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Hi Caligal,I am getting ready for Camino #2 and curious about posts where pilgrims put vaseline on their feet to reduce friction. My1st camino my feet did well aside from an occasional hot spot which i used compeed on and problem solved. So my ? is, do you rub vaseline all over your feet? doesnt it stick to inside of your socks? I would think it makes washing your socks icky? Advice? Thanks Dee
Compeed is really not for prevention, but for treating deroofed blisters, and in my opinion is quite expensive to use as a preventative.My1st camino my feet did well aside from an occasional hot spot which i used compeed on and problem solved.
I do the same, but I use Omnifix or Hypafix tape which is widely available at farmacias in Spain.My practice is to tape problem areas, toes and such, with paper tape.
I am getting ready for Camino #2 and curious about posts where pilgrims put vaseline on their feet to reduce friction. My1st camino my feet did well aside from an occasional hot spot which i used compeed on and problem solved. So my ? is, do you rub vaseline all over your feet? doesnt it stick to inside of your socks? I would think it makes washing your socks icky? Advice? Thanks Dee
I am sure that foot which got the vaseline treatment heats up due to the pores of the skin being blocked in the proces.On reading about vasaline on another thread I decided to try it on my training hike this morning,I vasalined 1 foot and the other one was free of any treatment.I only used a light covering.
When walking A few kilometers I noticed vasaline foot was warmer.on completion in bare feet in home both felt the same and good.I am lucky that I never had foot trouble on my last caminos.but wondering should I use vasaline on my camino next week? I am thinking that the V might prevent the feet from breathing and sweating properly
I use a lotion called "Gloves in a Bottle." I put a light coating on my feet focusing on the heels and toes. It seems to be a very effective non-greasy lubricant for me. Since I started using it four years ago, I have been blister free.
Gloves In A Bottle | Shielding Lotion for Dry Hands
Doctors highly recommend the use of Gloves In A Bottle as an added defense after hand-washing. An invisible shield for your hands. 100% Safe. 100 Guaranteed.www.glovesinabottle.com
Beware, that at the end of the day, watch you step when you get into the shower. The floor will seem more slippery because of the lotion.
davebugg you are a wealth if knowledge, thank you for your thorough response. DeeThe ideal is to reduce friction to the OUTSIDE of the sock, rather than on the inside next to the skin. Using a goop on the foot attempts to deal with a symptom that causes blistering, but it leaves the cause for the problem unsolved.
Primary prevention involves preventing the shear force friction, from socks rubbing on the skin, from causing blistering. This is done by:
An effective add on to the shoe is the application of the self-adhering Engo Anti-Blister patches. They are very effective at preventing shear force friction blistering by making it easy for the sock to move inside the shoe. Again, this keeps the shoe from forcing the sock to rub against the skin.
- Using a sock material which does not deform, becoming saggy and stretched. Socks like Smart Wool, Ice Breaker, Darn Tough, Coolmax, Wigwam, etc use synthetic content (even in those that are Merino Wool) to prevent sock deformation to good effect.
- Proper sizing. Here, you want a fit that follows the opposite of what you want in footwear for hiking/walking. You want socks which are very snug on the feet, but not gangrene inducingly tight.
- Wearing lightly padded socks. Heavier padding allows more movement of the sock against the skin.
- Except on long and steep downhill grades, wear shoes on the loose side. This allows the sock to remain in place against the skin by allowing the sock to remain in place on the foot, but allowing the shoe to slightly slide around the sock. A tight shoe can force the sock to move against the skin.
For those interested, I did a thorough review of the Engo Patches in an earlier Forum post.
For hotspot treatments, Leukotape P, Omnifix tape, Moleskin, sports tape (the white adhesive tape stuff) are better than Compeed for a few reasons.
An issue with using slippery substances on the feet, they will interfere with the application of hot spot treatments. Most treatments for the pre-blister hot-spot involves the application of barrier materials, like tapes or moleskin, etc, so it is vital for the adhesives to adhere securely to the skin. The adhesives will fail if applied to skin coated with lubricant. So care must be taken to use hand sanitizer or alcohol to clean the goop off of the skin.
