Is it normal that I'm getting blisters on my right foot from walking 4 miles per day?

I've decided to start walking 4 miles per day, which is something I've done before (and while I did develop blisters before, I just sort of toughed it out– I also don't remember them being quite as bad as they are now). I really want to increase my fitness, and my goal is to have made a noticeable difference, even if small, by the time the pools open up later in May, which I think is attainable.

Anyway, I've been using my Adidas and Skechers shoes, which I find really comfortable for everyday stuff, but I'm rubbing blisters on the balls of my right foot, and I have a blood blister on the underside of my heel (though it isn't painful, it's a dark brown spot maybe slightly larger than a pencil eraser, and it startled me when I found it because I didn't know what it was at first). My worst blisters are on the balls of my feet, especially in the center. I have a bad one right now and I'm bummed that I have to take a break. I just did one mile tonight and could tell it was irritating my foot. I've tried putting vaseline/petroleum jelly on my feet to reduce friction in my socks, and I've also tried doubling my socks in an attempt to reduce friction. Neither really seems to help all that much, unfortunately.

I'm definitely planning on getting a good pair of athletic walking shoes with a better design, but I'm wondering if I should be concerned that I'm only having issues with one foot. I do have a bit of a limp I've had my entire life from a condition I was born with that I no longer have, but has left me with weakness in the muscles in one side of my hip. I've limped my entire life. I'd like to seek physical therapy for this, but I'm scared of the cost, especially long term.

Is this concern for a worse issue, or just an issue with my shoes? Has anyone else dealt with anything similar?

Also, on the topic of athletic shoes for walking, what brands are recommended? Or is it more of a case of whatever fits best? I am pretty hard to fit in general when it comes to shoes and I've always had issues with new shoes, and especially boots, rubbing and blistering until they're broken in (which doesn't happen with the Adidas and Skechers I buy, but apparently they're not meant to walk 4 miles in).

ArishMell · 70-79, M

One possibility:

Your limp won't help but also many of us have one foot very slightly larger than, or a very slightly different mirror-shape to, the other so it's possible that even the with best fitting shoes you can find one will not quite fit perfectly. That is not a medical problem, just a natural, slight unsymmetry but might be compounding the effect of your limp.

Our Mam had this non-symmetry to extent of finding buying shoes difficult.. While for me, having had both knees replaced also altered my gait to the extent of subconsciously making me descend stairs in an odd, wrong way; a habit I am trying to correct.)

Also, don't aim for four-mile walks straight off. Work up to it gradually.

Reagrding the therapy, I needed see a phsyiotherapist only about three or fours times after each operation. He gave me a set of printed exercises to perform, so really I was my own therapist with some guidance and monitoring. Would similar be possible for you, or are you offered only a full course of many appointments?