Wear two layers of sox. I always wear a pair of knee high hose and a pair of thin black trouser socks over them. Somehow the two layers keeps you from getting blisters. Also, do not walk when your sox are wet. If they get wet, change them or you'll get blisters.<BR><BR>I am really happy with Wulky shoes. They are not horribly expensive, but they are worth their weight in gold. I have found the secret to keeping my feet from getting sore is to wear a shoe you can lace up or velcro strap over your instep for support. It really makes a big difference when walking alot - like for two weeks in Paris! <BR><BR>One other thing - get a room with a tub. After walking all day- come back to the room and take a really hot hot bath and soak those tired toes. Have some good red wine. Then massage your feet and put them up a little while. Take a 15 minute nap if you can. <BR><BR>You'll be ready for a night out- and more walking. I also have had good luck with Aerosoles shoes for a second dressier pair - for wearing with skirts.

Good shoes, soft dry socks that fit well.I live in NY and walk all the time, so maybe my feet have adjusted,but never had to do anything special for trips to Europe...except watch out for the cobblestones with shoes that have wedge type soles,ankles twist easily!

If you know where you usually get blisters, or as soon as you notice that a spot starts to feel sore, apply a small piece of sticky bandage or paper tape directly on that skin. Not a Band-aid. Thin felt-backed plaster would also help. This will prevent the shoe from rubbing directly on the skin.

I will add the advice to have more than one pair of walking shoes, however comfortable and sturdy they are. Sometimes after a hard day of sightseeing you can develop a blister or ache from shoes that are normally quite comfortable simply because your feet have swelled. Wearing a different pair of shoes the next day will let your sore heal (and let the shoes dry/air out), and the alternate shoes are not likely to rub or pinch in the same spot.<BR>I agree that extra dry socks are very helpful.

I have used a great product by Dr. Scholl's, very appropriately called "Blister Buster". It prevents blisters because it's like a piece of rubber that you cut to your own need and has an adhesive that goes on your skin. It works because it provides a great buffer between where your skin might rub. Any good pharmacy or CVS type store should have it or something like it.<BR><BR>I've also found that switching shoes at least from daytime to evening helps-there's no way I could put on the same shoes after walking all day, and sometimes it helps to wear a different pair the next day.

I have very sensitive feet. I cannot wear cheaply made shoes with little suppport. I like Born, and they can be nice looking too.<BR><BR>I have found that a long day of concrete/pavement, city walking, leaves my feet feeling bruised and burned feeling--almost like a friction/rug burn. <BR><BR>I have discovered that I need to carry an extra pair of shoes in my day bag and change half-way thru. I can go from my most confortable pair of shoes to my least, and still be more comfortable than if I wore my most comfortable pair ALL day!<BR><BR>Also, try some cushioned socks that breathe well. Just try them out before you leave, because the cushioned socks can increase your shoe size.

Moleskin is what hikers use to ward off blisters. Dr. Scholes charges a lot more for the same thing. Ask in a camping or outdoors store for molekin. Cut a piece larger than your blister-to-be, then cut out the middle of the piece (the cut out part should be the same size as your blister). Place this on your foot.<BR><BR>Also, Vaseline works great. Blister occur because of friction, and Vaseline greatly reduces the friction.

Under its own label, Target stores sell a creamy type of petroleum jelly. It costs $1.74/tube (U.S.) and is great for reducing friction and softening heels.<BR>

Have you tried Thorlos socks? They have extra padding at the heel and at the ball of your foot to protect against blisters. I walk and play tennis in them.<BR><BR>http://www.thorlo.com

Band Aid makes a product called Blister Blockers (or something close to that) They have worked well for me and adhere to your skin well.

#1..buy good quality shoes.<BR><BR>#2..MAKE SURE THEY FIT WELL!!!!<BR><BR>#3..Make sure they are well broken in prior to your trip.<BR><BR>#2 above is really important, especially for women. Women tend to buy with their head in mind, rather than their feet.<BR><BR>Shoedog

Another foot tip...spray your feet in the morning before heading out with an aerosol anti-perspirant spray...

Do any of you know if these remedies also work for swollen feet and ankles? My wife and I were in Italy for 2 weeks last month and by the time we left, she had quite a few blisters and her ankles and feet were swollen until they looked like the skin would split.

Mike Miller,<BR>Your wife needs to rest her feet a bit more often, & some of the treatments here will help her. She may want to have her blood pressure checked, as folks with higher pressures tend to have the swollen ankle problem more often than folks with low or normal blood pressure. Also, she needs to watch her sodium intake. Salty or highly seasoned foods will make her body retain water, which can contribute to swollen ankles. When your wife stops to rest those tootsies, she should, if possible, elevate her feet, even if just a bit. Also drinking tea, coffee, and/or orange juice may help alleviate the problem to some degree, as these beverages have some dehydrative properties.

I have found that cushioned socks have changed my life! Sometimes known as athletic socks, almost every store that sells socks offers a version (Hudson's, Kohl's, Mervyn's). They provide extra cushion in the toe, heel and ball. And they come in black, thank goodness!

Good shoes and boots don't need to be broken in. They should feel and fit well right away. Any shoe that needs to be broken in is a bad shoe.

Ann,<BR><BR>Have you ever heard of Birkenstocks?<BR><BR>Sorry Ann, 20+ years in the shoe business proves otherwise. Shoes have to loosen and form to your foot. The soles need to flex in so the heel doesn't slip. Doesn't take long with good shoes.<BR><BR>I would hate very much to take any shoe out of the box new, and spend all day walking. <BR><BR>Good luck, Ann<BR><BR>Shoedog

I have a lot of foot problems, and spend too much time with too many podiatrists, and they've all told me that you should never ever buy a shoe that has to be broken in. I think my doctor's combined 45 years of experience beat your 20 years selling shoes.<BR><BR>The most comfortable shoes I've ever put on are my Nike running shoes (real running shoes--not the ones you buy at Sports Authority). I often buy a new pair the night before I run a 10K, and have never had a problem.<BR><BR>And I often buy a new pair of Eccos (if I can find any that don't look like old lady shoes) before I go on trips where I'll be walking a lot. No blisters at all, since I started buying good shoes.

Ann,<BR><BR>I thought we were talking about shoes, not things like Nike and Reebok. I've had a lot of Podiatrists as customers over the year. They know feet. I know shoes.<BR><BR>Going to a Podiatrist for most people is like going to marriage counselling.......Too Late!<BR><BR>shoedog

oh shoedog-stop picking on ann.<BR>the whole thing is personal and and obviously just a difference of opinion.<BR>leave it alone.<BR><BR>personally, i, too, have heard that good shoes should not require breaking in, on the other hand, i own several pairs of birks and know that they are the exception. perhaps you are both a little right on this.