flipping blisters !

[coachcw]

So for years I have had issues with a three season boot . I absolutely  love light hikers . My problem is in a full leather or gortex boot . I literally have bought thousands of $$$$$ of boots . last spring I thought I finally figured it out with a pair of zamberlins ....Wrong . I wear a 12.5 so a fit is tough . the first thing the salesman said was to ditch the stock foot beds so out they came and in went some soles . well though the bottoms felt good the top of my foot was smashed ( same with supper feet . ) after breaking them in and trying every sock from darn tough, smart wool and lorpens , these suckers ride my heels causing hot spots . I dug out a old pair of danners and greased them up they felt pretty good but the soles have poor traction . Are there any other 250 + pounders out there that are in the same boat ? If you guys saw my sock and boot selection you would see my frustration. I'm ready to go buy another pair of boots three weeks before Colorado and try to break them in . Is this nuts or should I just cover my heel in mole skin ?   

[jackelope]

I'm a little smaller than you as you know. I've had really great luck with my Cabela's/Meindl Perfekt Hunters. They've been on several multi-day backpack hunting trips, been to the top of Mt Adams twice and on more hikes than I know. I've tried a couple other quality light hiker boots with crummy results. I could wear these boots every day. Really they're getting pretty worn out so I need to replace them soon and I'm worried about it to be honest.
Have you thought about contacting Lathrop and Sons? It's probably too late now for your Colorado trip, but it might be worth it for next year. Not sure if Karl knows those guys, but @JPhelps has a bunch of experience with them and he's up there around our size.

[brocka]

I would suggest lathrop and sons as well. There synergy footbeds are awesome. It's worth a call to chat with Stephen or James and just hear what they have to say.

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[jtw]

Heel slip is entirely related to how the boot fits your foot. I dont know where you went but many shoe stores are big on upselling people into insoles. I personally use them because I have a low volume flat feet. Lathrop and sons should be able to help you. They know this game better than most. Unfortunately there arent many options in Washington to go and try a number of heavy duty boots.

[MtnMuley]

I would suggest lathrop and sons as well. There synergy footbeds are awesome. It's worth a call to chat with Stephen or James and just hear what they have to say.

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[Fl0und3rz]

If the fit is otherwise good, try a thin liner sock underneath your normal sock.  They stick to your skin, and take the place of your skin in slipping against the outer sock, which grabs the boot.

I learned about them after I had a similar issue with a pair of mountaineering boots.  Night and day.

[coachcw]

thanks guys , I've tried the liner socks and different lacing . maybe latrop and sons is in my future.

[Reidus]

I would suggest lathrop and sons as well. There synergy footbeds are awesome. It's worth a call to chat with Stephen or James and just hear what they have to say.

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[toothfangclaw]

Have you looked into custom made boots? Maybe your just tough fit?

Good luck!

[BULLBLASTER]

thanks guys , I've tried the liner socks and different lacing . maybe latrop and sons is in my future.

Lathrop will get you set up for sure. In the mean time just get a roll of leukotape!
Your little bald buddy should have some you can borrow!

[splitshot]

   do the 2 sock thing.  also tape ur feet with athletic tape and put lotion on ur feet. also pack extra sox and change them when u take a lunch break..   the tape thing has helped me the most.   good luck      mike w

[andersonjk4]

I am not a big guy, but I have been battling the same issue for years.  Its not so much that my heels would really rub on the back of the boot, but the boot heel cup would push against my heels when I was walking uphill.  I recently bought a pair of Crispi boots and all of the reviews I read said they were great but the stock insoles sucked.  So right away I put in "better" insoles.  I used Sof Sol Athletic insoles.  And from the start these boots gave me heel pain when I went up hills.  I tried every combination of socks I could think of but nothing worked.  Then a couple weeks ago I swapped out my Sof Sol insoles with some thinner Meindl Air Active insoles I had laying around and just like that my issue was solved.  I think the thicker insole was putting my heel too high in relation to the heel cup in the back of the boot, so my heel would press/rub on the upper part of the heel cup whenever my heel was wanting to lift (ie walking uphill).  I thought it was an issue with heel slip as well, when in fact it just took getting my heel to fit within the heel cup of the boot.  Maybe try a thinner insole instead of thicker ones.  Its a little counter intuitive if you are trying to cure heel slip, but made all the difference for me.  Hope this helps.  I would imagine this is something the Lathrop & Sons system would help you address.   

