Getting harder feet

singloud

I guess this is the right place for this query, but I could be wrong.

I've recently joined the reserves and my feet are red raw from marching in boots.

I read somewhere that there is something you can rub onto the soles of your feet to make them tougher and easier to hike with.


Does anyone know what I'm talkng about?

Thanks

Hal1

I knew a dude in the pdf and they used to urinate in their boots to soften up the leather.

fergalr

You are probably talking about methylated spirits (rubbing alcohol), available in many chemists.
Some people do advise putting this on your feet to toughen them up.

I've read differing opinions about how good of an idea this is though.

As far as I know, the idea is to use meths to toughen the skin, with the idea that the harder skin prevents blisters (guitar players also do this for their fingers, afaik). However, I've seen some good sources say that this is not what you want, as the harder exterior skin instead will cause blisters to form below the outer layer of tougher skin, which cause much bigger problems.
Bearing this in mind, some people actually go and remove their callouses before doing long walks.

I'm not sure who to believe. I'd suggest you read up a bit on the subject before taking any course of action to toughen your feet.

What's worked for me personally is to make sure my boots fit as well as possible, make sure I've got good socks (can make a huge difference to blisters and foot condition), keep my feet as dry as possible for as long as possible when walking, and just condition my feet to walking by walking lots.
Having hard skin and callouses has never given me problems (just seems to benefit me) but there are people that say otherwise.

Evil Phil

Yeah. Invest in a couple of pairs of bridgedale socks and maybe look at getting some good insoles.

Hermy

Walking bare foot is a sure fire way of toughening your feet. I used to spend the summer walking barefoot around the house and when doing the garden or washing the car. By summers end I could sprint on concrete.

IPNA

I spent ten years in the forces and can swear by this option:

paint the bottom of your foot with Benzoin Tincture. Let it dry for a little bit then put on a very thin nylon sock. Then put on your thick woolen army socks. This will reduce the friction.

Also, the Benzoin hardens the bottom of your foot.

It got me through selection.....