If committed to using skin goops for blister prevention, use preparations that do not require more frequent application. Pure petrolatum-based goops, like vaseline, tend to rub off fairly quickly and get absorbed into to the skin as they are warmed up from body heat.
Ironically, the softening effect to the skin by the absorption of petrolatums can make one more prone to blistering.
So a goop that is more persistent and less absorbable will perform better. I would look for a more 'waxy' type of goop. Many times, beeswax is an ingredient for these types of foot or skin treatments for blister protection. BodyGlide, HikerGoo, ChafeX, Compeed Anti-Blister Stick, etc all use this type of formulation. These products might include some petrolatum as a part of the formula, but it is the beeswax and paraffins and other waxy components which allow for a longer duration of the product on the skin.
I just wear either liner socks or nylons with my wool socks. No blisters, no need to carry vaseline or tape. I do have some foot glide that I put on my one little toe that has a corn on it.
davebugg you are a wealth if knowledge, thank you for your thorough response. Dee
There have been posts in the past, most notably from @wayfarer recommending Gloves in a Bottle.This is an interesting suggestion. Gloves in a Bottle uses a silicone type of ingredient called dimethicone. It is a product that I have never used myself, but could be effective in place of vaseline or BodyGlide. It should be a lot more persistent on the feet.
I am getting ready for Camino #2 and curious about posts where pilgrims put vaseline on their feet to reduce friction. My1st camino my feet did well aside from an occasional hot spot which i used compeed on and problem solved. So my ? is, do you rub vaseline all over your feet? doesnt it stick to inside of your socks? I would think it makes washing your socks icky? Advice? Thanks Dee
One is RunGoo from www.footkinetics.com You can find other recommendations from ultra-marathoners on www.fixingyourfeet.com
@trecile, you beat me to the punch again. It seems that too many people don't know how to use compeed as the manufacturer intended. Of course they don't really care if you use it when you don't have to. It's money in the bank to them.Compeed is really not for prevention, but for treating deroofed blisters, and in my opinion is quite expensive to use as a preventative.
This is true, they also make an antifriction stick, similar to Body/Foot Glide, but when people say that "I put a Compeed on it" 99% of the time they are talking about the Compeed blister plaster, not the antifriction stick or liquid.Compeed is the name of the company that makes a number of products, one of which is a silicon type liquid skin that can be applied to skin to create an outter layer to take the brunt of the friction. It isn't supposed to be used with open wounds or blisters. It is a preventative or for use on hot spots.
True. And usually when I see someone talking about compeed, I sit on my hands.This is true, they also make an antifriction stick, similar to Body/Foot Glide, but when people say that "I put a Compeed on it" 99% of the time they are talking about the Compeed blister plaster, not the antifriction stick or liquid.
On my first day of the Camino I met people who had walked multiple times on Frances They use A and D baby ointment which they gave me a spare tube. It worked great except you cannot get it in Spain. Being a pharmacist I understood that blister are caused by friction so here is what I found you can make a pretty close copy of A&D ointment by mixing the followingI am getting ready for Camino #2 and curious about posts where pilgrims put vaseline on their feet to reduce friction. My1st camino my feet did well aside from an occasional hot spot which i used compeed on and problem solved. So my ? is, do you rub vaseline all over your feet? doesnt it stick to inside of your socks? I would think it makes washing your socks icky? Advice? Thanks Dee
I also used the Engo patches and they are still on my orthotics a year later. Still going strong. Hugely successful in preventing rubbing!There are products that last longer than Vaseline and don't mess up your socks so bad. One is RunGoo from www.footkinetics.com You can find other recommendations from ultra-marathoners on www.fixingyourfeet.com
Like DaveBugg, I highly recommend the Engo patches. I learned about the Engo patches from that FixingYourFeet site, too, after I wrote to the guy asking what I could use instead of having to re-tape my feet every day. The Engo patches stay in your shoes and were like magic in reducing friction. I gave some away to other pilgrims for whom they worked, too. Mine have been in my shoes for over two years.
