Exceedingly common, painful, and frustrating to deal with, blisters are an infamous scourge of the physically active. In combatting this form of dermatological trauma, it can be difficult to know what supplies to compile. Historically, even the best blister kits lack in scope, leaving the feet deprived of optimal attention when out in the field.
Whether purchasing a ready-made kit or compiling your own, it can be a trade-off between an all-encompassing suite of contents, and the weight/bulk of the resulting pack. These incongruous requirements do make it tricky. Armed with a better understanding than most on the causes, preventions and treatments for blisters on every part of the foot, here is my assessment of 14 blister kits available for purchase.
When I say best, some are fantastic in their scope. Others are average or even way below par, but are well-known and popular brands. I urge you to use the information to inform your purchasing decision, or help you compile your own kit to strike the right balance between blister management capabilities, weight/bulk and usage scenarios.
So, let's make a start at the ugly end and work our way up to the best blister kits on the market.
1) RockTape Blister Kit From RockTape
Contents
- 4 x 25cm strips
- 6 x 15cm strips
- 4 x 7cm strips
Functions
❌ Blister lance
❌ Antiseptic
❌ Island dressings
✔️ Spread shear load
❌ Pressure-management
❌ Friction-management
❌ Shear absorption
❌ Hydrocolloid dressings
❌ Instructions
Rebecca's Comments
You cannot call this a blister kit. It's a roll of tape, cut into pieces.
Where To Buy
2) Spenco 2nd Skin Blister Kit From Spenco
Contents
- Square 2nd Skin® Moist Pads
- Adhesive Knit Strips
- Adhesive Knit Sheet
- Pressure Pad Ovals Sheet
Functions
❌ Blister lance
❌ Antiseptic
❌ Island dressings
✔️ Spread shear load
✔️ Pressure-management
❌ Friction-management
✔️ Shear absorption
❌ Hydrocolloid dressings
❌ Instructions
Rebecca's Comments
I don’t rate Spenco Moist Pads as anything more than a bit of short term pressure relief and shear absorption. They are 95% water (tech sheet) so all they can do is macerate the skin, before they dry out and either do nothing or irritate the skin (they dry into a scratchy irritant). By the way, cooling the skin is not a major aim of blister prevention or treatment. So really this is not much more than a bag of moleskin.
Where To Buy
3) Mueller Blister Kit From Mueller Sport Care
Contents
- 11 x foam pressure oval pads
- 11 x foam pressure donut pads
- 1 x foam pressure sheet
- 6 x more skin hydrogel pads
- 6 x small adhesive mesh
- 1 x large adhesive mesh
Functions
❌ Blister lance
❌ Antiseptic
❌ Island dressings
✔️ Spread shear load
✔️ Pressure-management
❌ Friction-management
✔️ Shear absorption
❌ Hydrocolloid dressings
❌ Instructions
Rebecca's Comments
Better, but still wildly inadequate. Having said that, I do prefer the "hydrogel pads" of this kit to the "moist pads" of Spenco's kit. They are very good at absorbing shear disortions, last a lot longer and aren't just 95% water. But, they won't absorb blister fluids so can't be used over an already-formed blister. This kit needs some island dressings at the very least.
Where To Buy
- Update - no longer available
4) GlacierGel Blister and Burn Dressing From Adventure Medical Kits
Contents
- 3 x GlacierGel Oval 3" x 1.75"
- 3 x GlacierGel 1" x 1.25"
- 6 x Alcohol Wipe
- Foot Care Instructions
Functions
❌ Blister lance
✔️ Antiseptic
❌ Island dressings
❌ Spread shear load
✔️ Pressure-management
❌ Friction-management
✔️ Shear absorption
❌ Hydrocolloid dressings
✔️ Instructions
Rebecca's Comments
This is a "confused" blister kit. Firstly, if you watched the video and are under the assumption blisters are a second degree burn, I can tell you they are NOT. Also, the Glacier Gels needs some explanation. I quite like them. However, the video says you can put these on intact and torn blisters and that they're 50% water, which concerns me. My comments on Glacier Gels are:
- They look like island dressings but they're not. The central island is not there to absorb blister fluids - it's non-absorbent. I think this is confusing, and the comments in the video magnify this misinformation.
