Better Than Duct Tape?

[Kevin Rooney]

As a long-time user of duct tape for just about anything, and especially for hiking, I was intrigued to learn there’s a better product on the market called Gaffer’s Tape. It’s used widely in the film industry (hence the term “gaffer”), and the tape is made to strip cleanly from whatever it is applied to. Consequently, the adhesive is not as aggressive as the duct tapes. It’s sold in many camera shops, and of course via the internet.

Has anyone had any experience with this stuff? West Coast hikers swear by it. In practice, I’ve found that when I use duct tape it’s usually to cover a hot spot before it develops into a blister. So, I’d be particularly interested to know how well it works for that application.

 

[DougPaul]

As a long-time user of duct tape for just about anything, and especially for hiking, I was intrigued to learn there’s a better product on the market called Gaffer’s Tape. It’s used widely in the film industry (hence the term “gaffer”), and the tape is made to strip cleanly from whatever it is applied to. Consequently, the adhesive is not as aggressive as the duct tapes. It’s sold in many camera shops, and of course via the internet.

I used to work technical theater... Duct tape, duck tape (because it is supposed to be waterproof), gaffer's tape, grey tape, etc are all used synonymously. There are many grades. (BTW, don't use duct tape on real heating ducts--the adhesive will turn gummy.)

The tape was originally invented as duck tape for shipping packages to the wet and humid tropical Pacific during WWII. The tape has a very sticky and gummy adhesive, but is not designed for long term use.

Doug

 

[Kevin Rooney]

I used to work technical theater... Duct tape, duck tape (because it is supposed to be waterproof), gaffer's tape, grey tape, etc are all used synonymously. There are many grades. (BTW, don't use duct tape on real heating ducts--the adhesive will turn gummy.)

Doug

Doug -

They may have been used interchangeably at one time, but apparently this isn't the case any longer. These guys (and gals) work in the entertainment business, and only use gaffer's tape, never duct (or Duck, as it's sold in Wal-mart). According to one website: "Gaffers tape is true cotton cloth, not reinforced vinyl like duct tape. It tears evenly, is waterproof and has an adhesive prized by stagehands and technicians for coming up clean. Try Gaffers Tape once and you will never use duct tape again".

From what research I've done, the Permacel Professional Grade Gaffers Tape (formerly known as Permacel 672) is the one to get as a replacement for good ol' duct (duck) tape.

Kevin

 

[chipc]

Duct tape, duck tape (because it is supposed to be waterproof), gaffer's tape, grey tape, etc are all used synonymously.
Doug

or literally:
http://gallery4collectors.com/images/DuckTape-WillBullas.jpg

 

[JohnL]

Doug -

They may have been used interchangeably at one time, but apparently this isn't the case any longer. Kevin

Right, from the people here at work who have worked in broadcast, all indicate that they are different products. The three web sites I just visited all sell duct and gaffer tapes as different products.

But getting back to your question about using the tape as a blister preventative, I never had good luck with duct tape. I have always had good luck with plain old Johnson's adhesive tape. I have not used gaffer's tape. I have not had a blister in decades. Your feet may differ.

JohnL

 

[DougPaul]

Doug -
According to one website: "Gaffers tape is true cotton cloth, not reinforced vinyl like duct tape. It tears evenly, is waterproof and has an adhesive prized by stagehands and technicians for coming up clean. Try Gaffers Tape once and you will never use duct tape again".

As I said, I have worked technical theater. That is where I first met up with gaffer's tape in the '60s--and that is what we generally called it. And, IIRC, it was cloth backed.

From what research I've done, the Professional grade is the one to get as a replacement for good ol' duct (duck) tape.

I currently have cloth backed, plastic backed, and fiberous plastic backed versions with a variety of adhesives from several manufacturers. (I even have some plastic backed heating-duct tape.)

I think the highest quality version that I have is the fiberous plastic backed tape made by 3M--there is certainly a range of quality in the adhesives. All stick strongly when first applied. Some last, some go gummy fairly quickly, and some dry out. (What happens may also depend upon the surface that the tape is placed on.)

