Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Need help finding a product

Sorry for the tangent but I need help finding an anti-blister product. I spoke with someone at REI that swears by a product that they don't carry any more (but carried up until 2 wks ago). He said it's almost like a gummy bear-like texture. The entire thing is sticky and it's oval shaped. He thinks it was made by Dr Scholl's but there's no more listing of it on Drscholl's website so they must not make it any more. Does anyone have any idea what the name of this product is and where to find it? I'm guessing there are still some sitting on store shelves or Internet stores somewhere. Thanks.

I think you're looking for Compeed Blister Plasters, http://www.fieldandtrek.com/product-Compeed-Compeed-Blister-Plasters-25542.htm.

I've used them in the past and they're great.

Thanks Romain. He actually mentioned Compeed and said it was comparable but Compeed is a european product. Most of these sites don't ship to the U.S. and even so, I need to find something sooner. So the question is what's the U.S. equivalent (or a U.S. chain that carries Compeed).

I would have made the same post as Romain. Wonder if the REI rep was talking about Spenco Second Skin? It used to be a moist substance I believe was originally developed as a burn dressing but they came out with a product a few years back just for blisters. Here is a <a href="http://www.spenco.com/prod_2ndskin_blisterpads.html">site</a> if it helps.

An equivalent product is made by band-aid:
http://www.bandaid.com/footcare.shtml

These are generally available at most large pharm chains.

Ken,

I think if you look at the fine print you will see Compeed. If I'm not mistaken J&J is licensed to make this great product.

I found the Band-aid version. I think that's it. Thanks for your help. Let's just hope it works.

I stock up on Compeed whenever I visit my family in Germany. It works like a charm. Not only on blisters, but any cuts or scrapes where you don't really want to rub anything over it (such as a sock). It is waterproof and has some substance on it that helps healing. I leave it on until it falls off by itself.

A quick alternative, while not quite as nice, is duct tape. Poke the blister open, cut off the skin, let it dry, disinfect with alcohol (or something else non-greasy) and put duct tape over it - big enough so that when the edges rub off the skin a little bit, the blister is still well covered. It can't stay on as long as Compeed (or the Band-Aid version) because it doesn't let air through, but if you have 10 miles of hiking ahead of you, yeah, it helps

I follow Valeraxy's advice with two exceptions, I do not cutoff the skin and instead use a paper backed white medical tape that is very strong and will remain on for days. I have tried duck tape and found the adhesive can be a nuisance when putting on and removing socks. This is particularly annoying with the silk undersock I use.

Glenn
I work at a hospital,Just for fun I looked for the Compeed.well after a lot of searching.I would have to say good luck finding it in your local store.J&J will not sell out right to the general public.but I was informed the Band-Aid band makes a similar one.
So good luck with it.

I use the Band-aid product and find it to be the best solution for blisters I have had. On the front of the package it says based on Compeed Technology.

My podiatrist recommended putting some petroleum Jelly on the spots where you might blister, followed by a polypropiline sock liner and then a good thick pair of wool socks. I've done this on the last several hikes and it has worked for me.

P.S. Don't forget the boots!

Rafael...

DUCT TAPE DUCT TAPE DUCT TAPE;;;

need I say more...mark

Hi,
There's stuff called Spyroflex that meets that description. I've heard rave reviews, but have yet to try it as a duct tape alternative. If you search REI.com for spyroflex, it comes right up.

I carry Spyroflex in my first aid kit and have found it to be a good product but of limited use. Your foot must be absolutely dry before you apply it. It also helps if the location is not an area of your foot where you experience movement inside your boots. The edges will roll up like duck tape, stick to your socks and reduce the usefulness of the product.

I have had very good success with Spyroflex on the flatter portions of my feet(such as the ball) and I usually re-inforce the Spyroflex with a couple of strips of the medical tape as mentioned in an earlier post.

Houston, we've got a problem. I did a nice little 4 hour "warmup" hike this weekend. I put the bandaid w/compeed technology on the heel, pre-blister. The good news is that while it was on, it seems to work very well. I feel the rubbing but no pain. The bad news is that all that rubbing peeled the product right off after about 1.5 hours. Does duct tape keep a better hold? Or same deal? Anybody have a better solution?

as I said before all i use is duct tape with liner socks and hiking socks they have never peeled off or corners turned up where you can feel it and yes duct tape does peel off and stick to your sock when you take socks off but put a new piece on NO big deal you put the duct tape around your hiking pole and tear off what you need when you need it...I always use this way NO PROBLEM!! try it just once and if you don't like it try something else.. mark

Whenever I've used moleskin (I preferred the thinner product), I would trim the corners ROUNDED. I found that the sharp, square corners would start peeling off whereas if I rounded the corners moleskin would stay on for days. I would also take care after it was newly applied to carefully "place" my socks over the moleskin rather than just pulling the sock over the cut edge of the moleskin.

When hiking the Haute Route this past Sept, folks really seemed to like the compeed product but I've never used it. (knock on wood), I don't often get blisters or rubs.