Soap

Strong soap to wash feet bacteria after a day of walking

Clean all foot blisters out to avoid infection and wash under running water

Cut soap in 2 and keep a piece spare in the bottom of ruck sack.

Gaiters

Great if walking over scree slopes or really muddy areas as they cover the area of leg under the knee. They are essential for crossing snow with snowshoes to stop snow going down into the boot and freezing feet inside a boot.

Hook under the ankle with a strap and fasten at the front. Some also have an elasticated band that goes around the leg to hold the gaiter in place.

If they fall down the leg add an extra elastic strap to the shin area with a toggle to hold in place.

Insole

Angular insoles tip the foot towards the front of the boot which can be useful for winter walking and in a stiffer mountaineering boot.

Boot too big? If a boot too big then a walking boot insole can help or especially when too baggy or stretched.

Even a cheap budget insolve can offer extra padding under the sole of the foot and can be cheaper than a technical walking sock. An insole supports the sole of the foot. An insole supports the ankle. The insole supports the entire body and weight of a rucksack.

Talc

Talc powder can prevent dampness between the toes, absorb dampness, dry out wet skin, and prevent trench foot on longer hikes.

Hot feet? Athletes foot? Odour feet? Fungi feet?

Talc dries feet out when resting and whilst exercising. Great in summer. There are also anti athletes foot talc available in chemists that prevent the arrival or any foot fungi or foot bacteria that like dampness in summer time. Talc with tea tree oil added can offer antiseptic qualities.

Nail polish

Colour fun

Best to avoid nail polish on all fingers in case you need to do peripheral saturation O2 saturation tests of the blood which requires one finger to be nail polish free (middle finger).

Which colour do you like? Colourful feet do not interfere with the equipment for measuring O2 saturation in the blood but fingers do, is one of your fingers nail polish free?