I've been using Vaseline to prevent blisters in practice for our Camino in April/May and it seems to be working well. However, I'm finding it difficult to get our socks to dry due to Vaseline build up? Does anyone have any thoughts/advice? Thanks.
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Another option is Engo blister prevention patches which go on your insole or orthotic. I have just started trying them and they have worked a treat for me. Wearing Icebreaker liner and regular socks wasn't enough although I didn't use lubricants.
Hi Kerrie, no lubricant, I just don't like the thought of greasy feet! You can order the patches from blisterprevention.com.au which has a lot of interesting stuff about blisters and is quite often quoted in this forum.Hi Deb, I heard about the Engo patches on a podcast just recently. Thought they sounded interesting. Are you using a lubricant on your feet now? I'd like to try and avoid using a lubricant if I can. Just wondering where you bought the Engo patches?
MacGlynn, my humble suggestion: KEEP IT SIMPLE. All will be well. I was walking with toes and feet that looked like someone with leprosy but I didn't mind. Blisters and bleeding toes but that WAS my first Camino experience. Be blessed. Buen Camino CaesarI've been using Vaseline to prevent blisters in practice for our Camino in April/May and it seems to be working well. However, I'm finding it difficult to get our socks to dry due to Vaseline build up? Does anyone have any thoughts/advice? Thanks.
Amazon sells Engo patches.Hi Deb, I heard about the Engo patches on a podcast just recently. Thought they sounded interesting. Are you using a lubricant on your feet now? I'd like to try and avoid using a lubricant if I can. Just wondering where you bought the Engo patches?
Hi Kerrie, no lubricant, I just don't like the thought of greasy feet! You can order the patches from blisterprevention.com.au which has a lot of interesting stuff about blisters and is quite often quoted in this forum.
Although everyone's feet are different, I would suggest that you probably don't actually need Vaseline.........
Sadly, some of those socks still, after around 6 months and repeated washes, have the sticky goo on the insides. Resolve has not done it, Greased Lightning has not done it. Nor, of course, the regular clothes washing detergents. Has anyone any suggestions for removing the tape goo from the inside of the sock?
Hi Texas Walker, a great solution for removing sticky residue is eucalyptus oil. Use it liberally on the sticky areas and allow to sit for a while to soften before gently wiping the area and washing. If it's really bad it may take a couple of goes.... but your socks will smell wonderful! It is brilliant for removing sticky labels and most oily substancestangential to the original poster's question: last summer (2015) it was very hot on the Camino. I was using adhesive tape on my feet. The glue softened and came through the fabric of the tape and got onto the inside of my Injinji liner socks. Sadly, some of those socks still, after around 6 months and repeated washes, have the sticky goo on the insides. Resolve has not done it, Greased Lightning has not done it. Nor, of course, the regular clothes washing detergents. Has anyone any suggestions for removing the tape goo from the inside of the sock? Thanks!
ps--and last summer feet were in such a hot environment inside the botes that Compeeds just plain melted and came off in a day. Even with the goo getting on the socks, the gauze and tape business was better on my few blisters. I suspect the blisters were heat-caused, too.
Great resource. Thanks!Although everyone's feet are different, I would suggest that you probably don't actually need Vaseline. There are arguably two basic purposes to the Vaseline. First, it serves as a lubricant to reduce frictional stress on the skin. Second, it protects against moisture.
There are better and more effective ways to resolve frictional stress, the most important of which is proper fit and lacing techniques. Fit is all about finding the right shoe/boot for your foot, with the right mechanical aspects for your gate (neutral, pronation, supination), as well as other comfort considerations (slightly larger toe box, for instance). Fit may also be about getting a custom-fit (e.g. heat molded) insert that exactly matches and supports your foot. Coupled with a quality pair of socks, that is probably all most people really need. Engo patches are useful to compensate for those areas where you can't sufficiently dial in the right fit.
The second issue, moisture, is highly dependent on the person's tolerance. This is often a question about breathability. All leather boots are generally not breathable. Gore-tex arguably is (but it can only transport a certain amount of moisture under the right conditions; once wet on the outside, it's useless; and it can be overwhelmed by excess sweat accumulation interiorly as well). Non-waterproofed, well-vented shoes or boots provide no obstacle to ingress of water, but they very rapidly evacuate it as well, allowing your feet to actually stay drier for more of the time unless in perpetually wet conditions (which usually overwhelm GoreTex and even fully waterproofed shoes/boots anyways; it just takes slightly longer).
