Blisters while running or walking. How do you prevent them?

i too have that problem... the only thing to do it to let your feet form to your shoes so you just gotta work through your pain!... my shoes are excellent now!

Surgical spirit helps harden the skin... Zinc oxide tape on known hotspots (proper stuff, not the crappy superdrug/boots chemist stuff.)

Good socks, good trainers, breaking them in and dealing with blisters as they come ...

Here is some tricks you can try and find which suits you best:
- use toe socks, especially if blisters come while toes are rubbing each others
- tape your toes/feet with skin/surgical tape where blisters have come before; they tend to appear in same places over and over again
- grease your feet/toes with vaseline to minimise rubbing of skin
- keep your shoes and socks dry; wet ones makes blisters come easier
- use talc to avoid feet sweatting which might prone them to blisters when socks get wet

Hope that helps! ***Tips work also for longer walks***

Above all else: Get good, properly fitting running shoes. A dedicated running store is you best bet to make this happen. On paper, DRS shoes may seem to cost more, but in the end, you're WAY better off for it, and I believe a properly fit pair of shoes wears better and lasts longer.

Tip #2: COTTON IS ROTTEN. There is a style of fabric referred to as "wicking". It's basically cotton free clothing designed to cut down on moisture absorption and skin irritation. This helps eliminate blisters, chaffing, you name it. You can buy everything from socks to shorts to shirts, geez there're so many items. Again, a dedicated running store will be swimming in these outfits. I personally prefer either Balega or Sock Guy socks. But that's just me.

Tip #3: Lubricant is your friend. Traditionally, runners turn to Body Glide. It's good on feet, nipples (have you had bloody or chaffed nipples yet? They're coming...), HR strap rubbing points, you name it. As with earlier tips, your DRS will have plenty of this.

I hope these tips help. I wish you luck ending your discomfort.

Maybe make sure they are laced tight enough? I have never experienced blisters from running shoes, so this is news to me! I no longer wear them, however, and run in Vibrams or barefoot. I do get a blister here and there from running completely barefoot, but that's about it.

I used to always get blisters running until I discovered I should not be using cotton socks. Once I changed to wicking type socks (IE not cotton) I haven't gotten blisters and have been adding more mileage over time. So if your using cotton socks, that's your problem imo.

Bump

I had that problem on just the ends of my toes and under one of them and ended up seeing a Podiatrist. In my case my feet were longer than I thought and I needed 1/2 size larger shoes. I went to an actual shoe store and measured my feet, got new shoes and VOILA! No more blisters or callouses. You have to make sure that your toes do not touch the end of your shoes while you're running, not just while standing or walking.
I also switched to socks that are not made of cotton. While I still had the blisters I was using Glide, taping them with athlete's tape, bandaids, etc. and it was a temp fix. Your feet can change (even if you're 50 in my case lol) so go and measure them in a shoe store, make sure you have half an inch space above your toes, make sure you are getting running shoes for running, walking shoes for walking.
Good luck and I hope you end up pain free soon!

I'm a barefoot traveler on my treadmill and get a blister in the same spot on my left foot every time ... seeing as I'm most comfortable in my bare feet plus I can't afford those special sock/toe shoes, I just wrap that area of my foot with the surgical tape. It works wonders.

Oops! Sorry I forgot to mention the nylon pantyhose are supposed to be similar to the running socks but a cheaper option. I've never bought the running socks because it worked for me :-)