Preventing Blisters on the Camino de Santiago | Pain Free Trekking

How to have a blister free Camino.
These are methods I have used to succesfully walk the Camino Frances and the Camino Portuguese Central route, back to back, without getting a single blister. I've developed this knowledge through trial and sometimes painful error over the years.
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Timecodes
0:00 - Intro
0:22 - Massive Blister Alert!!!
0:52 - A Little Disclaimer
1:10 - What is a Blister?
1:41 - Your First Line of Defence
2:24 - Things to Consider When Choosing Footwear
3:14 - Sock Options
4:55 - Foot Prep
5:40 - Hot Spots are your Friend
5:56 - Canary in the Coal Mine
6:17 - Something Controversial
6:54 - Taking Care of Hot Spots
7:20 - Sheeps Wool Method
Items of interest:
(These links to buy sends a bit my way, at no extra cost to you)
Leki Trail Runner poles - amzn.to/3V0SVR5
Spring bootcut sock - amzn.to/3N7AmbQ
Summer sock - amzn.to/43SQCU7
Gore-tex walking shoe - amzn.to/3V5Qe0A
Tape - amzn.to/3KZUsC7
Pressure Padding - amzn.to/3H6yYCw
And, you can purchase packs of hiking sheeps wool for blister care if you can't find any near farmland - amzn.to/43XKLwA
#caminodesantiago #pilgrimage #camino #hiking #caminofrances
*I wanted to give you a heads up that the Amazon links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you decide to purchase anything through them. I will never promote a product I have not benefitted from or think will help you. Thanks again for supporting the channel!

[@berkerberker9069]

loved your style..

[@Caminohacks]

Thank you ☺️

[@RidesInforests]

Great video thank you. In my experience the best thing one can do is toughen up those feet and break in any new shoes before you even go. Doesn't take much just a few big walks a week for a month or so before talking so many miles.
If you go into such a long walk with baby soft feet you will NOT avoid blisters..which is ok and part of it..But, If you train your feet first you stand a chance of not being in agony half the trip. benefit to cost is huge.

[@Caminohacks]

Thanks for watching and commenting.
Yes, getting your feet and shoes ready is a great tip. It still surprises me that people will go on Camino with new shoes they’ve not broken in and gotten used to - a recipe for disaster.
I do believe with the right prep and gear you can avoid blisters, but like you say putting the time in before you go can pay dividends.

[@carolinesaunders6656]

Nice clear video. I'm not prone to blisters, except between my toes. I use Injinji liner socks inside light merino hiking socks. I need the toe socks but find this combination more comfortable than the slightly thicker Injinji's. Depending on how far I'm walking I'll either just take my shoes and merino socks off to let my feet breathe while I take a break. Or on longer stages I'll change into 'tomorrow's' socks. Clean socks are such a wonderful treat as you start to feel the stage is endless 😅 This combination of socks also works best with the size of my trail runners; the shoes fit but have plenty of room for my toes. Thanks for your videos.

[@Caminohacks]

I love the idea of using ‘tomorrow’s socks’ and totally agree it’s such a treat to pop on clean and more importantly, dry socks when you’re on a longer stage. I used to do the double sock method, but found in the heat I’d get heat rash on feet. Glad you’ve found a method that works for you ☺️
Thanks for taking the time to watch the video and leave a comment.

[@carolinesaunders6656]

@Caminohacks I wear Lone Peak 6's which have great ventilation. They also dry quickly if they get wet through. I think spending time to find the sock shoe combo that works for you is well worth it 😊 Good job we're all different otherwise it would be a nightmare finding your right footwear in the mornings 😅

[@Caminohacks]

Ha ha, very true! Although I have met a pilgrim who went to put his shoes on in the morning at the albergue only to find them gone and the same pair one size too small left in their place. It was honest mistake made in the dark, but it made for a painful walk trying to catch up with the other pilgrim to make the swap 😄

[@hilarymac3706]

I do a lot of this too - I always use a liner and a merino sock. I use Vaseline and hikers wool too. My shoes are also a size larger. I spend ages checking my feet. But I can’t help laughing when I think of my first Camino when I did none of this and wore 10 year old cheap Aldi boots and never had a blister at all.

[@Caminohacks]

Sounds like those Aldi boots were a good buy! 10 years out of one pair of boots is great going. My first Camino had a few blisters and a big clunky pair of boots. Took me a while to find what worked and I’ve not had a blister in ages. You’ve got a good foot routine going on. I’m guessing the Aldi boots are no more 😄

[@hilarymac3706]

@@Caminohacks ha ha I still have them and they still look new. They were with me hiking on a glacier in Alaska and camping in African desert and still look great.

[@Caminohacks]

Were they made out of titanium? Ha ha. It seems like those aldi boots are indestructible! I’d love to experience Africa, it’s on my bucket list of places to visit, just have to get over my Camino addiction first 😄

[@hilarymac3706]

@@Caminohacks 😂

[@Mickycho1964]

@@Caminohacks Boots or shoes made of Leather material vs synthetic? I always think that natural materials are the best but... What about sandals?

[@Mickycho1964]

Wool socks vs plastic socks?

[@Caminohacks]

I would choose somewhere in the middle, hybrid - smart wool, which is a bit of both.