On Blisters and Boots?

Would greatly apprreciate any ideas on this topic as I have never had this problem in many years of hiking and skiing until recently. I usually hike with my boots unbuckled for comfort. Is this the case with most hikers or is it more common to stay buckled at lighter tension. I realize that blisters are caused by friction, is there any one thing that might prevent this occurance, besides the use of moleskin? Also this is not a result of liner wear as these liners are two seasons old. Thanks for any insights.

I usually have my lower buckles snug, but not tight, while my upper buckles/strap are wide open. I wear a single thin sock and have taken to putting deodorant (or BodyGlide) on my feet pre-ski to keep the sweating down. That said, I've never been that prone to blisters. Where are you getting them?

Something way cheaper than body glide but the same ingredients and highly effective (for me) is diaper rash cream aka zinc oxide. Slather it all over your feet before donning the socks and you should be good. Bonus 2 for 1 application is zinc oxide's effectiveness as a sunblock.

I have always had horrible blisters till I tried the following method.
Place one strip of athletic tape around back of heel and one stripe to hold ends around the arch of the foot (attach lightly yet smooth). For extra staying power clean area with alcohol first. Simple but very effective.
I place my power strap on the inside of my plastic shell and wrap it directly on the liner for skinning and then lightly buckle.
The athletic tape has made me so much happier cuz I have tried lots of remedies/preventions

My solution to sore heels and blisters:

* Rub a little tincture benzoin on heels while barefoot.
* Apply a strip of athletic tape to heel. (I use the kind you can buy in rock climbing gear stores.)
* Carefully put on a very thin liner sock so there are no wrinkles. (Wigwam dryfoot or ultimax socks have worked well for me.)
* Put a moderately thick thermal (wool/elastic blend) sock over the liner sock. I tend to like a very thick outer sock.
* Hike and/or tour with the upper boot loose and the lower boot tight enough to keep the foot in place.
* Tighten the upper boot for ski descents.

Typically the liner sock sticks to the athletic tape, providing a second skin that can slip if necessary within the thicker outer sock. The thick outer sock provides a cushion between the foot and the boot liner.

During rest breaks, I frequently remove my boots and outer socks to let them air dry. I never remove the liner socks, even on multiday trips. This keeps the second skin intact. This may sound gross, but if you dry your feet frequently, it's not.

Your mileage may vary.

p.s. Boot fitters are always encouraging me to use very thin socks in ski touring boots. I don't listen to them.

I find nylons under my socks work great.