Moleskin vs. Bandaid Friction Block

[FortForever]

Has anyone had great results with either preventing blisters on the bottoms of feet?

Every time we go to Disney, no matter which shoes I wear, I end up with blisters and calluses on the bottoms of my feet. To date, I have been treating them after they form with blister bandages and padded foam rings.

Heading back in a month and want to take a pro active approach this time. My plan is to wear Birkenstocks the whole time since this is my normal daily footwear. I hope to not be limping around Disney, which is usually the case by Day 2.

I would use both if I thought moleskin would stick properly after applying friction block. Has anyone ever tried this?

 

[bdcp]

It's as much about the right socks as it is shoes. I have never gotten blisters when wearing good socks and well fitting walking/running shoes. I only get blisters if I wear sandals. since they rub directly against my skin.

I always take moleskin with me on trips, but I have never had to use it. We walk 10+ miles every day in WDW too.

It could be the birkenstocks causing your blisters.

 

[ghtx]

I second the suggestion that it's probably the Birkenstocks and/or the lack of socks. OP, after just one day at WDW you're already limping? That shouldn't happen. In general, sneakers/walking/running shoes are better than sandals/Birkenstocks, and socks are better than no socks.

 

[taylor3297]

I second the suggestion that it's probably the Birkenstocks and/or the lack of socks. OP, after just one day at WDW you're already limping? That shouldn't happen. In general, sneakers/walking/running shoes are better than sandals/Birkenstocks, and socks are better than no socks.

I always wear my Birkenstocks and I never get blisters when at WDW.
Now I only wear ones that I have had for awhile.

 

[FortForever]

It's as much about the right socks as it is shoes. I have never gotten blisters when wearing good socks and well fitting walking/running shoes. I only get blisters if I wear sandals. since they rub directly against my skin.

I always take moleskin with me on trips, but I have never had to use it. We walk 10+ miles every day in WDW too.

It could be the birkenstocks causing your blisters.

I've never worn Birkenstocks (or any sandal) at Disney before. I always know to expect tons of walking so wear tennis shoes. I thought I would change things up this time hoping for a more positive result.

I honestly never thought about the socks. I wear cheap Walmart socks. I guess that would be a mistake. Where would you buy good socks and do you have any brand recommendations?

 

[FortForever]

OP, after just one day at WDW you're already limping?

Yep, every time. Limping from blisters on the bottoms of my feet.

Interestingly, I walk 3-5 miles per day on my treadmill so I am used to walking. I've never had a blister from the treadmill and I only wear socks on it, never shoes.

I wear a fitbit, so I know at Disney I walk sometimes as much as 10 miles, usually about 7 miles. More than I am used to walking, but still I feel like I develop blisters too quickly.

 

[ghtx]

Yep, every time. Limping from blisters on the bottoms of my feet.

Interestingly, I walk 3-5 miles per day on my treadmill so I am used to walking. I've never had a blister from the treadmill and I only wear socks on it, never shoes.

I wear a fitbit, so I know at Disney I walk sometimes as much as 10 miles, usually about 7 miles. More than I am used to walking, but still I feel like I develop blisters too quickly.

Treadmill walking is a lot different than walking in a theme park, but still. Since you go shoeless on the treadmill, have you thought about going shoeless at WDW? I.e. one of those foot gloves or whatever they are called. I haven't jumped on that bandwagon yet, but you can't deny that nearly all foot problems that people have are actually caused by people wearing shoes rather than going barefoot.

 

[kgsmith]

I use a Bodyglide anti-chafing stick. On our last trip I finally used this, and it was the first time I didn't get any blisters.

 

[ErinsMommy]

I can only add that the moleskins will last much longer than any bandaid would.

 

[FortForever]

Treadmill walking is a lot different than walking in a theme park, but still. Since you go shoeless on the treadmill, have you thought about going shoeless at WDW? I.e. one of those foot gloves or whatever they are called. I haven't jumped on that bandwagon yet, but you can't deny that nearly all foot problems that people have are actually caused by people wearing shoes rather than going barefoot.

A valid point. Perhaps I will try that. I've heard they are as comfortable as going barefoot, or at leas the next best thing. I live on a large property way out in the boonies and spend most of my time outdoors barefoot. I have, at times, taken my shoes off and gone barefoot at Disney. It was great but Vibrams would get less strange looks (maybe )

I use a Bodyglide anti-chafing stick. On our last trip I finally used this, and it was the first time I didn't get any blisters.

Do you put it on the bottoms of your feet? I will check that out too.

I can only add that the moleskins will last much longer than any bandaid would.

Hmmm, I hadn't thought about that. I would need something to last a very long time...

 

[bdcp]

I've never worn Birkenstocks (or any sandal) at Disney before. I always know to expect tons of walking so wear tennis shoes. I thought I would change things up this time hoping for a more positive result.

