I'm training for the Breast Cancer 3Day walk -- 60 miles in three days -- and stumbled across this book during an internet search for blister prevention and cures. I got a copy right away. I have never before participated in any endurance sports and needed as much good advice as I could find and believe me, this book delivered. Certainly, there are parts of it that don't apply to my current activities, however the quality of the information, the helpful references to products and where to access them, and clear instructions in foot care have saved me countless blisters so far. I love the focus on prevention. The section on duct tape was particularly intriguing and helpful for me. I'm telling all my fellow distance walkers about this book!

I only review & critique books I actually have read, how else can you make an educated and realistic critique?

As a 19-year Ultraq vRunner I certainly had a reason to buy anmdn read this book, especially since I run now exclusively on trails.

Unless peple are into long-distance running,few people have any idea on how to fix your feet, especially prevent injutries before theu happen.

I know the author and other people who contributed to this booki and can verify their expertise in the field of running and fixing feet.
The book is very detailed, covers almost every imaginable aspect of ultra running. It covers most potential problems that can arise from teh sport and it's preventions and solutions if trouble occurs.

No ultra runner should be without this book as it could save you from lots of potential misery.

This advice is sure to get all athletes off on the right foot. Learn how to care for any foot problem and prepare your feet for that upcoming race.

Have you ever hiked or ran and ruined your feet? Have you ever felt discouraged about your feet, didn't know what to do about it or, most importantly, what to do the Next Time?
Then Fixing Your Feet will be the answer to your prayers. No one else addresses the myriad problems that can arise when your feet are stressed to the max. John Vonhof leaves no stone unturned, pun intended, in this most thorough book about foot problems such as blisters, corns, structural problems. He deals with prevention as well as treatment. It's not just His viewpoint. He has interviewed countless athletes, hikers and endurance runners and quotes from their experiences and solutions.
He offers concrete advice with specific product recommendations and yet perhaps the best advice of all, stated over and over again, is not to take your feet for granted. They are the most important part of any trek or race you plan.
Even if you have never had any foot problems, if you are planning a hike or race, read this book and be prepared. You'll still be walking or running while others have to drop out.

Have you ever hiked or ran and ruined your feet? Have you ever felt discouraged about your feet, didn't know what to do about it or, most importantly, what to do the Next Time?
Then Fixing Your Feet will be the answer to your prayers. No one else addresses the myriad problems that can arise when your feet are stressed to the max. John Vonhof leaves no stone unturned, pun intended, in this most thorough book about foot problems such as blisters, corns, structural problems. He deals with prevention as well as treatment. It's not just His viewpoint. He has interviewed countless athletes, hikers and endurance runners and quotes from their experiences and solutions.
He offers concrete advice with specific product recommendations and yet perhaps the best advice of all, stated over and over again, is not to take your feet for granted. They are the most important part of any trek or race you plan.
Even if you have never had any foot problems, if you are planning a hike or race, read this book and be prepared. You'll still be walking or running while others have to drop out.

This should be the ultrarunner's bible- or any runner's bible! It is a great book with some of the best advice out there. It is an easy read and a good book to have on hand for quick reference.

I like the fact the Vonhof provides us with not only his expertise--from his years of running and fastpacking, and his 25 years of treating other people's feet--but also with advice from other athletes with varied backgrounds. The reality is that people have different kinds of feet (low volume, high arches, pronating, etc.), that each individual's feet change over time, footwear differs, and that trail and weather conditions vary. That means that preventing and treating foot problems is a complex issue. Vonhof wisely gives us information about the factors that affect our foot health and also tons of alternative ways to keep our feet happy.

I have been a backpacker and long-distance hiker for many years. I used to simply treat blisters after the fact. Now I employ some of the methods Vonhof's suggests--such as taping and gel-filled bandages--and prevent most blisters. I consider my copy of his Fixing Your Feet to be a valuable resource. Don't step out the door before reading Vonhof's book!

