Foot Care

Marion David Poff · Nov 1, 2000

Good Day,

Lately I have been realizing how little I know about how to take care of my feet, especially while wearing my boots.

So, if you would be so kind....

Please explain everything that you can think of on how to wear boots, sock selection including brands, what works to keep blisters down, which athletes foot product actually works, any foot care advice you may have, I want to hear it. And don't hold back, treat me like the eager tender-foot that I am

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Thank you,
Marion David Poff aka Eye, Cd'A ID, USA mdpoff@hotmail.com

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Griffon · Nov 1, 2000

Originally posted by Marion David Poff:
...
what works to keep blisters down,
...

Two socks. The inner can be rather thin. <small>(I've got some very thin one made out of polypropylene, but I don't think you can get them anymore.)</small>
Wool is good, but pure wool doesn't wear well over time.
(Lundhags (who even have inner, mid and outer socks) are easy to find here, before that I used to prefer Cairnmoor, but I haven't seen them in years.)
Stay away from cotton.

Inner soles can be wool too.

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beginner · Nov 1, 2000

Two pairs of socks,thin liner sock especially important in preventing blisters.In the UK we can get "1000 mile" socks who make a hiking liner which is very good.I have also used nevica ski socks in colder weather.
Outer socks -thorlo and Patagonia cannot be beaten IMHO.Any outdoor stockist will have a big range.
Other than that just put the miles in,keep your feet clean and change yer socks regular !

Cesar · Nov 1, 2000

Socks Socks Socks. Inner liner thin sock is a good idea although I don't always wear one.
Skin so soft oil on your feet is also good. Just don't let your buddies (or other Marines) see you wearing it or you'll never hear the end of it. You don't want your feet cracking on you.

Also, foot powder to keep them dry. Mole skin and waterproof medical tape is what I use when I get blisters or worse on my feet.
Make sure the boots fit right. I have a different pair for different occasions. Jungle boots for terrain that's soft like the forest floor. Bates Lights for humping on blacktop or doing MOUT. Matterhorns for extreme cold weather and snow conditions.

switchback · Nov 1, 2000

Ill second the Thorlos. Ive used the Light Trekkers a lot, which are an acrylic/wool blend. It was explained to me that some natural fiber (definitely wool over cotton) is necessary to absorb perspiration and keep your feet dry. If your socks are 100% acrylic, the sweat is just going to kind of sit there

. In an ideal world, we would wear two pairs; a synthetic liner sock and a heavier, natural-fiber sock, the theory being the synthetic liner sock will wick moisture from your feet and put it in your heavier natural-fiber sock. Of course drying your feet nightly is a must.

For blisters and such, an once of prevention Duct tape over blister prone areas does wonders. For the milage-eaten, death-marchen types

, coat the tape with spray adhesive after its been applied (it wont come off til you shed a few layers of skin)

. Or use tincture of benzoin (sp?) sparingly to callous over sensitive spots

.

switchback

[This message has been edited by switchback (edited 11-01-2000).]

Bobwhite · Nov 1, 2000

Lamisil (or is it lamasil) works great on athelete's foot. It used to be prescription only but it is over the counter know.

Javahed · Nov 1, 2000

1st, get some good boots. Remember if your going to spend allot of time in them, your feet will swell. That plus heavy socks means you may be looking to get a half a size larger than you normally wear. Of course, numbers vary from boot to boot, so rely on the feel more than the label. Once on and laced up a good rule of thumb is no more than ¼ inch up and down slide of the heel in the boot. Have room to wiggle your toes, and if you kick the boot into the ground, your toes should not hit the toecap. Any reputable bootshop will be able to help you with the perfect fit.
I wholeheartedly agree with the prior posts recommending a thin, synthetic inner sock under the heavy cushion sock. Ive had best results (25 mile marches and multi-week movements in the field) with Teflon liner socks (called blister guard) and wool, synthetic blend cushion socks. I like wool, warm when wet yknow, and the synthetic aids the wicking away of moisture. Change your socks A LOT! Dry feet are happy feet, wet ones fall apart. Seal Skinz Gore-Tex socks are great, and roadmarchable.
I break all my [leather] boots in by soaking them in warm water for a couple of hours. Then I put them on and wear them until they dry. This molds them to the shape of my feet, custom fit!
Orthotics are highly beneficial. I had custom carbon fiber ones made at the local military hospital, but there are tons on the market. Soft cushion pads are trash; the firm, foot contoured ones give the support your feet need for hours of tabbing under a heavy load. Commercial ones that you heat and then wear, thereby allowing them to mold to the exact shape of your feet are also available.
Lacing the boot is something that is often overlooked, and varies greatly from person to person. Just experiment with what works for you. Some of the boys at work even use two laces per boot. This allows them to be a bit looser over the foot, allowing room to expand, and tighter on the top for added ankle support.
For blisters, switchback is 100% right about prevention being worth a pound of cure. I have seen some guys have bad reactions to 100mph tape, with LARGE areas of skin sloughing off. Ive used it and had zero reaction, but prefer moleskin over hot spots. Since Ive gotten this sock, boot thing down Ive not had blisters, or even hotspots, no matter the distance or weight carried.
If you get blisters, building a donut of moleskin around them works. When treating my guys, especially when we still have a long way to go, I place o 1 or 2 layer donut of moleskin around the blister, put a dab of petroleum jelly or bacitracin over the blister, put a big circle of moleskin, non sticky side down over the blister and donut, and cover all that with an even bigger piece of moleskin. No complaints from that treatment yet, works every time

