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By: Andrew Forrest - February 2026
Expert hiker's guide to preventing and treating athlete's foot. Backed by 15 clinical studies, learn about moisture-wicking socks, footwear hygiene and OTC treatments. Stay fungus-free on the trail.
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For many hikers, their feet are their most prized possession. However, the dark, damp, and warm environment inside a high-performance hiking boot is a breeding ground for 'Tinea pedis' - commonly known as athlete's foot.
Whether you are planning a weekend in the Lake District or a multi-day trek on the West Highland Way, foot hygiene could be as important as your navigation skills. Following a 'Scientific yet accessible' philosophy, this guide explains how to prevent, identify, and, most importantly, treat athlete's foot so you can stay on the trail.
Health & Wellness Disclaimer
The information in this article is provided for general educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment for skin conditions. While we reference peer-reviewed research and clinical guidance on foot hygiene and fungal infections (Tinea pedis), individual circumstances and responses to treatment vary widely.
Over-the-counter antifungal treatments (such as creams, sprays, and powders containing agents such as terbinafine or clotrimazole) may not be suitable for everyone. You should consult a qualified healthcare professional, such as a GP, podiatrist, or pharmacist, before starting any new treatment. This is particularly important if you have underlying health conditions (such as diabetes or a compromised immune system), a history of sensitive skin or allergies to topical medications, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if the infection is severe, affects the nails, or does not improve within the expected timeframe.
Product availability, formulations, and specific licensing guidance may change. It is your responsibility to read and follow the manufacturer's instructions, contraindications, and dosage guidance carefully before use. Walks4all does not provide personalised medical advice, and reliance on any information in this article is at your own discretion.
Athlete's foot is a fungal infection caused by dermatophytes. These organisms thrive on keratin, the protein found in your skin and nails. In the outdoors, it can be highly contagious and spreads through direct contact or via contaminated surfaces such as communal showers and damp socks.[1]
Athlete's foot isn't just the preserve of hikers; many others, including footballers, golfers, runners and those who use communal showers, can also suffer from it.
While it often starts as a pesky itch, left untreated, it can lead to painful 'maceration' (soggy, white skin), deep fissures, and secondary bacterial infections that can end a trek prematurely.
Close-up of a hiker's foot showing severe athlete's foot symptoms
Prevention is far easier than a cure. To stop fungi from taking hold, you must disrupt the environment they thrive in: moisture, heat, and darkness.
The primary cause of fungal growth in hikers is 'occlusive footwear'. Boots that don't breathe trap sweat against the skin.[2]
If you already have symptoms, such as scaling, redness, or a 'cheesy' odour, you need a two-pronged approach: home care and medication.
There are three main classes of antifungal medications available at UK pharmacies:
If your hiking trip involves staying in hostels or bunkhouses, or using campsite showers, you are in the 'red zone'.
Maintaining fungal-free feet is only one part of a comprehensive foot health strategy. To ensure your feet are ready for the next expedition, you should focus on active recovery and advanced gear maintenance.
For instance, while manual drying is essential, using dedicated technology can ensure your boots are moisture-free, right down to the toe box. Investing in one of the best boot dryers is a game-changer for wet or damp shoes and boots, as these devices use controlled thermal airflow to eliminate the damp environments where Tinea pedis thrives.
Furthermore, long days on the trail can lead to poor peripheral circulation and plantar fatigue, which weaken the skin's natural resilience. Incorporating recovery tools into your routine can help repair tissue and improve blood flow. Many hikers find relief by using the best circulation devices to reduce swelling after a long descent, or by treating tired arches with one of the best foot massagers.
By combining strict antifungal hygiene with advanced recovery techniques, you ensure your feet remain as resilient as the trails you walk.
Even after your boots are clean and dry, how you store them between hikes is crucial. Tossing them into a dark closet or, worse, a plastic bag, can create the perfect, stagnant environment for any remaining dormant spores to reactivate.
Before the hike:
During the hike:
After the hike (if symptoms are present):
Athlete's foot is an occupational hazard for hikers, but it doesn't have to be inevitable. As we've explored, the secret to healthy feet lies in effective moisture management and vigilance. By investing in the right Merino wool or synthetic socks, allowing your boots to dry thoroughly between treks, and maintaining strict hygiene in communal showers, you can protect your most vital assets from fungal infection.
If you notice the tell-tale itch or scaling, don't ignore it. Acting quickly with a terbinafine-based cream and disinfecting your gear will help prevent minor irritation from becoming a trek-ending injury. Your feet carry you through every mile; treat them with the respect they deserve so you can focus on the view, not the itch.
Happy fungus-free walking!
If you use a fungicidal treatment such as terbinafine, you may experience symptom relief within one week. However, because hiking boots provide an ideal damp environment for fungi to thrive, it is essential to continue treatment for the full recommended duration and to disinfect your boots daily to prevent immediate reinfection.
While tea tree oil has shown some efficacy in soothing the itch and reducing scaling, studies suggest it requires very high concentrations (25-50%) to be clinically effective against the fungus. For a reliable cure, clinical terbinafine or clotrimazole is the primary recommendation.
No, you should avoid popping blisters caused by a fungal infection. Popping them creates 'micro-fissures' that allow the fungus to spread deeper into the skin, increasing the risk of a secondary bacterial infection. Instead, use a saline soak to help dry the skin naturally.
Generally, no. Research into textile hygiene suggests that a standard 40°C wash may not be sufficient to kill resilient fungal spores. To ensure your gear is safe, wash socks at 60°C (if the manufacturer's washing instructions allow) or use a dedicated antifungal laundry sanitiser to break the cycle of reinfection.
Yes. Unlike cotton, which absorbs and holds moisture against the skin, Merino wool and synthetic blends 'wick' sweat away. This keeps the foot's surface dry, disrupting the moist environment that dermatophytes need to grow.
Ideally, boots should be given 24-48 hours to dry completely. If you must wear them daily, using a boot dryer or an antifungal spray is essential to reduce the fungal load that builds up in damp footwear.
The most common reason for recurrence is failure to treat the 'source of reinfection', your boots. Fungal spores can survive for weeks in footwear. If you treat your feet but don't disinfect your gear or wash your socks at a high temperature, you are likely re-exposing yourself every time you lace up your boots or shoes.
Drying the area thoroughly is the most immediate non-drug fix, as moisture exacerbates the itch. For pharmaceutical relief, terbinafine-based creams are widely regarded as the gold standard for rapid results.
February 2026
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