Salewa Mountain Trainer GTX

[kyubi]

Recently purchased a pair of these online, I went half a size up from what I would normally wear. I've since tried them on and worn them around the house, shopping and while doing weights at the gym once (all up probably only a day and a half), the fit is very snug but no apparent pressure points anywhere and I had no problems wearing them throughout the week. Today I did my first day hike wearing the boots (with wool explorer socks) which was 15km's with a couple of long, moderately steep climbs and one fairly steep descent. The back of my heels and my toes started to get hot during the climbs and descent respectively, I now have a blister the size of five cent piece on the back of both my heels and one on my little toe (the little toe on other foot looks like it was getting there too). Is this normal? Do they just need to be worn in better? Is there something else I should be doing to prevent blisters occurring?

Other than that experience I was happy with them, they seem to be a good pair of boots with excellent build quality and I'm hoping I can keep them. Any experienced advice would be much appreciated!

[wayno]

try "liner socks. outdoor shops have them, they are thin and smooth surfaced , cling to your feet, you put normal socks over the top. so any friction should happen between teh two sockss rather than between the main sock and your skin as normally happens.
if its a stiff soled shoe then teh hell will pull down more when the shoe bends...
depends on the shape of the shoe to your foot too. it could be too wide in the heel for you leaving more chance of moving,
the sizing might not be right, too long?

[PiniPowPow]

I have these shoes and havent had any issues to date. Being gore-tex they are quite warm so depending on the climate you walked in sweating may have been an issue? They are rather stiff soled as wayno mentions.

I always pre tape my feet at hot spots using physio tape. At least you know where the hot spots are now!

[kyubi]

Thanks for the advice, I think for starters I will try changing my socks to something better and go from there. Will also check the size properly..

[Strider]

I think for starters I will try changing my socks to something better and go from there.

That would be my advice. Explorer socks are evil footbags.