As outdoors people, we face a lot more inclement weather (heck, more weather period) than the average person. Yet most of us don’t give much thought to protecting one of our most vital organs, the skin. The skin keeps our other organs inside our bodies, protects us from germs and other nasties, sheds the elements (to a point), and is the conduit for feeling actual touch, heat, and cold. Pretty…
Blisters happen. There are endless tips and options for avoiding them and even ways to keep walking on them if they do rear their ugly heads. But this tropical smelling balm really helps sweeten the healing process.
While training for a long-distance endurance hike (mentioned here) I came across ClimbOn on a list of helpful blister remedies. The products description reads, "a multi-purpose product that can be used to soothe burns, cuts, scrapes, rashes, cracked cuticles and heels, tissue nose, road rash, diaper rash, abrasions, poison ivy...any skin issue that needs deep moisturizing and nourishing." It was originally designed to provide relief for rock climbers skin, but as you can see it goes over and above one function.
Since picking this up to slather it over my blisters, I've found it works great for my hands too. I tend to treat my hands hard and suffer for it later. They often dry out and can end up cracked and bleeding, especially after hiking or other outdoor activities. I tried various hand creams (against the wishes of my inner Ron Swanson) but found the effects either didn't last long or left my hands sticky.
I always check out reviews for new products I discover, so I looked up ClimbOn! and I was soon convinced. I think I paid around £10 (around $15), which I thought was a bit dear for a tiny pot, but I wanted to try it. Another great selling point is that it is 100% Organic (synthetic and chemical free) and a food grade product. Their message: "If you can't eat it, don't put it on your skin." I don't plan on ever eating any, but it's good to know I can!
An incredible smell hits you as you open it and the smooth beeswax composition has helped me (and my wife) sooth an array of cracks, blisters and flapping skin. After long stints of tying my next paracord creation or playing my guitar, my fingers are often left painfully torn up. Applying ClimbOn! means the next morning they both look and feel tons better. Not completely healed (it isn't quite miraculous) but the recovery process has definitely started.
It's a small, handy item to have in your pack, especially if you're going out for more than one day and might need something that can work fast. A great test for an essential is whether you'd buy it again. When what's left of my bar finally runs out, I will replace it and I can thoroughly recommend you pick some up too.
