I get lots of emails asking for foot care advice. The topics range from socks, blisters, preparation, calluses, toenails, and much more. I try and answer as many as I can. This has prompted me to add a section to my FixingYourFeet.com website where I will post questions from readers and my advice back to them. Here is the link to the new page: Fixing Your Feet FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions).
Before you go there, here’s an email in which a question was asked in June and was just recently resolved – successfully. I received the first email on June 9th.
“Hi, my name is Luke and I want to say thanks for the advice on your site and book. I’m in the military and I’ve been gearing up for an event which will require me to run in boots cross country for 12 miles a day for a couple days with a 50lb pack on my back. I’m going to experiment with the different techniques. I’ve always gotten blisters in the past but just kind of dealt with them. I’m in pretty good shape and run and lift all the time but running in boots for a couple days straight for that distance and weight will push me pretty good. The taping and prep on your site is priceless! Thanks again. Any tips for running in boots by chance?”
I responded: “Running in boots? Not by choice. But in the military I understand. What are you using for socks and what prep work are you doing? Reducing friction in boots is key. Depending on the boot height, you have more areas to get hot spots and blisters.”
On June 22, Luke wrote back, “Right now I’m using regular cotton socks that are standard issue for the army. I’m looking into getting some of the Drymax socks. Those seem to reduce friction. I’ve tried taping my feet and that has reduced the blisters on the bottom front area of my feet. I still get blisters on the instep of my heels on both feet. I haven’t quite figured out the taping or best prevention method there. I’m really starting to train for a tryout that I’m doing later in the year. Right now I run with my pack on twice a week in tennis shoes anywhere from 8-10 miles and occasionally run in boots. I don’t think running in boots for months at a time will be good for my feet. My ultimate goal is to get up to 18 miles in boots with no big issues with my feet. I think blisters will unfortunately with that length. I’m very thankful for the tips on the website. I’ll continue to refine my techniques.”
I gave some advice, “Try and avoid using cotton socks at all costs. They retain moisture and do not breathe. DryMax are the best socks I have found. They make several kinds, which would work in boots. Go to Drymax Socks and see what they offer. They may not be called boot socks, but trail running socks should work. You want a pair that is tall enough up the ankle. You can tape the instep area. Just don’t pull the tape and wrinkle the skin. Round the edges of the tape too and if using tincture of benzoin to help the tape stick better, use a dab of lubricant on the edges of the tape and cut any exposed tincture. It is possible the insoles in your boots are not the best for your feet. Do they feel too high or feel like they are rubbing too much? Your toenails are okay?”
Then, after months, I just received another email from Luke on December 4. “I completed the training event I was talking about and my feet came away unharmed. The majority of my course was composed of running/walking in the woods for 6-7 hours a day for a couple weeks. I used some synthetic boot socks by Under Armour and Kinesio tape on my heels. The Kinesio tape held up excellently. I was surprised at how well the tape held especially after running through water, mud, and while it was raining. The train up tips helped immensely! Thanks again!”
Advice is good.
So I encourage you to check out the new page on my website: Fixing Your Feet FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions). I will put the advice in sections to make it easier. As I add content, I will split the section into several pages with links to the different topics. Then send me an email with your questions. I love helping you guys.
