HOW TO PREPARE YOUR FEET FOR A HIKE
One thing that will completely ruin your walk is damaged feet. Ever gone on a hike and had your big toe nail pressing against the top of your boot at the end? Something that you could easily overlook but a judicious trim 2 or 3 days beforehand could save you miles of pain if your feet become hot at the end of the hike and swell a little.
Sherpa Sam says...
Always buy half a size bigger than your normal size when you buy a new pair of hiking shoes. Your feet will swell and the extra weight you carry will put pressure on your feet.
Prepare your feet! There are other aspects of foot preparation for you to consider:
Top 5 Considerations
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Pedicure - Prepare your toenails in advance.
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Footwear - Wear boots or shoes suitable for hiking. It should go without saying but needs to be said...no flip-flops!!
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Blisters - Take something with you to anticipate blisters. Some people use duct tape other use Vaseline or proprietary products specifically for blisters.
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Massage your feet - To release tight muscles before or after your hike, a foot massage of the balls of your feet will help release tight muscles in your feet and don’t forget your hamstrings.
BOOTS
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Foot volume, by this we mean top to bottom. Wide feet with high arches mean a high foot volume and you may need more room in your boot. Try different lacing techniques or miss a crossover to increase the foot volume of your boot.
SOCKS
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Your feet are bound to sweat and this can cause blisters, so prepare for them
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Proper hiking socks that wick away water
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Take at least a second pair, when half way you can stop, air your feet and put on a fresh pair.
