On using Moleskin/blisters

very important to prevent blisters in the first place is 1. proper fitting shoes and close 2nd: great wool socks made for the level of walking/hiking you will do. I love the patagonia socks that come in lite-med-heavy hiking... 3 pairs is all you need! not cheap but last!

You put the sticky side of the moleskin onto the part of the shoe/boot/etc, which rubs against your skin. The soft side goes up against your skin. That way, you avoid the blisters in the first place. If a blister develops and then you start using moleskin, you'll have to use a bandaid to protect the blister until it goes down.

As Norm stated, the moleskin has to go on at the first sign of irritation, not after the blister develops. Break those shoes in well and happy travels.

Also, Eli, for blisters, what might work is to put a bandaid on it, and then put a blister donut cushion over it. Or I'm hearing good things about Band-Aid's Advance Healing Cushion for Blisters.

http://www.fortunebaycompany.com/Education/Foot%20Care%20Part%20Two.htm

It's all about comfortable shoes and feet when traveling.

Though I have never tried this I have heard that you can paint liquid bandaid onto "hot spots" to prevent blisters. I'm going to try it before my next trip.

I am so dumb! It's a good thing I asked. I don't know if any of us will end up with blisters, but wanted to be prepared in case we do.

P.S. My daughter just showed me the package and it shows that the MS is applied to the skin.

Blisters are caused by friction/heat.

The best way to prevent blisters is to prevent friction. Here are the best techniques.

If you feel like there is a rubbing that might become a blister. Find a place to sit down, remove your shoes and socks and let your feet cool. Put on new socks.

Before you start the day, put antiperspirant on your feet. More often than not your socks are failing because they are getting wet from the sweat. After your socks lose their cushion, your feet start to rub.

Finally, if you have a blister, cut out a circle of moleskin bigger than the blister. Cut a hole out of the circle slightly bigger than your blister. Put the doughnut over the blister. Then put on new socks and your shoes. The moleskin doughnut will keep the blister from rubbing against your shoe.

I've never used moleskin but that's what they taught us at survival school. Fortunately, the cross country runners in college taught me about antiperspirant first.

Hope this helps.

I bring a small bottle of the liquid bandaid stuff. There are some parts on my foot I know that are prone to blisters, I simply paint this on a few minutes before putting on my socks. It adds an extra layer of protection outside my skin. It can also be used once blisters have formed, although prevention is always better. Painting on the liquid is better for me than bandaids which are uncomfortable around my toes, and also it doesn't slip like bandaids can.

I like the idea of the paint on bandaid. Sounds like a good plan.

We bought Smartwool socks and so far I love them.

Eli - I get blisters all the time, even with well fitting and broken in shoes... I've tried everything out there, but the best thing for me is moleskin. I do put it on my shoes, but I have been putting it right on hotspots and blisters for years. I just cut the piece bigger than the blister and put it on. It will loosen in the shower or by soaking, so it will basically slide right off. I've never tried pulling it dry right off a sensitive blister, but I have pulled it off an almost healed blister with no problems. And no, you can't re-use it....

Eli, The best preventive for blisters I have found is Band-Aid Blister Block. I walked last year 60 miles in 3 days for the Breast Cancer 3Day. I did not get any blisters. This comes in a roll on like deodorant. glide it on any areas you think may blister or all over your feet. Also Body Glide or Athletic glide, works great to prevent rubbing and chafing. The tip also on changing your socks really helps. Good Luck

Just had to 2nd Brad's tip on putting antiperspirant (not deodorant) on your feet at the beginning of the day. It's a really, really good blister preventative. (That and Smartwool socks and great shoes made for a very comfy tour of Europe.)

To prevent blisters, particularly on your toes, wrap lamb's wool padding around them. The lamb's wool eliminates friction. You can buy it in drug stores and tear off the amount you need. Dr. Scholl's is one brand.

I second Tricia's recommendation for Body Glide. I've gotten blisters even wearing shoes that are well-broken in just from the amount of walking you do when travelling. Body Glide prevents the blisters from ever forming in the first place.

I'm so glad you asked this question. I've always put it where I know I'll get a blister. And I will, no matter how comfortable and broken in my shoes are.

I use duck tape on my hot spots. Stays stuck to my feel but oddly enough peels off easy. Don't feel bad I have neve managed to use mole skin succesfuly myself.

Duct tape is amazing, isn't it?

Depending on where the hot spot occurs, will determine what product you use. 2 of my toes on my right foot kind of overlap each other. What works for me is an item called a toe separator. It's a small gel (gummy bear) like item that keeps the toes from rubbing together. It slides right between the toes. Works for me and their cheap. 2 for around 5 bucks. Available at pharmacies. This was a good subject to bring up!

I was just wondering this a day or two ago...my husband uses those little gel toe separators all the time...are they off limits for carry-on, too?

I don't see any reason the toe separator could not be in your carry on, but why bother, they should be in between your toes where they belong. That's where mine were in Nov 07 when we went. lol