Soap and Talc in the bush.

Diomedes Industries

Diomedes Industries

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Mar 19, 2007
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After the weekend of a few decent hikes, I realized I should have good talcum powder (or a derivative) and good soap.

What I want to know is, what talcum powder (for the feet and the inner thigh tub) and what soap (small, works well, versitile, and a little goes a long way) would you recommend for the bush?

What do you use?

Thanks,

TF
 
I used to use Gold Bond powder, but I find that the generic from Walmart works just as well. If I bring soap, it is Dr Bronners.
 
+1 for Dr. Bronners. You can use it for your skin, as a shampoo, toothpaste, clothes/dish soap...and it's eco-friendly!
 
Second on the generic of gold bond powder and dr. bronner soap. I have used both for many a backpack trip and they work great. I also like the coughlens camp soap that comes in the little tubes.

I also found these a couple years back and they are indispensable for quicky bird baths http://www.rei.com/product/730067
 
Another vote for Dr. Bronner's. If you can get past all of the crazy some on the labeling, it's really good stuff and comes in a variety of scents. Not great as a toothpaste alternative, although the peppermint is not as bad.

You can try BodyGlide anti-chaffing sticks, if it's chaffing you're having problems with, otherwise Gold Bond was the gold standard in the military.
 
Talfuchre said:
After the weekend of a few decent hikes, I realized I should have good talcum powder (or a derivative) and good soap.

What I want to know is, what talcum powder (for the feet and the inner thigh tub) and what soap (small, works well, versitile, and a little goes a long way) would you recommend for the bush?

What do you use?

Thanks,

TF
Click to expand...

I played soccer for 15 years and corn starch is the best anti rub powder out there. I used to be plauged by inner thigh rashes and corn starch is the only thing that not only prevented but soothed this problem. Take my word for it, i used to run miles apon miles upon miles.
 
Peppermint tastes better if you're going to use it for toothpaste, plus it has some antiseptic qualities (by the way, the lavender tastes like crap). The tea tree oil also has antiseptic qualities, although I don't know how much tea tree oil is actually in there.

Some people are wary of attracting bear with some of the scents, so something to think about. I've read that some people never noticed a difference with different scents when around bears, but I don't want to be the first to discover that to a bear the rose scent smells like barbecue sauce to your brisket.

Other than that, choose a smell you like and go for it.

I only use the liquid and it comes in: peppermint, rose, eucalyptus, almond, tea tree, citrus, lavender and baby mild.

It's great stuff. I use it to wash my dishes, body, hair, teeth, to soap up the bottom of my pans to reduce soot, etc.
 
I bought a litre of Dr. Bronner's unscented because I don't like perfumy soap. I actually prefer Campsuds though; I find I use less , and I like how it lathers up better than Dr. Bronners , and it's cheaper. The Generic " Gold Bond" body powder works great ( use it every day) ,and is a good foot powder too , so you don't need a separate powder for your feet.

I will also add I quit using pit wax years ago because it gave me terrible rashes , no matter the brand. I use a salt stick thing I discovered ; no more rash , no more funk , and one stick lasts for years. YMMV. I don't mind getting grungy in the woods , but come clean-up time , I use the above products with great success.
 
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Dr Bronner's bar soap - personal preference is the tea tree version.
corn starch over talc.
 
Gold Bond in the socks boots and underwear and rub on the thighs and armpits
Camp Suds also works in Saltwater.Get a smaller bottle to refill for the short trips.
 
Hiking the AT, I had wicked problems with chaff. Dumped Gold Bond on the problem and just sweated it off within a couple miles. Compression shorts were the only thing that could keep everything in place and gliding for days and days.
As far as soap, I prefer Bronners for bathing, though its still not LNT to get it near any natural water source. But for washing dishes, I found Bronners doesn't cut grease as well as normal dish soap.
 
unscented bronners for me

for chaffing (works on preventing blisters too) looking into either of these

sportslick or hydropel - used by droves of hardcore adventure racers :)
 
Dr Bronner's peppermint (feel clean even if you're not) or Mountain Suds for soap.

Gold Bond in the little, tiny container for foot powder (Gold Bond also makes a foot powder, but I usually go with the regular).

Baby wipes or similar for those cold days when you don't want to get too wet.

Happy hiking.
 
The only UnderArmour gear that I have is their 9" HeatGear Boxerjock. They completely eliminate chafing for me. I am not in to high end gear (My tent was $20 off craigslist) but IMO these things are worth it. I have tried the Target and Walmart brands, but they all ride up and make things worse.

I usually don't bathe with soap on trips less than a week. I do use wet wipes before bed and in the AM. Especially on the 'chafe prone' areas.
 
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