HOW TO PREPARE YOUR FEET FOR A HIKE
One thing that will completely ruin your walk is damaged feet. Ever gone on a hike and had your big toe nail pressing against the top of your boot at the end? Something that you could easily overlook but a judicious trim 2 or 3 days beforehand could save you miles of pain if your feet become hot at the end of the hike and swell a little.
Sherpa Sam says...
Always buy half a size bigger than your normal size when you buy a new pair of hiking shoes. Your feet will swell and the extra weight you carry will put pressure on your feet.
Prepare your feet! ​There are other aspects of foot preparation for you to consider:
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Top 5 Considerations
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Pedicure - Prepare your toenails in advance.
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Footwear - Wear boots or shoes suitable for hiking. It should go without saying but needs to be said...no flip-flops!!
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Blisters - Take something with you to anticipate blisters. Some people use duct tape other use Vaseline or proprietary products specifically for blisters.
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Massage your feet - To release tight muscles before or after your hike, a foot massage of the balls of your feet will help release tight muscles in your feet and don’t forget your hamstrings.
BOOTS
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Foot volume, by this we mean top to bottom. Wide feet with high arches mean a high foot volume and you may need more room in your boot. Try different lacing techniques or miss a crossover to increase the foot volume of your boot.
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SOCKS
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Your feet are bound to sweat and this can cause blisters, so prepare for them
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Proper hiking socks that wick away water
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Take at least a second pair, when half way you can stop, air your feet and put on a fresh pair.
