Appropriate footwear for Tassie walking

[ULWalkingPhil]

What would these be like?

http://www.mountaindesigns.com/online-s ... prodID=220

I'm trying measures to sort out these blisters I'm getting with my Leather Boots, If nothing works, I'm considering on something like these boots. and just wear the leather boots for work and short trips.

[Nuts]

Havent seen that one, does have 'bling' I just use/d their light leather boot. Through lack of choice I thought the first pair felt a bit tight but no problems...Here's some info that might help with fitting if you do buy another pair http://www.ccoutdoorstore.com/boot-sizi ... boots.html

[walkinTas]

What would these be like?

As far as blisters are concerned, I think the only real way to answer your question in to go to a shop and try it on. Personally I would not buy any footwear without trying it on first. I believe the perfect boot is a boot that fits perfectly.

I have a pair of Gore-tex walking shoes and I'm quite happy with them for day walks on well formed tracks or short walks. They breath well, are perfectly waterproof and are light on the feet. I don't wear them in rocky or tough terrain because the soles are too soft and the bottoms of my feet get a bit too much punishment. I have a pair of leather boots for that sort of country.

You are looking at boots not shoes so you'll have ankle support which I miss in the shoes. I have not had trouble with the Gore-tex shoe, but I have heard people say that their feet sweat more in Gore-tex. If this was true for you it would not help with the blisters.

[ULWalkingPhil]

I think in my case these boots are too big, I don't think there are any leather boots out there that fit me, I've looked long and hard, treid many pairs in store, including the boots I have now, in the store they felt fine, it's not until I have weight on my back that the blisters started, nothing I do will stop the blisters, I've tried all suggestions.

I contacted store I purchased the boots from today to see if they have any suggestions, what they informed me I have already tried, boots to big for me, store manager than informed me that if the boots are in good condition and clean they might offer a replacement, but can't promise till they inspect the boots. This is very good of them to offer this, I will just happen to be staying downs the road in less than 2 weeks time. My foot is just to wide for the length they are.

[cjhfield]

Well fitting boots probably the best solution but in the mean time one inch Beiersdorf strapping tape will prevent blisters. You put it on before you have damaged the skin ie before you leave for the walk. Lasts days. May need to be replaced every few days. Waterproof, incredibly hard wearing. For the heel run 2 strips 4-6" long vertically down the back of your heel. Other tapes wont do - gotta be the zero stretch strapping tape (white) about 10 bucks a roll.

Chris

[ULWalkingPhil]

Well fitting boots probably the best solution but in the mean time one inch Beiersdorf strapping tape will prevent blisters. You put it on before you have damaged the skin ie before you leave for the walk. Lasts days. May need to be replaced every few days. Waterproof, incredibly hard wearing. For the heel run 2 strips 4-6" long vertically down the back of your heel. Other tapes wont do - gotta be the zero stretch strapping tape (white) about 10 bucks a roll.

Chris

Thanks Chris, I'll see if I can pick up some of this tape locally, I did try taping my heels, maybe I didn't use the right material. It made no difference. I'll take some of this tape you suggested with me on the walk, incase I can't get the boots replaced. I can't see it being a problem though, these boots still look new. I have not warn them a lot.

[walkinTas]

If you are happy with the fit of your boot, and you are still having trouble with blisters, then the next two things to consider are your socks and how you lace your boots. I prefer a ribbed woollen sock (like this), but each to their own. You can read a bit more about lacing by doing a search of the forums (start here).

[cjhfield]

Once you have a blister you have lost the battle. The Beiersdorf tape is used before you get a blister, before you are even sore - as a preventer. Once the skin layers have separated its going to be painful and the upper layer of dead skin will not magically glue back. So taking the tape just in case wont work.

My suggestion is that if you got a blister last time use it. It is very good used this way,

Chris

[cjhfield]

One last word - dont be deflected by the pharmacist - they will try and sell you a hydrocolloid dressing which is fine after you come home and need to heal a blister but useless at prevention as its too soft. Its gotta be the white zero stretch Beiersdorf strapping tape - Leukoplast. It is used by netball players to prevent sprains. What makes it unique is its strength and incredible grip even in the wet. You need 2 strips running vertically down the back of your heel from well above the blister area and extending down a little under the heel so there is less tendency for the ends to peel off. Be careful not to have any wrinkles. 1 application may last the whole walk but if your feet are very wet it may eventually start to lift and you may have to reapply it.

