[pct-l] Foot Ready

[walt Durling]

Mary. The little toes on my feet tend to rub together causing hot spots.  I especially need to ensure my toenails are always trimmed or I'll pay the price quickly.  A couple of weeks ago I developed a blister on my left pinkie. I was surprised since it wasn't all that painful and I thought it was only a hot spot.  Your advice about larger size shoes for long distance hiking is crucial.  

What I've also found is that by using a foot powder/gel my feet also seem much happier (I had forgotten to put some on the other day when I got the blister).  Awhile back I came across Anti-Monkey Butt anti-friction powder.  Its a talc/calamine powder which can be used in any places on one's body which chafes.  It's cheaper than the other more frequently mentioned foot products - 6 ozs for about 6 bucks.  It does a good job for me lubricating between my toes.  When I wear merino wool or coolmax-type fabrics, my feet rarely sweat.  Because it's a powder, I'm unsure how it would work when the feet are wet - probably wouldn't hurt but probably wouldn't help, either.  Walt 

Sent from my iPad

> On Feb 7, 2014, at 21:54, Mary Kwart <mkwart at gci.net> wrote:
> 
> My input is geared to those who are older hikers--in their 60's and
> 70's. After several years of long distance backpacking after I retired
> ( I am 62) I settled on men's shoes only--I used to wear size 8 1/2
> womens but now wear size 9 1/2  men's. Larger shoes cured many of my
> foot problems (i.e. blisters, and some ball of foot pain). I still
> suffered some ball of foot pain when hiking over 10 miles a day, so I
> replaced the insoles in the shoes with "Sole Signature Footbeds" from
> REI. I had orthotics, but got rid of them. I don't need them with the
> high arch support of the Sole insoles.
> 
> I have really seen that as I get older the fat pad on the bottom of my
> feet has gotten thinner, so I do use a padded insole. I also use
> marathon runner socks that are padded on the ball of the foot and the
> heel--the rest of the sock is very thin. The name is Thor Lo 84N's. I
> no longer wear double layer socks, not needing them anymore. 
> 
> All of my foot wear choices have evolved over the years, as I became
> more fit and more used to hiking with a pack over long distances. What
> I wear now may not be the best for an older person just starting out
> with long distance backpacking. If you keep backpacking, you will
> evolve as you get into better shape. Your feet will tolerate lighter
> weight boots, socks and insoles (or lack thereof). 
> 
> --Fireweed
> 
> 
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