I honestly never thought about the socks. I wear cheap Walmart socks. I guess that would be a mistake. Where would you buy good socks and do you have any brand recommendations?

I usually wear Gold Toe socks. But the fit of the shoe is important too. I usually wear running shoes because they are so much more flexible than walking shoes.

 

[kgsmith]

Do you put it on the bottoms of your feet? I will check that out too.

Yes, I put it on the bottoms of my feet and toes and anywhere I usually get blisters (heel, side of my big toe). If I wear sandals, I also put it on the tops of my feet where the straps are.

I'd use it in the morning before we'd leave for the park. I also bought a smaller size stick to keep in the day bag so I could reapply it later in the day, if necessary. (I bought mine at drugstore.com.)

 

[princessbride6205]

Try socks made specifically for fitness or running. They usually aren't made of cotton. They help wick sweat away. You can get bargain ones at Walmart or Target, or splurge on some at a fitness place like Dick's or REI. If you really want to splurge - get Balega brand light cushion - they run about $10/pr but I did a marathon in them without a single blister!

 

[North of Mouse]

Has anyone had great results with either preventing blisters on the bottoms of feet?

Every time we go to Disney, no matter which shoes I wear, I end up with blisters and calluses on the bottoms of my feet. To date, I have been treating them after they form with blister bandages and padded foam rings.

Heading back in a month and want to take a pro active approach this time. My plan is to wear Birkenstocks the whole time since this is my normal daily footwear. I hope to not be limping around Disney, which is usually the case by Day 2.

I would use both if I thought moleskin would stick properly after applying friction block. Has anyone ever tried this?

To be honest, I think the younger you are, the more you can get by with just about any shoes at Disney, hence all the ones I see in cheapie flip flops
But I wear Easy Spirit Walking shoes (athletic) or similar shoe, with No-Nonsense bamboo breathable ankle socks. They also have a foot hugging middle that supports a little. (am sure there are other brands comparable) With these, I have never had foot "problems" at Disney, and we walk "all day" in different temps of the year.

Also, my feet don't get too tired. I'm really pretty good to my feet though.
After showering, using a pumice stone, I massage pure Vaseline into my feet really good, then put on cotton socks for awhile (this just keeps the vaseline from getting on anything else until it absorbs). It feels so good!

I could *never* get by walking that much with *any* type sandal, because I *need* my socks!

 

[FortForever]

If you really want to splurge - get Balega brand light cushion - they run about $10/pr but I did a marathon in them without a single blister!

Honestly, I would pay three times that if they work and would make my times at Disney painless.

So many great options here. I will have to start trying them all one at a time.

It's funny that the two options I thought I was decided upon, moleskin and Bandaid Friction Block have not really come up.

 

[Chuckers]

I've used both body glide and bandaid with good results... however my suggestion is your socks..

Go to a runner's store and get some dual layered runners socks. They're very thin and comfortable. That will help prevent blisters because the layers of the socks rub against each other when you walk, it's not your skin rubbing against the sock or shoe.

I also wear crocs now.. they're awesome.

 

[North of Mouse]

Honestly, I would pay three times that if they work and would make my times at Disney painless.

So many great options here. I will have to start trying them all one at a time.

It's funny that the two options I thought I was decided upon, moleskin and Bandaid Friction Block have not really come up.

I know the pricier ones at the sporting goods stores are good, but you can get the 3/pk. No-Nonsense or comparable, like I use for less than 1. Changing every day can get quite expensive for Disney, unless you wash them everyday!

Unlike PP, crocs *kill* my feet. Everyone has to find their own foot *comfort* though!

 

[ktlm]

Body Glide. I've very blister prone. At WDW, I could get them not only on my heels, but often on the bottoms of my feet and even on the tops occasionally. I got blisters every WDW trip. I started using Body Glide and I have not gotten one blister at WDW or DL in my multiple trips since. I rub it all over my entire feet every morning before hitting the parks.

 

[FigNewton]

I can only add that the moleskins will last much longer than any bandaid would.

FWIW no one is talking about using actual Band Aid bandages here. The product mentioned in the OP is a moisture barrier compound like body glide.

That said, there are some bandaid blister products that have adhered to my feet better than mole skin. Mole skin generally ends up a big wadded lump inside my sock after an hour or so. Clearly my experience isn't the same as others, but there it is.

For the OP I tend to just go with good cool max socks and a hefty application of body glide. Haven't had a real blister in the last 5 - 6 trips.

 

[michellejed]

Just FYI, Mole skin is Never applied directly to the skin!

It is to be used when you feel a hot spot coming on and you apply it to the shoe/sandal.

Cut a piece just a bit bigger then the hot spot/or blister if you don't get it in time and apply directly accross on the shoe.

Hope this helps.