Greatest Mountaineering Foot Care Merchandise

Leukotape is a sticky blister prevention tape that includes a robust zinc oxide adhesive that received’t come off, even in probably the most excessive moist circumstances. It’s additionally breathable, so runners and backpackers can safely put on it for a number of days at a time. It’s finest used as a preventative barrier over potential sizzling spots. Leukotape will not be meant to be used on pre-existing blisters, nonetheless, as a result of the adhesive can pull off free and damaged pores and skin. Whereas it comes on a roll, the easiest way to hold Leukotape in your first assist package is to pre-cut it into strips and fasten it to the shiny paper (referred to as launch paper) that adhesive labels are connected to. Go into any UPS or FedEx workplace they usually’ll provide you with tons of the stuff free of charge. I’ve been utilizing Leukotape for years and nonetheless tape my heels earlier than day hikes and backpacking journeys.

Darn Powerful’s Merino Wool Mountaineering Socks are the most well-liked socks utilized by hikers to forestall blisters, wick moisture, and maintain your ft cool and comfy on the path. They’re additionally robust sufficient to face as much as the abrasive sand and grit that will get into path runners and climbing sneakers, which shortly eats by different producers’ socks. They’re accessible in a variety of colours, lengths, weights, and sizes, with and with out additional cushioning. When backpacking, it’s important to maintain a dry pair of socks in reserve to sleep in, which helps your ft get better after a protracted day of climbing. My favorites are the Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Socks.

Soiled Woman Gaiters are low gaiters designed to maintain sticks, pebbles, sand, and different floor litter that you just kick up when climbing from moving into your path sneakers or boots, the place they’ll irritate your ft. They’re primarily used with path trainers and low to mid-ankle climbing sneakers. They’re ultralight, weighing lower than 2 ounces per pair, and are in style with hikers as a result of they’re cheap and are available in a variety of untamed colours and printed patterns that let you specific your self on the path. They don’t have a strap that runs beneath your climbing sneakers however connect to your laces with a hook and a velcro patch that you just follow the heel of your footwear. They’re not meant for winter use and dry shortly once they get moist.

Insoles have two massive advantages: they assist help your arch which is essential when carrying a loaded backpack and lock your heels in place to forestall extreme pronation or supination that may result in plantar fasciitis, a painful irritation of the heel that may put you on the sideline for weeks at a time. Superfeet makes 1,000,000 completely different insoles, however the two hottest ones for hikers are Superfeet Run Help Low Arch Insoles (previously referred to as Superfeet Carbon), that are skinny sufficient to suit into low-volume path runners and climbing sneakers, and Superfeet All Function Help Excessive Arch Insoles (previously referred to as Superfeet Inexperienced), that’s finest worn in climbing boots.

Low cost and plentiful, Vaseline ointment is nice for decreasing the friction between your toes or between your footwear and ft, which may result in blisters. It’s additionally helpful for treating dry and cracked pores and skin, which is the precursor to a callous, by locking within the pores and skin’s pure moisture and serving to it to heal from inside. Vaseline is obtainable in a 1.7 oz journey measurement, which is sufficiently small to hold, or you possibly can repackage it in a small tub to hold with you. Vaseline additionally makes a superb firestarter when smeared on a cotton ball, one thing that different anti-friction powders and lotions can’t declare.

Athlete’s Foot is a extremely contagious fungal an infection that impacts the pores and skin on the toes and ends in a scaly rash that itches like hell and could be very disagreeable. It’s simple to choose up for those who go to public locations barefoot together with bathe stalls, locker rooms, or swimming swimming pools, and thrives in sizzling and sweaty closed footwear. Athletes’ foot is definitely handled with a prescription energy topical cream, like Lotrimin Extremely, however it’s a must to be vigilant and constant once you use it to get rid of the an infection or it’s going to persist. Remedy normally takes a couple of week, though you might need to proceed longer to make sure the fungus is absolutely eradicated. Lotrimin Extremely may also be used to deal with jock itch, one other frequent and unsightly pores and skin irritation skilled by hikers and backpackers.

The Victorinox Nail Clipper folds flat to maintain your toenails trimmed quick, stopping them from banging in opposition to the entrance of your footwear, turning black, and falling off, which could be a painful course of. In addition they embody a rough folding file that can be utilized to file down thickened or flaking toenails which have grown away from the nailbed because of repeated nail trauma. That is fairly frequent amongst severe hikers, however the coarse file makes it simple to maintain them quick and flush with the highest of your toes, thereby avoiding irritation additional.

Not like conventional blister bandages, ENGO Blister Prevention Patches are adhesive patches which can be utilized on to your shoe, to not your pores and skin. They’re ultra-thin, 0.015 inches thick, so your shoe match is unchanged. Which means they last more (as much as 300 miles) they usually received’t irritate your pores and skin. They’re additionally waterproof and keep connected even when they get moist. They work in all kinds of footwear from climbing boots to path runners, gown sneakers, and ski boots.  You’ll be able to trim them as wanted to forestall blisters in your heels, toes, the ball of your foot, the aspect of your foot, the arch, and many others. I found these about 10 years in the past and nonetheless use them right this moment.

Band-Help Hydroseal Blister Cushion Bandages are hydrocolloid gel bandages which can be state-of-the-art for contemporary wound care. You should utilize them on popped or unpopped blisters. They supply a moist therapeutic surroundings by using the physique’s personal moisture and enzymes to maintain the wound hydrated, selling correct wound therapeutic. They’re designed for use by themselves, with out the necessity for additional antibiotic ointment, and you may maintain them on repeatedly for days at a time whereas your blister heals. You’ll be able to inform that the method has begun after 24 hours, when the bandage plumps up a bit after absorbing your physique’s moisture.  They’re the most effective remedy for blisters I’ve ever discovered, which lets you proceed climbing whereas letting a blister heal. They’re equal to Compeed bandages, in style within the UK, however inexpensive.

The Professional-Tec Athletics PF Sleeve is a compression sleeve designed for plantar fasciitis that may considerably scale back your heel ache and maintain you on the path. Overuse accidents equivalent to plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis may end up in vital swelling within the foot, ankle, or decrease calf. Compression of those areas prevents fluid from accumulating in them and relieves the ache related to swelling. Compression additionally helps blood move from the extremities again to the center by the venous system, rising the move of recent oxygenated blood by harm websites, significantly the place blood move is often poor just like the Achilles tendon and foot fascia. I’ve used this PF sleeve myself. It slides over your foot and offers added help for the arch of your foot. You’ll be able to put on a climbing sock over or beneath it and nonetheless put on your favourite footwear whereas it’s at work.