Proper foot care will drive your hunt forward comfortably. Here are some tips to ensure you have happy feet while hunting.
Start Off Right – Get Great Boots
Choosing your hunting boots right is crucial. After all, they’ll impact your foot health in a major way. Just remember that not every boot is suitable for every hunter.
There is a sea of boot manufacturers out there that offer premium options for hunters. But just because a pair of boots are well made doesn’t mean they will suit you. Above all, the right boots for you should fit properly and be comfortable. If they aren’t comfortable at home or in the store, they sure won’t be comfortable in the field. Try on plenty of different pairs (and keep them on for longer than a minute) to be sure you find the right ones for you.
Don’t Forget Quality Socks
Choosing the right socks is another important aspect of boot fitting. Thicker socks aren’t always better, as a sock that’s too tight can create too much internal compression and limit circulation. So try on different sock thicknesses with your boot to see which will fit best.
And do not wear cotton socks. A good pair of wool socks are what you need. They can keep your feet warm without feeling bulky, will wick away moisture, and allow your feet to stay dry. Dry feet will help keep blisters from forming and keep your feet warm when you stop to glass. Always pack a pair of backup socks in your pack to change into if your feet do get wet.
Break in Your Boots
Breaking in your boots early is probably the biggest key to ensuring you have happy feet while hunting. After trying on a bunch of boots, you’ll eventually find your comfy pair that fit well. Breaking them in, though, will allow the materials to stretch out and make a more comfortable bed for your feet. It can also help build calluses in places where you might need them, which will prevent pain later on.
To break them in, throw on a pair of socks you plan to wear hunting and do a lot of walking and hiking. Start slow, keep track of your miles and how the comfort level is as time goes on. Ramp up mileage and degree of incline as the boots break in. This process will help ensure you break your boots in properly and keep your feet from hurting.
Managing Foot Care Before Your Hunt
There is some pre-hunt foot care you can do to ensure your feet are in good shape. Job number one is to properly trim your toenails. If you don’t do nail care before your hunt, you’ll be in for a very bad time. Nails that are too long can be pressured from the end of the toe box area of the boot, resulting in pressure on the nail beds and increasing the potential for pain and loosening toenails. Long toenails can also cut your toes up, which causes pain and discomfort as well. So, before you hunt, trim your toenails. Just remember to avoid trimming big toenails too short at the corners, as this can increase the chances of getting an ingrown toenail.
If you know you’re prone to blisters, using preventative tape on your feet in your common blister areas will allow your feet to stay in good shape.
Foot Care in the Field
While preparation can help prevent issues, they can still happen in the field. You’ll want to be prepared to address them when they do come up.
If you’re hunting and feel a hot spot form, it’s imperative to take care of it immediately. A hot spot is an early indication that a blister is forming, and if you allow it to form, your feet will suffer. It only takes a minute or two to fix the hot spot and get back on your way to hunting. All you need is a blister pad or some moleskin. Precutting some and keeping them in your pack will allow this process to go even quicker if a hot spot pops up. Remove your boot and sock, pop a moleskin on, and you can be on your merry way.
And remember to give your feet some rest. Elevate and air them out when you can. Even these basic foot care things can help ensure your feet are good to go your entire hunt.
Come on a guided hunt with us – we’ll show you what you’ve been missing.
Ready to Go Hunting?
Treat your feet right with these foot care tips, and they’ll treat you right on your hunt.
If you’re looking to hunt elk or mule deer with professional guides in the mountains of Southwest Colorado, we’d love to be an option you consider. At Soap Mesa Outfitters, we offer quality guided hunts on our 3500-acre private ranch that overlooks Blue Mesa Reservoir. Not to mention, we also have a National Forest Permit, which provides an additional 8000+ acres with utter seclusion due to its limited access. Let us show you what you’ve been missing.
