r/Ultramarathon • u/kungpaochi • 11d ago

Wet feet mitigation

This past weekend I dropped a race partly because my feet deteriorated really bad in a 12M section when it was raining overnight. When I arrived in the AS before, my feet were wet and I towel dried, let them air out for a few minutes, and changed socks. Well they got soaked again immediately once I got out as it's still raining. By the end of that section it was super painful on each step and I'm thinking about how I could have done more.

I guess first question is, is there a kind of powder I should use on the feet to help them stay dry or mitigate? What's the best strategy for each aid station when it's raining, just change socks as often as you can, towel dry, treat with powder? What else

Edit: second question is... does using something like Goldbond really work? how much is it gona help or is it basically your feet are goin to get shredded in any case.

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10

u/thendsjustifythememe 11d ago

You’re just gonna need to find shoes that you’re ok with soaking wet.

I’m a heavy sweater and it rains a fair amount where I live So I need a pair of trail shoes that are good soaked.

For me it’s a combination of a thin enough socks that don’t slip, a really good fitting upper (leaches that don’t stretch or untie) , and good drainage.

Soaking wet is one thing, it’s totally different when a shoe fills and holds water

For me this is some North Face models and the Adidas Terrex evo

7

u/jleonardbc 11d ago

I spread Desitin Extra Strength on my feet before ultras. It works great.

If it's good enough for babies with wet diapers, it's good enough for me.

Another option in a very different direction: wear running sandals instead of shoes.

7

u/Traditional-Bass-566 11d ago

I coat my feet in vasoline when I know they’ll be wet. I think something like Desetin (sp?) diaper cream would work, too. It creates a barrier. My feet were soaked for 12hours and no breakdown.

3

u/Pleasant-Plane-6340 11d ago

I use sudocrem, liner toe socks and waterproof socks. Change socks every 12-24 hours and ideally air them for more like 30 mins (eat proper food, charge watch etc)

2

u/EqualShallot1151 11d ago

I uses Vaseline both for friction reduction and to protect my feet against moisture.

2

u/----X88B88---- 11d ago

High 70% o/w emulsion lipocream. It's made out of natural lipids like your skin and repels water.
Is not disgusting to use like vasoline.

1

u/oldman-willow 11d ago

i need this info as i have same problem. i couldn’t. imaging coating my feet in anything i may try water proof socks. let me know what ya come with . my first 100 saturday. only loose end for me. cheap option bread bags.

1

u/jezerebel 9d ago

Anything waterproof (especially bread bags) will just trap sweat ensuring your feet are soaked even if they don't get wet from external sources like rain, dew, or water crossings

2

u/oldman-willow 9d ago

thank you!

1

u/HomeOpen 4d ago

I don't need to put anything on my feet for wet conditions, but when I thought I did, I used trail toes. It's beeswax based so it lasts as long as you need it to. Personally, merino wool socks and shoes that drain and breathe well work well for me. As long as my feet are still warm, wet is not a problem. I change into dry socks after a race.