Whether you’re on an exercise, promotion course or deployed overseas, your feet are your most valuable asset. They carry you through long days, heavy loads and everything in between, yet they’re often overlooked until something goes wrong.
Problems like blisters, hot spots and fungal infections might seem like minor inconveniences when you first spot them, but left untreated, they can quickly affect your performance and operational effectiveness. This means that it’s crucial that you take good care of your feet at all times of year and in all conditions.
Fortunately, by remembering what you were taught in basic training, developing the right habits and investing in quality insoles, socks and military boots, many common foot problems are completely preventable. In this article, we have outlined some practical military foot care tips to help you form good habits and keep your feet feeling their best.
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Maintain Solid Daily Hygiene
The first of our military foot care tips is absolutely something that needs to become part of your daily routine no matter where in the world you are: maintaining a properly solid daily hygiene routine at all times. Your military boots will naturally expose your feet to heat, moisture and friction when worn for long periods of time, and these are the perfect conditions for a range of skin problems if your feet aren’t properly cared for in between long days on your feet.
You should wash your feet daily using warm water and soap if possible, or anti-bacterial wet wipes. Make sure that you dry them thoroughly, paying extra attention between your toes as it’s easy for moisture to get trapped here. Once dry, apply foot powder to your feet to prevent the formation of dry and cracked skin, particularly around the heels. A mixture of Mycota and normal talc stored in multiple zip-lock bags was my go-to choice. Change your socks regularly and take care not to puncture the talc bag.
We’d also recommend keeping your toenails trimmed and avoiding cutting them too short, as this helps reduce the risk of painful ingrown toenails. Think back to basic training when a few minutes of daily maintenance saved days or even weeks of discomfort and recovery later on.
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Wear Suitable Footwear
With the right habits in place, our next and equally important military foot care tip is to wear suitable footwear. It’s essential to wear military boots that fit properly, even if you’re just wearing your boots for a short period of time. Your boots must be suitable for the environment you’re operating in and provide solid ankle support and reliable grip to allow your feet to move naturally without any excessive rubbing.
It’s for these characteristics that we recommend LOWA military boots so highly and why the LOWA Professional collection has become such a trusted choice among military personnel. From waterproof GORE-TEX® military boots to those incorporating durable Vibram® outsoles, LOWA boots are designed to keep feet dry and fatigue-free while providing stability under heavy loads. Choosing and wearing suitable footwear is one of the very best investments you can make in your foot health.
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Break In Your Boots Properly
Even the highest-quality pair of military boots will need some time to mould to your feet. If you can, gradually introduce any new boots to regular use so that both the materials and footbed can adapt to your feet.
You can do this by starting to wear your boots for shorter periods before progressing to longer walks and subsequent tabs and runs with additional weight. This way, you’ll be able to spot any hot spots or pressure points when the stakes are low, and you can stop for a moment to tape your feet or apply a plaster rather than enduring discomfort. It’s always far easier to prevent a blister than deal with one halfway through an exercise!
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Choose The Right Socks
Next up on our list of important military foot care tips is choosing the right socks. Although they’re less noticeable, your socks can work just as hard as your military boots and play an important role in cushioning the foot and managing moisture throughout the day.
Opt for moisture-wicking socks like the LOWA 4 Season Pro Socks as much as possible, as they’re specifically designed to help regulate temperature while reducing sweat build-up inside your boots. This all helps to reduce the likelihood of rubbing leading to blisters and other nasty fungal conditions.
If you’re spending multiple days in the field, you should also change into a fresh pair of socks whenever possible.
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Address Hot Spots Quickly
Though it’s not always possible to have time on your side to stop and sort things out, addressing discomfort as quickly as you can is one of the best ways to prevent more serious problems or injuries from developing.
After all, blisters rarely appear without warning. You’ll usually feel a slight rubbing sensation or area of tenderness known as a hot spot before a blister actually develops. If you do notice this type of discomfort, stop if circumstances allow and protect the area with blister plasters, tape or moleskin.
If your boots begin to feel unusually tight during a long march, remember also that feet can swell in hot conditions and after hours of walking. In these circumstances, don’t be afraid to loosen your laces a little to prevent unnecessary rubbing.
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Store Your Boots Correctly
Proper military boot storage has two benefits: prolonging the life of your boots and protecting your feet. Given that you’ll already be taking steps to keep your feet dry and wick moisture away by following our other military boot care tips, it would be foolish to complicate matters by storing your boots while they’re damp and creating the perfect breeding ground for foot problems.
You should always allow your military boots to dry naturally in a cool, well-ventilated area after use and remove the insoles and loosen the laces if they are particularly wet. Avoid placing your boots directly against radiators or other heat sources, as excessive heat can dry out leather and weaken any waterproof membranes.
Keeping your footwear clean is another part of this underrated foot care tip. Dirt and mud can gradually degrade leather and reduce the performance of your boots over time, meaning that you might experience discomfort quicker than you’re used to. Loosen any excess dirt or mud with a cleaning brush when dry and apply a suitable cleaning agent, like LOWA Shoe Clean Boot Cleaning Spray, to remove any contaminants.
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Strengthen Your Feet & Ankles
No matter what stage of your career you’re at, it pays dividends to take the time to work on the strength of your feet and ankles. Military training places significant demands on these lower limbs, and strengthening these muscles can improve stability, reduce fatigue, and lower the risk of common overuse injuries.
Make an effort to add some or all of the following to your training routine a few times each week,
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Calf raises
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Single-leg balance exercises
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Toe curls or towel scrunches
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Replace Worn-Out Boots
There is no such thing as the everlasting boot and even the most durable military boots won’t last forever. Over time, cushioning compresses, outsoles wear down, and the overall support provided gradually decreases. While your boots may look serviceable externally, their ability to protect your feet may have diminished considerably, and our final military boot care tip is to replace your boots when you notice any of the following:
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Worn or smooth tread
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Noticeably reduced cushioning
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Persistent discomfort that wasn’t previously present
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Separating soles
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Cracked leather
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Compromised waterproofing
At Task Force Military, we stock an extensive range of high-quality LOWA military boots and can help you find the perfect upgrade if your current military boots are worn out or causing you discomfort.
You can explore the full range online today and get in touch with us if you have any questions or need any advice. Our team includes ex-military personnel who understand exactly how important it is to keep your feet performing at their best, and the vital role that quality military boots play in achieving that.
