85% of blisters can be prevented before the Camino, five expert hacks!

[@caminotellers]

What is your piece of advice to prevent or cure blisters?

[@DunRovinRanch-1969]

Y’all’s advice on preventing blisters is spot on. I’m glad you edited the live feed down to a manageable length. I love you channel but I won’t watch a live feed. As a veteran of many marathons my advice is to build a base of miles before the Walk. You’ll get the blisters out of the way and build up calluses.

[@caminotellers]

Excellent hacks! Yep, we will continue to make a 10 min manageable videos from live streams ;)

[@santiagoluayza1743]

I served for 20 years in the Marine Corps without getting a single blister, carrying extra heavy loads through deadly terrains and long distances, and wearing high leather, hard boots. The best way to prevent blisters was to put medical tape on my feet. It prevented direct contact between boot-sock and the skin, and so the tape got all the friction. In not so long distances it may be enough to cover the most exposed parts of your feet but when things were going to be hard I used to mask my feet almost as having a sock made of medical tape. Best resistance was given by those hard white fabric-type medical tape, but they left the skin very sticky. Even though I preferred to be free of blisters and took the neccesary time to clean feet with alcohol. Hypo alergenic medical tape is thinner and not as sticky, and works very well too. It resists humidity really well, being unusual to have it came off. I hope you find this as useful and miraculous as it was for me. If you know your shoes well you will know which part of your feet will need to be taped. I suggest at least the big and pinky toes all around, all of your heels and also the inner and outer ball, and metatarsal section of soles.

[@caminotellers]

What a great feedback! Thanks Santiago for adding so much to the Community

[@rampartranger7749]

I’m 75 years old, hike a lot, walk a lot, my whole life. I usually wear cheap cotton socks. I have never had a blister even once.

[@caminotellers]

We think that many blisters are caused simply by… to long walking! But that’s only our theory

[@paganora]

I read about hikers wool online. It can be difficult to find but it’s amazing. Just tape a small piece to the friction point and especially if the blisters is still just forming it eases the pain and prevents it from getting worse.

[@jacquistaben8999]

I used hikers wool as well, but I didn’t tape it down, I just put it where I wanted it and it tended to stay put.

[@jimmyschannel]

I recommend deer tallow / in German it's called Hirschtalg / in France Soin de cerf. If you apply this every day three months before your Camino your feet can take more stress.

[@caminotellers]

excellent advice! thanks

[@frankfurtonfoottours2361]

Am a double socking fan, but use nylon knee highs as they are thin, light, and cheap. Turn them inside out as well as your socks so the seams on the toes don't rub. I have corns, so a bit of body glide on those. My boots have Goretex, so my feet don't get wet, but did fall into a creek once and boots were filled with water. Continued walking another 4 hours. No blisters. Have walked 5 Caminos doing this and my podiatrist also has said this is a good way to prevent blisters. Walked with a woman last spring who used diaper ointment on her feet. She also had no blisters.

[@caminotellers]

Great tips! We’re glad to have you here Jo 😊

[@frankfurtonfoottours2361]

@@caminotellers Thank you. I love watching you two make such a great success with your Camino projects.

[@caminotellers]

@@frankfurtonfoottours2361 where you put your heart and …LOTS OF TIME, the results are bound to come ! ❤️❤️

[@cltinturkey]

Obrigada!

[@caminotellers]

Obrigados!

[@aprilchung7280]

Thank you so much!

[@caminotellers]

You're welcome! 😇

[@4to6months]

Hi guys, ive started to do an annual event here on the isle of man 😊 its cslled the parish walk, 17 churches in a 24 hour timeframe! Covering 85 miles. I start to get blisters after about 27 miles! Very inconvenient, because obviously i cant stop because its timed! Ive tried everything, nothing seems to work, i get the blisters exclusively on the balls of both feet. I really want to finish it! But twice now ive only made it 32.5 miles

[@caminotellers]

It happend this weekend! 32.5 miles is a great result! We understand the struggle with the blisters and sometimes there is no easy solution… what about the sox that you’ve been using? Are they apt for this type of experience?

[@4to6months]

@caminotellers yep, I'm pretty tender today still 😅 I've worn different types 🤣 so I wore hilly twinskins, they help hold the blisters off longer than others have! Still not a cure 😂 so Saturday was the second time I've got to the same place 😒 my legs are were fine I wasn't tired at all, just the bloody blisters 🙄

[@elke5795]

So many advicee, mostly really good. Another one from me: go and see a podiatrist to take care of your feet before you start your hike.

[@znt_marcenaria_facavocemesmo]

Hi Erika and Ricky! Very nice tips and advices, they are very helpful. I have one little question for you guys. What about the compression socks? Like the ones that some runners use. I am preparing myself to do the Camino next September and I am considering to use these kind of socks. I use to walk like 10 Km on weekends and I wear a boot and a compression sock. Thanks for your attention! Buen Camino!

[@caminotellers]

It took as a while to answer, sorry for the delay but we were considering our response as it’s not all straight forward: it all depends of the need to use pressure stockings( vain related issue). If you have non, that shouldn’t be a problem but if you have, better to ask your doctor. When arriving to albergues after long days, we might have some cramps which could be caused by lack of electrolytes (magnesium, potassium and salt), so refilling it with appropriate drinks or products can be a good prevention and cure. Otherwise we don’t see any problem. Try to train at home and see what is the body response, if there is a need for pressure socks or not… hugs

[@znt_marcenaria_facavocemesmo]

@@caminotellersThank you for your considerations and answer. As I've told you, I use to take a weekends walk about 10k wearing these compression socks and it works fine to me. I guess I will take longer walks around and check the results as my preparation for the Camino. Muchas Gracias. Luciano

[@rickhough]

1 size bigger too big!! leads to other problems

[@caminotellers]

Always finding a balance is the key!

[@whativelearnedsofar7181]

Off topic question: I'm going to be hiking the Camino Frances in May. I'd like to pop into some of the cathedrals to take a few pictures. Usually, I only wear shorts when I hike. How are they about pilgrims being in the cathedrals in shorts?

[@caminotellers]

We are joyful for your Camino 👏👏👏 the rules for pilgrims are more relaxed. And if you put a jacket around your waist so it hangs till your knees, it should be more then enough. But it always depends on people who might be on the entrance… normally the security is only in cathedral of Santiago but they are rather worried about entering with the backpacks then shorts . Hugsss

[@whativelearnedsofar7181]

@@caminotellers one more question, is there enough WiFi on the Camino Frances to upload KZbin videos? I would imagine only in the big cities in a hotel would be the place to upload.

[@jaznjaimee]

Place Mole Skin on the hot spot before blisters form 👍🏼

[@caminotellers]

Super advice!

[@pavanatanaya]

thin skin Swift Wick socks plus Vaseline or Aquaphor for the toes and forefoot

[@caminotellers]

Good advice! Thanks

[@christiankreps5920]

Newbie question here. What is the etiquette of removing shoes when stopping at bars etc? I assume this is not considered acceptable behaviour when sitting inside...

[@caminotellers]

In general, if you outside it’s kinda ok, however inside it can be controversial….

[@christiankreps5920]

@@caminotellers thanks that what I thought.