Don't pop that blister.

Generally, you want to leave the blister intact and cover it. Popping it opens a door for infection and slows healing. On a multi-day trip, an infected blister is a real problem.

Hot spots are your early warning system. The second you feel one, stop and deal with it. A strip of leukotape or moleskin over the spot (dry skin, no lube under the tape) usually stops it from becoming a blister. I prefer leukotape – it stays on for days through sweat and river crossings.

If the blister is already there and painful, here’s what works: clean the area, drain it with a sterile needle (puncture at the edge, not the center) so the roof stays intact, then cover with a hydrocolloid blister patch or plain moleskin cut in a donut shape. This takes pressure off and lets the skin underneath reattach. Change it only if it gets wet or dirty.

For really big or burst blisters, clean with mild soap or water, apply antibiotic ointment (sparingly), and cover with a non-stick pad and tape. Let it air out at night if you can.

The only thing worse than a blister is treating it wrong.

Your feet are carrying you the whole way –