Backpacker – August 2019

JULY/AUGUST 2019

BACKPACKER.COM 111

You’re not taking care of your feet.

From buying boots to treating blisters, here’s how it’s done.

You wear the wrong socks. They should

fit like second skin. No bagging. No irri-

tating seams. No cotton. No skin touching

boot material.

You let your socks get nasty. In dr y

conditions, have one pair on your feet and

a clean pair to sleep in. Wash your dirty

socks in the evening and let them dry

during the day. In wet weather, add a third

pair to allow time for the wash/dry cycle.

Your toenails are turning black. If

you’re jamming your tootsies into the front

of your boots, trim your toenails, snug up

your laces, and try thinner socks.

You don’t have camp shoes. Wet shoes

can weaken foot skin and breed fungus

like trench foot. Let your dogs breathe and

let your shoes dry out. Swallow your pride

a nd buy some Crocs.

You can’t feel your toes. Loosen your

laces and buy new shoes as soon as you

can. Most numb toes come back online,

e vent u a l ly.

You don’t tape trouble spots. If your feet

are prone to blisters, invest a few cents in

medical tape and preempt the problem.

Sweaty feet? Use duct tape.

You got a blister anyway.

To drain one safely, sterilize the site and

your lancing utensil (hand sanitizer for

the former; f lame for the latter), puncture

a few spots near the blister’s edge, apply

antiseptic ointment, surround the sore

spot with a moleskin doughnut, and cover

the assembly with a nonstick bandage.

You neglect your sore feet. E ver y one ’s

dogs bark after a few long days. Take care

of your most important gear: In camp,

fight inf lammation by elevating your feet

and taking ibuprofen. And if there’s an icy

stream nearby, give them a good soak.

YOU SHOP WRONG.

• Shop for boots at the end of the
  day, when your feet a re swollen,
  and bring the socks you’ll hike in.


• Try on multiple brands to get the
  best fit. Your heels should be snug,
  your toes should not.


• Match your boots to your pack
  weight and terrain. Lighter is
  generally better, as long as you have
  appropriate suppor t a nd protection.


• Give them a vigorous test-scamper
  indoors to ensure they’re the right
  boots for you. Use a n incline boa rd
  to check that there’s no uphill or
  downhill sliding.

You skip breakfast. Welcome
to Bonk Town, population you.
Your body burns carbs to sustain
moderate exercise. No carbs, no
vroom.

You eat a huge lunch. You indulged

to fuel up for a big climb. And now

you feel lethargic. Snack often—it’s

better to feed the furnace throughout

the day.

You don’t add enough water to your

dinner. That semi-reconstituted food

is going to pull moisture from your

body instead, potentially resulting in

an upset stomach.

You forget that water boils at a

lower temp at high altitude. Add at

least 10 minutes to rehydration times

when you’re above 8,000 feet. Basic

physics (trust us).