"Gloves in a Bottle" for blister prevention?

[trecile]

I reading a few older threads on blister prevention I've seen the product Gloves in a Bottle recommended for blister prevention. I used Gold Bond Friction Defense stick last year, and it worked well, but I really didn't like the application method, especially getting it between my toes. The Gloves in a Bottle appeals to me because it's a lotion, and not greasy at all.
I just wanted to get more feedback on this product, and how long it lasted on the Camino. Was a small 2 ounce/60 ml bottle enough?

Gracias

 

[ConnieAdriano]

We used gel dressings for our toes and they were great. They were tubular and we could cut them to size for each individual toe. We also had gel cushion pads for the bottom of our feet. All worked well. Good luck. We got these from home - Australia

 

[Lance Chambers]

I have twice used thin black ankle tights under my walking socks and have never had a problem. Need to stop your socks from rubbing on your skin. The tights are 'tight' and don't run on your skin and your socks rub on the tights. So no problems at all. Tape, etc., etc. are there to stop anything rubbing on your skin as that's what causes the blisters - stop the rubbing and you stop blisters.

 

[wayfarer]

I reading a few older threads on blister prevention I've seen the product Gloves in a Bottle recommended for blister prevention. I used Gold Bond Friction Defense stick last year, and it worked well, but I really didn't like the application method, especially getting it between my toes. The Gloves in a Bottle appeals to me because it's a lotion, and not greasy at all.
I just wanted to get more feedback on this product, and how long it lasted on the Camino. Was a small 2 ounce/60 ml bottle enough?

Gracias

I have found this product to be effective, it dries quickly and leaves your feet with a silky finish and yes the smaller bottle should last as you can use it sparingly, a little goes a long way. It will also not leave your socks greasy and messy like vaseline and other petroleum products.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I just wanted to get more feedback on this product,

I bought it to test it. I did not get blisters, but I did not think it had enough silicone to be effective in the long run, so I returned to Sportslick. 2Toms makes a roll on silicone which I found to be quite effective and nongreasy.

http://www.2toms.com/sportshield/

 

[trecile]

I bought it to test it. I did not get blisters, but I did not think it had enough silicone to be effective in the long run, so I returned to Sportslick. 2Toms makes a roll on silicone which I found to be quite effective and nongreasy.

http://www.2toms.com/sportshield/

Thanks for the suggestions. The Sportslick looks, well, slick. I think that I'll add it and Gloves in a Bottle to stuff to try on my feet. I'll probably skip the 2Toms stuff, because I want to get away from that kind of applicator.

I have twice used thin black ankle tights under my walking socks and have never had a problem. Need to stop your socks from rubbing on your skin. The tights are 'tight' and don't run on your skin and your socks rub on the tights. So no problems at all. Tape, etc., etc. are there to stop anything rubbing on your skin as that's what causes the blisters - stop the rubbing and you stop blisters.

I used Wrightsocks double layer socks last year, and they worked well for me.

We used gel dressings for our toes and they were great. They were tubular and we could cut them to size for each individual toe. We also had gel cushion pads for the bottom of our feet.

I was thinking about using those also. I only got one small blister last year, and it was on my second toe where it rubbed against my big toe.

It will also not leave your socks greasy and messy like vaseline and other petroleum products.

That's one of the things that I find appealing about it.

 

[movinmaggie]

You might also try Injinji socks.
They are thin socks with toes!

 

[Grace3808]

Also a believer in Wright socks! Have been hiking with with for the past two years.... no blisters! Buen Camino!

 

[alipilgrim]

You might also try Injinji socks.
They are thin socks with toes!

FYI, Injinji also makes thicker, cushioned running & trail socks too!

 

[movinmaggie]

FYI, Injinji also makes thicker, cushioned running & trail socks too!

Good to know; I wear the thins one under Smart Wool socks...but will look into these for my walk in Scotland in May.

 

[Grace3808]

Good to know; I wear the thins one under Smart Wool socks...but will look into these for my walk in Scotland in May.

Hi Maggie. If you're already wearing two layers you might want to check out the Wright sock. It is a double layer sock and truly works well preventing rubbing. Good hiking!

 

[Introibo]

When I was in Spain I was recommended a product called Pedi Relax at a chemists
in Burgos. It came in a white toothpaste like container. The one used had a blue
strip on it and was labelled anti - frottement. It was brilliant.

