Preventing blisters question

[Kathy]

I have my good walking shoes, bodyglide and peppermint lotion. Do I need to really buy coolmax socks for my whole family or will cotton be ok with using the above? Also have moleskin and bandaids too. We are going to wdw at the end of June. I do have some coolmax socks for myself but they are the no show kind and I am afraid I will get blisters where my heel is touching the back of my shoe. Will the bodyglide help here? Any advice is appreciated!

 

[Piglet4me]

Kathy,

DH & I went last June, and I took my old trusty leather reebok tennies, a pair of keds filp flops and a pair of Clarks.
Let me say that none of these shoes had ever given me blisters before this trip - but in the end my feet were Miserable.
We had moleskin with us, and that was my saving grace. This year, after much research, I have invested in a pair of Nike Air shoes (cloth w/ mesh, not leather, which hold heat in) and a new pair of Clarks Springers athletic sandals, more moleskin and bodyglide for the feeties. The coolmax socks didn't do alot for me last year, either. This year I am taking several cotton pairs, the low ones, and ankle height.
I learned alot from that last trip and my poor feet made me promise I would not torture them again this year.

Also, I think from the heat coming up off the pavement in WDW, I had this nasty ankle rash/sunburn type of thing. ( but was wearing sunblock. It was like a patchy rash/ sunburn, ankles only.) Still haven't figured out what that was, but it has happend twice now and only at WDW. Has this happened to anyone else?

Best of luck to your feet.

 

[fran99999]

I just got back from a June trip. I made the mistake of forgetting my sneakers and just packed my sandals ( for around the resort). Well after I got my 4th blister, yes I used Moleskin it helped to an extent.

I finally broke down and bought the sneakers with Mickey on them and the socks (peds like) with Mickey heads. I wore them for the remaining days and I found the sneakers very comfy, I wear a size 10.5 and these were a 10. The socks were very absorbent and had a lot of cushioning I only bought 4 pair. I WILL be buying more when I go in August.

I was actually very surprised how comfortable they were especially as they were 1/2 size to small ( my toes hit the end of the sneaker) and I already had several blisters on the balls of my feet.

 

[DisneyTeasers]

A trick we happened upon: buy deodorizing foot spray, the kind with antipersperent and spray your feet in the morning. It keeps your feet from sweating so bad and really cuts down on blisters. I was so glad to find this because I always get this one BAD blister just under my big toe where it meets my foot, every trip, until last time when I tried the spray. We used a whole can last time so I'm stocking up with two for July! An added bonus: it helps our DS5's shoes be not quite so stinky!

 

[abbylukesmom]

Sorry, but I have to ask....What is moleskin?


Thanks!

 

[DISUNC]

Last year I read the best tip for preventing blisters on your feet....Do what they do in the Army....tape the bottom of your feet with good old duct tape.

It really really works, did 7 days in WDW and not one blister!

 

[Livin'a Dream]

Last year I read the best tip for preventing blisters on your feet....Do what they do in the Army....tape the bottom of your feet with good old duct tape.

It really really works, did 7 days in WDW and not one blister!

Could you please explain this to me,I'm thinking of trying this for our trip in August. You just duct tape only the bottoms? I usually have blisters on my little toe also. Thanks,Elaine

 

[Laurajean1014]

So, the duct tape acts as a barrier and reinforcement for your feet?

 

[DISUNC]

Could you please explain this to me,I'm thinking of trying this for our trip in August. You just duct tape only the bottoms? I usually have blisters on my little toe also. Thanks,Elaine

Sure....I have the same feet issues. I tape the bottom of my feet, and my two end toes (on each foot)...then wear the oldest most comfortable sneakers I have.
When I went to WDW,before I read these boards...my feet use to CRY IN AGONY , ...then last year I tried this....and it worked perfectly. If I wear sandals..I just place the tape on the bottom of my feet. But if needed too..I'd tape up my whole foot....Walmart sells duct tape in a variety of colors.

The duct tape prevents both the moisture & the rubbing....and wont come off untill you pull it off. Moleskin tends to crumple up on my feet, and make it worse.

Trust me on this it works.....and it's a very inexpensive solution.

 

[karynnix]

A trick we happened upon: buy deodorizing foot spray, the kind with antipersperent and spray your feet in the morning. It keeps your feet from sweating so bad and really cuts down on blisters. I was so glad to find this because I always get this one BAD blister just under my big toe where it meets my foot, every trip, until last time when I tried the spray. We used a whole can last time so I'm stocking up with two for July! An added bonus: it helps our DS5's shoes be not quite so stinky!

