Expert camper reveals tricks to avoid blisters in hiking boots – try his ‘window loop’ and ‘top jump’ techniques

An experienced camper has shared his tricks for preventing blisters in his hiking boots.

Your tried-and-true tying techniques and sock choices make a huge difference.

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Andy Halliday, owner of Expert campershared preventive tips.

He explained that a common mistake campers make is trying to break in their new hiking boots and shoes.

“Many synthetic materials do not have the suppleness of leather and require little or no breakdown over time,” Halliday said.

While newer walking styles don’t require much use, a little use before a big hike will prevent a lot of foot pain.

“Once you get your boots, put them on to walk around the house, garden or neighborhood,” he added.

“You may feel silly, but it’s worth the comfort in the future.”

Sizing errors can also be critical and dramatically impact your hiking experience.

“Remember that your feet tend to swell while hiking. So if your boots are already tight with your feet resting, it may be beneficial to size them up,” advised Halliday.

For extra arch support and wider feet, the specialist uses insoles and looks for specialized boots.

“If you have wide feet, it’s worth buying hiking boots made specifically for wide feet. Narrow shoes just cause blisters on the sides of your feet faster,” he said.

Hiking socks are also a great way to not only protect your feet but also wick moisture away from your feet.

Wool, in particular, is a great material for moisture control and also helps prevent blisters.

Before putting on your hiking socks, Halliday recommends dusting your feet with powder to keep them extra dry.

Halliday revealed three lacing techniques that change the way shoes rub against your feet.

By focusing on properly breaking in your boot, investing in quality socks, ensuring the right fit, and mastering effective lacing techniques, you’ll be well prepared for any adventure.

Andy Halliday

The Twisted Knot method prevents shoes from slipping off the heel.

“For the top two hooks on the boots, closest to the ankle, twist the laces around each other twice before passing them through the eyes or hooks,” he said.

“This puts more tension at the point where the foot and ankle meet, keeping the heel in place.”

Its “window-tying” method avoids putting pressure on the upper part of the shoe.

“If you feel like the tongue of the shoe is digging into the top of your foot, leave a square ‘window’ by not crossing the laces across the top of your foot,” he said.

“Keep them crossed at the toe and ankle so the shoes stay together.”

The lace top also avoids putting pressure on your toes.

“If your toes feel squished, sit down and take the laces completely off. Do them again as normal, except skip the line closest to your toes. You’ll have a little more wiggle room and will relieve some the pressure on the piglets,” he said.

“By focusing on properly breaking in your boot, investing in quality socks, ensuring the right fit, and mastering effective lacing techniques, you will be well prepared for any adventure.”