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Been doing lots of testing lately and finding the sock (Bridgedale) made a lot of difference, as well as taping (LEukoplast). With tape, don't bother with the cheap stuff. You get what you pay for.

Boot fits a lot better.

I don't know if it's due to narrow heels, but I get terrible heel blisters every time I hike up steep terrain. I keep trying different boots, but I haven't found one that works yet. I do a lot of winter climbing and need warm boots that work with crampons, otherwise I'd just use running shoes (which I do in the summer). I try different lacing techniques and use lots of mole skin, but it doesn't fix the problem. With some boots, I am able to keep my heels from slipping, but the force on my heel causes more damage than the slipping.

The only boots I've used without heel pain were plastic mountaineering boots, but I really hate carrying those massive things around. Especially since the climbs I do tend to have long approaches.

I guess I need to look into the custom fitting that was mentioned before.

Did you try tape on your heels? That and/or Body Glide have fixed any blister issues I've ever had.

If plastics work for you, your skin must not be super-sensitive to blisters, because you certainly have heel to liner motion in those. It's just unavoidable. Perhaps you need to size up your boots? I've had a habit of fitting my climbing boots like running shoes and it's causes no end of problems. Bumping up half a size fixed everything for me.

FYI, the new Scarpa last (AG) used in the Phantom Guide has a very narrow heel. There are big pads on either side of the Achilles. I've never come close to fitting in a Scarpa before, but they seriously reduced the volume on this one. It's also in the Mont Blanc and Jorasses Pro.

Duct Tape made by Do It Best. Other types don't work. Two layers and no more blisters. Is good for 2 days. If one tapes all the way around the heel and under the foot then its good for 3+ days.

Never found mole skin to work. I have left it home and never even bring it. Just duct tape. Larger boots do help also though too large and you will get blisters on your heel/bottom of your foot. To fix this problem walk/run without socks just your shoe or if you play basketball, just socks to thicken up the soles of your feet.

Bottom Line, if you have no calluses on your feet cuz you have been babying them or don't excercise much then you will always get blisters. Toughen up your feet.

i don't recall exactly what they're called, but you can go to a woman's shoe store and find little foam stick-on pads that are usually used for woman's high heels to prevent heel lift & chafing. you would place them just above your heels. they are not expensive and can work really well. i used some a long time ago on a pair of rock shoes.

My wife had huge blister problems when I first got her into the out doors. I got a tip from a buddy up in the PNW to have her try sock liners and they did the trick. She used to have blisters doing mild up and down hikes. Yesterday we did the MT Baldy loop in 5 hours and she was blister free. The the silky layer helps prevent friction and people swear by them. I hope they help.

Try these:
http://www.rei.com/product/737999/rei-c ... iner-socks