Dostie, my feet thank you!

[QuiverQueen]

I just returned from a hut trip with blister-free heels for the first time in my life, thanks to Dostie's advice on using nylon knee-highs
to reduce friction in ski boots. See article on best blister prevention. Over the years I've tried everything from moleskin, duct tape, athletic tape, skin tougheners, double socks, single socks, and regardless of what type of boot and what preventative measures were out there, I've always gotten blisters when carrying a loaded pack and wearing ski boots.

Those days might be over!

Thanks for the tip, Dostie. Really!

[Dostie]

You're welcome.

[Nick D]

But you have to realise that some us might have a problem with putting on nylons.

[QuiverQueen]

Nylons are loathsome things no matter who you are. Be glad that we can limit our use to just lower legs.

[cesare]

Yin deficiency is a personal problem.

Blisters like the ones Dostie showed in his blog are the result of pressure. When there is pressure on the heel, the foot cannot move against the liner. But there is still friction--between the layers of the skin. While the nylons might work in some cases where the pressure is not bad until the foot, sock, and liner become wet with perspiration, a chronic pressure point on the heel will only respond to fitting solutions. Cooking the liner with a little closed cell foam taped to the offending area works with most moldable liners. Keep the piece of foam no larger than the area that gets pressure or you will still get pressure. BD liners, however, have only limited moldability in the pre-contoured heel pocket. Fortunately, that is the heel pocket least likely to cause pressure on the calcaneous bone because it is such a deep pocket. The bigger problem with BD liners is if your heel and ankle are wide, it can push you forward from the sides, effectively making the boot smaller.

Anywhere you feel pressure, the first line of defense is cooking with foam taped over that point to dome out the liner there while the liner is hot and compressible. In a performance fit, when you have pretty much maxed out the compressibility, the next step is to remove some foam. If you can't get rid of the pressure, you won't cure the blistering problem.

[Matt J]

I notice I get them after about 2.5 to 3 hours of touring, especially in warmer in conditions when my feet are sweating. Usually, when I'm skiing a lot I just remold my liners and try and condition my feet with frequent shorter trips. This year hasn't been that type of year. Anyone tried the Body Glide or another type of anti-chafing product? I've heard positive things but have never tried it.

[Danno]

I always skin with my boots completely unbuckled, because while it does create/permit lots of movement, it does so without any pressure, and hence no friction.

[NoPin]

Over the years I've learned that lace-up liners are the key to stopping blisters for me. I lace the liner snugly but when climbing loosen the shell buckles. That way there is no/little pressure and, even though my foot moves inside the shell, it's the liner that rubs against the shell, not my feet against the liner.

[Tele 'til You're Smelly]

Did you use an active or neutral garter belt?

[!ski]

Nylons are loathsome things no matter who you are. Be glad that we can limit our use to just lower legs.

I have to respectively disagree - I guess it comes down to who is wearing them.

Next thing is that short skirts and nylons are loathsome too!

One of my favorite lines; "Knee Highs?"

Skiing ... "is not what I expected; it is not what I was told".

Nylons have been recommended for reducing blisters for a long time, also for added warmth.

I tend to agree with cesare, the boot/shoe/ski boot either fits or it does not and all the "tricks" are marginal at best.

But then a lot of women do wear Knee Highs with pants for better shoe comfort - and women are the experts on uncomfortable shoes.

-r