If you take good care of your feet, they’ll take good care of you. If you neglect them, though, you’re not going to get very far. Think about it like this. Any form of transportation requires some degree of maintenance in order to function properly. Your feet are no exception.
Take Care of Your Feet, So They Can Take Care of You
Foot Hygiene
Trim toenails straight across, not curved down at the sides. Doing so will go a long way toward preventing ingrown toenails. Wash your feet at least daily, making sure to get between the toes. Dry them well, too.
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Socks are Critical
Make sure your socks fit properly. If they’re too small, they might tend to slip down off your heel, which isn’t fun. On the other hand, if they’re too large, they’ll bunch up and form wrinkles, which is also no fun.
For outdoor use, merino wool is outstanding. It keeps your feet warm without baking them, even if they get wet. Good ones can be pricy, but they’re worth it. Keep at least one spare pair of clean socks in your pack when you head out to the trail. This way, you have something to change into if your feet get wet, such as stepping into a puddle that’s far deeper than you thought.
For overnight trips, a pair of thick, warm, dry socks will definitely add comfort to your slumber.
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Proper Footwear
Always shop for shoes or boots in the afternoon. Our feet swell a bit as the day goes on, so you’ll want to try on new footwear then, as opposed to first thing in the morning. Make sure you’re wearing the same kind of socks you’ll be using with the footwear. For example, if you’re buying hiking shoes or boots, wear your merino wool hiking socks. This ensures you’ll have a proper fit.
The footwear should fit snugly, without much room from front to back or side to side. That said, the toe box should be roomy enough that your toes have space to wiggle around a little.
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Don’t buy ill-fitting footwear because you figure they’ll feel better after they’re broken in a little. They won’t.
For whatever it might be worth to you, the Toskana Trail Walkers I started wearing last year remain the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn. I wear them every day, quite literally, and they’ve held up amazingly well.
Keep Your Feet Dry
Prolonged wet feet can lead to serious problems. The skin softens, and that moisture can breed diseases. But if you spend much time out on the trail, your feet are going to get wet. Sweat, accidental dunkings, and more will lead to moisture problems.
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Consider applying antiperspirant or powder to your feet before putting on socks. This can help if you routinely have very sweaty feet. Wear socks that allow heat to escape, rather than trapping it. The same goes for your shoes or boots.
When you stop for breaks on the trail, don’t be afraid to take your shoes and socks off and let your feet breathe for a while. Airing them out will also dry them out. This is a good time to change into the dry socks you have in your pack. The damp ones can be clipped to the outside of your pack so they can dry out as you hike. This is another reason why merino wool socks are great, as they won’t stink.
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Take care of your feet. Spoil them when you can. They deserve it.