Thus, I walk in a pair of non-waterproofed trail shoes with a pair of merino wool socks and heat-molded inserts. I need no lubricant, or Engo patches (although I carry them just in case), or Compeed. I don't have to stop and change socks throughout the day. This approach appears to be the norm for most long-distance hikers (I see a lot of Continential Divide Trail walkers as I backpack, and probably 80% are using the same approach). In the last 1,000 miles of my own hiking and backpacking, I've only had one small blister, and that was because I got lazy about adjusting my lacing one day when I needed to. This may sound arrogant, but it's not meant to be; it's simply meant to highlight that blisters do not need to be a fact of life on the Camino.
If you want actual studies on the matter and not just anecdotal information, see http://www.blisterprevention.com.au/the-advanced-guide-to-blister-prevention#.Vt7SoZwrK9I. Pay attention in particular to their (non)recommendations around lubricants, especially petroleum jelly, as actually contributing to greater likelihood of blisters.
I'm very prone to blisters. After reading recommdations from this forum before my Camino in September, I bought Body Glide a a local sports store. Used it for training & the Camino. Not one blister!! Happy feet!
Hi Janice, applied every morning between toes, bottom & top of feet. If need be, one could reapply during a break. Body Glide was my savior. I have mentioned this to other friends who walked after me. They & their feet thanked me.Hi, rolo did you apply all over and in between toes, and how often did you apply?
Thanks,
Janice
I actually thought about vasoline when I first noticed it on this forum. Had the same concerns you have mentioned. Then I found Glide!So many good opinions, and I am sure they work for each of you. But I have some stuff that works for me and will share.
Vaseline is petroleum product and not water-soluble. It should not be used if you are diabetic, or have Peripheral Vascular Disease. If you use, do not put in between toes. Think about it - you are creating a oil-soluble barrier against your skin, which does not breathe, can harbor micro-organism and cause infection, and will trap heat and perspiration.
Vasoline will require HOT water and detergent's to remove - possibly several washes to completely remove On camino I want to spend the least time possible washing my clothes. When was the time on the camino you had all the hot water you wanted? Few and far between.
A water soluble anti- friction stick such Gold Bond Friction Defense, cost $5 and is 1/3rd the cost of Glide. You have to remember to apply it every time boots are off and you are airing your feet and socks. I try to do this every 2 hours on the way.
It was 82 F today, and I forgot to use the panty-liner-in-the-boot trick I learned on this forum!
Buen Camino,
Janice
@rolo , hope we are not hijacking this thread! I did use Glide - but will apply more frequently on upcoming CP. Did you wear boots or trail runners? Just an FYI, if you live in USA check out Gold Bond Friction Defense, also water soluble, and a whole lot cheaper than Glide - happy feet, happy wallet!
Regard's
Janice
Not a hijack at all. Just trying to help others as they helped me. I had the same concerns as the OP is now experiencing w/ vasoline.@rolo , hope we are not hijacking this thread! I did use Glide - but will apply more frequently on upcoming CP. Did you wear boots or trail runners? Just an FYI, if you live in USA check out Gold Bond Friction Defense, also water soluble, and a whole lot cheaper than Glide - happy feet, happy wallet!
Regard's
Janice
I have also used Glide but like Trail Toes as much and that also is cheaper@rolo , hope we are not hijacking this thread! I did use Glide - but will apply more frequently on upcoming CP. Did you wear boots or trail runners? Just an FYI, if you live in USA check out Gold Bond Friction Defense, also water soluble, and a whole lot cheaper than Glide - happy feet, happy wallet!
Regard's
Janice
Did one stick of the Gold Bond Friction Defense last for your entire Camino Frances?So many good opinions, and I am sure they work for each of you. But I have some stuff that works for me and will share.
Vaseline is petroleum product and not water-soluble. It should not be used if you are diabetic, or have Peripheral Vascular Disease. If you use, do not put in between toes. Think about it - you are creating a oil-soluble barrier against your skin, which does not breathe, can harbor micro-organism and cause infection, and will trap heat and perspiration.
Vasoline will require HOT water and detergent's to remove - possibly several washes to completely remove On camino I want to spend the least time possible washing my clothes. When was the time on the camino you had all the hot water you wanted? Few and far between.
A water soluble anti- friction stick such Gold Bond Friction Defense, cost $5 and is 1/3rd the cost of Glide. You have to remember to apply it every time boots are off and you are airing your feet and socks. I try to do this every 2 hours on the way.
It was 82 F today, and I forgot to use the panty-liner-in-the-boot trick I learned on this forum!
Buen Camino,
Janice