All great points: here’s another- the most important I learned. Listen to your feet, and as SOON as you feel a hotspot, stop and take care of it, luko tape- etc.. gear tape whatever. The hotspots NEVER get better take care of them before they blister

@eliseott

2 ай бұрын

yes!! hot spots are a sign that a problem has already started so you don't want that to escalate. Great addition!

Long boxer briefs and nylon socks. I never get chafe or blisters. Consider compression calf sleeves to also protect your legs if wearing shorts.

@eliseott

2 ай бұрын

thanks for the additions!

Super advice. It takes a lot of miles to learn the things you just shared for free.

@eliseott

2 ай бұрын

thank you! glad you found it helpful!!

Elise this series is so dang helpful! I’m hiking the PCT in a week, and this video in particular is really bolstering my med kit bag. much appreciated! - Donks

@dodge_walks

2 ай бұрын

Enjoy! Not jealous at all....no....not a little bit......

@eliseott

2 ай бұрын

Donks!! This is exactly why I make these videos, thanks so much for saying that. and HAPPY TRAILS!! HAVE A BLAST!

Love the honesty! 😄 I've always struggled with thigh rub/butt rub as well and this may sound silly but when I plan on going on long hikes I will actually put the leuko tape on those spots I tend to get the hotspots before hitting the trails to be proactive and it's worked like a charm for me

@eliseott

2 ай бұрын

Thank you!! I was like, 'well I know I'm not the only one so let's talk about it' That's a brilliant solution!! Do you have any trouble removing it after?

Yes, Vagisil is an incredible product. Decent barrier protection but the max strength also has the highest strength numbing mix of any OTC product so handles numbing pain better than other products out there. So I always recommend to folks to keep a tube in their outdoors first aid kit, even guys. For general friction protection, I lost count of the recommendations in the comments but I've come to like for thighs is one geared towards guys called Fresh Balls. Goes on as a cream but dries to a thicker, slick body glide type surface.

@eliseott

2 ай бұрын

yes! my fiance is a vagisil convert too! I'll have to keep an eye out for that one.

Injinjii toe socks are soooo helpful for preventing your toes from rubbing togethe. Haven’t had any blisters since i started using them

@eliseott

Ай бұрын

yay!! glad to hear that!

Many thanks for the information. Planning for AT section hike this year, training in progress. Prevention is better than treatment, less pain involved as well.

@eliseott

2 ай бұрын

That's my thought exactly! Happy trails!!

This is wonderful information, thank you. When I hiked the Camino, I used a product called NOK Which I slathered my feet with every morning before starting my hike, and then reapplied at every break. that seemed to work for me in preventing blisters.

@eliseott

2 ай бұрын

Thank you for watching, you inspire me

@wanttogo1958

2 ай бұрын

I see NOK is an anti-chafing cream that is 30% Shea butter. I’ve never used it but it sounds like a worthy choice for prevention. I think Vagisil or similar product (some use Desitin, which contains zinc oxide, too) would be better as an after occurrence choice.

Vagisil for the WIN! Especially in humid environments.

@eliseott

2 ай бұрын

It's a miracle cream!

Great tips! Chafing can be miserable so in anything but super cold weather I've changed from merino boxers to synthetic boxers, like Exofficio. They dry out much faster which is key. I also size them to be form fitting to eliminate rubbing. Also I pre tape toes I know I will have a problem with to prevent blisters if I'm headed out for some long days. I'm going to give all of the various ointments you recommend for chafing and cracked skin a try as well. Thanks!

@eliseott

2 ай бұрын

merino is awesome for base layers but I don't like it for anything else! hard agree on synthetic underwear. the tape is so helpful! if you are going for just one, I swear vagisil is a miracle cream.

Injinji socks...look weird! Feel great. Never had a blister wearing them. Love them! For chafing I still well clear of Body Glide. It lasts maybe 14 seconds after applying. I've got a stick of some brand I got from a cycling store that's name has worn off the label but works amazingly well in combination with some snug fitting under armour underwear

@eliseott

2 ай бұрын

That's kind of what I've heard, just doesn't seem to be all that effective. Glad you found something that works though, hoep you can find it again if you ever run out haha

Foot pain, I'll add in a cork ball. Weighs very little. Rolling your foot muscles around on it feels awesome but it can also be used for other muscles like any other roller - calves, thighs, shoulders, etc.

