ELASTOPLAST 40 FABRIC PLASTERS £2.45

USED BY Trail contributor Sarah Ryan, who loves a cheap, practical thing

USED FOR 9 months

As I walked into Shenavall bothy on the first day of a week-long Highlands trip, I felt the tell-tale burn and rub on the back of both heels. I stopped, pulled off my boots and discovered it was already too late. Two big, juicy blisters. Damn. I diligently stuck blister plasters over each one and carried on. A few days later, I ran out and was forced to move onto the back-up Girl Guide fabric plasters tucked into the back of the first aid kit. They stuck firmly over the blisters and stayed in place until willfully pulled off. This despite extreme heat, wild loch swimming and long ol’ days with a heavy ol’ pack.

A few months later, my sleeping bag got a small tear in it and down feathers started drifting around the tent. Duct tape would not adhere to the silky fabric well and without any more to hand, I again resorted to a fabric plaster. It stuck firmly in place and didn’t move until I took it off and fixed the bag properly. Sure, it didn’t look great, but several hundred pounds saved on a new sleeping bag definitely did.

VERDICT

40x cheaper than a blister plaster, and for me they work better. Great for quick fixes on the hill too!