Posted: 11/30/2007 5:46:03 AM EDT
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I thought this might be the right place to post this question. As I prepare to got to MOSQ and also my Unit does ruck Marches on Drill Weekends I wanted to get some advice. I have been doing some marches (3-5 miles) on my own with a 45=50 pound pack (I weigh it) at a good base about a 15-17 minute mile. Now I don't have a problem with the ruck or the distance But I keep getting blisters on the backs of my heels. I do a ruck march 2x a week with a few days in between for healing (fortunately the blisters don't affect my running) So I am looking for suggestions to get past this. I thought of using some silk type socks (thin) under my smart wool socks. My last resort is use moleskin over the blister, I say last resort because I really want the skin to build up there and not just mask the problem. So is this just a matter of keep doing it and it will eventually build a callous? Just walking in the boots in everyday work and such doesn't do anything it just long walks in the woods with nature and my ruck 
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If you're training on your own now, I'd suck it up and take the blisters. That way, your feet should be tougher when it's time to do it for real. To prevent the blisters, try some of those little footies that shoe stores give out for trying on shoes. Yes, technically they are made of pantyhose material. If it's stupid but it works, it's not stupid. Also, change your socks at every opportunity. Wet socks are hell on feet. Put moleskin on hot spots before the blister forms. If it gets really bad and moleskin isn't working, I've resorted to a strip of green 90mph tape around the back of the heel. |
More good ideas!! |
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- Make absolutely certain that your boots fit right. I wore the wrong size boot for a while and once I was fitted properly the problem more or less fixed itself. - I remember some people putting moleskin on the areas of their feet that were prone to blistering before going on a ruck march because the moleskin would rub instead of the real skin. - The pantyhose thing was pretty common. - Two pairs of socks. When I did my 12 miler for Air Assault I finished with a blister on the back of my heel the size of a small tomato. Had to go to sick call the next day to have it drained. It was gnarly. Partly because I ran the majority of the march. Here's some stuff I found Googling:
- Blister prevention - BlisterShield I never used this but I figured it was worth throwing up. - Advice forum: I don't know if it's been mentioned but I remember hearing about a guy whose sole was largely calloused and he did a march and when he pulled his foot out of his boot the callous stayed in... so "toughening" your feet might not be the best route to go. That may be one of those Military Urban Legends but it sounded gross enough that I'd avoid it. |
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man you guys are great...thanks for all the information to help this old guy transition tot he army I liked this idea...don't know if I would ever do it, but I have never heard of it
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That worked for me with a pair of desert boots that cut into the tops of my feet. You should be walking around the house for that two hours, though. Not ruck marching. |
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wipe the affected area of your heel with vaseline before you ruck up. It will help, some. Make sure your boots are sized right and well broken in. I always preferred green jungle boots with waffle soles for rucking. I guess those are out of the question, now. Also, try relacing your boots. I skipped a hole around the instep (i think that's what that part of your foot is called), where your shin ends and the forward pointed part of your foot starts. I I I I___ <--- IvvvvI o o \/ /\ o o \/ /\ o o I I <- skip a hole here, run the laces straight instead of X'd o o \/ /\ o o Showering with new boots really helps. Forgive my ASCII blasphemy. |
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Some good advice from all above. Another trick I've used involves the 2 pairs of socks idea, but reversed. I wear my normal boot socks inside out--rough side towards the skin, and then wear very thin socks over top of them. The general idea to this, is the rough outside of your normal socks will stick to your skin when inside out. Then the only rubbing will be between the thin socks and the thick socks. This is only for training, I wouldn't do anything like this in the field. Since I tend to go through long periods of time not doing roadmarches, and then just jump into ruck running, roadmarching, etc this helps me. For blisters, the New Skin spray bandage is GREAT at healing open blisters. It does sting a bit though.  ETA: You obviously know how to stay in shape, and your choice of weight is up to you, but you might want to try knocking it down to 35 lbs at least once a week. |
thanks FDC, but why 35 pounds... Whats a fully loaded Infantry Rifleman going to be loaded out with... Might seem strange but I like to prepare (sometimes over) for what I am getting into. My last hunting trip (read in deer hunting, NOOB thread) I carried my AR10 and a 25 pound ruck around for about 4 hours a day hiking through all kinds of junk. One thing struck me while typing this though that I think I have forgotten. Boot size, since switching to smart wool socks and the like my boots are a bit tighter...so maybe I need to go up a size... |
35 is a standard check the block training weight in most units. That's why it stuck with me. It's also an easily manageble load to train distance with. You'll generally carry much more in the field. Training heavy will obviously help you carry heavy  . If you go light, you'll have less of a chance of wearing something out while you add some decent distance as well.If your broken in boots don't work with your favorite socks, you might have something. |
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Water break in of boots is a great tool. I prefer several sessions before I consider them broken in enough to go humping around the world with though. Never really had blisters rucking, but I get some pretty good ones after long runs. I also chafe pretty good, so I bought this shit called "Body Glide" from the local running store. Quite a few long distance runners and triathelete's use it to keep from chafing. Then one day I look at the container, and it says "Great on feet too". So I gave it a shot on my next half marathon. I'll be damned. It works wonders. I have not had a blister since. It comes in a stick deodorant type container. Costs about $10, and worth every penny. |
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Never wear socks that will slip down from the fully extended position on your legs, this will create friction in your boot and blister them profusely. Also if you have an area that is prone to blistering/rubbing raw then use athletic tape and tape that area up. Worked for me on every ruck march, athletic tape is a godsend. |
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Like previously stated I always just broke in my boots by getting them wet and walking around in them. Also, if I know I am going to be walking or running in my boots a lot I use moleskin before I even start. I know I get blisters in certain areas all the time so I go ahead and put moleskin on before hand. |
1) The sock liners make it worse... 2) Use foot powder.... 3) Moleskin works and DOES allow a callous to build - the key is to use 2 pieces - cut a 'patch' out of the first one to leave the blister exposed to air, and then put the 2nd over the first to 'cover' the blister.... 4) No matter how much speed-walking may suck, DO NOT RUN on a ruck march... |
| I can't say enough good about moleskin. Be careful with the foot powder if you're using Gore-tex boots, the powder will clog the Gore-tex. I've never used the boot dunk for break in, but if the boot is unlined it can't hurt. Your feet will tough up after repeated ruck marches so don't get to worried about a few blisters at the beginning. |
That is what I did when I was in the Military, change both sets of socks EVERY chance you get and powder the hell out of your feet. When you take 5 and everyone else is eating or smoking change socks then tie the used ones to your ruck to dry out. You can eat while marching. |
| Only time I got blisters was with poorly fitted boots, I only wear one pair of socks with baby powder in good boots. The old basic leathers were the way to go when we could wear them and I still use them when I ruck on weekends. Ive heard of people using pantyhose and dress socks but Ive never used either with regular boot socks. |
Roll the tops of your socks down around the tops of your boots, then blouse your trousers between the boot tops and the rolled edge of the sock. This will keep ypur socks from slipping down into your boots, and it helps keep bugs out. |
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I've probably tried everything, the one thing I hated most was ruck marching, heres my .02 silk style socks=not bad, but actually made small hotspots worse-that friction can help sometimes moleskin=ok for a while but will come off by mile 8 and you will wish your dad had pulled out full on pantyhose=same problem as with silk socks, but added bonus of reducing road rash, but negative is that you get real bad moss & sauce, and you're wearing pantyhose. I've had great luck with 100mph tape over my hotspots, and tight, but well broken in boots-after that its time to suck it up and drive on. good luck! |
35lbs is the 'Army Standard' ruck-march weight for training, etc... |