I have great sensitivity to wool and have always used Wigwam socks and they have worked great for me.The ideal is to reduce friction to the OUTSIDE of the sock, rather than on the inside next to the skin. Using a goop on the foot attempts to deal with a symptom that causes blistering, but it leaves the cause for the problem unsolved.
Primary prevention involves preventing the shear force friction, from socks rubbing on the skin, from causing blistering. This is done by:
An effective add on to the shoe is the application of the self-adhering Engo Anti-Blister patches. They are very effective at preventing shear force friction blistering by making it easy for the sock to move inside the shoe. Again, this keeps the shoe from forcing the sock to rub against the skin.
- Using a sock material which does not deform, becoming saggy and stretched. Socks like Smart Wool, Ice Breaker, Darn Tough, Coolmax, Wigwam, etc use synthetic content (even in those that are Merino Wool) to prevent sock deformation to good effect.
- Proper sizing. Here, you want a fit that follows the opposite of what you want in footwear for hiking/walking. You want socks which are very snug on the feet, but not gangrene inducingly tight.
- Wearing lightly padded socks. Heavier padding allows more movement of the sock against the skin.
- Except on long and steep downhill grades, wear shoes on the loose side. This allows the sock to remain in place against the skin by allowing the sock to remain in place on the foot, but allowing the shoe to slightly slide around the sock. A tight shoe can force the sock to move against the skin.
For those interested, I did a thorough review of the Engo Patches in an earlier Forum post.
For hotspot treatments, Leukotape P, Omnifix tape, Moleskin, sports tape (the white adhesive tape stuff) are better than Compeed for a few reasons.
An issue with using slippery substances on the feet, they will interfere with the application of hot spot treatments. Most treatments for the pre-blister hot-spot involves the application of barrier materials, like tapes or moleskin, etc, so it is vital for the adhesives to adhere securely to the skin. The adhesives will fail if applied to skin coated with lubricant. So care must be taken to use hand sanitizer or alcohol to clean the goop off of the skin.
If committed to using skin goops for blister prevention, use preparations that do not require more frequent application. Pure petrolatum-based goops, like vaseline, tend to rub off fairly quickly and get absorbed into to the skin as they are warmed up from body heat.
Ironically, the softening effect to the skin by the absorption of petrolatums can make one more prone to blistering.
So a goop that is more persistent and less absorbable will perform better. I would look for a more 'waxy' type of goop. Many times, beeswax is an ingredient for these types of foot or skin treatments for blister protection. BodyGlide, HikerGoo, ChafeX, Compeed Anti-Blister Stick, etc all use this type of formulation. These products might include some petrolatum as a part of the formula, but it is the beeswax and paraffins and other waxy components which allow for a longer duration of the product on the skin.
