how to keep your feet in good shape

[tttoadman]

I am covering alot of conditioning miles every week now looking forward to some serious packing this fall. I hope this also helps to toughen up my feet. I wear wool socks when hunting. I sweat alot on my feet, and they always give out before the rest of me does. I was going to pick up one of these gel or ?? insoles. My boots are light and feel good. It only gets bad after continuous 8+ mile days or heavy packing. Do I need to take steps to get my feet dried out nicely every night? Do you take a tiny bit of powder to put on your feet every night? I will be hunting in October and November.

What does everyone do to keep your feet in good shape for 2 or 3 weeks of solid hunting ??

[ssliger]

Are you wearing old style wool socks or the new merino wool? I have some Lorpen merino wool socks that are awesome. My feet sweat a ton, so I change my socks mid day and that really helps. Make sure they dry out every night.

[tttoadman]

definitely old style. I saw those Lorpen at sportsmans yesterday. I definitely don't think I was getting dried out socks everyday. Hopefully that is most my problem. That sounds like a good start. I also saw some insoles that I like. I have a plan A.

[tim]

if you can remeber to elevate your feet above your heart for about 10-15 minutes at night, helps alot.

[tttoadman]

if you can remeber to elevate your feet above your heart for about 10-15 minutes at night, helps alot.

I am afraid most of these ideas and others I have read are just basic care. I am guilty of wearing my boots from 5:00AM to 9:00PM every day instead of giving my feet a periodic break. I think that abuse only shows up during hunting outings. I have been putting in a few more miles in the last few years, and it is bringing this issue to the surface. I can see the value in resting with your feet up during the day also. Easy enough to do while taking a snack break.

[25contender]

A few tips that have helped me as I almost destroyed my feet years ago on a hunt out west. Make sure your boots are a good fit. Many times a well worn boot seems to allow way to much foot movement within the boot. Get some good insoles as they do make a difference when you are wearing your boots all day. I always wear boot liners under merino wool socks and normally take off my boots and socks Midday when I eat lunch.I always keep a few extra pair of socks in my pack so if I have to change my socks I can. Moisture is a killer on your feet. You might want to try a foot powder to help keep them dry. In my opinion going down steep hills can really do a number on your heels and toes or at least that is the problem I had with ill fitting boots. My feet (heels and toes) would slide back and forth in the boot going up and down steep grades. I finally found a good boot that would lock my foot in place and that eliminated the sliding inside the boot.

[Ricochet]

I keep my hunting/hiking boots on as little as possible. When I'm in camp I wear my camp shoes. My camp shoes are romeo's. Easy slip-ons. I even have inside the tent slippers. At night I take the insoles out of my boots to dry them off. I keep 4 pairs of socks in my pack and change through out the day. I might not use all four pairs but they are there when I need them. When I'm packing to go on a trip I bring tons of socks. I don't bring a specific amount but it is in the 30 pairs range. I wear the nike stay dry socks. Around camp I wear the heavier wool socks, for comfort. When I'm usually around camp it is cold so the heavier socks feel good. Your feet should be your number one priority. I'm not saying that I some great hunter that has hunted all over the planet, but I have spent alot of time in boots. I was a paratrooper in the army and my boots/feet were very important to me and my team.