By Doug Gantenbein Years ago, three friends of mine and I climbed Mount Olympus, in the heart of Washington State's Olympic National Park. Our own party developed its own share, although we managed to keep our boots on. The story is amusing, but blisters are not. Blisters can ruin a trip, prevent you from reaching a summit, or send you to the doctor with an infected foot. It's worth the effort to know how to prevent, and if need be, treat this common outdoor affliction.
Prevention is the key.
The inner layer should be a thin, fast-drying sock made of Coolmax or polypropylene, such as Bridgedale's A.T. Coolmax Liner Sock . Next, make sure your feet are properly toughened up. Try to get at least 50 miles in of short hikes before tackling something longer. Before the hike, take preventive measures. If your feet sweat heavily, spray them with an anti-perspirant.