We sprayed everyday and didn't get any blisters.

 

[bicker]

I do have some coolmax socks for myself but they are the no show kind and I am afraid I will get blisters where my heel is touching the back of my shoe.

I found that SmartWool Adrenaline are the best in this regard. Their no-show socks have a tab (and "Achilles pad") at the back to cushion against the back of the shoe.

They've locked down their web site pretty badly, so I cannot seem to get a link to the specific page. It's the Light Micro - Adrenaline, for men and women.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

I wear my trusty New Balance with plenty of toe room and I love the Thor-Lo socks that have the extra padding on top, where the laces rest on top of your foot, and extra padding on the ball of your foot, etc. I have never once gotten blisters on my feet with this combination, as I have with others.

 

[Sharon Esch]

Never had any feet problems at WDW (even my DH, DS, DD didn't). We all wore Birkenstocks!!! These sandals are worth every penny!

 

[Meezers]

I am so glad I am not the only one at WDW wearing my trusty Birks!

If I have to wear shoes (yuch) I make sure I wear nice thick cotton socks and my broken in New Balance shoes. If I get a "hot spot"...immediatley treat with moleskin.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Sorry, but I have to ask....What is moleskin?


Thanks!

Moleskin is this cushiony cloth-like substance with adhesive on the back. It comes in rolls. You cut pieces off the roll in the size and shape of the area of your foot that is prone to blisters (before the blisters actually appear!), and apply like a bandaid. It sticks pretty well on most areas of the foot, like the sides and Achilles heel, but not so well on the sweatier sole. I'd never go to Disneyworld without it, and a good pair of New Balance sneaks.

 

[HaleyB]

I am not prone to blisters and didn't have any problems in WDW last summer. But I used to be a long distance walker and one trick we often used was to change socks as soon as they were damp. I changed my kids socks twice a day and my own if needed. I also always added baby powder into the socks before I put them on. I don't do anything else, but I have known lots of runners that did the duct tape trick. If you do not like the idea of putting it on your skin you can also use thin socks and tape over them. In that case make sure it is snug, your goal is zero movement/friction. I also have known people to use ace bandaid style wraps to protect feet (not for WDW, runners again).

Oh my other advice is to inspect your feet every night for any red areas or 'hot spots' and preemptivly protect those spots with mole skin or a band aid.

For the post that asked what mole skin is, it is like a very large stickey band aid that you cut to size and put over blisters, or anytime regular band aids rub too much. Find it by the other foot products (stuff for athletes foot, corns, inserts) at a pharmacy or super market.

Bring sandels and wear them when it rains to keep your main shoes dry. Dry shoes make happy feet, wet shoes make sad feet.

 

[mickeymom55]

I am definitely prone to blisters when on our Disney vacations. This past May, however, I did try Body Glide. I purchased it at Eastern Mountain Sports. I've seen on the boards that people have found it at Walmart and other sporting good places. This product saved my feet! Not one blister. I wore New Balance sneakers, new cotton socks and Body Glide ever day. In the evening, I soaked my feet in the tub and then applied Body Works peppermint lotion (very relaxing). Body Glide comes in an antiperspirant type stick and it just melts around your feet. No oily residue or sticky sensation. Worked for me - there's nothing worse than sore, blistered feet when you're trying to enjoy vacation. Good luck and have a great vacation.

 

[bopper]

I second the recommendation for Body Glide. Apply it where you would typically get blisters and it prevents them. Also you can use it on parts of your body where you may chafe. It is an excellent product!

 

[baileygirlsmom]

We just got back Sunday and this is the first time that I did NOT get blisters! I used Bodyglide all over my toes and the tops of my feet and Arrid Cream Antip./Deo. on the bottoms of my feet, cotton socks and my well worn Easy Spirits. I wore my Teva Sandles on the one day that we were in the rain and some at night. My 7 year old DD made the comment that "This was Mamma's best trip ever because she didn't get blisters!" What a blessing!

 

[DISUNC]

We just got back Sunday and this is the first time that I did NOT get blisters! I used Bodyglide all over my toes and the tops of my feet and Arrid Cream Antip./Deo. on the bottoms of my feet, cotton socks and my well worn Easy Spirits. I wore my Teva Sandles on the one day that we were in the rain and some at night. My 7 year old DD made the comment that "This was Mamma's best trip ever because she didn't get blisters!" What a blessing!

OK OK OK...I will try Body Glide for my feet.....Now do I purchase this in a speciality store??? Wal-mart??? drug store???? Never heard of it before.

Thanks