While hiking the Zaleski State Forest backpacking trail, I noticed a hot spot forming on my right foot and my left ankle. This was likely due to the fact that the trail had been rerouted across a hill and down without it being leveled off across. This resulted in the trail being sloped to the right and angled downhill. With every step I took, my right foot was being crammed into the toe box and my left heel was shifting too much.
If I didn’t do something soon, I would have some lovely blisters and my expertise with cursing would get a good workout. I always carry in my pack a small package of moleskin. Don’t freak out it isn’t made from stitching tiny little mole skins together because– besides that being tedious work–it would be just gross.
See… (no moles were harmed)
The moleskin is just about 1 millimeter thick, has sticky backing, and feels like a fluffy pillow is protecting your precious foot.
I use a tiny Leatherman tool and cut the piece I need, peel the backing off, and stick it on the spot that is getting a beating.
The important thing to remember is never put this on a blister.
Trust me. Never put moleskin on a blister. Ever.
If you do have a blister, you can cut the moleskin to fit around the blister or on the shoe but never put it on the blister. Sure it might feel good for a while but then you need to remove the sticky back moleskin and with it will come your skin. Ouch.
You can read my Backpacker: Rip and Go about the Zaleski Backpacking Trail on Backpacker. Tomorrow, Tomorrow, I love You Tomorrow. It’s only …. ummm…. right tomorrow, I’ll post the information that didn’t make it into the final copy of the Rip and Go!