Walkers/Hikers - Chafing

CraigDouglas

CraigDouglas

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Did a long (for me) hike yesterday which was just under 17.5 miles and wearing a rather heavy backpack. I normally do about 7 mile walks but fancied seeing what I could do to try to get fitter and because I'm aiming to do a Munroe by the end of the year so I wanted to see what level I'm at now (since I'm about 3 stone overweight!).

I was wearing:

Base Layers: Sock liners, Trek Mate Long Johns, Tresspass Long Sleeve top.

Top Layers: Hiking socks, thin hiking trousers and a tresspass double layer jacket

I've also got some good insoles in my hiking boots.


Now, afterwards my muscles were pretty much fine (although a little tired) but I received quite painful blisters on my heels mainly but even worse is the chafing between my upper inside legs. This is very painful and I now walk like John Wayne!


How can I prevent the chafing? I've got chafing before on 7 mile walks wearing the same base layer so I got some braces to use on my trousers to try to pull the crotch of the long johns up but that only seems to work for the first 10 miles or so.

I used to do a bit of body building and cycling to my calves, thighs and bum are quite built up and the Long johns are rather tight and are quite difficult to pull up all the way.

Would I be better off getting some sports underwear briefs/shorts or something to wear under the long johns in cold weather and on their own in summer? Or should I be doing something else? I know runners sometimes use vaseline before they start but I'm not sure if this will be comfortable for a full day/weekend hike?


On the plus side I did the 17.5 miles in 5 hours 45 mins which I'm quite happy with :)
 
Vaseline on prone areas.
 
Cycling shorts with a padded insert and compeed for the blisters on your heels.
You might also consider 2 thin pairs of socks as opposed to one thick pair. Check out "1000 mile socks",they were a godsend when I walked a half-marathon.

Good luck with your training.
 
I have some funky socks for my combat boots for work, they're a twin layer. One layer stays with the boot, the other layer with your foot so the two layers rub each other rather than the boot rubbing your foot.
 
Thanks for the replys.

I've been wearing two pairs of socks, one thin pair and one thick pair. Think I may replace the thicker pair though.

I also forgot to mention that I did put baby powder on the areas first but as soon as the sweat built up it was not effective. I may try Vaseline but was just worried about how effective it would be over 5-6 hours or more and once it starts to get sweaty?

I've had mixed reports about the 1000 mile socks so wasn't sure about going for them. I think mine are just the cheapest pair I could find in an outdoors shop about 6 months ago so they are probably the thing that is giving me the blisters.
 
Not sure how long you have had your boots but it may be an idea to wear them alot, as in not just for treks, let the boot and the foot get used to each other, obviously different footwear has different pressure points and if you only wear your boots periodically then it will be a surprise for the foot and encourage blisters !
 
you got betty swallox, i get that, its a sweat rash and its horrible i suggest a bowl of cold water, and savalon will cure it over night
 
Ashers said:
you got betty swallox, i get that, its a sweat rash and its horrible i suggest a bowl of cold water, and savalon will cure it over night
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Yea but how can I prevent it? I'm all for preventing rather than dealing with it afterwards!
 
dseered said:
Not sure how long you have had your boots but it may be an idea to wear them alot, as in not just for treks, let the boot and the foot get used to each other, obviously different footwear has different pressure points and if you only wear your boots periodically then it will be a surprise for the foot and encourage blisters !
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Yes they are relatively new boots which I've also thought is part of the problem so I'm not too fussed about the blister problem at the minute, it's more the chafing that's a problem.

I'm starting to wear the boots as often as possible although not until these blisters go down a bit, another night of popping, sqeezing and blister plasters is on the cards tonight :D
 
As mentioned in previous post ...cycling shorts with the chamouis inside to get rid of sweat ....looks like you are wearing a nappy but does the job
 
you could put lots a of savalon in between your legs it lubes u up well. keep a tube of it with u in case it wears off .thats what i do, make sure uve been to the loo first ***.
 
I'd only advise a single pair of socks as you can do without the movement between the layers there as it'll only increase temperature and moisture.....those as you know coupled with the movement will have the skin off you very quickly.

I used to suffer chaffing on the "arris" when out on the MTB doing all day rides.

Chamois butt'r was a real help.
 
CraigDouglas said:
I may try Vaseline but was just worried about how effective it would be over 5-6 hours or more and once it starts to get sweaty?
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You'l find alot of marathon runners and endurance cyclists like me use it when it looks like it going to rain.