From what I have seen poking around a very good hardware store, the names are not well defined across manufacturers.


You have indicated that your target use is on feet. I rather doubt that gaffer's/duck/duct/grey tape was designed for this use. You also might try medical tape. I've had a good bit of it used on me recently--there is a fiberous plastic backed medical tape which looks like it might be pretty good for the job. Similar or identical tape appears to be available in a local drug store.

You might also look into tincture of benzoin. It is a mild antiseptic that is very effective for gluing tape or moleskin to your hands and feet. (Rock climbers use it to stick tape to their hands.) I have used it very successfully for sticking moleskin to my heels. It was also recently used to stick SteriStrips over my surgical incisions about 2 weeks after the operations. REI lists it: http://www.rei.com/product/752451 and a local drug store, if they do not carry it, can order it for you.

Doug

 

[Kevin Rooney]

Yes, the focus is blister treatment, and not so much prevention. My feet are pretty tough from all the years of hiking, but what I've found since I've moved to the Sierra is that my feet has swollen - perhaps permanently - due to the heat, and probably as an adaptation to the climate. And, I wear liner socks and know to check my feet at the slightest sign of a hot spot. Prior to the move I rarely got hot spots/blisters unless I was really overdoing.

The appeal of duct tape is the slipperyness of the vinyl tape, so maybe the medical tape Doug mentions is worth checking out. I don't use moleskin as I can never get it off inside of a week, and developed a skin allergy to the glue in duct tape when I did most of the ADK's in 2 months (that's when I was a "list person" - see Carole's thread).

Thanks for the feedback.

Kevin

 

[DougPaul]

The appeal of duct tape is the slipperyness of the vinyl tape, so maybe the medical tape Doug mentions is worth checking out. I don't use moleskin as I can never get it off inside of a week, and developed a skin allergy to the glue in duct tape when I did most of the ADK's in 2 months

You wouldn't be the first to use duct/gaffers/etc tape on your feet. One of my books on hiking foot care suggests it. (When I tried it, I found the tape slid off and the gummy adhesive stuck to my socks...)

I just checked the tape in my bandage/dressing kit--it appears to be plastic backed, but has a pattern that resembles cloth. A similar roll is in a plastic dispenser labled "J&J cloth tape". Presumably any medical tape would be expected to stick to sweaty skin and allow the moisture through. (This might be a problem for vinyl-backed tapes.)

Doug

 

[Pamola]

I use duct tape on my feet and it has never failed me. Mind you, this was mostly for preventive measures, but I did cover old wounds with it as well. It worked well in both capacities. Never slipped so long as you give the gummy adhesive time to set prior to your foot sweating and sliding in a boot.

On the flip side, my gf gets a lot of blisters and HATES duct tape. Like someone else mentioned, she prefers plain medical tape.

I have used gaffer's tape but never on my feet. It doesn't seem like it would be sticky enough to hold up to the hours of moisture and friction that hiking would bring to bear.

 

[trailbiscuit]

I can't believe that anyone would suggest that anything could be better than duct tape in any situation. That's blasphemy!

 

[peakn]

Always blistering..

I have always had good luck with plain old Johnson's adhesive tape. I have not used gaffer's tape. I have not had a blister in decades.
JohnL

My heels/achilles tendon area rubs raw almost every hike. Sometimes really bad (like yesterday heading to Owlshead) despite stopping early on to apply moleskin. When I got home and removed it, it was bloody.
I have tried all combinations of socks, liner socks, varied thickness of socks, buying new boots (Limmers) that's a whole 'nother story..

Would you suggest applying the Johnson's tape pre hike? Realistically, if I just have ultra sensitive or wierdly shaped feet, could this help.? How much would you apply?

Thanks for any input.
Harry

 

[kmorgan]

OK, I just ordered 2 rolls from FindTape.com who seems to have really good prices.

Some colors are on sale too, like red, white and blue.

Kevin

 

[JohnL]

Would you suggest applying the Johnson's tape pre hike? Realistically, if I just have ultra sensitive or wierdly shaped feet, could this help.? How much would you apply?

