The joys of summer hikes and outdoor activities can quickly turn sour due to common issues like blisters and sunburn. But fear not, as one specialist has revealed her top tips for avoiding these seasonal setbacks.
Outdoor recreation guru Jennifer Daring from Ohio, USA, has highlighted the importance of choosing the correct socks and shoes for hiking adventures.
The biologist insists that wool socks are the key to keeping blisters at bay.
On NPR’s Life Kit podcast, she advised: “They’re breathable if your feet are sweating, it helps wick out that moisture in your shoes.”
Since blisters thrive in moist and warm conditions, keeping feet dry is essential.
For footwear, Jennifer suggests that most rubber-soled, closed-toe shoes will do the trick, depending on where you’re walking. She cautions against wearing flat-soled sneakers like Vans or Converse on uneven ground, stating: “Stuff that has no tread, if you’re in a steeper terrain you’re just going to slide.”
For those gearing up for a hike, Jennifer has a golden tip: don’t just buy your regular shoe size when it comes to hiking boots. Instead, opt for a size larger.
She elaborated on the reason, stating: “To account for any sort of foot sliding movements. If you wear your actual shoe size that might incorporate extra rubbing and promote blisters.”
As for the rest of your hiking attire, Jennifer notes that choices should vary with the weather and terrain, but she does share some essential guidelines.
One steadfast rule she always follows is wearing long trousers in or around tall grass, tucking them into her socks for “full protection of my legs” and peace of mind that “there’s no critters getting inside my pants”.
Jennifer also warned against wearing cotton, not only for socks but for all clothing, as she pointed out: “Cotton is usually frowned upon. It holds odours and moisture very well which is not good if you’re trying to stay dry while you’re sweating all day on your hike.”