Whew, I have to go put some moleskin on my fingers now. Any further questions just e-mail away.

Dan

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Marion David Poff · Nov 2, 2000

Thanks gentlemen.

I really appreciate your help.

MDP

Josh Wilson · Nov 2, 2000

I agree with the 2 sock recommendation. For my inner sock I use silk or polypro. Silk can be hard to find but I prefer it over polypro.

The outer sock is 80% wool 20% polyester. Wools is a must and the added polyester helps them fit better and last longer. I stay away from cotton.

For foot care I recommend Bag Balm. It is a medicated wax that was designed to keep cows udders from getting chapped. If you have ever dealt with cows you know how difficult chapped cow udders can be. It also works on chapped lips and wind burned skin.

I have never found a good athletes foot treatment but with the proper socks and boots you feet will stay dry enough that it wont be a problem.

GREENJACKET · Nov 2, 2000

The trouble with boots is that they have a hole in the top which lets water in. Carry plenty of dry socks. It takes three pairs to dry out a pair of boots when worn. I like the thick looped cushioned socks.

Medical spirit will harden your feet and dry out broken blisters (you will hit the ceiling when you first apply it). Compeed, second skin plasters, works really well, but prepare your feet thoroughly first. Keep your toe nails trimmed.

Lashings of foot powder works on the more basic type boots. Goretex and padded lined boots don't need to be over powdered; use the powder sparingly on your feet only.

If you are carrying weight constantly on the hillside you need a boot with a steel 3/4 shank. Matterhorn are my favorites.

Boots that are too narrow or are on the small side are as bad as earache. Your feet will swell big time. Wear flip flops or sandles when resting your feet and allow the air to get to them.

Javahed · Nov 3, 2000

Originally posted by Josh Wilson:
I recommend Bag Balm. It is a medicated wax that was designed to keep cows udders from getting chapped.... It also works on chapped lips and wind burned skin.

But will it prevent the udders from chapping your lips? Ha ha ha ha ha!

Sorry, no disrespect meant, just couldn't pass that one up

Dan

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Shamelessly promoting his wife's buisness

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Strabs · Nov 3, 2000

Good one Java

Any special offerings for BF mambers at GGG

[This message has been edited by Strabs (edited 11-03-2000).]

Javahed · Nov 4, 2000

Originally posted by Strabs:
Any special offerings for BF mambers at GGG

Well, I guess so...you crazy mamber mankeys

Since you are such a bunch of morally straight, sensitive and conciencious types, I guess if I was e-mailed a request I may be talked into giving out some passwords and usernames to the 20% off, restricted access version of the site. I figure pretty much everyone here has been in the military at one time or another. If not, just annotate "commie pinko" on the bottom of your e-mail, ha ha ha, just kidding

Have fun!

Dan

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Shamelessly promoting his wife's buisness

http://www.gogetemgear.com/

[This message has been edited by Javahed (edited 11-04-2000).]

SALTY · Nov 4, 2000

I could share my wisdom, but most of the foregoing is what I would have said anyway.

A great outdoorsman with an interesting name, Leon Leonwood Bean (L.L. to most of us) once said that next to your rifle, boots are a hunters most important gear. I agree.