Blisters

[Becks]

My friend Adam did the Marathon Des Sables and got no blisters the whole way. He said it was surprisingly easy. I was flabbergasted!

[johnloguk]

That makes 2 of us Becks! Fair play though, that is some achievement, even if he is a Klingon

[liamcorner]

If we're talking blister prevention (better than cure etc etc) in O shoes then my recipe is a layer of strapping tape on the skin with a layer of gaffer tape on top of that for abrasion resistance. All topped off with a pair of the much maligned 1000 mile socks. Works for me and my narrow flat feet anyway.

I find it almost impossible to tell when trying O shoes on whether they are going to give me blisters (usually this means heel rubbing / blisters). It's only 4k into a run when I get much idea, at which point the sales people are rather reluctant to do an exchange Sometimes shoes wear in enough that I can discard the tape, sometimes I have to tape for the life of the shoe. Currently breaking in a pair of Olway Tigers because my previous blister free choice (Silva K100) seem to have disappeared from the trade stalls

[Tatty]

Some of us, unfortunately just have terrible feet. I have problems getting any shoes that fir, although it's only running/O shoes that usually give me blisters. I've had one operation on my feet, but just have very sensitive skin. After getting horrendous blisters at a JK a couple of years ago, when I had huge scabs on them within 24 hours, Mrs Kitch finally put me onto the hydrocolloid dressings. They did the job, and were well worth the expense. You can get them in Boots, so I now always keep some at home/in my O box. I tend to get problems whatever type of O shoes I buy. Currently using Inovates as they have a soft upper, but they're rubbish for grip. At least I don't get blisters, but suffer as a result. Oh for a decent pair of feet, or failing that some O shoes that don't cause me problems!!

[FatBoy]

Sorry for the tardiness of reply - been skiing

I get blisters in my arch from trainers. The reason is that my toes are longer than average even for size 12 feet therefore my arch is further back than average - the helpful arch support therefore rubs the front portion of my arch without supporting the centre of my arch. "Anatomical" shoes are a misnomer - anatomical for whom? Mr Average? If you suffer from the same problem there's not alot you can do about it really. Any shoe which gives enough cushioning to run regularly on tarmac it seems must have all sorts of extra features you never knew you needed to help screw up your feet. Go for tape and vas and run off road as much as possible!

[epocian]

Best thing for blisters is to coat your feet with pure lanolin then carefully put your sock over your foot without wiping it off. Vaseline gave me blisters but I've raced 100 miles (once) and 100km several times non stop without any problems using lanolin.
The lanolin is not that easy to get hold of, however you can get it direct from producers online
or NK Chemicals Ltd 01924 444849 (ask for Martin Gunson)
you ask for anhydrous lanolin
Hope this helps

[hillwalker2004]

Thanks for the replies. As it happens I did put a copious amount of vaseline on the foot prior to running.

What I have used in the past that seems to work well is baby nappy rash cream (zinc cream?), but obviously that is only going to work in conjunction with a decent pair of trainers!