AT Boot Lacer — and Anti Blister List

The backcountry skiing anti blister list (see comments for details):

– Double socks (two thin ones, theory is you get some friction between the socks instead of on your skin).
– Or, double socks using one super thin under a medium weight.
– Use athletes foot cream on blister area once a day (helps callus buildup).
– Use laceup liners or add-on laces (see below).
– Duct tape over problem areas, BEFORE BLISTERS HAPPEN.
– Pre-tape with athletic tape, similar to taping for sprained ankle.
– To make tape stick, clean area with alcohol wipes, possibly heat tape or warm to body temperature.
– Compeed (Band-Aid) blister cushions (best used for prevention, but possibly helpful to protect blister.
– Sport Slick or Body Glide lubricant applied to problem areas on feet. Zinc Oxide said to be generic version of this stuff.
– Foot powder such as 2toms Blister Shield. Used for prevention.
– Spyroflex pads.
– Change boot brand.
– Layer duct tape over 2nd Skin and perhaps Moleskin.
– Hydropel & Leukotape.

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Thanks for WildSnow commenter Christian for bringing this up. I’m definitely in the club: that special group skiing the backcountry who’s heels move up and down and up and down inside their non-lace boot liners. Blisters, worn out liners interiors — the price is heavy. Hence, I wasn’t surprised to see an item available overseas that adds a pullover lace system to any AT randonnee boot liner. But sadly, it seems this device is hard to get as it’s not imported to North America. Yet, wait, what’s that I saw on that basketball player’s foot? A laceup ankle brace? Hmmmm…

Sports Authority rando boot lace device. Otherwise known as an ankle brace.

Sports Authority to the rescue. McDavid Ultralite Laced Ankle brace. Buy a large size, cut the straps off, slip over the boot liner, tighten the laces and there. A bit pricy in my opinion for $32.99, but how much are the inside of your boot liners worth? And how much is intact skin worth? I’ll definitely give this a go. To finish the mod, I’ll remove the velcro on both sides and perhaps cut it shorter at the top. Question is what the small amount of added thickness will do to my boot fit. Testing at home, the brace added a pleasant firmness to the ankle fit of my boots, and the bracing action definitely adds beef. Field testing will commence. If you’ve got blister problems or tend to wear out the insides of your liners in the heel area, a solution like this is worth playing around with for backcountry skiing.

Laceup liners perhaps do the same thing. But this method of using add-on laces strongly cinches the boot down on your foot and feels quite nice.

Commenters, fire away!