Socks and stuff!

[Begbie]

So every Sunday for a good few months I will be walking a few miles building up to 25miles. And eventually both Saturday and Sunday, to train for a 100 mile walk over four days.

Now, foolishly I wore newish boots last Sunday and I can now barely walk! I won't make this mistake again!

But I have been told over and over again to get decent socks as it will make a massive difference!

Has any seasoned walkers got any recommendations? I have been told of the 1000mile ones, but I can only see mixed reviews online. Plus any other foot car tips would be nice

 

[SiriusB]

First make sure your boots really do fit. If they are in any way uncomfortable check they're not too tight or too big. Use thicker insoles and skip eyelets etc to get the fit just right.

As for socks, I find the dual-layer socks to be the best. One layer stays close to your skin, while the other outer-layer does all the moving. Which pair works for you depends entirely on what your feet are like. I use the Go Outdoors socks. The 1000miles socks used to shred my feet.

The key to avoid sore feet/blisters is to keep them dry! Carry a small amount of talk and spare socks. If they get wet/super sweaty, change your socks!

If you are walking several miles every weekend, your feet will soon toughen up and you will be able to go much further before your feet bother you.

 

[mrk]

What about those feet shoes?!

http://www.vibramfivefingers.it/eng/trekking.aspx

 

[Bennie-Mac]

Wear your boots around the house or day to day etc to break them in, as mentioned above invest in a couple of pairs of decent Bridgedale or equivalent socks. On the trip i would strongly suggest if you have the room to spare to pack a pair of trainers so you can get out of your boots as soon as you get to your camp, your feet will love you for it!

I did a similar trip for my Duke of Edinborough Gold expedition, didnt do any training for it though so it sounds like you will be better prepared than i was anyway.

 

[iv-tecman]

The key to avoid sore feet/blisters is to keep them dry! Carry a small amount of talk and spare socks. If they get wet/super sweaty, change your socks!

That's good advice.. Carry some talcum powder and keep your feet dry. I walked 25 miles in april when I went to wales, and thank you talcum powder. I'm sure my feet would have been ripped to be bits without..

And make sure your walking boots fit 100% as any movement in the wrong direction and you'll twist and hurt your ankles.. and thats not nice I can tell you..

Good luck with the walk..

 

[AceTK]

yeah talk can be the difference between tired and raw feet

 

[Bennie-Mac]

Talc can also prevent or ease any chaffing you might get, i would have killed for some the last time i was in the lake district, my waterproof trousers shredded my legs as they werent stretchy and restricted leg movement

 

[fire_munki]

I have a nice pair of Brasha ones, two pairs also work and decent think pair and thin pair underneith, so as the foot slides it slides over the inner sock and not your foot.
I also second talc, smell nicer too!

 

[kae2]

I've never had any issues using a pair of "work" type socks (thin, close fitting black socks) and a pair of thick walking socks over the top with my boots.
It does help though that I wear boots on a daily basis (Dr Martins) and have the toughened skin in the right places.

 

[GingerNinja1989]

Something by Bridgedale, Teko or Smartwool would do the job - roughly the same price as the 1000 miles and I personally find them comfier (obviously depends on the style you go for).

 

[Begbie]

I like the look of those Bridgedale ones, will order a couple this weekend.

Is it worth buy new insoles? Can't change my boots unfortunately.

 

[GingerNinja1989]

I like the look of those Bridgedale ones, will order a couple this weekend.

Is it worth buy new insoles? Can't change my boots unfortunately.

Superfeet insoles for trim-to-fit, or Conformables if you can get somewhere to have them molded. Not tried the Conformables but a pal swears by them

 

[Begbie]

Superfeet insoles for trim-to-fit, or Conformables if you can get somewhere to have them molded. Not tried the Conformables but a pal swears by them

Ouch there expensive! Will have a look, thanks.

 

[GingerNinja1989]

Ouch there expensive! Will have a look, thanks.

True, true. For something a little less expensive (around £18) have a look at something like Sorbothane Double Strikes, although they won't be as nice

Just realised I sound like a walking advert...

 

[Andr3w]

Begbie, a few years ago I did Exercise 'Long March' this was something like 65ish miles in 3 days across poland and germany.

I had some 1000Mile socks - they are brilliant! Highly recommend them.

 

[Begbie]

Begbie, a few years ago I did Exercise 'Long March' this was something like 65ish miles in 3 days across poland and germany.

I had some 1000Mile socks - they are brilliant! Highly recommend them.

Cheers. This is for Nimegan. Should be a good laugh.

I've heard mixed reviews, thanks may order a mix and test and try!

 

[Andr3w]

Trust me, are you wearing issue boots? I did the walk in my CS95 boots and it was no problem at all.

 

[Lethal`]

Last year I bought some bridgedale liner socks (from eBay) and these. Work really well for me

 

[platinum87]

My friend used something to apply to his feet to harden the skin.

Give it a google?

 

[Begbie]

Trust me, are you wearing issue boots? I did the walk in my CS95 boots and it was no problem at all.

Yeah mate, has to be in full kit with 10kg dead weight.

Nice, will give them a bash. One of the girls on it, has complained for every pair she has and been given her money back everytime! Damn *****!