@eliseott

2 ай бұрын

OMG YES! How did I forget this?! Great addition!

Love the video series. Sorry for all these separate comments

@eliseott

2 ай бұрын

hey i don't mind at all, thanks for being here!

I thought merino wool underwear was what everyone recommended, so I tried that. My Smartwool underwear got shredded and caused horrible chafing. Spandex type underwear and petroleum jelly made a world of difference for me.

@eliseott

2 ай бұрын

I find that merino is great for base layers, but not for wearing while hiking, in my opinon! It doesn't do well with friction, but I do feel like it's recommended a lot. the spandex is where it's at for me too!

If already sunburned, burn-aid gel used for other burns help really well for sunburns as well (a little satchel is always in my med kit :) )

@eliseott

2 ай бұрын

Great tip, thank you!

Hamburger Crotch was how I heard one thru hiker describe it. Accurate description.

@eliseott

2 ай бұрын

hmm, idk about that

@Bohonk212

2 ай бұрын

@@eliseott Maybe you've never really had it.

@FOXMAN09

27 күн бұрын

​@Bohonk212 I had hamburger crotch after walking 20k+ steps 5 days in a row last week. First time i ever saw that. Wicked smell too.

great insight! Thanks, chaffing is the absolute worse! I am a big fan of the diaper rash Monkey Butt. I appreciate you sharing your experience with us.

@eliseott

2 ай бұрын

I think I've used that one! And Bourdeaux's butt paste haha. Thanks for watching!

@timroberts1109

2 ай бұрын

@@eliseott yes, thats right i have used both. butt paste is a paste, the monkey butt is a powder. super stuff! working in the landscape development industry in florida all these years gotta do what provides relief when on all feet walking all day while dealing with sweat and the elements. now using them for the longer days on trail is super helpful. as far as blisters, i really just do my best to keep my feet as dry as possible and when i need to deal with hot spots vaseline is my go to, i honestly think ive only had a handful of blisters ever my feet are mostly callased leather. happy trails and keep doing what you do! great work!

Try Bag Balm as a blister preventative. It was made for cow udders with sore teats. Much better than Vaseline, higher melting temp. Made from lambswool , i dont react, even though I'm sensitive to wool. I use it and regularly give it to my ultra 100 milers. It works well for any hot spot feet,groin armpits. Also try wearing feet stockings over socks, then they rub not your feet.

@eliseott

2 ай бұрын

totally adding this to the list!! thanks for the rec!

@wanttogo1958

2 ай бұрын

Bag Balm comes in various sizes some of which are the right size for hiking. It works great in the winter for dry hands/feet or wherever you need a little hydration. The original version contains lanolin so be sure you’re not allergic to that ingredient. Good preventative solution.

Ive had some chafing in my crack and around my nuts on a multi-day mid-summer hike. The moisture from sweating made it itch too.

@eliseott

2 ай бұрын

Yep, it's the WORST! and you don't wanna be adjusting and trying to relieve it constantly, hoping no one is coming around the corner to see you with your hands down your pants for a totally innocent reason 😅

If you get the travel size baby powder, be sure to check ingredients. I occasionally see some of those that still have talc.

@eliseott

2 ай бұрын

good to know!

Squirrel nut butter also for feet

@eliseott

2 ай бұрын

writing this one down!

Thank you for the content. Regards blisters and vaseline, applying a small amount to any hotspots works for myself.

@eliseott

2 ай бұрын

nice! thanks for watching!

Oil... olive or coconut... some mums use oils for baby's nappy rash also... good for uhum lips and cheeks as well as inner thigh... And if you get carpet burn or gravel rash, or scrapes off rocks during scrambles... I keep a tiny dropper bottle in my first aid kit...

@eliseott

2 ай бұрын

Great tip, thanks for adding!

To avoid chafing i have tried so many lotions over the years, and the only one that, for me, both prevents chafing and instantly soothes and heals already chafed areas is Neals Yard One Pot Wonder, or their hand cream. The secret ingredient I think, is beeswax

@eliseott

2 ай бұрын

oooh good tip, thanks for sharing!

Maybe I don't do enough miles in a day (~17-20), but I have not had any problems with chafing. I only got one small blister on the CT, but I think trail runners and great socks were the key. I also used leuko tape for my blister and found it worked great. I have used moleskin in the past, but I'm a convert now.

