how do you really prevent blisters on long trips?

Last weekend, I went on a three-day hiking trip with some friends. The scenery was beautiful—rolling hills, wildflowers everywhere, and the air was so fresh it almost made me forget about my aching feet. But by the second day, I could feel those familiar hot spots forming on my heels. I tried the usual tricks: changing socks, airing out my feet, even those fancy blister bandages everyone talks about. Still, by the end of the trip, I had two big blisters and a lot of regret. Honestly, I’ve read so many tips online—some people swear by wool socks, others say it’s all about the right shoes. But if that’s true, why do I always end up limping by day two? Is there a real solution, or is it just something we have to live with if we want to enjoy long hikes? I’m starting to wonder if all these products are just marketing hype. Has anyone actually found something that works, or are we all just pretending? I’d love to hear what’s worked (or not worked) for you, especially if you’ve done multi-day trips. Sometimes I feel like I’m missing some secret that everyone else knows. #hikingproblems #blisterprevention #outdoorlife #Travel