One of the most annoying things about hiking is blisters. Most people will experience one or two over the course of a hike, but for some, it’s more than that. Blisters can be painful and can even interfere with your smooth hike journey. There are methods that can help you prevent blisters in the first place, but what about when you have already developed one?
Duct tape has been a long-time favorite accessory to carry along for hikers, I wonder how most of you have not been aware of the same? Read below to know all about this hike-friendly product which has some amazing benefits.
How do Blisters Form?
Blisters are a common problem for runners, hikers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. Blisters form mostly on your feet due to friction when you wear ill-fitting footwear or when you walk or hike long distances without taking proper care of your feet.
Friction between your foot and the shoe or boot causes blisters to form, which then heats up the skin and causes it to break down. The most common type of blister is a friction blister, but there are other types that can occur too.
The type of footwear you wear can also contribute to blisters. For example, Shoes with a narrow toe box may cause pressure points in the ball of your foot that lead to blisters, Wearing non-supportive shoes can also cause problems because they don’t provide the necessary cushioning for shock absorption on hard surfaces such as pavement. Also, some shoes are made with poor materials that can irritate the skin and cause it to become inflamed and vulnerable to infection
Does Duct Tape Help Blisters?
Duct tape is one of the most popular items to have in your first aid kit. It is used to help stop bleeding, seal wounds and even treat burns. It is also great for preventing blisters from forming on your feet and hands in the summertime.
When it comes to preventing blisters, duct tape works wonders. It is easy to use and can be found anywhere that has a craft store or hardware store. The adhesive is strong enough to hold the bandage in place but isn’t so sticky that it causes your skin to stick to itself.
In the world of sports, blisters are a common occurrence. It’s not uncommon for a basketball player or football player to get several blisters on their foot during the course of a season. They’re caused by rubbing against the ground or running into an object while playing, and they can be devastating.
How effective is preventive Blister Taping?
The authors at the University of Buffalo evaluated the effectiveness of the product in reducing friction burns on the skin and concluded that it was not very effective. However, they did note that it can help prevent blisters from forming.
Despite its lack of effectiveness, the authors noted that this product may still be useful if used during warm-up and stretching before activity. This can also help to prevent athletes from developing blisters in the first place by preventing friction burns on their skin as they move around during practices or games.
What are some benefits of using duct tape and how is it useful while hiking?
Duct tape is a very common item in the hiking and outdoor world. It is used for many different purposes, including fixing broken gear and repairing clothing. However, duct tape can also be used to treat blisters on your feet when you are hiking or backpacking. Duct tape is a tough, 2-inch wide silver tape with very strong glue and a fabric core. It is soft, smooth, and flexible and provides an almost frictionless surface so that your sock or shoe can glide over it harmlessly without hurting the skin of your feet
There are a few key benefits of using duct tape on blisters while hiking:
- Blister prevention: Use duct tape over any open wounds or cuts on your feet to prevent germs from getting inside them and causing infection. Just wrap a good layer of duct tape around both sides of the wound or cut and secure with a strip across the top of the wound or cut.
- Thermal insulation: Duct Tape is made from cotton fibers so it will keep you warm and insulated when used against your skin (but not if you wear shorts). If you need more protection against the elements, try using several layers of duct tape over bare skin (the thinner ones work best).
- Rubbing protection: Duct Tape is very durable which makes it useful for protecting your hands from rubbing against rocks when climbing cliffs or trees when hiking through dense forests.
Some features of duct tape that help in preventing blisters-
- It’s waterproof, so it protects your skin from getting wet or sweaty.
- Duct tape has a high tensile strength, which means it can withstand tension without breaking or tearing.
- The adhesive used in duct tape sticks to itself and other surfaces, so it can hold its shape as it’s stretched over a blister.
- Once applied directly onto the blister, it will hold in place until you remove it later. This makes it easier to use than medical tape or other materials that require extra sticky material to stick them together.
- It also protects against dirt and grit from entering your shoes through those same cracks.
Duct tape is a very versatile product as it can be used on anything from clothing to small electronics and much more. The reason duct tape is so useful is that it can be made into various shapes and sizes which makes it easy to create a seal, and it protects the skin from germs and moisture. Duct tape can also be used to hold objects together such as an emergency shelter or tent.
It can be used for many purposes when hiking, especially when you are trying to prevent blisters. Blisters are caused by friction between the skin and the surface it’s rubbing against, so the best way to prevent blisters is with duct tape because it creates a watertight seal around your foot that prevents any moisture from entering or leaving your shoe or boot. Thus it will help keep your feet dry while hiking through wet areas like rivers or streams, so they don’t get too wet and cause blisters.
Other important tips to prevent blisters while hiking
Blisters are common when you’re hiking and can be caused by a number of different factors. Here are some tips to help prevent blisters on long hikes:
- Lubricating your feet well
If you have dry skin, try applying a moisturizer or lotion before your hike, that will help keep your feet from becoming too dry, which can cause friction and irritation. You may want to use a waterproofing spray on your shoes as well, especially if you’re going for a long hike in wet weather or if you plan on taking off and putting back on your boots multiple times during the day.
2. Buy branded footwear that is well designed
The best way to avoid blisters is to buy well-designed hiking boots that fit properly and provide plenty of padding around the ankle area. Many hiking boots come with extra padding at the heel and around the ankle area, which helps reduce shock absorption while walking. Some brands also include materials such as TPU gel inserts that absorb energy when walking over uneven terrain and help prevent blisters from occurring in the first place.
3. Don’t wear new shoes
You should also avoid wearing new shoes while hiking because they don’t allow you enough time to break in the shoe before you start hiking. It takes at least 100 miles to wear down a pair of hiking boots so it is important that you wear them regularly rather than purchasing new ones every few months.
4. Wear good socks
The best way to prevent blisters is to avoid them, but sometimes this isn’t possible. To prevent blisters on your feet you should wear well-fitted socks and socks that have a high level of moisture absorption.