Inspiration Point 2-14-09

[FIGHT ON]

tr
The highlight of this hike was that I did not get any blisters on my feet! I finally tried to hike with a size 11.5 which is one size larger than my 10.5. Two years it took me to figure this out. I started out with 10.5 size because it seemed so loose going even a half size larger. Then I tried 11s and had way less blisters. This hike I tried 11.5s and forgot my gators. I usually wear those dirty girl gators to keep rocks out but suspected it also kept heat in making my feet get soft faster. I wore a medium size smart wool sock which filled up the space and after a few miles forgot about my feet sliding around inside. I got a few pebbles in but nothing that was unbearable. They also were soaking wet from the snow and if I had my usual size on it would have ripped the skin right off! Not this time! And I usually kick a several rocks on the down hill and with tight shoes my toes got slammed so hard it hurt so bad for like 10 minutes after. This time I was delighted to find that the extra room kept my toes from any contact! Very VERY NICE! NO BLISTERS! HAPPY FEET!

[EnFuego]

I'm glad you avoided blisters this go 'round, but your remedy for "not" getting blisters seems all wrong.

In your TR you stated you wore size 11.5 with medium weight smartwool socks. In your Smugmug report, you stated you wore your gym shoes. Do you usually wear gym shoes one size too large? Or did you buy gym shoes one size too large specifically for this hike? You don't wear hiking boots?

Am I mising something here?

[FIGHT ON]

I'm glad you avoided blisters this go 'round, but your remedy for "not" getting blisters seems all wrong.

In your TR you stated you wore size 11.5 with medium weight smartwool socks. In your Smugmug report, you stated you wore your gym shoes. Do you usually wear gym shoes one size too large? Or did you buy gym shoes one size too large specifically for this hike? You don't wear hiking boots?

Am I mising something here?

I just started hiking about 2 years ago. For the first 4 months I wore my size running shoes New Balance. I didn't hike that far or fast so I guess that's why I didn't get many blisters if any. and I was always wearing cotton socks. But then I started to hike further, harder hikes like Bear Flat and Vivian Creek. On the Vivian Creek hike my toes were boiling hot on that last steep part before you get back down to the creek. Dude they really were HOT! I couldn't figure it out! and I got blisters big time. Huge ones. So I bought some Montrail Gortex Boots my size. I didn't listen to the sales man who warned me to get a larger size. I managed with them and got a few blisters. Then I tried some New Balance MT908OR a while back to see if it made a difference in hiking faster. My size and I got the hugest blisters all over my feet. I'm an idiot. I put that wax on them to stop them from rubbing but I think it just made it worse because it makes your feet soft. duh. rip rip rip. I can deal with pain but this was bloody. So I got a half size larger and it helped a lot.
Now this one and no gators. You have no idea how great it is not to have ANY blisters from a hike. And I was hiking fast too. all wet feet as well which would have done me in with the smaller sizes. I know that for sure because I usually had to change socks half way through my hike. But not this one. I wore the same socks the whole hike! NO PROBLEM!!!!
I wear the montrails sometimes but not when I try to go fast.
I call the new balance gym shoes because Charles called my running shoes that when I hiked with him. Made fun of them. He is a serious snow hiker and has all the boots and stuff. Just sounds funny. Gym shoes. lol.

[EnFuego]

Gothcha. Now I understand. Damn, blisters can be the worse. I've been very lucky. My entire life, I've only gotten one blister, on my heel and that was in January. I never had a blister before, never ever as a kid playing sports, in college playing sports, or in any of my oudoor sporting activities. But finally, on a snow climb, I bought liners and either medium or heavy Smartwool socks. Temps were under 28 the entire time, but my feet were "En Fuego" and I finally got a pretty large blister at the back of my heel where the achillies tendon disapears at the heel. Now i wear liners with light weight Smartwool socks.

Feet blisters can be debilitating. Something so small and minor can ruin a trip and turn you around.

[FIGHT ON]

Gothcha. Now I understand.

SOMEBODY UNDERSTANDS ME!!!!

Gothcha. Now I understand. Damn, blisters can be the worse. I've been very lucky. My entire life, I've only gotten one blister, on my heel and that was in January. I never had a blister before, never ever as a kid playing sports, in college playing sports, or in any of my oudoor sporting activities. But finally, on a snow climb, I bought liners and either medium or heavy Smartwool socks. Temps were under 28 the entire time, but my feet were "En Fuego" and I finally got a pretty large blister at the back of my heel where the achillies tendon disapears at the heel. Now i wear liners with light weight Smartwool socks.

Feet blisters can be debilitating. Something so small and minor can ruin a trip and turn you around.

"En Fuego"= "On Fire"?