Taking proper care of your feet is arguably the most important job of a conscientious hiker. Blisters or sore feet may drive you to pack it in and go home.Easy to preach, hard to practice.

It's important to stop walking and IMMEDIATELY attend to the first sign of a sore spot. Friction causes blisters, so it is critical to find and remove the cause, which may be a tiny speck of grit or a rough sock seam. Often the cause isn't obvious, and you just have to hope that covering the area, to prevent further rubbing, will solve the problem. Failure to do this may result in a blister.

All too often I ignore warning signs, telling myself that I''ll have a look when I next stop. When I do, I find a plump blister.Keeping your feet in good condition is a prerequisite to pain-free hiking.

• Keep toenails cut short and square - long nails will bruise, cut into the toes on either side, and inflict pain on decents.
• Dry your feet well to avoid softening the skin too much.
• Wear well-fitting boots - mysteriously, footwear that has never given problems before can cause a blister one day, yet be fine again on future trips. Suspect footwear that repeatedly causes sore spots. Either it doesn't fit properly or something inside needs smoothing.

DayHike: Choose Your Hike

DayHike: Leave No Trace Principles

DayHike: Leave What You Find

DayHike: Living Hazard: Hunters

DayHike: Living Hazard: Personal Safety

DayHike: Living Hazard: Respect Wildlife

DayHike: Pack It in, Pack It out

DayHike: Stay on the Trail

DayHike: The Art of Hiking: Basic Technique

DayHike: The Art of Hiking: Downhill/Uphill

DayHike: The Art of Hiking: Hiking Poles

DayHike: What to Wear