How to apply duct tape and mole skin to prevent blisters?

So, like I said, I'm not a great expert on using duct tape and moleskin. I'm writing an answer because someone specifically asked. :)

My experiences:

First off - applying duct tape or moleskin to your feet is a skill you develop through trial and error. Make sure that you learn to do it BEFORE going on a major expedition. Whenever I have a big hiking trip planned, I make sure to do a series of short day hikes over a period of months before the trip. That gives me a chance to make sure I'm in shape, and review my backpacking skills, including treating blisters.

• I've never been able to get moleskin to stay in place. Maybe its my socks, but because its thicker, it tends to catch and slide off the site of the blister, and / or rubs and creates additional problems.

• I've had better luck with duct tape, which I always carry.

• I usually only get blisters on my heels, so this may not apply to other body parts
• Not all brands of duct tape are created equally. You want to find a particularly sticky brand. I think that Nashua brand duct tape was consistently good.
• If you already have an open sore on the heel (not a large blister, but a rubbed sore spot) what I usually do is put neosporine on the site of the sore. Its a disinfectant, and its a moisturizer. Then I put duct tape directly over my heel. The neosporine keeps the duct tape from sticking to the injured skin, but lets it stick to the rest of the heel normally. And the duct tape protects the skin from rubbing.
• If you know you tend to develop blisters in a certain spot, you can just put fresh duct tape there at the start of each day, to protect yourself from blisters BEFORE they arise.

posted over 11 years ago

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DavidR‭

111 reputation 0 48 11 0

Blisters are caused by friction. Your skin is not very slippery. Applying moleskin and duct-tape over a "hot-spot" adds a protective layer between your skin and shoe. Thus as your shoe slides, it rubs against the tape or mole-skin instead of your skin.

Pointers:

• Use enough tape/mole-skin to cover an area larger than the hot-spot. If the hotspot is on the edge of your heel go ahead and wrap the tape up and around the side/bottom so it doesn't shift/move. (Duct tape, being cheaper than mole-skin is better for large area applications.)
• Cut mole-skin in a circle (or at the very least, round the corners) to prevent the corners from catching on socks, shoes, etc and peeling off. (With duct-tape, I usually just snip the corners off, since it tends to stick better.)
• Use tincture of benzoin (a sticky substance) to help the moleskin adhere better to your foot.
• If you just have a hot-spot, I find duct-tape works better since it is thinner, and provides a near-frictionless surface.
• If you already have a blister, mole-skin / mole-foam (thicker) is better especially if you cut a hole in the center and stick a dough-nut of mole-skin around the blister. The added thickness helps keep your shoe from rubbing the blister in the middle

Things to be aware of:

• Moleskin, being thicker, can take up space in tight-fitting shoes, and shift the fit-problem / wear elsewhere.
• Some areas (between toes) it might be better to wrap the rubbing toe than the rubbed toe (personal preference).
• Using too SMALL of a piece of tape/other will result in it shifting, falling off, balling up, etc. In that case, just try to re-apply a larger piece.

posted over 11 years ago

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Lost‭

506 reputation 30 103 64 0

This is actually very simple. You use them as both a cushioning material and a way to prevent your shoe rubbing on your skin.

If you have a problem area, products such as Compeed cushions, mole skin etc work really well, but in an emergency duct tape should work just fine.

Just stick them over the area, making sure the edges don't catch on anything in your shoe when you walk.

posted over 11 years ago

CC BY-SA 3.0

roryalsop‭

826 reputation 7 248 84 0