Thanks for any input.
Harry

Here is what I do and it has worked for me for over 30 years. I always apply tape to my feet pre-hike. If you wait until you’ve got a hot spot, you’re too late. Kind of like waiting to drink when you get thirsty. A hot spot indicates that you have exceeded the shear force of two layers of skin and you’ve got the beginnings of a blister.

The heels get two strips of wide adhesive tape over the back of the heel at the rub spot. Not one on top of the other but only overlapping by about one-fifth. The big toes get a wide strip all the way around from below the inner protruding knuckle to the top of the toenail. The ‘index’ toes get a narrow strip where they rub against the toenail area of the big toe. One other toe gets a narrow strip where it rubs against an adjacent toe. I can send photos if you like. Except for the tape overlap, every taped area gets one thickness of tape.

Another thing you can try is to use the tincture of benzoin that others have mentioned or use a spray called Tuff Skin. It contains benzoin. Benzoin aids in the adhesion of tape to the skin and it has the added bonus of toughening the skin it contacts.

I’ve stopped using MoleSkin and its generic counterparts. I have found the adhesive to be too aggressive and when removed, it damages more skin than it ends up protecting. It also adds thickness to the perimeter of your foot and increases the tightness of fit of your sock/boot.

There is a major league catcher who saves his urine in a jar and applies it to his hands. He says it toughens the skin. I’m not recommending or endorsing this for your feet as I’ve never tried it. Merely passing along an odd anecdote.

Good luck.
JohnL

 

[Orsonab]

Kevin,
Used to work in video production and there's definitely a difference between gaffer's tape and duct tape. Gaffer's tape is designed to be fairly strong but leave no residue when taken off valuable lighting/video equipment or power cables. It is, however, not as strong as duct tape and not as waterproof. It IS definitely a lot more expensive. Gaffer's tape might be more suitable for blister prevention but I think any other application (in hiking) calls for duct tape.

Now, just to stir the pot, anybody used Gorilla tape?

 

[Kevin Rooney]

Now, just to stir the pot, anybody used Gorilla tape?

No - have used Gorilla glue, and it's awesome stuff. Does it do for tape what it does for glue? (i.e. - tape that will never come off?)

 

[skiguy]

Kevin,
Used to work in video production and there's definitely a difference between gaffer's tape and duct tape. Gaffer's tape is designed to be fairly strong but leave no residue when taken off valuable lighting/video equipment or power cables. It is, however, not as strong as duct tape and not as waterproof. It IS definitely a lot more expensive. Gaffer's tape might be more suitable for blister prevention but I think any other application (in hiking) calls for duct tape.

Now, just to stir the pot, anybody used Gorilla tape?

My house is put together with Gorrilla Tape . Awesome stuff.

 

[Rick]

I know nothing about Gaffers tape, though I have had very good experiences with high quality duct tape and poor experiences with inexpensive duct tape usd on my feet. I did this for many years and discovered the cheap duct tape had fewer threads on teh backing and would actually contribute to irritating my feet. Teh expensive duct tape was much smoother and less irritating because of the high thread count. This tape (such as 3M) also rips cleanly, has a higher quality backing than the cheap tapes and sicks better over time.

I also discovered cheap tape gets gummy quickly and gets on your socks. Expensive duct tape doesn't get gummy so quickly and stays on your feet for days (sometimes weeks) after a trip.

 

[Paradox]

I used to race sailboats and duck tape was used by many because of its waterproof nature and you could remove the adhesive with acetone. The boat owners eventually went to primarily using fiberglass banding tape as it was much stronger in tension.

 

[Jay H]

Is it Better than Ezra?

Painter's tape, the blue one doesn't seem to completely work as advertised (for painting) but it is less sticky than Duct Tape and readily available... in 3 packs, no less! (but then so is Duct tape)...

Jay

 

[trailbiscuit]

Is it Better than Ezra?

No, but it's goooood, uhaaawooo waaaahoooooo.