I used to use vaseline, but I was told it heats up. The last two Camino's I have used lanolin, with no blister issues. It is difficult to buy lanolin these days but found this company.I am getting ready for Camino #2 and curious about posts where pilgrims put vaseline on their feet to reduce friction. My1st camino my feet did well aside from an occasional hot spot which i used compeed on and problem solved. So my ? is, do you rub vaseline all over your feet? doesnt it stick to inside of your socks? I would think it makes washing your socks icky? Advice? Thanks Dee
That was my thoughts when I first heard of it. Having used a variant on five trips on the camino, I can assure you, it has no adverse affects on your socks, unlike compeed. If it comes off inside your socks, you are never getting it off. I dont use vaseline though. I originally used Umguentum de Peregrino at €12 a jar but when I ran out in Hospital de Orbigo, no one stocked it, in fact, no one even had vaseline. On my next camino, the hospitalera in Cizur Menor recommended the use of Vick. It is available everywhere at half the price of the Umguentum and it works a treat. As I said, five trips to the Camino and never had any blister problems and my socks are still in daily use (not the same pair every dayI am getting ready for Camino #2 and curious about posts where pilgrims put vaseline on their feet to reduce friction. My1st camino my feet did well aside from an occasional hot spot which i used compeed on and problem solved. So my ? is, do you rub vaseline all over your feet? doesnt it stick to inside of your socks? I would think it makes washing your socks icky? Advice? Thanks Dee
TRied and tested method which has worked for numerous caministas for years.I am getting ready for Camino #2 and curious about posts where pilgrims put vaseline on their feet to reduce friction. My1st camino my feet did well aside from an occasional hot spot which i used compeed on and problem solved. So my ? is, do you rub vaseline all over your feet? doesnt it stick to inside of your socks? I would think it makes washing your socks icky? Advice? Thanks Dee
Just remember that you have to wash it out of your socks. Personally, I opted for silk sock liners from REI. No blisters and no hot spots.I am getting ready for Camino #2 and curious about posts where pilgrims put vaseline on their feet to reduce friction. My1st camino my feet did well aside from an occasional hot spot which i used compeed on and problem solved. So my ? is, do you rub vaseline all over your feet? doesnt it stick to inside of your socks? I would think it makes washing your socks icky? Advice? Thanks Dee
I just put it on my heels and all the way up past the top of my socks. No blisters and my feet did really well. there are also some body glide types of sticks which we used also the same way. Good luck!I am getting ready for Camino #2 and curious about posts where pilgrims put vaseline on their feet to reduce friction. My1st camino my feet did well aside from an occasional hot spot which i used compeed on and problem solved. So my ? is, do you rub vaseline all over your feet? doesnt it stick to inside of your socks? I would think it makes washing your socks icky? Advice? Thanks Dee
Doesn't Vicks have petroleum jelly (aka Vaseline) as its base?That was my thoughts when I first heard of it. Having used a variant on five trips on the camino, I can assure you, it has no adverse affects on your socks, unlike compeed. If it comes off inside your socks, you are never getting it off. I dont use vaseline though. I originally used Umguentum de Peregrino at €12 a jar but when I ran out in Hospital de Orbigo, no one stocked it, in fact, no one even had vaseline. On my next camino, the hospitalera in Cizur Menor recommended the use of Vick. It is available everywhere at half the price of the Umguentum and it works a treat. As I said, five trips to the Camino and never had any blister problems and my socks are still in daily use (not the same pair every day). As an aside, the hospitalera claimed Vick repels bedbugs but I can not vouch for that as I have never come across the critturs. To use, rub all over the foot and between the toes. Your feet will thank you
I am getting ready for Camino #2 and curious about posts where pilgrims put vaseline on their feet to reduce friction. My1st camino my feet did well aside from an occasional hot spot which i used compeed on and problem solved. So my ? is, do you rub vaseline all over your feet? doesnt it stick to inside of your socks? I would think it makes washing your socks icky? Advice? Thanks Dee
My wife and I have used vasaline in training walks. It's been great. Plus it doesn't mess up your socks. Rub it in all over your feet in a thin film. Regards Bruce and Margaret.I am getting ready for Camino #2 and curious about posts where pilgrims put vaseline on their feet to reduce friction. My1st camino my feet did well aside from an occasional hot spot which i used compeed on and problem solved. So my ? is, do you rub vaseline all over your feet? doesnt it stick to inside of your socks? I would think it makes washing your socks icky? Advice? Thanks Dee
Doesn't Vicks have petroleum jelly (aka Vaseline) as its base?
