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Posted by SteveTheFolkie on June 6, 2007 at 7:39:58 am EDT
In reply to Bodyglide? Who the heck recommended this stuff? posted by dax702 on June 5, 2007 at 2:18:10 am EDT

My podiatrist buddy doesn't believe in clogging the pores of your skin anywhere - but hey - try the anitperspirant - I'll admit to bashing his "rules" when going sockless in boat shoes (it stops office mates from looking for the rotting cheese late in the day!) -

I love smartwool socks - in fact I love all wool socks - so don't kick yourself for wearing them. They're doing the best job they can at wicking - if you're getting blisters wearing smartwool you'd be one miserable putz in cheap cotton blend socks!

Try a pair of cool-max liner socks - they're really thin - they wick the moisture into the outter socks and keep the boundary layer between the coolmax and your foot fairly dry - plus they'll hug your foot and slide against the smartwool - so the friction will be sock on sock, rather than sock on skin. I've been a "two pair of socks" hiker for 37 years - I've had my share of blisters BUT I attribute them to inappropriate / ill fitting boots (back in the old days we were stuck with gawd-awful heavy leather mountaineering boots for backpacking - stiff enough for front-pointing - it was like hiking in ski boots!) - the multi-sock system just might help your big toe issues as well (again, sock on sock friction rather than sock on toe) -

If your feet are really sweaty you might be overtaxing the ability of the permeable liner in your boots to expell moisture - especially if its humid where you're hiking OR if you've treated the outside of your boots - something to consider. Also - if you're a gaiter wearer - give it a rest for your next hike and let your feet breathe through the tops of your boots - I mean it looks cool and all to wear those knee high gaiters (at least I hope it does!) but they do seal up the only really open part of your boots - the tops -

Take a couple pair of socks on your next hike - if your heel even feels slightly warm - stop - strip to bare feet (leave the rest of your clothes on) - let your feet air a bit - perhaps put some moleskin over the hot spot - put on clean/dry socks - put your boots back on and continue - by nipping it in the bud you'll have a much happier hike -

Insoles - I've got a pair of leather insoles that have followed me from boot to boot for about 30 years - they slide around a bit on the inside of the boots (easing friction), they fit my feet to perfection, they breathe - I made them myself (traced my foot on a piece of thick leather, cut it out with an xacto knife, inserted to (at the time) Lowa Alpspitz mountaineering boots - your mileage may vary!

Happy hiking

Steve

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