[splitshot]

   don't forget the tape as it will protect the skin.  mike w

[coachcw]

I am not a big guy, but I have been battling the same issue for years.  Its not so much that my heels would really rub on the back of the boot, but the boot heel cup would push against my heels when I was walking uphill.  I recently bought a pair of Crispi boots and all of the reviews I read said they were great but the stock insoles sucked.  So right away I put in "better" insoles.  I used Sof Sol Athletic insoles.  And from the start these boots gave me heel pain when I went up hills.  I tried every combination of socks I could think of but nothing worked.  Then a couple weeks ago I swapped out my Sof Sol insoles with some thinner Meindl Air Active insoles I had laying around and just like that my issue was solved.  I think the thicker insole was putting my heel too high in relation to the heel cup in the back of the boot, so my heel would press/rub on the upper part of the heel cup whenever my heel was wanting to lift (ie walking uphill).  I thought it was an issue with heel slip as well, when in fact it just took getting my heel to fit within the heel cup of the boot.  Maybe try a thinner insole instead of thicker ones.  Its a little counter intuitive if you are trying to cure heel slip, but made all the difference for me.  Hope this helps.  I would imagine this is something the Lathrop & Sons system would help you address.   

I believe this to be my issue as well when I took out the super feet it was better . maybe the tape is the answer

[splitshot]

  I am sure it will help.  when walking and u feel a blister trying to get started.  stop and apply 1 or 2 layers of tape and c if it helps.  try to keep unused tape dry.  if u have not ever used tape before get some pre wrap and put it under the tape or just apply the tape directly 2 skin.    good luck    mike w

[bosshogg112]

  I am sure it will help.  when walking and u feel a blister trying to get started.  stop and apply 1 or 2 layers of tape and c if it helps.  try to keep unused tape dry.  if u have not ever used tape before get some pre wrap and put it under the tape or just apply the tape directly 2 skin.    good luck    mike w

 

I will add that you DO NOT put tape directly on a blister.  Removing the tape hurts...

[callonetta]

I have been battling and wasting a ton of $$$ on boots and shoes the never fit right and gave me blisters and foot pain.......Last year when I moved to this side I went to have White's Boots build me a pair of shoes for work....amazing fit, on the heavy side but so comfortable.
This year I saved enough for them to buil me a pair of hunting boots.....no regrets, I recommend them to anyone with shoe/boot/fit issues.
My

[splitshot]

good call boss, hence pre-wrap and or ointment or lub.    mike w

[coachcw]

just talked to latrop and sons , not giving up on these yet . btw there own boot is in the works .

[jbeaumont21]

I went through Lathrop & Sons and he talked me into getting the Lowa Cevedale Tech Light Hunters with the synergy bed insoles.  This was my third elk season wearing them and probably my last.  Wore them on day 2 and they leaked like a sieve and tore up my heels.  So happy I spent all that money on them. 

I'm in the same boat as you with boot problems.  This year I took 7 different pairs of boots for early ML elk season and wore a new pair each day, that way the rubbing was at least in a new spot each day.  I'll say it was nice to put on a dry pair of boots each morning, but by the end of the day I think all but 1 pair were completely soaked inside and those were the Danner Crater Rims.  All others either leaked or tore up my feet. 

Here is what got worn: Salomon 4d gtx (Fit great but Leaked, brand new by the way), Danner High Ground (Leaked and heal rubbed), Under Armor Brown Tine (Leaked and heal rubbed), Lowa Cevedale Tech Lights (Leaked and heal rubbed bad!), Kenetrek Mountain Extreme (Leaked and toe rubbed) and last but least was the Lowa Camino (Rubbed heal and toe and leaked). As you can see that's quite a bit of money spent on trying to find a good boot. And that's not my entire arsenal...

I hope you find the right boots. Please share what they are if and when you do.

Jesse

[JLS]

Do a google search for lacing techniques for heel slip.  I tape
Directly on the blisters and leave it.  Insoles thAt are too thick can cause a lot of problems. 

