Walking boots

Citygirl1

Hi all - I've read through a number of threads in this forum, but still looking for advice re boots....

I am going on a walking holiday in the Algarve in two weeks. The longest walks are 13km, fairly good terrain, but walking boots essential.

I have been testing out a pair of "Brasher Supalites", belonging to a family member. They fit quite well, along with walking socks, and have good support. However, I walked around 8kms in them yesterday and ended up with irritation/blisters on the soles of both my heels, just at the back.

From reading another thread, it seems good insoles are important, and I am thinking of trying some of the good (expensive) insoles available in the Great Outdoors. The insoles currently in these shoes are pretty basic. Anyone have any opinions?

BreadnBuddha

If the Great Outdoors are accessible to you then your first step (if you'll pardon the pun) should be to go there and ask for their help in selecting a boot to suit you specifically. If you're getting blisters on your heels, something's not right with the fit of that boot and you need to work out what. The best way to get the answer without hurting your feet and trying to find something that fits through trial and error is to go to a shop where they know what they're doing and won't just try to flog you whatever's on the shelf, close to your budget and happens to have the same number size as your casual trainers.

If you need insoles they can help build a specific insole (orthetics) to suit your gait and feet and if you don't need one they'll tell you straight up. If you don't need a special insole, something like Superfeet make can be a great upgrade anyway.

Note to mods, this isn't medical advice, it's nothing of the sort. There's no need to lock the thread as has happened when insoles and gait analysis has been discussed recently. It's simply saying that there's a particular non-medical procedure to getting a boot/shoes and insole to best suit the shape of your feet and the individual mechanics of how you walk and run. A doctor doesn't do this. A hospital doesn't do this. A specially trained assistant with specialist measurement and analysis equipment does. You find this equipment and these people in good bricks and mortar shops like the Great Outdoors, 53 Degrees North and others. The same place where you actually buy boots, trainers and custom insoles.

If boot fits quite well, before changing them or trying different insoles, maybe just try lacing them in a way that anchors the heel and minimises movement, and give that a test. The trick of adding a simple over and under knot below the ankle and above the top of the foot is popular, see here...it's the technique about 2 mins in...

http://youtu.be/SOE28brAcEc

Citygirl1

Hi BnB and Conor - Thank you both for your feedback. I will try out those various options over the next few days.

Carawaystick

Also duct tape where the blisters are forming as soon as you feel rubbing.