Online Question – advice needed
"I recently came across your blog and wondered if you would be able to give me some advice.
I am 25 years old and about to embark on a 100km walk across the South Downs – we are walking the 100km in one go, so this means 30 hours of walking! I am trying to decide what is the best way to look after my feet – can you provide us any expert advice or chiropodist tips to consider?
Also I saw your post about your husband’s Ecco shoes – is there any particular brand in your head that is the best in terms of comfort for a long walk? Unfortunately due to my mislead youth of ill fitting shoes I already suffer from bunions and slightly concerned that my footwear could be my downfall"
Everyone has different opinions about the make of hiking boot they find comfortable. For the sort of distance and the terrain you are contemplating you should be thinking of boots rather than shoes so that your ankle joint is properly supported. Make sure your boots are properly broken in before attempting the walk. For lighter shortish walks I wear Ecco Xpedition shoes, for longer walks and rough terrain I wear Meindl hiking boots. Have a look at Meindl hiking boots – available online here and here at Blacks. Several patients of mine swear by Merrell hiking boots and from what I’ve seen of them they are excellent – I certainly find my Merrell sandals really comfortable. Make sure your boots are labelled Gore-Tex so that your feet can breathe. Hiking shoes should normally be about a size larger than normal so that you can comfortably wear thick hiking socks.
If you have bunions this means your foot structure/gait might not as good as it could be so you should buy some orthotics (insoles/arch supports) to support and realign your feet. Your options are custom made orthotics or if you want over the counter insoles try the Superfeet insoles. Go for the DMP insoles, however they are quite thick so you need a largish type of shoe for them to fit into – they normally fit very well inside a hiking boot.
For hiking or walking long distances I like Teko socks. You should take a spare pair with you so if your feet sweat and the socks get wet you can change them. You are less likely to get blisters if you have dry socks.
Definitely take some gel blister plasters (Compeed or Scholl) with you to use in an emergency if you do get a blister.
Rub a small amount of Vaseline over your feet before the walk starts and take a small pot with you so you can use it on areas that chaff.
But perhaps the most important thing is if you are not used to walking long distances you should prepare yourself by going out for some reasonable walks before your actual charity walk.
These are my extremely comfortable Meindl hiking boots – they are a great off road boot.
Buy Meindl hiking boots here at Blacks – Meindl Women’s Burma GTX Boots