In 05’ I did a 500 mile section in shorts. This may I plan to go out for another 800 and wondered is there a better fabric that would prevent the leg rash I got on my quads. It wasn’so much a rash as it was just the pores getting irritated and inflamed, led to some very nasty zits. I need some advice, anything helps. I’ve seen the kilt but I am not sure I want to go that route. If it is the only fix, then I would take it.
paddlin pappy
I know what you’re talking about, but yours seems like an extreme case. My quads got red and all the hair was rubbed off with some slight pimpling just from the friction of the fabric against the legs from so many thousands of steps every day. I’m sure a heavier fabric would exacerbate the problem but wouldn’t be the root cause.
I would say that Under Armour/Spandex shorts would work great to prevent that rubbing, or if you didn’t want to wear them, Vaseline or that deodorant-stick-thing that you can get most places to prevent chafing. And the gel stuff would be pretty well resistant to sweat and rain, too.
0101
I know what you’re talking about, but yours seems like an extreme case. My quads got red and all the hair was rubbed off with some slight pimpling just from the friction of the fabric against the legs from so many thousands of steps every day. I’m sure a heavier fabric would exacerbate the problem but wouldn’t be the root cause.
I would say that Under Armour/Spandex shorts would work great to prevent that rubbing, or if you didn’t want to wear them, Vaseline or that deodorant-stick-thing that you can get most places to prevent chafing. And the gel stuff would be pretty well resistant to sweat and rain, too.
0101
The only problem with under Armour is that it starts to get rank after a little while. Other then that, it’s a great fabric.
paddlin pappy
I think what your talking about is skin irritation from being dirty and greasy for days. I get that too and can only reduce it by washing my legs every day. That is usually impractical so I live with it while I hike.
Big B
I tried to use alcohol wet wipes and body powder but nothing seemed to reduce it. Someone told me the only way was to wear really short shorts or a kilt but neither of those seems appealing. I guess just dealing with it would be the only way…I should invent a stink resistant underarmour fabric…would make millions
paddlin pappy
paddlin,
i know exactly what you’re talking about- I had the exact same problem on my AT thru hike- and the rash never went away (we’re talking 7 months her, incl. a month after the hike). at the time I wore a pair of EMS nylon zip off pants- big mistake- they’re heavy, take forever to dry, and smack into your thighs with every step you take, causing a rash of ingrown hairs…
now, the solution (drumroll)- I’ve switched to wearing the patagonia boxer briefs, with an extremely light pair of running shorts on top. this is an amazing combination- it’s light, breathable, washable, and in over five thousand miles
i’ve never had a serious problem with rashes.
Good luck, and keep on hikin’-
Remy.
Remy
I find that boxer briefs from Ex Officio helped a lot with these sorts of problems. I also carry and use Body Glide when necessary.
The Ex Officio briefs seem to be more breathable than the under Armour fabric and don’t seem to stink up over time.
Regardless of your clothing choices, I think it really helps to wash up at night after hiking (swim, rinse, sponge-bath, whatever you can manage) and to not wear your daytime gear while sleeping. Sleep in your birthday suit or have a light pair of shorts/boxers/briefs that you only sleep in. The extra pair of shorts comes in handy while doing laundry in town also. A silk bag liner helps also as it can easily be washed in town unlike the sleeping bag.
Radar