When I was in Leon I tried to buy two tubes from a chemist and he got quite angry
saying I could only have the one. Not sure what that was all about

 

[movinmaggie]

Hi Maggie. If you're already wearing two layers you might want to check out the Wright sock. It is a double layer sock and truly works well preventing rubbing. Good hiking!

Thanks Grace, I did wear Wright socks (over the thin Injinjis) on the CF in 2015. Near the end, the Wright sock had worn through to the inner layer. It could have had something to do with either how I walk, or the boots, which were super comfy. Ahnu mid boot. So I've been using Smart wool and am quite satisfied with them, but appreciate your post on the Injinjis trail sock.

 

[movinmaggie]

Thanks Grace, I did wear Wright socks (over the thin Injinjis) on the CF in 2015. Near the end, the Wright sock had worn through to the inner layer. It could have had something to do with either how I walk, or the boots, which were super comfy. Ahnu mid boot. So I've been using Smart wool and am quite satisfied with them, but appreciate your post on the Injinjis trail sock.

Whoops, it was alipilgrim who posted on the Injinjis trail sock. Thanks for that.Maggie

 

[JillGat]

Thanks for the suggestions. The Sportslick looks, well, slick. I think that I'll add it and Gloves in a Bottle to stuff to try on my feet. I'll probably skip the 2Toms stuff, because I want to get away from that kind of applicator.



I used Wrightsocks double layer socks last year, and they worked well for me.



I was thinking about using those also. I only got one small blister last year, and it was on my second toe where it rubbed against my big toe.


That's one of the things that I find appealing about it.

I don't think any kind of lotion or petroleum products will prevent blisters that are caused by toes rubbing or overlapping on each other. Only thing I found worked was wide sandals/shoes and either wrapping a toe or a gel sleeve. Some people find the toe socks work, too.

 

[trecile]

I don't think any kind of lotion or petroleum products will prevent blisters that are caused by toes rubbing or overlapping on each other. Only thing I found worked was wide sandals/shoes and either wrapping a toe or a gel sleeve. Some people find the toe socks work, too.

I'm going to try the gel sleeve on my problem toe.

 

[Eve Alexandra]

What is a gel sleeve? I've got one or two toes that I'm not liking how they feel on long/full pack hikes.

ETA: I looked it up on Amazon. These look brilliant. Will they last for a 2 week camino? I really don't like taping up my feet. This looks better.

 

[C clearly]

The toe sleeves can be great if you have a problem on a toe. I used one when I got a blister on the outside of my baby toe. I have one or 2 in my first aid kit but wouldn't use them unless I had a sore spot - you could just as well create a different problem. You can get them in the foot care section of any drugstore, including in Spain. They are surprisingly expensive, but you can re-use them until you lose them!

 

[Eve Alexandra]

The toe sleeves can be great if you have a problem on a toe. I used one when I got a blister on the outside of my baby toe. I have one or 2 in my first aid kit but wouldn't use them unless I had a sore spot - you could just as well create a different problem. You can get them in the foot care section of any drugstore, including in Spain. They are surprisingly expensive, but you can re-use them until you lose them!

I currently have compeed bandaid on the side of a pinkie toe. A common hot spot for me.

Do the gel toe things do the same that compeed would? If so I've got a bunch of that already.

 

[C clearly]

Do the gel toe things do the same that compeed would?

No. The toe sleeves just provide cushioning. They don't attach themselves to the skin.

 

[trecile]

I currently have compeed bandaid on the side of a pinkie toe. A common hot spot for me.

Do the gel toe things do the same that compeed would? If so I've got a bunch of that already.

I would save the Compeed for if you get an actual blister, and use tape or something else for cushioning.

 

[Eve Alexandra]

Yeah it turned into a blister the other day. First time I used the compeed. It's brilliant. But a different toe isn't happy. And the pads of the bottom of my feet I fear are not going to be happy. I'm thinking the gel might be a better solution than tape.

 

[C clearly]

Yeah it turned into a blister the other day. First time I used the compeed. It's brilliant. But a different toe isn't happy. And the pads of the bottom of my feet I fear are not going to be happy. I'm thinking the gel might be a better solution than tape.

How much are you walking, to be getting these problems? Have you tried thinner socks?

 

[Eve Alexandra]

How much are you walking, to be getting these problems? Have you tried thinner socks?

11 miles/fully loaded pack. It's the outside of my left pinkie toe that got a small blister. I didn't notice it until the next day. Covered with compeed and forgot about it.

