Mountaineering blisters, athlete’s foot, damaged toenails, and plantar fasciitis could be simply averted or alleviated through the use of and carrying a small set of trail-proven foot care aids. As Leonardo Da Vinci wrote, “the human foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a murals,” however like all climbing gear, you could handle it to make it carry out optimally. That mentioned, mishaps occur, and we encourage you to hold cures for the commonest foot care points to attenuate your discomfort.
Listed here are the highest foot care merchandise we use and advocate for hikers and backpackers.
1. Leukotape Sports activities Tape

Leukotape is a sticky blister prevention tape that includes a powerful zinc oxide adhesive that received’t come off, even in essentially the most excessive moist situations. 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 scorching spots. Leukotape just isn’t supposed to be used on pre-existing blisters, nevertheless, 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 fix it to the shiny paper (known as launch paper) that adhesive labels are hooked up to. Go into any UPS or FedEx workplace they usually’ll provide you with tons of the stuff without spending a dime. I’ve been utilizing Leukotape for years and nonetheless tape my heels earlier than day hikes and backpacking journeys.
2. Darn Robust Socks

3. Soiled Woman Gaiters
4. Superfeet Insoles


5. Vaseline Ointment


Low-cost and plentiful, Vaseline ointment is sweet for decreasing the friction between your toes or between your footwear and ft, which might 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 out there 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 wonderful firestarter when smeared on a cotton ball, one thing that different anti-friction powders and lotions can’t declare.
6. Lotrimin Extremely Athletes Foot Cream
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 may be very disagreeable. It’s simple to choose up if you happen to go to public locations barefoot together with bathe stalls, locker rooms, or swimming swimming pools, and thrives in scorching and sweaty closed footwear. Athletes’ foot is well handled with a prescription power topical cream, like Lotrimin Extremely, however you need to be vigilant and constant if you use it to eradicate the an infection or it can persist. Remedy normally takes a few week, though you could wish to proceed longer to make sure the fungus is totally eradicated. Lotrimin Extremely will also be used to deal with jock itch, one other frequent and ugly pores and skin irritation skilled by hikers and backpackers.
7. Victorinox Nail Clipper


The Victorinox Nail Clipper folds flat to maintain your toenails trimmed quick, stopping them from banging towards the entrance of your footwear, turning black, and falling off, which is usually a painful course of. Additionally they embrace 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.
8. Engo Blister Prevention Patches
9. Band-Help Hydroseal Blister Cushion Bandages
10. Professional-Tec Athletics PF Sleeve
The Professional-Tec Athletics PF Sleeve is a compression sleeve designed for plantar fasciitis that may considerably cut back your heel ache and preserve you on the path. Overuse accidents equivalent to plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis may end up in important 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 circulate from the extremities again to the center by way of the venous system, growing the circulate of contemporary oxygenated blood by way of harm websites, notably the place blood circulate is generally poor just like the Achilles tendon and foot fascia. I’ve used this PF sleeve myself. It slides over your foot and gives added help for the arch of your foot. You’ll be able to put on a climbing sock over or underneath it and nonetheless put on your favourite footwear whereas it’s at work.
See Additionally
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