Say Goodbye to Sore Muscles: Tips to avoid hot calves

That way you are doing your hot calves a favour during a hiking holiday

Hiking in summer is simply divine! If only there weren’t these constant overheated feet! Read up on tips and tricks to avoid hot calves here!

Take the Musculus gastrocnemius and the Musculus soleus, combine both these muscle groups with blood vessels, bundles of nerve fibres and the Musculus plantaris. Along with it the thigh bone and the Achilles tendon as well as the heel bone, which complete the anatomical structure of the calf muscle. Without calves we would be unable to walk, run or jump. They are an important element of motion sequence and essential muscle groups for all hikers.

Never again sore muscles: declare war on muscle cramps

Apart from the important role for the musculoskeletal system, feet and calves are particularly strained during challenging hiking and trekking tours. A total of 107 ligaments, 1700 nerve cells and more than 90 000 sweat glands provide temperature control for hardworking feet.

Nevertheless, especially in summer calves and feet heat up a lot, shoes become tighter with each step and a cooling off in a mountain lake would be a welcome change and relief. But why do we get hot feet and how can we counteract this condition?

Read below the best tips and tricks for lovely cool feet during your hiking tour!

What is the reason for hot feet?

Summer is in full swing, the sun is pounding down from the sky and there is no cloud to be seen far and wide. What to do with that glorious, sunny weather on the weekend? No question, a hiking tour into the mountains! You are ready to go, the rucksack is packed, hiking boots are tied and you feel epic. After some time however your feet swell up, feel heavier and hotter with every step. The Eurohike-team knows why!

This is caused by the blood vessels, which expand during hot conditions. They provide for ample circulation and also cause the feet to swell. Find out now what combats the heat accumulation in your footwear and how you can give your feet and calves a treat!

Suitable footwear for industrious hiking feet

Naturally climbing enthusiasts know, hobby-hikers maybe not so much: footwear is the key! Hiking through the scenery with good-quality boots, correctly laced up is the essential thing! Especially during longer hiking tours it is vital that you wear hiking shoes with the perfect fit for you. The boots not only have the task to protect your ankle but also need to be tied adequately. That way you avoid pressure marks and chafe marks and take the pressure off the foot correctly. Also, the sole of the footwear must be kept in mind! Especially for hikers, who often suffer with burning soles or pressure marks, it is crucial to think about investing in an insole for the shoes.

Please read our tips on How to tie Hiking Boots correctly!

Recuperation is the essential thing

Be kind to your feet after a hiking tour and allow them to recuperate. Especially beneficial is a lukewarm foot soak with added alkaline additives, which not only cools hot feet but is also healthy. It deacidifies the body, since as you know feet are also considered the ‘third kidney’. Tip: Do not use ice-cold water! This would cause your body to perspire more heavily than before, since the body requires energy again to warm up!

Trekking without luggage at lake Gosausee

Please be on top of your foot care!

Busy hiking feet require a lot of TLC. Apply cream regularly by especially using special foot creams, which combat dry feet and prevent the skin from becoming rough and cracked. Calluses need to be removed with a pumice stone or a callus sponge after every shower. Additionally, it is vital to take care of your toenails. During extensive hiking tours the Eurohike-editors recommend cutting your nails very short in order to avoid unnecessary pressure marks in your shoes!

Tip: Blisters cannot always be prevented. So please bring sufficient dressing and plasters on your hiking tour!