What this solves
Foot blisters are the #1 reason trekkers don't finish at Yading. They are not bad luck — they are physics: shear + moisture + friction = skin separates. The standard "wear good socks" reply doesn't tell you which sock system or where to pre-tape. This one does, based on your day length, descent gradient and the historical wet-feet probability of your month.
Tell us about your day
How to read the result
The score is on a 0–100 scale, weighted toward factors you can actually change (sock system, pre-tape) versus those you cannot (month, gradient).
Under 30: standard sock changes, no pre-tape needed.
30–60: pre-tape hot spots (heel, big-toe side, ball of foot) with leukotape or ENGO patches before they form.
60+: aggressive plan — socks change every 4 h, ENGO patches on every hotspot, consider a waterproof sock for monsoon months.
Limitations
FAQ
A: For prevention, yes. Compeed is a treatment (dressing + cushion) once a blister has formed. Leukotape or ENGO patches are friction reducers applied before the skin breaks.
A: Sealskinz etc. work for river crossings, but trap sweat on long uphills — they make sense only for short wet sections. Best combined with a quick-dry liner.
A: Your foot slides forward ~5 mm with every step on a 10° downslope. That's shear — the skin stretches and tears. Up-slope the foot is jammed back in the heel cup, no shear.
A: Bring a sterile needle and a small bottle of betadine. Drain-rooooo blisters only as indicated leave the roof intact. Don't cut the roof off.