Walking Blisters on Heels

1. When you say great pair. were they fitted at a running shoe store
2. do you have good socks?
3. For a while, you may benefit from wearing 2 pair of socks, or short hose under the socks to improve how they wear.

Additionally, the blisters may be caused by other shoes you're wearing and just being revealed or exposed by your walking.

The only reason you're getting blisters is that your shoes don't fit properly and your foot is moving around too much in them.

Time to head back to the store and find shoes that, as the expression goes, fit like a glove. They should be snug enough that your heel is held firmly, but comfortably in place and if the person at the store says anything about breaking them in grab your wallet & run away, they should feel great right out of the box.

Having said that I know from personal experience that getting a perfect shoe can be a challenge (I have a wide foot with a narrow heel) and less than perfect fit can be mitigated a bit with wicking 2 layer socks - a number of companies make them and they're not overly expensive.

Blisters are most likely caused by friction - your foot moving/rubbing against the shoe, or possibly the sock. Eliminate blisters by eliminating that friction. There are a number of things to try...

1. properly fitted shoes that are properly laced/tied
2. better/different socks
3. body glide or similar anti-chafe products

I personally found that I needed the soles of my shoes to be very flexible to avoid blisters.

I went to a running store for evaluation/fittings multiple times and was also shown how to lace stiffer shoes to avoid the rubbing on my heels when I walked. Doing this helped with my heel slipping but I found that to create too much pressure on the top of my foot to the point it was painful to walk. Then they had me try out some with a flexible sole and it was a world of difference.

I still put in effort to find ones that fit well and have found ones I prefer (Nike Free RN are great for me for what it's worth) but having a very flexible sole has been the biggest determinant for me in finding a pair that doesn't cause blisters or other discomfort.

sgt1372 wrote: »

Lots of good advice already given BUT, even properly fitted shoes can cause blisters if they are not flexible and fully broken in

Once you've got blisters, they make any walks or hikes miserable, especially when they get broken open.

The BEST pads currently made for blisters IMO are the hydrocolloidal pads that fully cushion the blistered spot and stay on forever (at least they do for me) when applied properly. I carry some w/me when ever I go on hikes now.

Once your blisters have healed, it may hekp to wear a liner sock (silk is best) to reduce friction between the shoe and your skin.

Good luck!

Second the recommendation on liner sock. And yes, silk or performance poly blends are best. Cotton is generally worst and wool a close less bad.

When I started walking 10,000 steps per day or more I had been pretty sedentary and my feet were pretty soft. After a few months my feet toughened up and now I'm not bothered by blisters anymore. My shoes fit well, and I tried different socks too... even perfect shoes can cause blisters due to a major change in exercise habits. By the way, the best product I found for blisters is Compeed Blister cushions. Pricey but worth it, and once your feet have toughened up you won't need it anymore in my experience.

stanmann571 wrote: »

sgt1372 wrote: »

Lots of good advice already given BUT, even properly fitted shoes can cause blisters if they are not flexible and fully broken in

Once you've got blisters, they make any walks or hikes miserable, especially when they get broken open.

The BEST pads currently made for blisters IMO are the hydrocolloidal pads that fully cushion the blistered spot and stay on forever (at least they do for me) when applied properly. I carry some w/me when ever I go on hikes now.

Once your blisters have healed, it may hekp to wear a liner sock (silk is best) to reduce friction between the shoe and your skin.

Good luck!

Second the recommendation on liner sock. And yes, silk or performance poly blends are best. Cotton is generally worst and wool a close less bad.

Modern shoes require no "break-in."

I've found wool socks to be excellent, but I don't suffer from (or at least I haven't in many years) blisters like most people. The 2 sock thing I found not to help much, but like my wool socks...ymmv.

I've found the best "cure" is prevention. 1) I soak my feet at least weekly and give myself a pedicure (pedegg and pumice). You want your callouses to be soft and supple. 2) If I'm going backpacking or something for multiple days, I dress my heel with tincture of benzoin then a leukotape P square. This has lasted me more than a week and survives showers! 3) since I'm on trails mainly, I wear a "trail gaiter" to keep debris out of my shoes. 4) I hardly ever wear sandals or flip flops. I have them around the house, but I avoid hiking in them or more wearing them more than a few minutes. 5) I've dropped the boots (where I can) and moved onto "trail runners" or just regular running shoes.

These are all based on Vonhoff's "fixing your feet." A book well worth the $2 or $3 you can find it for used. I no longer come back from a hiking trip having to wear my flip flops to work with my jeans rolled up for 2 weeks.