Almost every article about blisters will tell you that prevention is better than cure. And that is no lie. Ultimately, you never want to end up in a situation where you still have miles to go but already have painful blisters on your feet.
When it comes to preventing blisters, there are two absolute requirements: good shoes and good socks. By meeting these two requirements and making a well-considered choice, you save yourself a lot of trouble. After that, there are many tips, facts, and tricks to also preventively treat stubborn blisters.
In this article, we tell you everything about choosing the right shoes.
The right shoes
To meet the first requirement, it is necessary to make a well-considered choice when it comes to your shoes. The main thing is that the shoes you wear fit well and cause as little friction and pressure as possible. Which shoes are suitable for this naturally depends mainly on what you are going to do.
More tips!
Good fit even when feet swell
It is also always important to keep in mind that when you are actively hiking or exercising, your feet will swell. Therefore, always buy your hiking and sports shoes slightly larger to ensure they don’t pinch.
Well laced
One last point is how you lace your shoes. Not too tight, not too loose. Properly lacing your shoes mainly reduces heel slip, which is one of the most common problems when it comes to blisters while hiking, but especially running.
Lacing your shoes differently can even prevent pain and pinching. A good article about this with clear images can be found on wanda wandelt’s blog.
In this video from Bob’s Adventure Store, owner and outdoor expert Bob explains how to lace hiking shoes.
Advice from an expert
At Wrightsock, we certainly know a thing or two about shoes. However, we limit ourselves to the influence of shoes on blister formation. If you want truly personal advice for the ideal hiking or sports shoe, visit a specialized store and consult an expert. For hiking shoes, for example, visit René Vos in Gorssel. More of a runner? Runners’ Lab in Belgium is the best when it comes to running.