Tape, clothespins and shoelaces - my new discoveries

[trecile]

My kit for my second Camino was almost identical to my first, but I did make some new discoveries.

First, I discovered Omnifix Elastic tape while in Spain. This stuff is the best! It's soft and flexible, stays put all day, and removes easily without leaving a sticky residue. You can buy it at most farmacias in Spain. I put it on the balls of my feet and wrapped around my second toes everyday, because those were the only places that I got any hotspots. The fact that it stretches, and is so thin makes it ideal for molding to the foot, and being comfortable.

Second, New Balance Sure Laces (bubble laces) - these only came untied twice, and I never had to double knot my laces.

And finally, mini clothespins. Last year I just brought large safety/diaper pins, which were great for pinning things to my pack, but not ideal for securing my clothes to a non horizontal clothes line - gravity would take over and everything would slide downwards. I found these tiny clothespins at a craft store, and they worked great to hold my lightweight clothing and towel onto the clotheslines. I took about a dozen of them, and also some diaper pins too.

 

[VNwalking]

First, I discovered Omnifix Elastic tape while in Spain.

Definitely. I discovered this stuff on my 2nd camino and would not be without it.

 

[jo webber]

I discovered Medipore tape. Stays on for 4 or 5 days, handles water great, doesn't irritate my skin. A donut of mole skin with the bottom of my foot taped = no impact blisters. Takes a little bit of scrubbing to get the glue off.

 

[Antonius Vaessen]

I made a elastic clothesline, did not need any clothespins at all. There are a few clips on You tube how to do this.

 

[Colette Z]

My kit for my second Camino was almost identical to my first, but I did make some new discoveries.

First, I discovered Omnifix Elastic tape while in Spain. This stuff is the best! It's soft and flexible, stays put all day, and removes easily without leaving a sticky residue. You can buy it at most farmacias in Spain. I put it on the balls of my feet and wrapped around my second toes everyday, because those were the only places that I got any hotspots. The fact that it stretches, and is so thin makes it ideal for molding to the foot, and being comfortable.

Second, New Balance Sure Laces (bubble laces) - these only came untied twice, and I never had to double knot my laces.

And finally, mini clothespins. Last year I just brought large safety/diaper pins, which were great for pinning things to my pack, but not ideal for securing my clothes to a non horizontal clothes line - gravity would take over and everything would slide downwards. I found these tiny clothespins at a craft store, and they worked great to hold my lightweight clothing and towel onto the clotheslines. I took about a dozen of them, and also some diaper pins too.
View attachment 35976

I live in Slovakia and discovered Omnifix before I left for my Camino in March. I taped my heels almost daily. It was much cheaper to buy in Slovakia vs Spain but I did find that prices varied significantly in Spain. I bought the 5cm x 10 m roll for €2.50 in one pharmacy yet another was asking double that price. It's lightweight, and yes thin, easy to remove when showering but because it's so thin and highly sticky you need to,practice taping so you don't waste tape that gets all stuck together when applying. I pre-cut pieces so in the morning I could tape feet within 10 minutes.

 

[Elizabeth-o]

My kit for my second Camino was almost identical to my first, but I did make some new discoveries.

First, I discovered Omnifix Elastic tape while in Spain. This stuff is the best! It's soft and flexible, stays put all day, and removes easily without leaving a sticky residue. You can buy it at most farmacias in Spain. I put it on the balls of my feet and wrapped around my second toes everyday, because those were the only places that I got any hotspots. The fact that it stretches, and is so thin makes it ideal for molding to the foot, and being comfortable.

Second, New Balance Sure Laces (bubble laces) - these only came untied twice, and I never had to double knot my laces.

And finally, mini clothespins. Last year I just brought large safety/diaper pins, which were great for pinning things to my pack, but not ideal for securing my clothes to a non horizontal clothes line - gravity would take over and everything would slide downwards. I found these tiny clothespins at a craft store, and they worked great to hold my lightweight clothing and towel onto the clotheslines. I took about a dozen of them, and also some diaper pins too.
View attachment 35976

Say, and don't forget "Compeed," if for no other reason than to share with folks who purchased too-small hiking boots!

 

[KathyEK]

My kit for my second Camino was almost identical to my first, but I did make some new discoveries.

First, I discovered Omnifix Elastic tape while in Spain. This stuff is the best! It's soft and flexible, stays put all day, and removes easily without leaving a sticky residue. You can buy it at most farmacias in Spain. I put it on the balls of my feet and wrapped around my second toes everyday, because those were the only places that I got any hotspots. The fact that it stretches, and is so thin makes it ideal for molding to the foot, and being comfortable.

Second, New Balance Sure Laces (bubble laces) - these only came untied twice, and I never had to double knot my laces.

And finally, mini clothespins. Last year I just brought large safety/diaper pins, which were great for pinning things to my pack, but not ideal for securing my clothes to a non horizontal clothes line - gravity would take over and everything would slide downwards. I found these tiny clothespins at a craft store, and they worked great to hold my lightweight clothing and towel onto the clotheslines. I took about a dozen of them, and also some diaper pins too.
View attachment 35976

One of our Camino advisors recommended diaper pins for laundry and attaching things to the pack. Also, I've heard take some caribiners for attaching things to the pack to dry while you walk, etc.

 

[trecile]

One of our Camino advisors recommended diaper pins for laundry and attaching things to the pack. Also, I've heard take some caribiners for attaching things to the pack to dry while you walk, etc.

I carry diaper pins to repair clothing and to attach socks and things to my pack, but don't like them yo hang clothes on a clothesline that is slanted or saggy. Gravity pulls it all down to one lump.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

I carry diaper pins to repair clothing and to attach socks and things to my pack, but don't like them yo hang clothes on a clothesline that is slanted or saggy. Gravity pulls it all down to one lump.

There's a way around that - you put a twist of washing line around the pin shank:


Then it won't slide along by accident. An old mountaineering trick or, at least taught to me by an old mountaineer.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I carry diaper pins to repair clothing and to attach socks and things to my pack, but don't like them yo hang clothes on a clothesline that is slanted or saggy. Gravity pulls it all down to one lump.

Yep, I hear ya. I've encountered the same problem, but partially solved it by also carrying some much smaller safety pins and grabbing a larger portion of fabric when hanging which securs it better.

 

[Marbe2]

My kit for my second Camino was almost identical to my first, but I did make some new discoveries.

First, I discovered Omnifix Elastic tape while in Spain. This stuff is the best! It's soft and flexible, stays put all day, and removes easily without leaving a sticky residue. You can buy it at most farmacias in Spain. I put it on the balls of my feet and wrapped around my second toes everyday, because those were the only places that I got any hotspots. The fact that it stretches, and is so thin makes it ideal for molding to the foot, and being comfortable.

Second, New Balance Sure Laces (bubble laces) - these only came untied twice, and I never had to double knot my laces.

And finally, mini clothespins. Last year I just brought large safety/diaper pins, which were great for pinning things to my pack, but not ideal for securing my clothes to a non horizontal clothes line - gravity would take over and everything would slide downwards. I found these tiny clothespins at a craft store, and they worked great to hold my lightweight clothing and towel onto the clotheslines. I took about a dozen of them, and also some diaper pins too.
View attachment 35976

Thanks for the tips! I am ordering the shoelaces...mine always need double knotting..and still come loose at least once a day!