[pct-l] Blister Wisdom: Luekotape vs. Kinesio Tex tape

[Mark Nienstaedt]

Hi Everybody,

So I am the guy who has had good luck with Luekotape as a blister
preventative.  Disclaimer:  I don't represent the company and am not
involved in its sale or distribution.  I does work well for me.

Eric and Sir Mixalot provide another point of view.  I can't quite conceive
of anyone's tape properly applied causing damage to socks.  I'll temper my
advice.  Prevention is the key.  Light pack weight, comfortable shoes and
socks, and some medicinal foot hygiene regimen fits that bill.  Beyond
that, arm yourself in advance with a good anti-abrasion tape that will stay
in place and not generate its own problems.  Luekotape is a medical product
and presumably tested for patient comfort.  I am not familiar with Kinesio
tape but it sounds like it is also a good product.

Blistering under the ball of the foot is very severe blistering.  I would
look to several possibilities should I fall victim to it.  Insufficiently
calloused footpadding beginning trail.  Do your fitness work now.
Improperly fitting shoes.  Ditto.  Test and break in your shoes before you
arrive on trail.

Good Luck!

Buffalo Jump Sly!





> Message: 1
> Date: Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:40:09 -0600
> From: Mark Nienstaedt <mark.nienstaedt at gmail.com>
> Subject: [pct-l] Blister Wisdom: Leukotape
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Message-ID:
>        <CAJyM0dZ5FRP5S45uVYddvbJsojj1o596ot17Kw9XydShHAC_Kw at mail.gmail.com
> >
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> Hi All,
>
> I walked the PCT in 2011 with no blister problems.  I did not regard this
> as an accident.  Preparation was the key.
> This was the strategy:
> Fundamentally, low pack weight.  I was not extremely Ultralite (base weight
> ~ 20 lbs) but I was light enough.  Secondly, time tested comfortable
> shoes.  Trail Runners.  Mine were Merrill Moab Ventilators.  Several other
> brands are clearly equally good.  I had worn Merrill shoes on Trail
> before.  Thirdly, a comfortable, reliable sock.  In my case a Wigwam "Trail
> Mix Fusion" product.
> Here's where it might get interesting:  Prevention.
> Borrowing a tip I first heard from Brandon Wilson, author and long distance
> Pilgrim walker, I massaged my feet with vasoline every night before
> retiring and often every morning before setting out on trail.  Your feet
> will like a routine like this.  Lastly, carry "Leukotape-P" as your hot
> spot magic bullet.  This tape is an outstanding product.  It eliminates
> blister causing friction.  Once applied to clean,dry skin, unlike any
> competing product, it remains in place for days.  You can bathe and shower
> with it on.  It will not come off.  When you want to remove it, the
> threatening hot spot having become a distant memory, you can remove it with
> ease.  I first learned of this product from a Portuguese  hiker while
> Pilgrim walking in Spain where it is sold inexpensively as "Leukoplast".
> Google "Leukotape" and you will find it available here in the U.S. where it
> is apparently a favorite of ultra marathon runners.  I'll never walk long
> trail again without it.
>
> Good Luck!
>
> Buffalo Jump Sly!
> AT '02, JMT '03, LT '05, PCT '11, & etc.
>
> ------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> Date: Fri, 17 Feb 2012 20:45:58 -0800
> From: Eric Lee <saintgimp at hotmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Blister Wisdom: Leukotape
> To: "'Mark Nienstaedt'" <mark.nienstaedt at gmail.com>,
>        <pct-l at backcountry.net>
> Message-ID: <BAY145-ds21D40EFB1E6C2C6E6D45E1BD600 at phx.gbl>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> I strongly agree with using high-quality sports tape as a
> blister-prevention
> aid.  Apply it to the areas where you know you're prone to get blisters
> *before* you get hot spots.
>
> However, I personally prefer Kinesio Tex tape over Leukotape.  When I tried
> using Leukotape on the balls of my feet a few years ago I found that yes,
> it
> sticks tenaciously, but for me the adhesive was actually too aggressive.
> One, the adhesive would leak through the fabric tape and turn my socks into
> gunky messes, and two, I actually ripped a chunk of skin off my foot once
> while trying to remove it.  I found that Kinesio Tex has an adhesive that's
> closer to the perfect balance of strength vs. friendliness for me; it stays
> in place for days, doesn't make a mess, and comes off without harm.
> However, it definitely doesn't survive swimming.  Leukotape has the
> advantage there if that's important to you.
>
> Eric
>
>
>
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> Message: 22
> Date: Fri, 17 Feb 2012 21:55:35 -0800
> From: Sir Mixalot <atetuna at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Blister Wisdom: Leukotape
> To: Eric Lee <saintgimp at hotmail.com>
> Cc: Mark Nienstaedt <mark.nienstaedt at gmail.com>, pct-l at backcountry.net
> Message-ID:
>        <CAKhNvBUrdP3DaJ3=qFqFQvObd43ncRAh08ocCvpLE7s6sMYMrw at mail.gmail.com
> >
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> Thanks Eric.  The bit about kinesio tape not making a mess is enough for me
> to try it.  I've ruined socks because I used leukotape.
>
> On Fri, Feb 17, 2012 at 8:45 PM, Eric Lee <saintgimp at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>