Unfortunately, blisters can form quite easily during athletic activities of all kinds. The basic problem is that your skin is constructed like sedimentary rock - but without any of its toughness. Layers of different types of tissue lie upon each other to form your skin, but these layers can be pulled apart by frictional forces created during activity. It matters not whether the friction is created by the handle of a tennis racket, the oar of a boat, or the inside of a sock or soccer shoe: as the skin layers separate as the result of forces placed on them by external objects, hydrostatic pressure pushes fluid from adjoining tissues into the open spaces between the layers. Cells irritated by the frictional forces and the influx of water send waves of stinging pain to your brain - often to such an extent that the ability to compete may be significantly reduced. Races and tennis matches have been lost because of the sudden appearance of a patch of red-hot, water-laden skin. In these cases, victory goes not necessarily to the fittest - but to the competitor with the toughest skin.

The most obvious reason for blisters is the correct size. You want to reduce friction. If a shoe is too big then you will slide around the inside of the shoe. Back and forth over and over until you develop a blister. If a shoe is to small then you foot is not secure in the shoe (mainly in the back). Again you foot will rub and rub until you get the blister.

So these are the things you can control. Let's now talk about a few of the unlimited scenarios that can cause friction in your shoe. Let’s take my lovely feet again as an example. I've worn a style of shoe from Puma for 4 years and never got a blister when I've had them on. This past Sunday I was wearing my Puma V-Konstrukts that I've had for 6 months and it was raining. The damp weather caused the soft leather to give a bit more during the run of play. My right foot is a tad smaller than my left and because it was wet and soon after very hot and humid I started to get a blister. All because it was wet and my shoe stretched. Who’s to blame on this one? An example takes me back to my glory days. I had early training and I was late. I quickly grabbed a soccer sock, a under sock and my well worn Adidas Copa Mundial shoes. I headed to training put my gear on started to play. Within 15 minutes I got a blister. I thought what is going on? I've had many copas and only got blisters when breaking them in. I took off my boots and socks to see the lovely water filled blister on my heel. I quickly realized that my under socks wear my father's dress socks and they were so thin and silky that my heel was rubbing all over the place. Again, who’s to blame?    

The point is that we encounter many problems with blisters and there is nothing really we can do about it. All we can do is buy a good shoe that fits correctly, a nice pair of socks, blister pads (just in case) and hope for the best. If you have never had blisters then you are one of the lucky few. Please feel free to contact us to find the best shoe and size for you so that you can reduce the chance of a blister ruining your state cup final game!!!