Walking Boots Comfort Question.

[ohmymimi]

OK, all you experienced walkers/hikers, I'd be grateful for some advice. I'm off on a wildlife watching holiday on Vancouver Island Sept. 2015. I have bought some lightweight, waterproof walking boots, which fit well and are very comfortable on the foot, but I'm worried they may rub around my ankles, where they feel a little stiff and uncomfortable. Will this stiffness ease if I wear them in? Would blister prevention socks help?

Yes wear them in!

Hey Will do!

Certainly wear them in for weeks beforehand, but also make sure you take a whole pile of blister plasters, bandages, pressure pads, foot gels, etc along with you. And yes to wearing good quality walking socks. We were on a week-long hike last week and despite both wearing comfortable boots that were years old, we both got blisters - luckily we had a good stock of plasters to stop it from becoming unbearable.

Thanks Arch - I'll add the plasters etc to my first aid kit list.

You lucky lucky thing

Yes definitely wear them in and I would also take thin bandage or the type of strapping tape climbers use on their fingers (forget its name) so if your ankles get tender you can wrap something round them.

Perhaps if its mainly your ankles you are concerned about, you could try thin leg warmers as an extra protective layer, without bulking out your feet more.

What wildlife do you hope to see? Feed me! ( going to vancouver island is a big dream of mine....!)

Wear them in and double sock, if it's not boiling hot.

Wear them in. Double sock or bandage and make sure you pack proper blister plasters. Sounds a great holiday BTW :)

Compeed plasters are very good for blisters. Available in supermarkets. Enjoy!

Lots of good advice. Thanks so much, everyone.
That I've been before as a lone traveler and loved it. But I'm with a small guided group this time and there will be a lot of walking. Hoping to see Orca, Grey Whales, Sea Otters, Sealions, Dolphins, Black Bears, Grizzlies on the Salmon run ( on trip to BC mainland), Eagles and Wolves. The most exhilarating experience of my last trip was 2 Bald Headed Eagles
sweeping by at eye level, almost within touching distance - really did take my breath away, as
did meeting a Black Bear and her cub on a woodland walk! Hope you get the chance to visit.

Wow.Just wow, ohmy.

Hope you have a fantastic time!

I hope so too, That's, blisters allowing!

Rogue apostrophe - watch out for ninja pedants.

Wow that sounds amazing!

Do you know about wearing 2 pairs of socks? A thin pair under your thick walking socks makes it much more comfortable. Also dh is prone to blisters and sometimes puts tape on his feet before setting out.

Good socks are essential and sea otters are mega cute, I saw one in Calofornia.

Again, thanks for all the helpful suggestions. I will be experimenting - I've got plenty of time 'til the off.

Some hiking boots you don't have to wear in. I have Keens and from the very first time I wore them they were so comfortable.