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A few times I've been out walking or backpacking and have no moleskin with me. Sure enough, my boots start giving me blisters. How can I prevent or treat hotspots and blisters without using moleskin?

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Do you have access to your first aid kit, or are you wondering how to manage the injury with no extra items? – Ryley Jan 24 '12 at 19:59
Typically if I'm out on a small day hike, I'll carry nothing other than water, snacks, and maybe a jacket. On longer trips, I'll carry a first-aid kit that has moleskin in it. – Pulsehead Jan 24 '12 at 20:04
That's a tough one then! I have a whole system for blisters that doesn't use moleskin, but you have to have athletic tape (or duct tape), lanolin, and lambs wool... So that answer defeats the point of your question I think :) – Ryley Jan 24 '12 at 20:06
I suggest you take a tiny amount (one or two blisters worth) of whatever you like to use for blisters, and leave it permanently in your day pack, jacket pocket, camera case, or the like. Then you will always have it no mtter what kind of walk you're on. – Kate Gregory Nov 27 '12 at 14:03

3 Answers

up vote 19 down vote accepted

The key is reducing friction. Duct tape can be a good preventative as long as you get it on before a blister forms. After the blister is there, it's harder to recommend as once you're ready to remove the duct tape, you might pull the blister along with it.

Other options are to make sure you're wearing dry non-cotton socks. If you find your feet sweat a lot while walking, make sure you have good moisture wicking socks or you change your socks as the moisture builds up. Rotating socks gives one pair a chance to dry out while wearing the other.

If you're in the middle of a hike and forming hotspots without any tape, extra socks or moleskin to help, you may have to just slow down. Take a break, take your boots and socks off and give everything some time to dry out. It may be all you need to get back to civilization without developing full blisters.

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+1 for "before the blister forms". Best bet is to leave it on and let it wear off on its own, if possible, or exercise great care when removing. – D. Lambert Jan 24 '12 at 20:17
+1 for duct tape. It works better than moleskin for me. – xpda Jan 24 '12 at 21:18
+1 I cannot believe I never have thought of that! – justnS Jan 24 '12 at 22:42
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Bonus tip: wrap duct-tape around your water bottle, or trekking pole, or pack-frame, or something that you always take with you... it will come in handy often. – LBell Jan 25 '12 at 1:54
You can put a piece of clean leaf under the duct tape where it touches the hot spot to help removing it without your skin. – Lorlin Sep 3 '12 at 15:43
up vote 9 down vote

The #1 remedy I use is good old fashioned Duct Tape.

I will usually put a large strip around the back of my ankle every morning before putting my socks on, just as a precaution. It sticks well and allows your boot and sock to rub around without rubbing directly on the skin, causing hotspots.

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up vote 6 down vote

I would imagine you might not have compeed, if you don't have moleskin with you, but I just thought I'd mention it as a nice measure to prevent/treat blisters.
I would also recommend carrying less weight and using a lighter pair of shoes, instead of a heavy pair of boots. Those blisters are your feet's way of telling you something isn't working well in there.

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Is that available in the US? Their website does not list the US. – Justin C Feb 26 '12 at 3:25
Bandaid sells the Compeed products in North America. It's not always obvious on the box, but the instructions refer to Compeed being printed on one of the pieces of paper you peel off. I think it's called Blister Block these days. – Kate Gregory Nov 27 '12 at 14:01

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