Also use it in this cold weather at work on the arm pits as i work out doors i have quite a few layers on to combat the cold which means theres a high chance of rubbing in that area. Never had a problem when i use it. A work day is 8.5hrs.
 
russdaz said:
You'l find alot of marathon runners and endurance cyclists like me use it when it looks like it going to rain.

Also use it in this cold weather at work on the arm pits as i work out doors i have quite a few layers on to combat the cold which means theres a high chance of rubbing in that area. Never had a problem when i use it. A work day is 8.5hrs.
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now tell the truth how much is the work day and how much is time just at the job ;)
 
are your boots the correct fit and good quality? cos no matter what socks you wear if you have cheap boots you'll suffer the consequences on a long walk (believe me, I know!)

I did my first munro in 2008 (Ben Lomond) and vowed to get myself a decent pair of boots before I did another, I felt every stone on the way down and hubby thought I had tourettes cos I was swearing so much

Although not a munro, I highly recommend the Cobbler if you're coming to the west coast of Scotland, it's hard work but the rewards are fantastic
 
rubber duck said:
are your boots the correct fit and good quality? cos no matter what socks you wear if you have cheap boots you'll suffer the consequences on a long walk (believe me, I know!)

I did my first munro in 2008 (Ben Lomond) and vowed to get myself a decent pair of boots before I did another, I felt every stone on the way down and hubby thought I had tourettes cos I was swearing so much

Although not a munro, I highly recommend the Cobbler if you're coming to the west coast of Scotland, it's hard work but the rewards are fantastic
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They are reasonably decent boots, Karrimors and build quality seems good to me. I had only done about 20 miles total in them before hand (couple of 7 miles walks which gave me blisters and a couple of short walks) so I'm sure they just need breaking in.

Thing is I haven't really given my feet time to heel, a few days after blisters have gone down a bit I go back out which just makes them come back so I'm going to give them two full weeks before doing any note-able miles I think.

I never really thought of taking vaseline with me as well incase it flares up and that stuff comes in little convenient tubs too which is perfect :thumbs:
 
rubber duck said:
are your boots the correct fit and good quality? cos no matter what socks you wear if you have cheap boots you'll suffer the consequences on a long walk (believe me, I know!)
Click to expand...

The price and quality of a boot has no bearing on the fit. Some boots just don't fit certain shaped feet. If your boots fit in length and width, but the collar/lacing is too loose you will still get heel lift which will cause blisters. Extra inserts or volume reducers can be fitted to fine tune slight heel lift, but they can't fix everything ( like Scarpa M4's on my feet :'( ). If your lacing is working loose and alowing movement, try going over the top of the hooks, then down and back up, like this-->
DSC_1142.jpg



As for the chaffing :( Make sure your underwear isn't bunching up under the long johns ( Boxers will be pulled up and WILL rub ). Ron hill tracksters have been standard issue for many mountain rescue teams as they are quick drying and can be worn as a base layer or top layer... just don't use the foot loops and pull the leg up to the top of your boot. A pair of light windproof trousers over the top should be enough to keep the cold out for most of the UK season, without long johns as well.
 
i have a pair of karrimor event boots for most walking, they have been great so far :thumbs:

if you think you'll suffer, use something on the contact areas before you set off. moleskin (it's not real) works a treat and those new fangled blister plasters are ok too....but can roll up on them selves as you warm up
 
singlespeed said:
The price and quality of a boot has no bearing on the fit. Some boots just don't fit certain shaped feet. If your boots fit in length and width, but the collar/lacing is too loose you will still get heel lift which will cause blisters. Extra inserts or volume reducers can be fitted to fine tune slight heel lift, but they can't fix everything ( like Scarpa M4's on my feet :'( ). If your lacing is working loose and alowing movement, try going over the top of the hooks, then down and back up, like this-->
DSC_1142.jpg
Click to expand...


I do find my heel does lift a little in the boot after a few miles so i'll try that lacing technique! Thanks!


singlespeed said:
As for the chaffing :( Make sure your underwear isn't bunching up under the long johns ( Boxers will be pulled up and WILL rub ). Ron hill tracksters have been standard issue for many mountain rescue teams as they are quick drying and can be worn as a base layer or top layer... just don't use the foot loops and pull the leg up to the top of your boot. A pair of light windproof trousers over the top should be enough to keep the cold out for most of the UK season, without long johns as well.
Click to expand...

Now I feel daft, I thought that long-johns are underwear so I've not been wearing anything underneath them. Is this what the problem is?

I'll have a google for Ron hill tracksters. :thumbs:
 
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