Guest Post by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
If you're facing several long days of hiking, proper foot care can make the difference between painful blisters and relative comfort. Fortunately, you can choose comfort. The key to avoiding blisters lies in managing friction and moisture.
You may think you know your boot size, but it pays to have your feet measured on a Brannock device for length and width after you've been walking all day. Because if you've been evacuating all day, that's exactly how your feet will feel. It may be much different than how they feel after a 15-minute drive to the mall.
Select a few well padded hiking boots to try with the same socks you will be wearing during an evacuation. The boots should allow your toes some wiggle room, but not slip on the heels or allow too much sideways movement. That indicates you need a more narrow width. Sloppy boots rub the skin and invite blisters.
If the weight of hiking boots bothers you, consider smaller, lighter trail shoes. They don't offer the protection of boots, but may help you move faster and with less friction than boots.
Break in your new footwear. Even if you buy good quality boots or shoes (which you should), they weren't made for you and will require some breaking in.
Select moisture-wicking socks made of a synthetic or wool, not cotton, which tends to hold moisture near your skin. Keeping your feet dry helps prevent blisters. Pack at least one extra pair so you can keep your feet clean and dry.
Treat any blisters or cuts immediately to prevent infection. Generally, it's better to not open blisters since the fluid protects the tender skin underneath. Cover blisters with a gauze pad or bandage to protect them. Affix the gauze or bandage with duct tape, which as we all know, isn't going anywhere any time soon
