About a year ago, I was complaining about blisters via Twitter when a reader whose name I unfortunately can not remember recommended that I try Band-Aid Friction Block Stick. I immediately ran to my local CVS drugstore and purchased the product, despite the diminutive size of the stick (only 0.34 ounces) and relatively steep price (I paid $8, but you can find it much cheaper online). Then, I put it to the test. Keep reading to see how it performed!
What they say: Band Aid Active Lubricating Formula Friction Block Stick Instantly reduce rubbing on skin. Ideal for open shoes.
What I thought: This stuff actually works, under certain circumstances, with certain shoes! If I could hug the dear reader who recommended this amazing product, I would (if you're reading this, consider yourself hugged).
Now, it's not a miracle product, it won't make all your painful heels magically comfortable, but if you have a certain pair of shoes that are wearable to a degree but will cause blisters in certain spots if you wear them too long, Band-Aid Friction Block Stick will help extend the length of time you can wear said shoes.
For example, I had purchased a pair of leather ballet flats by a brand called Ras from ideeli and wore them out for the first time to walk my dog. After about one mile, my bare feet were in a lot of pain - the shoes were rubbing against the skin just below my ankle and on the back of my heel. I thought the shoes were a lost cause. Then a couple days later when I got the Band-Aid Friction Block Stick, I rubbed it all over my ankles (it kinda glides on like deodorant. It's very unassuming and you almost can't tell it's there.) I wore the flats for the exact same mile long walk and voila, no pain, no chafing, no blisters! I don't think I could have walked on those shoes the whole day, but just being able to wear them for my walk without pain meant I could break those shoes in without getting blisters. A pair of shoes slated for the donation pile was now back in my footwear arsenal!
I have a half dozen similar stories I could share, but I think you get the idea. It's not a panacea for all your foot and shoe problems, but it can definitely solve some of them. I've recommended this product to friends and when I run out of this stick, I'll definitely buy some more. It helps if you reapply the product a couple times throughout the day if you're going to be doing a lot of walking. If you give it a try or if you've used it in the past, let me know what you think!
Shop it online:
Band-Aid Active Friction Block Stick
What I thought: This stuff actually works, under certain circumstances, with certain shoes! If I could hug the dear reader who recommended this amazing product, I would (if you're reading this, consider yourself hugged).
Now, it's not a miracle product, it won't make all your painful heels magically comfortable, but if you have a certain pair of shoes that are wearable to a degree but will cause blisters in certain spots if you wear them too long, Band-Aid Friction Block Stick will help extend the length of time you can wear said shoes.
For example, I had purchased a pair of leather ballet flats by a brand called Ras from ideeli and wore them out for the first time to walk my dog. After about one mile, my bare feet were in a lot of pain - the shoes were rubbing against the skin just below my ankle and on the back of my heel. I thought the shoes were a lost cause. Then a couple days later when I got the Band-Aid Friction Block Stick, I rubbed it all over my ankles (it kinda glides on like deodorant. It's very unassuming and you almost can't tell it's there.) I wore the flats for the exact same mile long walk and voila, no pain, no chafing, no blisters! I don't think I could have walked on those shoes the whole day, but just being able to wear them for my walk without pain meant I could break those shoes in without getting blisters. A pair of shoes slated for the donation pile was now back in my footwear arsenal!
I have a half dozen similar stories I could share, but I think you get the idea. It's not a panacea for all your foot and shoe problems, but it can definitely solve some of them. I've recommended this product to friends and when I run out of this stick, I'll definitely buy some more. It helps if you reapply the product a couple times throughout the day if you're going to be doing a lot of walking. If you give it a try or if you've used it in the past, let me know what you think!
Shop it online:
Band-Aid Active Friction Block Stick
I've been using this for about 5 or so years - I actually use it on the inner thigh where chafing can occur; it's brilliant!