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Re: Foot Balm Suggestions Please

Ian Sommerville
As an alternative medicine sceptic, I would guess that none of these foot balm creams have a significant physiological effect and all they do is to provide a wee bit of lubrication. So, it probably doesn't matter much which one you use. However, if you have a favourite and believe in it, it will undoubtedly help simply because you think it will.


I am also a fan of Gehwol Extra, which I use in the hope that, as a barrier cream, it will help to prevent dampness in my shoes reducing the skin on my feet to mush. It seems that some people’s feet can cope with being damp for long periods of time, but mine react by quickly going soft, which results in blistering.

One of the most important functions of the skin is to regulate the transmission of water, which is the role of the stratum corneum (SC), the outermost layer of the skin. Prolonged exposure to water disrupts the structure of the SC, making it even more permeable and the underlying skin layers are damaged. Barrier creams can significantly maintain and restore the function of the SC and so prevent this. That is why they are widely used in protecting hands in the home and workplace and in the treatment of conditions such as eczema where the integrity of the skin is compromised.

Of course, if I were a dedicated scientist, I would do the proper experiment and consistently treat one foot, leaving the other as a control, but I think that might be taking it a bit far.

Happy feet and good luck to the class of 2015.

Re: Foot Balm Suggestions Please

If I could favourite messages on the board Emma. This would be one of them
Mawson used Lanolin I believe in his horrendous Antarctic adventure.
Someone will correct me on that shortly!

Re: Foot Balm Suggestions Please

Andrew W
If I could favourite messages on the board Emma. This would be one of them

Thanks, Andy!

Re: Foot Balm Suggestions Please

Thanks Emma

I may be one of the people where dampness isn't an issue. But with no scientific evidence whatsoever, I am convinced that getting shoes and socks off and airing your feet a couple of times per day is worthwhile.

Re: Foot Balm Suggestions Please

Ian Sommerville
Thanks Emma

I may be one of the people where dampness isn't an issue. But with no scientific evidence whatsoever, I am convinced that getting shoes and socks off and airing your feet a couple of times per day is worthwhile.

Hi Ian,
Also based on no scientific evidence, I completely agree with you on that!
Hope to see you on the way.

Re: Foot Balm Suggestions Please

Definitely Ian.

My strategy always (unless it is heaving down all day), is to rest feet every 2 hours.
If I can I always remove shoes and socks.
Air and dry feet.
Stick socks on poles to get air through them.

And for me, if feet have been wet, I then put some cream on to act as a barrier, once they are dry.

Had no problems since 2009.
Especially as I use shoes, so my feet do get wet.

Re: Foot Balm Suggestions Please

I partially agree with you Ian. I never used to use any footcreams (because I'd never found one that didn't make my feet really greasy) and I used to think it was just marketing hype that made people use them.

However, I do now use Gehwol Extra on the Challenge and it has become an important part of how I look after my feet on a multi-day walk. I do believe that it's the massaging of the freshly-washed feet, rather than the cream itself, which does the good - but the Gehwol Extra is the first footcream I've used which doesn't result in me sliding around in my socks next day! So many people have told me "Use footcream xyz as it's the best", but the Gehwol actually works for me.... so I'm going to carry on using it!

Re: Foot Balm Suggestions Please

If you want something to repel water and prevent chafing, Siopel is pretty good (not just for feet).

Re: Foot Balm Suggestions Please

They may well not really do a lot but when I rub mint gehwol into my feet at the end of the day, both my feet and my nose love me.
The socks.. Now, they are a different matter. They may have to go outside the inner sanctum.

Re: Foot Balm Suggestions Please

Lavender linen spray is good at hiding noxious smells (and repelling midges). The downside is that you smell like your granny

Re: Foot Balm Suggestions Please

I am nearly as old as my Granny...

Re: Foot Balm Suggestions Please

I find the gehwol keeps my socks from BECOMING noxious.... (Not to mention that since I started using it my feet have been happier/less blistered, which might be a co-incidence)

Re: Foot Balm Suggestions Please

Robin, Siopel does sound similar to the Hydropel; perhaps in the future I can source this in the UK. For this trip, however, I have been 'gifted' a tube of Gehwol Extra from a seasoned challenger and hoping it is effective for me, even if its only a psychological boost. The placebo effect is amazingly effective (and scientifically proven) and sometimes I feel like my mind is the only thing keeping me from a good hike and a great one.

Thanks for all the advice, look forward to catching up in Montrose.



Re: Foot Balm Suggestions Please

I got Siopel from Amazon.

Re: Foot Balm Suggestions Please

Gehwol Extra in the morning Gehwol refreshing balm at night, is an excellent combination and everyone we have ever suggested it to seems to agree.

It also gets you to look after your feet more closely. Some people forget that they need 'love' too :)

I think I need to sort something for challengers for this forthcoming chill. I'll post something tomorrow.