Anonymous wrote:Yes, it's the socks that make a difference. I have sensitive feet, that blister with even the slightest friction.

Now I only wear Feetures. They are amazing, have a life time guarantee and worth every penny (look for sales and discount codes).

In addition I prefer Brooks Ghost or Glycerin line of shoes.

I'm the one who did the One Day Hike - I wore Brooks Ghost. I got them at REI - the people there helped me pick out a pair. I wore thin Smartwool socks. Brought extras to change out if I wanted but didn't end up using them.

When I did a breast cancer walk I switched out my socks a couple of times during the day at the breaks (I just had one extra pair and alternated). I have sweaty feet and having dry socks helped. No blisters.

Go to a running store and ask them what to get

Yes, it's the socks that make a difference. I have sensitive feet, that blister with even the slightest friction.

Now I only wear Feetures. They are amazing, have a life time guarantee and worth every penny (look for sales and discount codes).

In addition I prefer Brooks Ghost or Glycerin line of shoes.

I use running shoes.i like NB with wide toe box. Double layer socks like Wrightsocks make the difference. No blisters ever.

Anonymous wrote:Sorry I reread and see you did train…what did that entail? I’d love to do this!

OP here. I probably didn't train purposefully enough, but I tend to walk a lot just in the natural course of my day, and I did at least one 17 mile day, and a few 12-14 mile-days in the months leading up to it. Plus a lot of shorter (5 mile) walk days.

Sorry I reread and see you did train…what did that entail? I’d love to do this!

This sounds awesome! I walk every day, but did you train for it?

I've wanted to do the Cotswalds Way for years. It takes 5-10 days, depending on how much you stop to explore villages.

https://explorethecotswolds.com/walking-the-cotswold-way/

Also, since we're talking about long walks/hikes, here's the link to the Hike Across Maryland (41 miles):

https://www.mcomd.org/the-hike-across-maryland-is-open-for-non-member-registration/

OP here. Yes, walking, not running. I am a former runner and naively assumed running shoes would do the trick, but maybe i need to look more carefully at walking shoes. I wore bombas wool socks.

To PP who mentioned the One Day Hike in DC -- thank you! I hadn't heard of it, but I will check it out.

If anyone is interested in the Great Saunter, here's the link: https://shorewalkers.org/great-saunter/

Entry is in February and this year it filled up in 3 days, so sign up early if you want to do it!

What were you wearing for socks? I find that socks can really make a difference. I like wrightsocks or smartwool.

Oh wow that sounds amazing! I want to do it!!

I did the One Day Hike in DC about a decade ago - 50k in one day - wearing Brooks trail runners. I got them a half size bigger than usual, wore thin wool socks, and preemptively put moleskin on the back of my heels and spots on my feet where I thought I might get blisters. With that, didn't get a single one! I'd broken them in pretty well before the hike.

Since you're walking Manhattan, not going on a woodsy hike, could you find a spot to swap out your shoes next time? I think having different shoes could help your feet, in addition to all that other stuff.

So you were walking, not running? Did you consider looking for walking shoes? There are some On Clouds made for walking.

I did the Great Saunter this weekend in New York. It's 32-mile walk around the perimeter of Manhattan. I trained for it, but I still wound up with some crazy blisters once the miles hit 20+. If I do this again next year, are there better shoes to wear (I was wearing Brooks running shoes), or is a 32-mile walk inevitably going to result in blistered feet? If you have found magic shoes, please share!