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Hi guys,
I had an idea the other day that I'd like to post for feedback here. It may well have already been thought of, and likewise it may be useless (in which case I look forward to the errors that were not obvious to me being pointed out!)... I'm easy going so let's see what you think

I've heard and read various ideas about toughening up the feet to prevent blisters (such as weeing on them in the shower, rubbing in surgical spirit etc.).
What about regular barefoot walks on the beach? *
The abrasion of the sand/shingle ought to, over time, toughen the skin.

Reason being, I've always done well at load carries (fitness- and endurance-wise), except for the blisters.
I'm also aware that over time feet get used to the boots and socks, but I just wondered if this might help.

Thanks for the input - and look forward to the p***-takes .
Cheers,
ofens

* No, not the romantic kind!

Walking around in your bare feet will help a lot mate.
For example, look at african runners at olympic level. They very, very rarely have stress fractures and problems with their lower limbs when it comes to sport because they spend most of their time knocking about in their bare feet. Where as we live a more cushty life in trainers and soft protection for our feet which is why our athletes tend to surrcombe more to these types of injuries because their feet and muscles just aren't as tough.
Hope that helped. :multi:

Ofens we meet again,

I like your train of thought. and with the further advice i'm going to give it a go.

Hows your application goin??

Recently came off my 12 mile load carry. The skin under my feet is pretty tough from yomping and the miss complains that they are horrible, but still came off with a huge blister under my foot. Then during the rest of the exercise, 2 massively thick layers of skin proceded to peel off from on top of the blister. So it seems tough skin doesnt stop blisters after all

Black maskers works if you have soft feet/skin, just painfull when you pull it off (especially if you have hairy feet)!

Now it could be that the time one spends walking and running around helps toughen the skin on ones feet. When I was a lad you had to walk every where you wanted to go as there was very little transport during the WW2. Now I shudder to think of the miles I marched in the PARA's carrying all sorts of loads but never once did I have a blister nor did I know any one one else that had blisters. Stress fractures and strains were also unheard off and from what we did at times it appears that we climbed like mountain goats carried loads like a donkey. So all I can put this problem down to in the modern army is soft living as youngster.

Thanks for the comments there guys.
Cruicent - did you know that many years ago the 12 mile load carry was one of the Commando tests? Well done for getting through it.

Tab - I've heard and read a lot about how young men were more robust in years gone by. I think a lot of it is down to the nanny-state / wrapped in cotton wool upbringings we have now, children don't toughen up like they used to!
However something must be said for those that do given the soft start they've had.

My dad did his training long before central heating, duvets, hot showers etc. and he thinks that that in his day the day-to-day conditions on camp were much closer to the field, whereas today you have to come from much deeper inside the comfort zone (central heating etc.) so the contrast is much stronger.

Some of the barracks that I was in that during a very cold snap you slept in your full uniform on along with your greatcoat.

Since I posted this I've had a decent Q&A with a couple of specialists in this area.
The concensus is that whilst this would roughen the skin up to some extent, the time you'd have to spend doing ti to get siginificant gains would be better spent on fitness training.

Also, the risk of cutting / stabbing your feet on something sharp, possibly getting infected, and missing training sessions due to such injury, means that this is not a good idea after all.
Thanks for all the sensible discussion above, it's really appreciated.
I like to explore ideas and am happy that this was not one of my better ones, but at least we talked about it!
It's boots on time...

Did not know it was a commando test. Not surprised they took it off though it wasnt the most difficult thing in the world. Heavier yomps have been harder. Dropped off final ex yomp with a dodgy knee. Huntered

I live on the coast and I have spent years walking bare foot in the sea along the sandy section of the beach at low tide with my dogs and as to yet I have not cut my feet at all.

Actualy, there are a lot of beach against blisters products thet you can find at Beach Giraffe, so don't worry, this problems is not so unresolvable as it may seem.