I don’t think I can bear to stink…I’m planning to indulge myself on the trail with deodorant as a “luxury item.” Have any of you packed deodorant, and if so, was it worth it? I also plan to spend more time than average each day washing up, if possible. Personal hygiene in the woods doesn’t have to be an impossible dream, does it?
Jonna
I think that whether or not you use deodorant you will smell really bad. It is probably just added weight and an attractant to bears in the states where they are problematic. Just my opinion…I could be wrong
Tribes
Not very many people carry deodorant, including me, but you have only yourself to please, and it doesn’t weigh very much. If I were to carry any, it would be deodorant/anti-perspirant.
Personally, I wouldn’t let any “bear factor” worry me. The danger from bears is extremely low, and I’m highly skeptical there’s conclusive data that deodorant will have any affect on that extremely low risk, one way or another.
Colter
If you think that the only part of your body that will smell is your underarms, you’re crazy. You will sweat EVERYWHERE, and it all smells . . . like . . . sweat. Putting deodorant on your underarms won’t help. After a few weeks, you won’t notice your smell, and everyone around you smells the same.
yogi
i think your clothes will smell as bad as anything, deodorant or no. but hey, take some with, if a few miles down the Trail it doesn’t seem worth it, send it home!
hephzibah
Its cool to go 5 or 6 days with out bathing . Its part of understanding that you dont need alot to get by. If you use deodorant on the trail you will smell like an overworked hooker!!
Virginian
:x I have been using a “deodorant crystal” for several years now with great success. There is no flowery odor and it does not stop you from sweating, but is made of some type of salt, which kills the bacteria that causes the smell. It is perfectly safe for use and can be used on pits and feet and, well, probably other places as well, though I haven’t personally tried it. 
No sense in smelling like an overworked hooker, eh?:pimp
angie
I never felt healthier than when I was on the trail, smelliness or no. Going several days in a row without showering–without using all those products most of us use on a daily basis at home–did wonders for my skin, my hair. You’re going to be hiking all day, most days on the trail, and sweating whether it’s cold out or not. Just take a bandana “bath” when you get to camp, use a baby wipe in key areas, change into camp clothes. They won’t be CLEAN clean after the first use, but it’s not like you’re sleeping in the same clothes you hiked in. Besides, some human smell doesn’t necessarily equate with bad hygiene.
I carried a disposable razor on my thru-hike, by the way. Or, well, not the same one the whole time, of course. So we all have our little luxury items–or many of us do. Smoothe pits and legs were my little hangups. If you want to carry deoderant, go for it. But I have a hunch it won’t stay with you for long. I’d personally go with baby wipes instead.
ramkitten
Deodorant is the leading cause of breast cancer, women suffer most because they shave under their arms, exposing tender skin and letting chemicals in.
Stay away from anti-perspirant. Sweating is one of your body’s ways of releasing toxins.
And Definately look into Angie’s suggestion.
spittinpigeon
Putting deordorant on a thruhiker is like dressing a shotgun wound with a generic bandaid - not much help at all.
If anything, I find that it is those who smell like civilization that stand out dramatically. Not just perfume-y smells, but the absnece of reek really separates one from the crowd.
Embrace your stink and wear it as a badge of honor! Watch as mere mortals wilt before your mighty odor! Just don’t schedule any job interviews while you are hiking …
Papillon
Deodorant does not cause breast cancer. That bogus information is a hoax from a few years ago.
M
LOL! ROFLMAO! Thanks to all for your imput on this aromatic topic. I guess I could try to just let it go…I CERTAINLY don’t want to smell like an overworked hooker! Oh my! I’m going to check into your crystal idea, Angie…could be a good compromise. :lol
Jonna
“Deodorant is the leading cause of breast cancer”
No offense, but What a load off S&*#!
Evidence please.
Uncle Duke
doe or bo… hmm… hey, so you’re gonna reek. We all earn that stink… it ='s hard work. I sorta like it myself…
yappy
You could just bring a bar of perfumed soap (Irish Spring). Every so often take a ‘wilderness bath’. You’ll smell good and will sanitize yourself at the same time.
Not that I’ve ever done that . . .
Kineo Kid
Soap is pretty toxic. Most hikers that use soap use Dr Bonners or CampSuds which are not
Grimace
we used baby wipes at night and bandana baths when we could. Our soap was “Dawn” diswashing soap. Yes, Dawn. I was watching documentary on the oil spill in Alaska and that was the only thing they could use that was environmentaly friendly and it got off the oil on birds and animals without any harm to natural oils in the feathers and fur. If you read the label it says biodegradable. And it is very cheap!!! I added some peppermint oil to it and put it in small bottles and mail dropped it. I still use it now for shampoo and bath soap. Try it. PS. you will smell bad if you use deodorant or not.
Papa Smurf
Perfumes and scented soap attract bugs. Mosquitos love products that smell like flowers. Best bet is to not carry the deoderant. If hike in grizzly country it will attract bears.
Darth Pac-man
The US Army did a study comparing blister results of groups who did and did not rub their feet with anti-perspirant before putting on socks and boots. Deodoranted feet had far fewer blisters. Don’t leave home without it, I say.
Take your fave stick deodorant/anti-persp., break it into a ziploc baggie, and use it a few crumbles at a time. Works. I always have some with me for feet and for whenever/wherever else I want to use it.
CrazyJane