Chris

[ULWalkingPhil]

i'll get myself a new pair of shoes, even a cheap pair of sand shoes if I have to, as long I get away from those blisters, Once bitten, that's it, not again. I don't intend carting a extra 2kg hanging of my pack again like I did on the Great Walk at Fraser Island. I had to complete the Great Walk wearing my Crocs, and surprise, surprise, they where great. So comfy. I had no problems with Crocs on Fraser Island. I don't think these leather boots of mine will ever work for me. there just to big and to be honest, I kinda feel a bit unstable with them on. I recently been told the boots are 3 sizes to big for me.

[north-north-west]

Boots, unless it's a short walk over dry ground in guaranteed dry conditions - does that ever happen in Tassie?

I've read over and over in here about feet getting wet in boots anyway and it's bull. If you wear shoes, as soon as it starts raining, your feet get wet. If you walk early in the morning after a wet night or a heavy dew, your feet get wet. Cross a creek or a bit of mud, and your feet get wet. And they don't dry out until the sun comes out. Yet I can walk for two weeks in the Snowys, in all conditions, crossing creeks and wading through wet grass and scrub, and my feet are dry in boots. I can spend ten night in the WArthurs, climb Drys Bluff in fog and rain with the creeks running high, wade from one end of the Arthur Plains to the other through half the mud in the Southern Hemisphere, and my feet are dry inside their lovely leather boots.
You can keep your cold, soggy, fall-to-pieces shoes. I'll do most of my walking in boots and have comfy dry feet at the end of every day.

[ULWalkingPhil]

I've replaced my Zamberlan Vioz boots with the Zamberlan Baffin boots, they are one size smaller than the Vioz I had, and are a much better fit, I picked them up at the Gold Coast on my way to Sydney. I had one week to wear them in before a 23km hike with 18kg on my back, followed by a 8km uphill hike the following day. It was suggested I should soak the boots in water than wear them on a short hike and place absorbent paper inside the boots after the walk to help them dry, which is what I done, and wow did it make a difference. The following day I wore the boots and they felt so much more comfy. I than proceeded in wearing the boots everyday for the week while in Sydney prior to my first day hike with my pack of 23km.

Good news, I returned from the hike a couple days ago and on the first day I had no problems with my boots. Feet did get a little sore by the end of the day, which is probably understandable with such a heavy grade boot after only one week of wearing. I'm sure with time they will settle in just fine. On the last day of my walk uphill, I was starting to get blisters on my heels, but I think this is because of the socks I was wearing and it rained all day. I wore thinner socks on the last day, which is probably not a good idea. Next time I'll stick with my Horizon socks, as they didn't cause me any problems the day before on the 23km walk into camp, there was lots of steep climbs on this day as well.

[vagrom]

If you do the South Coast Track or any other salt water work, be sure to give them a good fresh water (repeated) soaking afterwards.

[ILUVSWTAS]

If you do the South Coast Track or any other salt water work, be sure to give them a good fresh water (repeated) soaking afterwards.

Yes.. Good advice! I learnt that the hard way 5 years ago. Killed a newish pair of boots and brand new pair of gaiters!!

[ULWalkingPhil]

Good advice, given that it was raining late just before arriving to camp on the first day and rained most of the 2nd day, and all the deep water we had to walk in from the rain. I gave my boots a good hosing when I got back to Sydney, and left them to dry overnight. I didn't hose the inside out, however I would be surprised if there's any salt on my boots now, I hope not. Do you think I should wash them again? Need to look after these boots, they cost an arm and a leg. Hope to get years use out of them.

[vagrom]

Get some "Shoe Trees" too, the springy things you put inside to stop the boots curling up and/or shrinking as they're drying. From any good boot repair place; best ones European made, as they use them a lot. An excellent investment, if little change from $50 (??). [Nico Schuhspanner; $26 pr. Beaudelles Adel. 8/'98; Not really necessary for Scarpa bricks and similar but great for anything less rigid. And speeds drying while keeping shape.]

