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A simple pre-cut patch for dealing with heel hot spots before they turn into blisters.
Igneous Gear says:
A warm spot on the back of your heel is the warning. Skinshield is built for hikers: a rounded 50 × 70 mm rayon patch with zinc oxide adhesive, sized to cover the back of the heel. Apply to clean, dry, intact skin at the first sign of rubbing or warmth. For smaller areas, trim with the liner on and round any new corners.
The center-split wax-paper liner lets you expose half the adhesive, position the patch, then peel and press the rest. It also keeps the adhesive isolated rather than pressed against another layer on a spool, helping protect it through temperature swings on long trips. Twenty patches weigh 17 g.
Skinshield is for prevention, not existing blisters or broken skin.
Our Verdict
I like the convenience of the Skin Shield Patches. Each 50 x 70mm patch uses a zinc oxide adhesive and is sized to cover the back of the heel, with rounded corners to help reduce lifting at the edges.
The centre-split backing makes them easier to position without the whole adhesive surface sticking to itself, and they can be trimmed down for smaller areas if needed. They are designed to go onto clean, dry, intact skin at the first sign of rubbing, rather than over an existing blister.
At 20g for a pack of 20, they are easy to add to a small first-aid kit, and you can simply carry a few rather than taking a full roll of tape.
- Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear
Features
- Contains 20 per pack
- Sized to cover the back of the heel but can be cut to other shapes
- Center-split wax-paper liner for easy application
Specifications
- Weight: 20g per pack (including packaging)
- Patch size: 50 × 70 mm
- Pack size: 20 patches
Material & Construction
- Rayon patch with zinc oxide adhesive