I walked the Camino Frances in May this year and used Vaseline every day on my feet. I rubbed it all over - top and bottom, and in between my toes. I wore a thin pair of merino socks and a pair of slightly thicker merino mix socks on top.I am getting ready for Camino #2 and curious about posts where pilgrims put vaseline on their feet to reduce friction. My1st camino my feet did well aside from an occasional hot spot which i used compeed on and problem solved. So my ? is, do you rub vaseline all over your feet? doesnt it stick to inside of your socks? I would think it makes washing your socks icky? Advice? Thanks Dee
It does indeed as does the Umguentum de Peregrino. Reason for not using vaseline is as I said, not available everywhere but Vick is. The Umguentum also contains Aloe Vera to help heal any existing problems. Lots of other useful ingredients but you can read the label yourself if you buy it. Only slightly dearer than Vick as it comes in a bigger jar. But no matter which choice, they all lubricate your feet and do no harm to your socksDoesn't Vicks have petroleum jelly (aka Vaseline) as its base?
I had horrible blisters on my camino in 2017. Doing a last minute (leave in 2 weeks) camino beginning in Leon and worried sick about blisters. Would the Engo Patches help to prevent blisters on the toes? Not worried about my heels. Using different shoes (Hoka's instead of boots) and maybe going to try a wide.The ideal is to reduce friction to the OUTSIDE of the sock, rather than on the inside next to the skin. Using a goop on the foot attempts to deal with a symptom that causes blistering, but it leaves the cause for the problem unsolved.
Primary prevention involves preventing the shear force friction, from socks rubbing on the skin, from causing blistering. This is done by:
An effective add on to the shoe is the application of the self-adhering Engo Anti-Blister patches. They are very effective at preventing shear force friction blistering by making it easy for the sock to move inside the shoe. Again, this keeps the shoe from forcing the sock to rub against the skin.
- Using a sock material which does not deform, becoming saggy and stretched. Socks like Smart Wool, Ice Breaker, Darn Tough, Coolmax, Wigwam, etc use synthetic content (even in those that are Merino Wool) to prevent sock deformation to good effect.
- Proper sizing. Here, you want a fit that follows the opposite of what you want in footwear for hiking/walking. You want socks which are very snug on the feet, but not gangrene inducingly tight.
- Wearing lightly padded socks. Heavier padding allows more movement of the sock against the skin.
- Except on long and steep downhill grades, wear shoes on the loose side. This allows the sock to remain in place against the skin by allowing the sock to remain in place on the foot, but allowing the shoe to slightly slide around the sock. A tight shoe can force the sock to move against the skin.
For those interested, I did a thorough review of the Engo Patches in an earlier Forum post.
For hotspot treatments, Leukotape P, Omnifix tape, Moleskin, sports tape (the white adhesive tape stuff) are better than Compeed for a few reasons.
An issue with using slippery substances on the feet, they will interfere with the application of hot spot treatments. Most treatments for the pre-blister hot-spot involves the application of barrier materials, like tapes or moleskin, etc, so it is vital for the adhesives to adhere securely to the skin. The adhesives will fail if applied to skin coated with lubricant. So care must be taken to use hand sanitizer or alcohol to clean the goop off of the skin.
If committed to using skin goops for blister prevention, use preparations that do not require more frequent application. Pure petrolatum-based goops, like vaseline, tend to rub off fairly quickly and get absorbed into to the skin as they are warmed up from body heat.
Ironically, the softening effect to the skin by the absorption of petrolatums can make one more prone to blistering.
So a goop that is more persistent and less absorbable will perform better. I would look for a more 'waxy' type of goop. Many times, beeswax is an ingredient for these types of foot or skin treatments for blister protection. BodyGlide, HikerGoo, ChafeX, Compeed Anti-Blister Stick, etc all use this type of formulation. These products might include some petrolatum as a part of the formula, but it is the beeswax and paraffins and other waxy components which allow for a longer duration of the product on the skin.
