Things forgotten

Just got back today from a spur of the moment overnighter up at Table Rock State Park, SC and then some of the Foothills Trail. Great weekend but as I was hiking I noticed my shoes just weren't right. My feet were sliding and the bottom of my feet were burning. I ended up hurting my left knee from all the sliding around.

We long story short, I learned something. It doesn't matter how nice your boots are . . they will all suck if you forget you insoles. YIKES!!

To large areas of skin right off and I didn't even realize the reason until I was unpacking at home and came upon my insoles on the shelf DOH!

Yes, insoles are a big help!:lol::lol::lol:

:) Tell me about it. My dogs are screaming'

At least you have an excuse for not having the insoles!

I got two bad blisters last time out. I felt the hotspots but of course I kept saying: just a little further to camp and I'll fix 'em up so no need to stop yet. Riiiiiiiiight!!!!

I have one foot that is slightly longer than the other. My boots fit ok until a long steep descent and then my big toe on my right foot is pinched and pushed back. I have short wide feet so finding boots that fit are a problem to start with. Good luck to you next time and remember the insoles!

For some shoes at least. During a section hike of the AT this year I started with a pair of Salomon Wings Sky GTX boots and a pair of Sole Dean Karnazes (red) insoles. The insoles lifted my heel too far out of the heel cup in the boots which resulted in HORRIBLE blisters (I had originally bought the insoles for a different pair of boots in which they worked fine). After I removed the insoles the boots still fit perfectly and my heel locked in just right. I went about another 50 miles sans insoles much to the enjoyment of my feet. After that I decided to swap out to another pair of shoes which I had bought beforehand and had mailed to me.

I've used other shoes without insoles though. It just depends on the shoe and how they fit for you. I originally discovered that it would work for me when I too left my Superfeet (green) insoles at home one day for an overnight trip in north Georgia.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Funny Money

At least you have an excuse for not having the insoles!

I got two bad blisters last time out. I felt the hotspots but of course I kept saying: just a little further to camp and I'll fix 'em up so no need to stop yet. Riiiiiiiiight!!!!

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I haven't tried it yet, but always wondered - would it help to actually apply moleskin or whatever to the usual trouble spots before the hiking even begins?

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I have found that toe sock liners help out immensely when it comes to blisters. I wish I had some wool ones though, those suck reek at the end of the day.

The insoles I left were the Superfeet (green). I have a pair of Lowa Renegades, which are awesome boots, that I got at a REI Garage Sale for $30.00 . . Score. But if you take the insoles out the stitching that holds the boot to the sole is exposed and the foot bed looks like layer, unfinished fiberglass. Makes for an uncomfortable sans sole hike.

I am glad though that I didn't figure out the problem until I got home, I think my mind would have made it hurt much worse than it did. Mind over matter baby!

For all things feet related, try Leukotape.

http://www.amazon.com/Leukotape-Spor...ords=leukotape

I taped over 20 people's feet on the AT last year.
Helps preventively as well as for blisters, callouses, and hot spots.

I used it extensively for heat rash if my pack rubbed, on my hips, under my arms, everything.

It it the primary piece in my emergency kit.
That, and an empty chapstick tube of needles and thread.

I kept a copy of the book: Fixing your Feet by Dr. Jon Vonhof on my phone,
for pics of those tough to tape areas. (He is a physician who tends to ultra runners' feet).

LEUKOTAPE is worth the 8 bucks. !!!!