Have you ever duct taped your feet?

[Eyore4Ever149]

I was reading the Unofficial Guide and it suggests duct taping feet for blister prevention-

has anyone ever done this? Do you leave the tape on at night?

Basically tell me any experiences you have with this...

 

[lentesta]

Hi Eyore4Ever149,

As we note in the Guide, you should probably check with your physician if you have any questions about duct tape.

The duct tape idea (which we've used with great success for about three years) is this: apply small squares, about 2" on each side, to any areas of your feet that you know are blister-prone.

For me, it's the balls of my feet, the back of my heel, and my small toe. Apply small pieces, overlapping if necessary. Don't stretch the skin at all, and don't try to "bind" or wrap your feet in the stuff. A half-dozen patches should suffice for almost any foot.

Also, petroleum jelly between the toes helps cut down friction quite a bit.

Last month I walked between 54 and 72 miles in 3.5 days without a single blister using this technique. Does it sound odd? Yes. Does it work? You bet.

Thanks for reading the Guide!

[edit: typo]

Sincerely,

Len Testa

 

[Eyore4Ever149]

Reading it? Are you kidding, Ive replaced my Bible with it on my nightstand- and during Lent/Easter!!!!!

I bet I could memorize paragraphs from it.

Thanks for writing it!!!

(love the military take on keeping feet blister free!) thanks for that laugh!!!!!!!

 

[IvyandLace]

I do!! I do!!
*giggle* I know it sounds funny, and my DH ALWAYS makes fun of me and my sis on our trips to the World...but, hey! It works!! I am VERY blister-prone, and duct tape is the only thing I've found that works. I like to use it as preventive medicine-that is, I put it on my heels and toes BEFORE any blisters form. It just cuts down on the friction. Have to say, I have alot of funny videos of my sis and I "retaping" in midst of the World...
Security always like to make a quip about me hauling in duct tape too!

IVY

 

[lentesta]

Thank you, IvyandLace. I was beginning to feel a bit alone out here.

 

[Bambi5826]

I have never heard of this before! My mom is always talking about taking moleskin with us though. Anyone know about that?

 

[metus]

I swear by moleskin since my hockey days (when it was actually real moleskin - you can now get synthetic stuff). It is the best when you already have a blister. Basically, it was the only thing that lets you put your skates (or shoes) back on after a bad blister. Every time we go to Disney, we make sure we bring the moleskin to cover any blisters and make sure we can go out and walk (forever) the next day.

It seems that the duct tape trick is worth a try, maybe we won't need any moleskin if we follow the guide's advice

 

[kilee]

I actually cracked up when I read the first post of this thread. The men in my family are duct tape kings. If it's broke, it CAN BE duct taped!! I'll have to tell them I've found a new use for it!!!

 

[alliecats]

There is a great product out there called BodyGlide. Marathoners & bicyclists use it to prevent blisters & chafing. It looks like a stick deodorant and you just slide it across the areas you need protection before you get walking. They even have it in a travel size you can fit in a fanny pack. I believe they have a website you can check for locations selling it near you. It is awesome.

 

[Davids-Coco]

As a dancer, I have taped my feet, but not with duct tape!
I would suggest moleskin for areas that are not blistered and you want to protect. That or sports tape. Dr. Sholls makes great blister pads, which are best if you have a blister, broken or not. They absorb the moisture in the blister and create a great cushin. I will definately be taking moleskin and blister pads with me.

 

[Stepharoonie!]

You guys seriously put duct tape on your FEET? Man. I just wear flip flops and I never get blisters!!

 

[firemist]

with bodyglide how long does it last? how often do u have to reapply? is it water resistant/sweat proof? recommend the original or the spf one?

 

[AmazingGrace]

Don't laugh...but I use antiperspirant/deodorant spray on my feet in the summer. it keeps them dry and blister free. It works!!

 

[ironz]

I use bodyglide for triathlon...
It will last a while, but it comes in a nice little stick like deodorant, so it would be easy to throw in a backpack. Have not used it for blister protection...I use moleskin for that. I use bodyglide more for chafing, esp. from the neck of my wetsuit.

Have no idea why they made bodyglide with sun protection...even in an event like a triathlon, it's not like you are coating your whole body with it...you need sunscreen anyway. Just a marketing ploy, imho. And if you are using it for feet blisters like suggested above...assuming your blisters are from enclosed shoes...why do you need sun protection?

It's good stuff...but if I didn't already have it on hand, I wouldn't buy it...moleskin, bandaids...and also consider vaseline or baby powder on the toes.

 

[jubileegirl]

I thought I knew the Unofficial Guide off by heart. The first edition I bought (pre our 1996 trip) kept me entertained all through the long cold English winter. I'd come in from work, run a bath and lie there for up to an hour reading and laughing and memorising things! By the time we went on our trip in the August it was all crinkly from the steam!! (and so was I after all those baths!)

I've since bought an update for this summer's trip but don't remember the duct tape tip!! Obviously I'm not taking this trip as seriously as I ought to!!! Great idea though!

 

[Schmeck]

One thing to be careful about if you use duct tape - it's not meant to be used as a skin protector, so the adhesive on it can be very harsh to delicate skin. Also, if your skin is cracked/red/broken, avoid using duct tape, as the adhesive can diffuse through the damaged skin faster, and can cause problems.

 

[memymomonica]

The Band-Aid brand blister pads also work really well. They stay in place and don't move around and bunch like regular bandaids.

 

[Grumpy92]

Well that is a new one. But I can tell you a tip I got from this board. It has been tried on many trips, but especially wdw.

Spray your feet before you put on your socks & shoes with Arrid Extra Dry deodorant. People laugh then they get desperate and try it and find it really does work.

 

[Eyore4Ever149]

Wow, some of these replies really had me laughing!!!

Im gonna take the whole lot!

I had moleskin last time, but I get blisters right where my sneaker ends, my feet swelled up last time and the moleskin was A. Hard to cut using DH's worn out swiss army keychain knife and then the moleskin would inevitably slide off.

Heres what Im gonna take
duct tape (dont knock it til you try I say)
spray on deoderant (ditto from above)
3 pairs of sneakers (just cant decide and its good to have a backup if a pair gets really wet (from sweat, or Kali RR)
moleskin
babypowder

My feet were what made my trip miserable last time (DH made me stand in a tub of ice and icewater at night to get swelling and soreness down)
I had some blisters, on backs of lower ankle. But nothing I had to drain.

Whew! I can tell I will have to tip well for the porter carrying my bag!!!!

 

[Kaycee]

I was just reading about the duct tape last night in the Unofficial Guide, and then I see this thread today, too funny!

Len Testa, thanks for taking the time to clearly explain how to apply the duct tape. Maybe you can cut and paste your reply to this thread and use it in the next edition of UG - it would be very helpful to have such a clear explanation of how to apply the tape.

I had read about using the Arrid Extra Dry deodorant before our last trip. We used it and didn't have any blister problems. I always carry moleskin in my fanny pack just in case, but (knock on wood) we haven't needed to use it yet.