@eliseott

2 ай бұрын

You're probably just dialed in with your shoes and socks! The only times I've gotten bad blisters were in New Mexico on the CDT, I think it was the heat + dust/sand and me not adjusting for those soon enough. Yeah I'm a big leukotape fan!

PT is also great as a training method, not just after injury :)

@eliseott

2 ай бұрын

totally! especially if you have something you know could become a problem. Blaze also shares workouts geared toward thru-hikers on her insta (and I'm pretty sure she has a YT too).

@syannah344

2 ай бұрын

@@eliseott I need to check her out! I have worked with my PT for years now and it has been more than worth it. Id recommend anyone who is planning a thru to go in for a consultation to find out their weak spots ☺️

Chafing is the worst! I wear long boxer briefs to protect my thighs from rubbing and that helps a lot. I also slather all of the cracks and crevices with Vaseline proactively

@eliseott

2 ай бұрын

nice! do you find the vaseline gets all over your stuff? That's my hang up.

@eliseott

2 ай бұрын

I guess it can't be worse than the vagisil on your stuff haha

@CastawayHikes

2 ай бұрын

@@eliseott it stays put pretty well, I have no complaints. I might try Vagisil too just to see if it's better. At least it has more uses than just regular Vaseline

In a pinch chapstick works great on chafing

@eliseott

2 ай бұрын

This is a good addition, thank you!

I heard about the vagisil from a dude at work and also KZreadr Little Skittles also . I used it on the AT and it was the only thing that worked really well.

@eliseott

2 ай бұрын

ahh! I wonder if Twerk heard it from Little Skilttle! The backpacker knowledge pipeline is strong.

Squirrel nut butter is very effective in preventing chaffing.

Keep it clean! For me its always the salt from sweating that shaves away my skin. I'll sacrifice a lot of drinking water to wash that away.

@eliseott

2 ай бұрын

True! this is a great addition! And let it dry if you can after rinsing.

Panty hose for chaffing if you’re prone to it. Light weight and breathable.

@eliseott

2 ай бұрын

ooh interesting, I've never heard of this. I'll have to try sometime.

Someone's working on their thumbnail game 😝

@eliseott

2 ай бұрын

HA! I was nervous about using this pic but it's real and when else am I going to get to show off that chafe?

@iceman857

2 ай бұрын

I was a little worried for Elise on that front but came to see the comments and am glad folks are respectful!

Bring Clotrimazole cream for that rash that develops in your thighs, in Texas well call that rash "Swamp Ass", left untreated that rash will turn into Flesh Eating Bacteria and eat your skin. Clotrimazole is same cream used for Athletes Foot and can find at dollar stores, Pharmacies like Walgreens or CVS charge 10 times as much for less.

@eliseott

2 ай бұрын

I think maybe these are two different things, the rash I have in this photo is just chafing from my thighs rubbing against fabric and each other (not a fungal infection), but it's definitely important to keep clean! And using creams for fungal infections can definitely be helpful.

most important tip for chafing: stop being fat . get a thigh gap by losing weight , problem solved and fat people wont have to find excuses and blame clothing companies

@chrismcelroy7915

2 ай бұрын

Unfortunately that doesn't always completely solve the problem for everyone. It did help me a lot, but I still had a bit of chafing from thigh rub at 5'10" and 150lbs. Granted, it was a bit of an extreme situation with my job at the time. I was the trimmer, edger, and blower operator for a city park mowing crew in Florida. Between the sidewalks, curbs, and trimming around trees and flower beds I was speed walking 19-22 miles 4 days a week and 34 miles one day a week with equipment that was 14lbs, 19lbs, or 23lbs.

@JulianaChauncey

2 ай бұрын

I’m currently 5’1 and weigh 104lbs but my thighs still touch.. would you suggest losing more weight or do you have anything better I could try? Thanks for the expert wisdom!

@eliseott

2 ай бұрын

spoken like someone who has never starved themselves in pursuit of a thigh gap that is not congruent with their body shape. who blamed clothing companies? Also, fat people deserve to hike and be comfortable while doing it too.

@chrismcelroy7915

2 ай бұрын

@@JulianaChauncey dunno how you could have any left to lose with well over 6000 miles on trail

@JulianaChauncey

2 ай бұрын

@@chrismcelroy7915mainly just trying to prove to the original commenter that his suggestion to not be fat is bogus and sometimes thighs just touch :)