My Ecco Cosmos are my favorite shoes all summer and I just LOVE them! I went blister free for the first time at WDW with them! I think it's what the sole is made of and the lining on the sole is just like Moleskins which PREVENT blisters!!

I just bought a second pair in black over Ebay for $54 plus shipping and my first brown pair were only $35 plus shipping!!

Anyway, keep the good tips coming!

 

[Mike Jones]

The people we know who suffer most at wdw are the ones who walk least back home. I make sure that our kids have new sneakers/trainers (professionally fitted, not trendy), at least 2 pairs, at least 2 months before the next visit... then we walk their little legs off!! Lots of family walks, most days, longer at weekend etc... so far 3 trips and no blisters. Mike.

 

[tmq2766]

Unfortunately that is not always the case.... I work a part time job as a waitress at a very busy restaurant and I am always on my feet. You would think I could breeze through a WDW vacation unscathed...... Not.......
Usually by the 3rd or 4th day I have blisters the size of Detroit on the bottom of my feet.....
I am telling you duct tape, duct tape, duct tape!!!!!! It prevents friction...

 

[tc]

I wear Tevas and would never wear anything else. I had trouble with blisters and the pain in the bottom of my feet. Tevas cure both. Never a blister and I could walk hours w/o pain. Just love them.

 

[phamton]

I think the clue is to find out what is causing your blisters. If they are around the back of the foot (heel/ankle) area, you can probably conclude it is the wrong width or size shoe.

Do you get them mostly when your feet are sweaty or wet, then anti-perspirant will work. Are you developing hot-spots? Changing shoes or rotating types of shoes may help.

Are the blisters between your toes, then something slick may work (vaseline, zinc oxide, etc.) might help. If the socks are rubbing, nylon socks might help or wearing two pair of socks.

My problem is that my toe next to my little toe, develops a blister on the pad. I notice a big wrinkle forms on the bottom pad and then a blister. It is not from socks, improper fitting shoes, sweat, etc. It is because that toe just doesn't "sit right." I cover that spot with moleskin, bandaid, or duct tape. Even then , sometimes the crease forms but usually I can prevent it before it becomes a full blown blister.

Now if someone can tell me why I keep developing the rash above my sock-line that I get whenever I go to WDW, I would be so happy!

Bev

 

[HunnyPots]

what I found to be more important than shoes is socks. Buy everyone lots of NEW socks right before you leave. When socks are brand new, they tend to fit better and don't work down inside your shoe the way they will after they've been washed a few times. Also, Dr. Scholl's foot powder is great for keeping feet cool and dry.