Recommendations: No blisters, no sunburn!

[Kathleen PEters]

Recently back from walking the Via de la Plata from Sevilla to Salamanca. It was brutally hot for the first week. I would like to share two items that worked well for me.

I took "sleeves" that runners normally use to keep warm. These were great to counteract the sun which usually ended up burning the arm that was facing the sun. They were easy to slide on and off as needed. The sleeves were also great on cool mornings. I could slide them off as the day heated up. No need to change my shirt or take off my pack. They are light and fit easily into my pocket.

I have had problems with blisters on other caminos. I tried out a product called BlistaBloc which were thin strips that I inserted in my shoes rather than on my feet. They lasted for my 3 week walk and I was blister free despite some very hot feet on very hot pavement. They were inexpensive and effective. www.blistabloc.com.

Both will be with me again when I start walking a section of the Via Francigena in July!

 

[trecile]

I have had problems with blisters on other caminos. I tried out a product called BlistaBloc which were thin strips that I inserted in my shoes rather than on my feet. They lasted for my 3 week walk and I was blister free despite some very hot feet on very hot pavement. They were inexpensive and effective. www.blistabloc.com.

I wonder how these compare to the Engo patches that @davebugg recently reviewed.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/review-impression-engo-blister-prevention-patches-part-1-2.62703/

 

[Kathleen PEters]

Not sure. I haven't heard about Engo patches. I found Blista Bloc on a website and ordered them. I think I paid $7 for a set.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

I wonder how these compare to the Engo patches that @davebugg recently reviewed.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/review-impression-engo-blister-prevention-patches-part-1-2.62703/

I have tried them. They are not as versatile as Engo Patches on where they can be applied in the shoe or insole, nor do they have the same level of lubricity as Engo Blister Patches. They can decrease the risk for blistering in the area of the heels. I find that overall the Engo Patches are a better implementation all around.

I haven't researched the information closely, but BlistaBloc used a method of group funding as a startup a couple of years ago. The makers of Engo have looked closely to see if there might be any infringement issues.

 

[Kathleen PEters]

I didn't mean this as a competition. I am just sharing what worked for me when I walked. I was happy with the sleeves and had great success with Blistabloc. Wanted to share with other pilgrims. End of my comments on my post.

 

[trecile]

I didn't mean this as a competition. I am just sharing what worked for me when I walked. I was happy with the sleeves and had great success with Blistabloc. Wanted to share with other pilgrims. End of my comments on my post.

It's not a competition. I just wondered if they were similar to the Engo patches. They are certainly less expensive. It's good to know about other options. Thanks for letting us know about them, and how well the sleeves worked for you.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

I didn't mean this as a competition. I am just sharing what worked for me when I walked. I was happy with the sleeves and had great success with Blistabloc. Wanted to share with other pilgrims. End of my comments on my post.

Please don't feel that my response was meant to be a competition between products. I was responding to a specific question to me that asked about an experiential comparison because of an extensive review that I had just recently posted.

I do not in any way dispute your success, and the benefit you derived from using Blistabloc.

 

[VAtoNC]

I have tried them. They are not as versatile as Engo Patches on where they can be applied in the shoe or insole, nor do they have the same level of lubricity as Engo Blister Patches. They can decrease the risk for blistering in the area of the heels. I find that overall the Engo Patches are a better implementation all around.

I haven't researched the information closely, but BlistaBloc used a method of group funding as a startup a couple of years ago. The makers of Engo have looked closely to see if there might be any infringement issues.

Hey davebugg, how long did the Engo Patches last?

 

[JoHill]

Regarding the blisters - toe socks!!

 

[maruska89]

Regarding the blisters - toe socks!!

I wore my toe socks occasionally as well, but I tend to get the worse blisters around the heels, so those didn't help as much for that. But they are great otherwise.

 

[trecile]

I wore my toe socks occasionally as well, but I tend to get the worse blisters around the heels, so those didn't help as much for that. But they are great otherwise.

And toe socks actually caused me to get a blister at the base between my big toe and second toe!