When you’re out hiking, there’s nothing that can ruin a good trek quicker than the nagging pain of a blister. They can be a real pain, and if you’re like me, you hate the thought of having to stop your hike early because of a pesky blister.
Finding an effective way to prevent or treat this common issue is vital for anyone who spends a lot of time on the trails. So, what’s the best way to prevent blisters from forming? Is moleskin better than duct tape for blisters? How do you know when to use one or the other?
Two popular solutions are moleskin vs duct tape, and each has its own set of advocates and critics. Let’s delve into the pros and cons of both these blister prevention methods, dissecting their effectiveness, cost, availability, and practicality. By the end, you’ll have a clearer idea of which option might suit your hiking needs best, ensuring that your next adventure remains blister-free and enjoyable.
Moleskin for Blister Prevention
The moleskin material is a thick and soft cotton flannel that has been impregnated with an adhesive. The moleskin has the feel of felt or chamois, which makes it easy to cut into any shape you need. Because moleskin isn’t as sticky as duct tape, there’s less chance of damaging an existing blister when removing the moleskin from your skin compared to duct tape. Moleskin also provides excellent cushioning, so it’s ideal for blisters that have already formed. Another benefit of moleskin is that it’s relatively breathable, so it won’t trap moisture and worsen blisters.
One thing to consider when using moleskin is that if your socks are damp (or wet) then moleskin can be less effective at preventing blisters. This is because moleskin doesn’t stick to wet socks as well and it’s more likely to roll up, or shift around when your foot moves inside the sock.
Related Post: Best Hiking Socks for Blisters
Duct Tape for Blister Prevention
Duct tape has been used by hikers for many years as a quick fix solution. It’s cheap and readily available, but there are pros and cons to using it. Duct tape can easily irritate your skin, especially if you already have a hot spot or blister formed. You can pair duct tape and moleskin by placing the moleskin underneath the duct tape. This provides extra cushioning while using something stickier than traditional moleskin.
Duct tape works well for preventing a hot spot from developing further, even if your socks are damp, which is a time when moleskin won’t stick. If you’re hiking in wet or rainy conditions, then duct tape can be a better solution than moleskin because it’s more waterproof and will stay in place on wet feet and socks much better.
Related Post: Best Sock Liners for Hiking
When to Use Moleskin or Duct Tape?
Both moleskin and duct tape work well at preventing blisters from forming but each has its own pros and cons depending on the situation. Here are some tips on deciding whether moleskin would be best for you (vs using duct tape), or vice versa.
New blister prevention: Moleskin is best used for preventing new blisters from forming in dry conditions and it’s less likely to irritate skin than duct tape. Moleskin can be placed on hot spots before they form into a blister (or right after one forms) so that continued friction doesn’t cause further damage or irritation. Moleskin also provides cushioning for the skin underneath so it will protect against chafing as well, which helps prevent the formation of blisters in areas where there is already some tenderness due to rubbing or moisture build-up between layers of clothing.
Protecting existing blisters: Moleskin works better on mending existing blisters because it is less likely to irritate skin than duct tape. Moleskin can be cut into any shape needed and has a soft, felt-like feel which makes it more comfortable for the healing blister.
When you’re hiking in wet conditions: If you’re hiking in wet conditions, duct tape is better than moleskin because it is waterproof and provides a near frictionless surface even when wet. It’s also less likely to roll up or shift around on wet feet and socks compared to moleskin.
When moleskin isn’t available or isn’t sticking: if you’re not able to get moleskin, or have run out on trail, duct tape is a great back up plan. It can really help prevent blisters, cool hot spots, an even protect blisters that are already formed. It’s just extremely important to protect blisters before using duct tape and the best way to do this is to first cover the affected area with gauze or a non stick bandage. Then cover the entire area in duct tape.
Duct Tape vs Moleskin: The Final Verdict
Moleskin should generally be used for blisters that have already developed, while duct tape can be used as a preventative measure and is great for hikers who are hiking in wet conditions. The key difference between them is that moleskin is less likely to irritate skin than duct tape. Additionally, moleskin provides cushioning which helps prevent chafing from occurring – an important factor in blister prevention. Both moleskin and duct tape can help prevent blisters while hiking. It all depends on what kind of situation you’re facing out on the trail. Whichever you choose, make sure to have some of both with you on your next hike! For more information on preventing blisters, read How to Prevent Blisters while Hiking.
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