Susan Alcorn, author of Camino Chronicle Walking to Santiago and We're in the Mountains Not over the Hill: Tales and Tips from Seasoned Women Backpackers.

I like the fact the Vonhof provides us with not only his expertise--from his years of running and fastpacking, and his 25 years of treating other people's feet--but also with advice from other athletes with varied backgrounds. The reality is that people have different kinds of feet (low volume, high arches, pronating, etc.), that each individual's feet change over time, footwear differs, and that trail and weather conditions vary. That means that preventing and treating foot problems is a complex issue. Vonhof wisely gives us information about the factors that affect our foot health and also tons of alternative ways to keep our feet happy.

I have been a backpacker and long-distance hiker for many years. I used to simply treat blisters after the fact. Now I employ some of the methods Vonhof's suggests--such as taping and gel-filled bandages--and prevent most blisters. I consider my copy of his Fixing Your Feet to be a valuable resource. Don't step out the door before reading Vonhof's book!

Susan Alcorn, author of Camino Chronicle Walking to Santiago and We're in the Mountains Not over the Hill: Tales and Tips from Seasoned Women Backpackers.

1. I rely on this feedback so I will contribute.

2. the book gives two sides, hard tough feet or soft supple feet. You have to decide where you fall. Then only do you get a barrage of info that conflicts one after another.

3. yes, it is helpfull and I have learned a good deal.

4. as there is no "Right" way about things, those who need black and white, this or that, will have a hard time. I did.

5. what did humans do before shoes, Sneakers, and boots? Bottom line, we are already well engineered. I say, find footwear or foot care that really solves "that" problem. otherwise, bare feet and sandals are all I need.

-Bill, USA

John's book shares lots of valuable info in taking care of your feet. It will help, read it!

"This is the best book for walkers on how to prevent and treat blisters and other foot problems. Written by ultra-marathon director and orthopedic technician John Vonhof, it is packed with great advice and easy-to-follow diagrams from the people who really know what happens to feet on long walks and runs, and who want to keep walking and running!

To prevent or treat any walking foot problem, this book has the answers, all presented in easy-to-read format with photos and diagrams of exactly what to do. This should be the first item you buy when you decide to start training for a half-marathon or marathon or multi-day walk. Advice is presented by the author, ultra-marathon director and orthopedic technician John Vonhof, as well as several ultra-racers. These are people who know what works and how to do it right.
Footwear Basics: Preventing problems starts with the right shoes and insoles for your feet. With diagrams and bullet points, you learn how to find the right shoes for your feet.

Prevention: Through lubricants, socks, powders, taping, and lacing techniques, this section is pure gold and full of diagrams and links to products and recipes. There is no one best solution - different things work for different feet, and this is a comprehensive resource. It includes advice for multi-day events and 159 Ways to Prevent Blisters.

Treatments: 28 pages on how to treat blisters, complete with diagrams and photos. Sections also cover sprains and fractures, tendon and ligament injuries, plantar fasciitis and heel spur, toe and forefoot problems, and skin disorders.

I can't praise this book enough. It is written for us, the walkers and hikers and runners who need advice on what to do before and after we stress our feet." Wendy Bumgardner does a regular online column for ABOUT on walking.

John's book is THE reference for all of the variety of solutions to just about everything that could and will go wrong with your feet in athletics, long distance running, long distance hiking and just plain getting old and the bones and calouses growing in weird ways.

I highly recommend it and have personally had my feet saved mucho pain from the recommendations in his book, from playing basketball and long distance hiking.

He spoke at American Long Distance Hiking Association - West(ALDHA-West) gathering last year and if we can get him again it will be a standing room only discussion. I have tried for three years to get him to give a presentation at the ADZPCTKO but alas he is out of the country giving talks just about every Spring.

