Never had this problem before with various boots, but with this pair (Meindl Borneo’s) it’s really bad – severe blistering where the Achilles’ tendon joins the heel, on both feet. The problem only manifests itself walking uphill – on the flat is fine, there are no issues, but after just a few minutes walking uphill it’s hell. They’re not new either, I’ve persevered with them for over a year and this hasn’t improved. They felt good in the shop and round the house, but even just five minutes into a walk the problems start. I’ve tried lacing loose and lacing tight but it makes no difference. I can feel my heel lifting a little but this has always been the case with previous boots. Apart from putting plasters, zinc oxide tape or Compeed on my heels before I go what else can I try? Is there some sort of insert or insole that might help?

Doe the boots have the eyelets that lock the laces halfway up? If so. try tightening the lower laces tighter and the top looser. Pulls your foot down and back, whilst letting the top move a bit more.

Could try a volume reducer. Basically just a thin foam insole that lifts your foot slightly to remove the empty space in the boot.

It may just be that they are the wrong boots for your feet. Might just be time to accept that you need to get new ones if you cant get them to work.

the socks you wear can make a difference, 2 pairs of thin or 1 pair thick?
I`d be tempted to sell them on and get some new ones, did you try loads of pairs?

No, they’re just hooks from the fourth ones up to the top.

Any suggestions for insoles?

Have you tried a pair of these? Might suit your foot shape better.

I tend to wear one pair of medium thickness merino socks.

I didn’t try others when I bought these, I wanted leather without gore-tex and these were about the only ones that fit that criteria. (These aren’t my first pair of walking boots, probably fifth or sixth).

I find those a bit sketchy on narrow ledges perchypanther

find those a bit sketchy on narrow ledges perchypanther

Increased grip with opposable thumbs Shirley? 😀

Flog ’em and move on.

I persevered for years with similar problems, trying various makes of boots, before “discovering” that my feet are Salomon shaped. Scarpa, Meindl and others are just the wrong shape for my feet so I can never get a good fit.

I get similar issues with some boots; are your heels comparatively narrow?

As said above, there’s no real cure; if you can’t tighten the boots enough to stop the movement, then they will rub and cause blisters. It will always be worse going uphill because the front of your shin leans against the top of the boot and levers the back of your heel up.

I have the same boots and they’re the comfiest pair of walking boots I’ve had. I think you may have gone too big in size as they have memory foam in them which gives and moulds to your feet when it’s warmed up. Testing them in the shop when they haven’t had time to warm up may not have allowed for this to happen.

Problem with trying boots on is that this type of problem doesnt manifest itself until you use them in anger. They can feel like gloves until your first long day in the wet!

You can buy volume reducers pretty cheaply (£2-3), such as: http://www.rutlandcycling.com/107103/products/healthy-step-3mm-volume-reducers.aspx?origin=pla&kwd=&currency=GBP&gclid=CjwKEAiAluG1BRDrvsqCtYWk81gSJACZ2BCeDSOzarXHBmsEJ1u26heCrWSVqZXr_7fgSSqYLehF4RoCBJbw_wcB

Pop them under the existing insole. Also, when you lace your boots, try to ensure your heel is fully “in” the back of the boot before lacing. Reasonably tight is generally better as you are trying to remove unwanted movement.

If the insole doesn’t work then it might be new boots time.

You can try adding a volume adjuster under the heel of the insole to raise your heel slightly into the narrower part of the heel section of the boot which may stop it lifting, but it may – as above – simply be that the Meindl last doesn’t suit your foot shape in which case you’re onto a loser.

They’re quite stiff-soled boots as well which won’t really help. I’d be tempted to try a bunch of different brands to see what fits. If you have a narrow-ish heel, the likes of Aku, La Sportiva, TNF’s Verbera stuff, maybe Zamberlan or Asolo could fit you better. Or Alt Berg does stiffish boots with a choice of fits, have a look at their A Forme last for example.

Try 1000 mile socks. Must have covered hundreds (not quite a thousand yet) miles in them and they solved my ‘second/third day in crap conditions’ blister problem.
They do get a bit warm, mind.

But then if there is a problem with boot fit, as mentioned above, then no socks will stop it happening.

Sounds like they’re not great for your foot shape. It’s well worth getting fitted properly by a shop that will recommend boots for your shape of foot.

However:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/superfeet-green-insoles/

A well respected local outdoor shop highly recommends these. I think they’ll sell them to you, and take a return on them if you’re not happy with them – not bad considering most people need to cut them down to fit.

I struggle with blisters too – always have, something to do with having narrow feet. However, a couple of years back I did the three peaks (plus training) with no blisters by doing the following:

1. Lace up the bottom of the boots tight to prevent your heel lifting as much. You can put in a lock knot half way up to keep this tight and then have the top looser for comfort – made a massive difference for me. Google Heel Lock lacing.

2. Cover your heels in vaseline or specialist anti blister lube before setting off. It keeps any water / sweat in your socks from softening your skin. I use lots of vaseline before I go and top up with a blister lube on the trail if I feel hot spots.

3. Take two pairs of socks and alternate if you start to feel hot spots. Hang the others on your backpack to dry when not being used.

4. 1000 mile socks (with a second internal layer) seem to remove the friction from heel lift. Some people find them too warm, but they made a real difference for me.

5. Give your feet a tidy up – bits of hard or tough skin on the heel will catch and generate more blisters. Smooth healthy skin is better.

Compeed are great if the worst happens, but once you have a blister it’s too late. And they make a mess of your socks eventually.

Meindl have digafix lacing. Tie the bottom section so they are comfy, then kick down with your heel to get it into the back of the boot. Lace the two hooks on the tabs next, this draws the heel down and back, so get them tight, then lace the top three hooks, making sure the second or third crossover goes under the hook on the tongue to draw that up and keep it in place. The memory foam ankles mean you can tie the ankles reasonably tight to ensure no movement.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I’ll try a volume reducing/heel lift insole and heel lock lacing to start with.

Best thing is to saturate them inside and out get them properly squelchy then dry them out on your feet while walking. Works every time

I’ve had this problem in the past. For me, the only thing that really made a difference was boot size. For a given brand I go up 1 to 1.5 sizes compared to what I wear in trail shoe. I’ve found boots this size to be just as supportive, and comfortable, just no more blisters on back of heel. I don’t do them up too tightly. Works for me. I make sure I can easily get a finger between heel and back of boot.

Secondary solution is socks. Bridgedale work for me, the thickest version they do (summit?) for long walks. More important though is to get rid as soon as they see any wear at the heel. Brigedale are good for longevity, smartwool wear very quickly.

Tertiary solution is to use that compeed chapstick stuff. Can help, but doesn’t stop blisters if the boots are not the right size.

Another thing I found…If the heel blisters and you keep using the same boots, the skin doesn’t heal properly and the weak skin is prone to blistering again.

My feet are Salomon shaped. 1000 mile socks did not work for me (quickly blistered).

Try 1000 mile socks.

+1. Had a constant blister problem in my latest pair of Lowa boots and switching to these worked a treat.

For the record: I tried 1000 mile socks for running and they were really uncomfortable and a waste of money. IMO you are better off with a decent pair of merino hiking socks.

BadlyWiredDog – Member

it may – as above – simply be that the Meindl last doesn’t suit your foot shape in which case you’re onto a loser.

They’re quite stiff-soled boots as well which won’t really help. ^This.

Good point about sole stiffness. if you don’t actually need it (i.e. for crampons or for very tough, challenging walking/scrambling/mountaineering) sole rigidity will reduce comfort. Boots for more general rambling and walking have much bendier soles.

For daily dog walking I either use trail running shoes or wellies, depending on where I’m going. For longer walks up the hills where it can be really boggy or muddy then decent boots are my preference. These are a lot less stiff than my B2 boots.

Maybe they just don’t suit my foot shape, which is frustrating because I wore them extensively indoors before going out in them, but there we go, this issue only occurs walking uphill so no wonder it never showed up.

I’ll see if I can resolve it without having to resort to buying new boots first though. Got a walking holiday in Yorkshire in April so would like to have it sorted by then, although worst case scenario is that I have to use Compeed!

As a plan B how about these from Decathlon. Not for you if you have very wide feet but as you say your heel is lifting. Madame has had lots of them over the years walking to Compostelle a couple of times with no blisters. I’ve got the non-waterproof version, they required no breaking in.

At that price they’re worth a punt, out of stock in my size just now but I’ll keep an eye on them, cheers.