Are used body glide on my feet. It’s made for runners feet and it’s not as greasy as Vaseline and it worked really well. I think that might be a name brand but there are all sorts of brands of this type of application.I am getting ready for Camino #2 and curious about posts where pilgrims put vaseline on their feet to reduce friction. My1st camino my feet did well aside from an occasional hot spot which i used compeed on and problem solved. So my ? is, do you rub vaseline all over your feet? doesnt it stick to inside of your socks? I would think it makes washing your socks icky? Advice? Thanks Dee
I used 5-toe liner sox and lightly padded smart wool sox. When I felt a hot spot while walking, I immediately wrapped it with moleskin. While walking, took my boots off and aired my feet several times. Had no blisters during the last 3 caminos.I am getting ready for Camino #2 and curious about posts where pilgrims put vaseline on their feet to reduce friction. My1st camino my feet did well aside from an occasional hot spot which i used compeed on and problem solved. So my ? is, do you rub vaseline all over your feet? doesnt it stick to inside of your socks? I would think it makes washing your socks icky? Advice? Thanks Dee
I walked from Tui to Santiago this July with a Spanish friend - we both had Vaseline in our bags without even consulting each other, coincidence ... but a great one! We used it every day then put the socks on and walked. It worked a treat, no blisters and no problem whatsoever with the feet or with the socks -they washed out perfectly. The Vaseline gets absorbed into the skin. Definitely would recommendI am getting ready for Camino #2 and curious about posts where pilgrims put vaseline on their feet to reduce friction. My1st camino my feet did well aside from an occasional hot spot which i used compeed on and problem solved. So my ? is, do you rub vaseline all over your feet? doesnt it stick to inside of your socks? I would think it makes washing your socks icky? Advice? Thanks Dee
I am getting ready for Camino #2 and curious about posts where pilgrims put vaseline on their feet to reduce friction. My1st camino my feet did well aside from an occasional hot spot which i used compeed on and problem solved. So my ? is, do you rub vaseline all over your feet? doesnt it stick to inside of your socks? I would think it makes washing your socks icky? Advice? Thanks Dee
I used Vaseline on my whole foot my last Camino, changed my liners regularly throughout the day when they got sweaty and had no blisters. I also would tape hot spots. I think it works great.I am getting ready for Camino #2 and curious about posts where pilgrims put vaseline on their feet to reduce friction. My1st camino my feet did well aside from an occasional hot spot which i used compeed on and problem solved. So my ? is, do you rub vaseline all over your feet? doesnt it stick to inside of your socks? I would think it makes washing your socks icky? Advice? Thanks Dee
How do you fit all that stuff in your shoes?You might not believe this, but as well as vasoline and two pairs of socks, a MaxiPad on top of the insole in your shoe wicks all the moisture away from your foot. After two blisters on my first Camino, a Portugeuse woman told me about MaxiPads and gave me some, and with them I have had no blisters since on the next three! And its fun watching men trying to figure out what size MaxiPad to buy, but the pharmacies along the Camino are used to men buying them. When I was a hospitalero in Camiino last year I gave away a package of them every week.
I already had one size larger shoes, and one pair of the socks are very thin polypropolene, something we learned hiking in the Utah slot canyons. And the MaxiPads flatten down very quickly. BTW, if I didn't say it earlier, you will need to use new, dry MaxiPads every day.How do you fit all that stuff in your shoes?
I have heard of using an adhesive panty liner on back of shoe to stop ankle and heel blisters.How do you fit all that stuff in your shoes?
I only need to use a tiny piece over a few days if I get a hot spot early on. Not expensive at all in small amounts. It has nice comfy cushioning and stays on in the shower. I'm gonna keep using it when needed. It's worked great for me on five long caminos!Compeed is really not for prevention, but for treating deroofed blisters, and in my opinion is quite expensive to use as a preventative.
I put vaseline all over my feet and between my toes after I'd put on any prevention tape. It did not stick to my socks (Darn Tough socks). I put a thin layer on - not a big gloopy bunch of it.I am getting ready for Camino #2 and curious about posts where pilgrims put vaseline on their feet to reduce friction. My1st camino my feet did well aside from an occasional hot spot which i used compeed on and problem solved. So my ? is, do you rub vaseline all over your feet? doesnt it stick to inside of your socks? I would think it makes washing your socks icky? Advice? Thanks Dee
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