Gear Advice – how to....gear your feet up for a day’s walking
“I walk everyday”, I hear you shout, but irrespective of whether you’re tackling a bigger challenge or a gentle wander along the Lakeland shores you are going to be on your feet for most of the day.
Here are our tips for keeping your feet happy:
1. Get your boots fitted
An absolute must if you’re going to avoid painful problems such as blisters.
Don’t buy off the internet, go into a specialist walking retailer.
A common mistake is to buy the same size as your normal shoes, but in fact your boots need more space to enable toes to stretch out while still ensuring your feet don’t slip forward.
Remember, your feet tend to swell and if your boots are too small, you’ll find your toes hitting the boot tip as you walk downhill resulting in blackened toe nails.
2. Wear your boots in
Not such a biggie nowadays as modern boots generally need less walking-in, but the last thing you want is to have your new footwear spoiling a fantastic day out.
Therefore we’d always advise wearing any new boots around the house first, which then means you can still take them back to the shop if they’re not for you.
Gradually build up the time your feet spend in the new boots until you’re ready for a longer outing.
3. Invest in a great pair of walking socks
Around £15-£20 will get you a decent pair of walking-specific socks, a small price to pay to ensure your feet are happy as there is nothing more miserable than blisters.
A big no-no are cotton socks, even if they’re described as sports socks – they will rub, cause blisters and won’t keep your feet warm.
Instead look for woollen socks that have plenty of cushioning – my personal recommendation, Icebreaker Merino wool socks.
4. Do your laces up correctly
Your boots are designed to support your ankle and prevent you falling, but if they are not laced up properly, all that support goes out the window.
5. Stretch
Before and after a long walk, your body will really thank you for doing a few good stretches that will help prevent injuries such as Achilles tendonitis and will also help you recover more quickly.
Happy Walking!