IMHO,

Greg Hummel
ADZPCTKO Coordinator
ALDHA-West Board Member
PCT Thruhiker 1977

I heartily recommend you go to the library or a bookstore and find a copy of John Vonhof's fantastic book, "Fixing Your Feet." Anyone who hikes would find this book helpful. He talks about every product known to footcare, as well as techniques used by ultra trail runners, and eco-race runners, etc.
Try putting contractor grade (the cloth kind) duct tape on your heels before you hike. Other people have really good luck with vaseline on their feet before hiking or trail running. I use some stuff called Hydropel which works wonders. I bought four tubes for my PCT thruhike this year. I've had good success on my training hikes with it.

The bottom line is to remove the friction. Spenco Second Skin is another good product for this, but duct tape is a whole lot cheaper, if it works for you. Just like vaseline is a lot cheaper than Hydropel.

In "Fixing Your Feet" Vonhof talks about a gazillion different ways to tape up your feet as preventitive measures.

Also, tincture of Benzoin is used as a skin toughener. Some just use alcohol. At any rate there are two pages of products listed as skin tougheners in "Fixing Your Feet."

One last thing. Vonhof, who seems like a really nice guy based on e-mail contact I've had with him, publishes a free footcare e-zine each month. Anyone can subscribe to it, and past issues are archived. Go to;

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FixingYourFeetEzine/

I hope this helps, and that you get the problems taken care of so you can enjoy your trips. And if you really want to help your feet forget the 65 pound pack!

Happy Trails!

If it's not already, this book should be your bible for foot care. I used the first and second editions when I first started running ultras, appreciating the special tips for pre-taping and dealing with blisters. Duct tape? This was new to me. The third edition has evolved, once again. As the author, John Vonhof, has established himself as the foot expert, particularly in the endurance sports world, even more information, both medical and anecdotal, has come to him. He shares it all in this new edition.

Along with new information, the third edition provides a completely reorganized and updated layout with insets for tips, personal experiences, checklists, and product lists. It's very easy to find the information you are looking for just by scanning through the book. This book makes a great reference because it pulls together everything you ever wanted to know (and things you don't want to know) about feet. Much of the focus is on blisters, because they "can stop you in your tracks, end your athletic event, and sideline you for weeks." The prevention instructions are extremely useful, providing a full range of ideas to try out. This is the proactive phase. A good portion of the book is about this, supported by product lists and personal stories from athletes who use the tried and true prevention methods. And, should you develop blisters during an event, Vonhof provides instructions for how to be prepared to deal with it, and how to treat the blisters after the act. This is the reactive portion of the book. Even in reactive mode, there are ways you can be prepared: carry or have your crew carry a blister repair kit; know your feet and how they need to be treated.

The third edition adds information for adventure racers-specific problems they may encounter like "jungle foot" and extreme temperatures, and expands on multi-day event information. The forward is by Dan Barger, the director and founder of the Primal Quest Expedition Adventure Race.

The personal stories add interest to the book. Some are helpful; others are plain horrific. Here is an excerpt from Jane Moorhead, working on feet at the 2003 Primal Quest Adventure Race: "Keeping feet dry is a must. One runner had such bad immersion foot that when he removed the tape from the bottom of his foot; he took a couple of layers of skin with it." Lesson learned.

Most of us have had or will have to deal with foot troubles at some point. For us, Fixing Your Feet is an invaluable resource. The few lucky people who never have foot troubles should read this book anyway, just to see what the rest of us are going through. I ended up reading the whole book over again. I feel like a total foot expert.

And the bottom line is always: take care of your feet. They are what move you forward. Oh yeah, and please, wear gaiters.

No matter what your sport, if you use your feet for it, this is the book for you! John Vonhof's 3rd edition of "Fixing Your Feet" is the most comprehensive yet. All one has to do is look at the contents in the outline to know how well organized and informational it is. It's easy to find the supplies for foot care too because he has already done the research and lists the contact information.
It covers every aspect for foot care including blister prevention and treatment, types of types of socks, lubricants, shoe fit, biomechanics that can contribute to problems, foot injuries and so much more. Whether you are a runner, backpacker, adventure racer or weekend walker, this book covers it all.


Denise Jones
The Badwater Blister Queen