Does anyone know if Tassie's bogs are (slightly) acidic rather than neutral ? It made me wonder if repeated exposure also did no good to good leather and might similarly benefit from a post walk wash.
The salt problem of course really applies to leather stuff but it's possible that there's even a little leather, suede or "Nubuck' in quite a few textile combinations.
My Scarpas split at the bendy place of one boot far too early . I drove home from Tassie without realising what was going to happen. But a lot of you locals probably flush yours with repeated, wet walking.

Latest Scarpa SL's are still 840 gms each, so a bog busting kilo on each foot.

[ILUVSWTAS]

But a lot of you locals probably flush yours with repeated, wet walking.

Hehe quite true Vaggers!! just keep em wet

[Greenie]

Maybe these are appropriate footwear for tassie walking? http://hikingboots.com/blog/high-heel-hiking-boots/

[ULWalkingPhil]

What's the best product I can use to help waterproof and maintain my Zamberlan Bafin boots, I thought what I had at home would have worked, but I just checked on the Zamberlan website and the hydrobloc cream I have is not for my new boots, they are fine for the hydrobloc full grain leather, not for hydrobloc Nabuk which my new boots are made of, recommended is a hydrobloc conditioner, I'm in Sydney, will be heading of to the city shortly to purchase, no one here I can find sells any of the hydrobloc products Zamberlan made, What's the best product I can pick up in Sydney?

[north-north-west]

Does anyone know if Tassie's bogs are (slightly) acidic rather than neutral ? It made me wonder if repeated exposure also did no good to good leather and might similarly benefit from a post walk wash.

I'm pretty sure they're a bit acidic. All that tannin. It's probably why gaiters fall to pieces so quickly.
Walking through a few creeks after your walk would help . . .

[corvus]

What's the best product I can use to help waterproof and maintain my Zamberlan Bafin boots, I thought what I had at home would have worked, but I just checked on the Zamberlan website and the hydrobloc cream I have is not for my new boots, they are fine for the hydrobloc full grain leather, not for hydrobloc Nabuk which my new boots are made of, recommended is a hydrobloc conditioner, I'm in Sydney, will be heading of to the city shortly to purchase, no one here I can find sells any of the hydrobloc products Zamberlan made, What's the best product I can pick up in Sydney?

Try this as Nabuk is Italian for Nubuck and I am sure you will find a Kathmandu shop in your area
http://www.kathmandu.com.au/Footwear/Ac ... ofing.html
corvus

[johnw]

Try this as Nabuk is Italian for Nubuck and I am sure you will find a Kathmandu shop in your area
http://www.kathmandu.com.au/Footwear/Ac ... ofing.html
corvus

Cnr Kent and Bathurst Sts in the CBD. Also Paddy Pallin opposite usually have that product, and probably several of the other outdoor shops along the Kent St strip.

[Liamy77]

Out of interest do you good folks have any suggestions for where a basic leather lace-up "ECONOMICAL" boot is available (currently wearin the non-steel-toe blundstone) in Southern Tas - have tried mitre 10 but mostly only have elastic sided or heavy steel caps... trying to keep it below $120 ish but no hurry to buy... cheers.

[corvus]

Out of interest do you good folks have any suggestions for where a basic leather lace-up "ECONOMICAL" boot is available (currently wearin the non-steel-toe blundstone) in Southern Tas - have tried mitre 10 but mostly only have elastic sided or heavy steel caps... trying to keep it below $120 ish but no hurry to buy... cheers.

Allgoods have a range of basic Lace up boots and I think they were around the $115.00 to $135.00 price, Mac was one brand I think.
corvus

[Liamy77]

thanks corvus - ill have a look.... wouldn't mind raiding your store-room one day either btw

[corvus]

You are welcome just added a Scarp2 to my collection as well as a Ti 1lt Pasta pot to go with the new Stoves Fire Maple FMS-100T and FMS-116T but that is it for this year as I have spent all of my part time earnings (I am Retired) and Mrs corvus is starting to add it all up
corvus

[Liamy77]

Ah yes..... Missus Liamy77 has also closed that avenue of pleasure for me too atm
- and i still would like (really need?) to get a nallo 3 and op strezleki!
duck n cover untill she relents i spose. lol