[Bigshooter]

I feel your pain.  I wear my hikers almost all of the time because every boot I have tears up my feet.  I have a pair of American made danners that I bought in 2000 that I wear when I hunt in snow and last year was the first time I didn't get a blisters wearing them.  It shouldn't take 15 years to break in a pair of boots.  I'm actually looking forward to using them this year.

[go4itlab]

When I worked doing forest fires I used a double sock system. Lived in my boots for long periods of time in under the worst conditions in the worst terrain. 6 seasons and never had a blister. Nothing fancy boot socks with a thinner cotton sock. For winter hunting use I do the same 2 sock system but use a non-cotton as inner sock. Also helps to have a good fit. When i did fire i wore custom Whites for hunting I use kenetrek.

[BULLBLASTER]

For me boot break in is as much for my foot as the boot. I wear them for a week or so in every day life before going hunting in them and my feet get toughened up. Each September I have to go through the same thing. After that they are great. 

[jackelope]

For me boot break in is as much for my foot as the boot. I wear them for a week or so in every day life before going hunting in them and my feet get toughened up. Each September I have to go through the same thing. After that they are great. 

Are you saying you get new boots every year?

[jackelope]

I'm not sure what it is about me and boots, but I have literally never gotten a blister from hiking. Good boots, cheap boots, work boots, whatever. 100% blister free.
I need new boots but am scared to have to through the stuff all you guys are describing.

[BULLBLASTER]

For me boot break in is as much for my foot as the boot. I wear them for a week or so in every day life before going hunting in them and my feet get toughened up. Each September I have to go through the same thing. After that they are great. 

Are you saying you get new boots every year?

No way! Just break my feet in to my boots every year. All summer I wear light hikers for training and then go to my hunting boots come sept. My feet go soft in the off season

[JLS]

http://sectionhiker.com/hiking-boot-lacing-techniques/

I guess I should consider myself lucky.  I just wear a single pair of wool socks inside my Low as with no issues.  Other brands of boots I've had to use the heel lock lace technique, and it helped a great deal.

[swift]

Coach like you I went through All kinds of combos and this is what now works for me
Lowa Tebet gtx with lathrop senergy insoles and a super thin liner sock over Darn tough or Fits mid to heavy weight sock  I will change outer sock about 4/5 mile point
Like you I could have built a nice rifle for what I spent to end up with this combo not to mention the pain and missed opportunity! It's a tough deal that so personal to find a system my next step was straight up going with lathrop ans sons full package
Side note I went to boots and backpack training every other training hike starting July 1 and that slowly conditioning feet ( and back for me )

[coachcw]

So an up date . Lathrop and sons really helped me out and talked me through the process . They stock my Vioz gtx and are fitting a synergy foot bed to them (they should be in the mail ) I'm going to play with the heel lock lacing . I see that Swift wears his liner socks out side  his boot socks does anyone else do this ? I was so happy after the early season wearing ankle wraps under my soloman light hikers with out a single foot issue . they may be my go to late season shoe even if I have to deal with wet feet . I'm kinda glad to hear so many other guys are dealing with similar issues , I was beginning to think it was jus me.

[Buzz2401]

Have you tried a new pair of USA made danners.  I have never had a blister from them and they are super comfy.  If you have a pair no that work for you why not try a new pair of get the ones you have resoled.

[coachcw]

I have been thinking about a pair of ten inch danners for back up. I once said I wouldn't buy another pair because they squeaked but I may have to eat my words . my old danners I pulled out didn't hurt my feet just poor traction.

[Shawn Ryan]

Glad to hear you have a solution you are working on. If the worst happens and you start to develop a blister, I recommend using donut-shaped, spongy corn pads from Dr. Scholls. Place the blister in the donut-hole. Might take 2 pads to raise the sock off the skin. Use an alcohol wipe to clean your skin prior to application to aid in sticking. Then tape (duct or lucko) over the pad and plenty of overage to aid in sticking.

This combo, along with good lacing technique to lock in the heel, has worked for several people I've applied it to while hiking or hunting with them. (I don't have the blister issue, personally.)

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[coachcw]

I swung into work and more tonight to look for a logger boot for a option I tried every boot on danner , Irish setter, Georgia . The Georgia 400 gram comfort fit loggers where amazing ,high heel fit was real nice out of the box. I'm gonna wear the crap outta these things in hopes to have a viable back up . If nothing else I will have a good winter work boot . They guaranteed  water proof so we will test that one .