For years, I have been a die hard Moleskin fan for blister prevention. I carry a sheet of it in my emergency kit and use it now and then when I feel a hot spot coming on. But Moleskin sucks when you’re in a very wet environment like the Long Trail in Vermont. Those little [...]

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Picture this. You are forced to wear long pants on a backpacking trip because the black flies are biting, you hate wearing DEET or you are concerned about catching Lyme disease from ticks. The weather is hot and you start to sweat between your thighs. Then they begin rubbing against one another and start to [...]

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Zinc Oxide ointment is a must have item that every hiker needs in their first aid kit. This simple white ointment provides fast relief for chafed skin and diaper rash, also known as monkey butt amongst backpackers. It can be applied as sunblock and helps dry out the oozing and weaping of poison ivy, poison [...]

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Here’s my homemade first-aid gear list. It’s a little on the heavy side because I use 1/2oz. ointment tubes instead of disposable packets. I do that for convenience, so I don’t have to replenish it after every trip I take.

Item
Weight

1/2 oz. tube, CVS zinc oxide cream
0.5 oz.

1/2 oz. tube, Walgreens triple antibiotic ointment
0.6 oz.

1/2 oz. [...]

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