My second toe is the long one and on steep downgrades it feels...ummm...not quite right. Shoes plenty big enough, Vaseline, injinji toe socks and mid weight smartwool hiking socks. I tried taping it but it didn't help. It needs a bit of cushion I think, not tape.

And I also wonder if maybe I need to learn better how to heel lock my boots.

 

[Eve Alexandra]

well here is one video. Hiking boot heel lock

But there are a few different ways and to be honest it is worthwhile looking at all the different ways and getting one or two that work for you. Heel abrasion can actually be rub the skin off your heel, and that hurts a lot. Also heel slippage allows the toes to bang into the front of your boots. I get sore on the pad jest behind my toes especially the big toe and the adjacent toe. I just bung a compeed on before I walk, if I am doing a lot of road/hard track walking. I also bung one around the bit of my heel that has rubbed in the long distant past, again before I even start walking.

The only blister I have had was in the crook under my big toe where a sock seam got me, after I put them on wrong after a break and ignored the hotspot that developed, after years of telling people never to ignore hotpots. So it was deserved punishment. I have had my heel rubbed raw in new boots that were eventually given to a charity shop, the sttching seemed to be pronounced and very hard.

Edit Running shoes can be heel locked also especially if they have a very close double lacing hole at the top.

These are my shoes. I love them. Super comfortable. Had that "omg this is it" feeling as soon as I put them on. I've got running inserts in them that were made for me at a running store. Before I planned on doing the camino I always used these inserts to keep shin splints at bay when running. March camino. Otherwise I would have chosen a lower shoe.

https://www.altrarunning.com/men/lone-peak-3-neoshell-mid

I've never had any heel rubbing, but I do think my foot is slipping forward and that's why that second toe isn't happy. And yeah, the pads behind my toes sometimes feel not so great. My insoles don't have a lot of cush though...When I looked on amazon for the gel sleeves I saw some that were meant for the pads of the feet. I was thinking maybe these and a few toe sleeves, instead of all the leukotape.

 

[Eve Alexandra]

Yeah that video should suit these Altra boots.

The thing to be careful of when adding padding is that you also use up some of room that your foot expands into, so be careful and test what you do use. Some people use plain old gaffa tape ( I think it is called duct tape in the US?) But also be aware that it is not just the big toe that hits the front of the boot as you suspect. It could be your little toe due to the actual way you place the stress on your feet. From extreme pronation to extreme supination there are loads of degrees between them, so yep taping , padding or gel inserts may work for you and your style of foot/walking. Experiment. Then you find the best solution for your feet and for your body, we are all different. And that is why one size never fits all either for trousers or blisters or abrasions.

This is super helpful. Yeah, the tape is definitely not working for me. I"ve got a decent amount of room in my boot, and my feet have already done a lot of the spreading other people experience (due to lots of pregnancies). I've noticed swelling, but not as much as some people experience. I'm going to test out some thin gel sleeves in the next week or two.

The only thing I cannot figure out is how long these things last? Can I use one set for 6 weeks?

 

[Eve Alexandra]

What is the exact purpose of the vaseline on the feet, thing? I'm wondering if it is because it does not soak in well? Or if any good moisturizing cream that would soak in would work just as well? I'm also wondering if the vaseline is necessary if you have tape and or gel sleeves on all your hot spots to begin with?

 

[Eve Alexandra]

Ok. Thank you.

 

[linkster]

A couple of things you may want to check into:

1. I have used these insoles in my hiking boots for several years. This version provides a lot of cushioning. They are heat moldable and come in several different configurations.
2. Tincture of Benzoin is often applied to skin before applying tape or other adhesive bandages. It really helps tape stick.
3. You may want to compare Spenco 2nd Skin with compeed. The adhesive bandage is separate from the blister dressing. It might give you more flexibility when applying to blisters. I would rather let blisters dry out at the end of the day and not leave compeed on for days at a time.

 

[SimLin]

Good to know; I wear the thins one under Smart Wool socks...but will look into these for my walk in Scotland in May.

Hi @movinmaggie - I do the same and, I am also walking in Scotland in May - are you doing the West Highland starting the 13th?

 

[movinmaggie]

Hi @movinmaggie - I do the same and, I am also walking in Scotland in May - are you doing the West Highland starting the 13th?

SimLin I start my solo walk May23 on the Great Glen then will meet up with a friend from Edinburgh and we'll make our way to the Dornoch area. Safe travel.