- Anything with a high water content and is occlusive at the same time (which Glacier Gel is) has the potential to macerate the skin. While they are are only 50% water unlike Spenco's moist pads which are 95% water, maceration is still likely on injured skin.
- They're not sterile, so they shouldn't be used on broken skin due to the risk of blister infection.
- Credit where credit's due, the Glacier Gel material absorbs shear distortions very well. I would use Glacier Gel as a blister prevention - like on a hotspot or blister-susceptible area before the skin became irritated.
So while I appreciate the shear absorption and pressure relief offered by the Glacer Gel, it's confusing and disappointing this kit lets you disinfect an open blister, but gives you no dressings to apply to it afterwards.
Where To Buy
5) Blister Medic Kit From Adventure Medical Kits
Contents
- 1 x GlacierGel (Large Oval)
- 1 x GlacierGel (Small Rectangular)
- 2 x Moleskin, Pre-Cut & Shaped (14 pieces)
- 6 x Antiseptic Wipe
- 6 x Alcohol Swab
Functions
❌ Blister lance
✔️ Antiseptic
❌ Island dressings
✔️ Spread shear load
✔️ Pressure-management
❌ Friction-management
✔️ Shear absorption
❌ Hydrocolloid dressings
✔️ Instructions
Rebecca's Comments
As above, in regard to the confusion around Glacier Gel. This kit is a step-up on the previous kit with the addition of moleskin which spreads shear load.
Where To Buy
6) Equip Blister Kit From Equip Health Systems
Contents
- 1 x Emergency Action Card
- 2 x Tincture Benzoin Swab-sticks
- 1 x roll athletic Tape
- Fixomull
- Leukofoam
Functions
❌ Blister lance
✔️ Antiseptic (if you use the benzoin tincture)
❌ Island dressings
✔️ Spread shear load
✔️ Pressure-management
❌ Friction-management
❌ Shear absorption
❌ Hydrocolloid dressings
✔️ Instructions
Rebecca's Comments
Although this is still woefully inadequate, it’s half a step up on the previous kit with the addition of both rigid and flexible tapes for spreading shear load. And another half a step up with come cushioning Leukofoam. But it's a step down without any shear absorption. Why have none of these so-called blister kits so far got island dressings in them? It’s the one safe dressing you can put on any type of blister (intact / torn / deroofed)!
Where To Buy
7) Blister Lance Pack From BlisterPod
Contents
- 4 x Cutiplast island dressings 7.2cm x 5cm (2.8in x 2in) (sterile)
- 4 x Povodine iodine antiseptic swabs
- 1 x 5 Cotton tip applicators (sterile)
- 1 x 5 Cotton wool balls or gauze (sterile)
- 2 x Scalpel blades size 15 (sterile)
- 2 x Hypodermic needles (sterile)
- 1 x Step-by-step instructions
Functions
✔️ Blister lance
✔️ Antiseptic
✔️ Island dressings
❌ Spread shear load
❌ Pressure-management
❌ Friction-management
❌ Shear absorption
❌ Hydrocolloid dressings
✔️ Instructions
Rebecca's Comments
This is what a good "basic" blister kit looks like. While it doesn't allow you to perform really comprehensive blister management, but it allows basic first aid to be performed thoroughly and effectively. It provides for four blister treatment episodes, and importantly, everything is sterile! Disclosure: This is one of our BlisterPod blister kits. I put it together for reasons I'm sure are obvious to you now, having seen the previous 6 blister kits.
Where To Buy
8) Blister First Aid Kit From Life Systems
Contents
- 2 x Hygienic Cleansing Wipes
- 1 x Pack Assorted Plasters (island dressings)
- 5 x Blister Plasters (hydrocolloid)
- 1 x Blister Stick
Functions
❌ Blister lance
✔️ Antiseptic
✔️ Island dressings
❌ Spread shear load
❌ Pressure-management
✔️ Friction-management
❌ Shear absorption
✔️ Hydrocolloid dressings
❌ Instructions
Rebecca's Comments
I don’t mind this one as a basic blister kit. It ticks the most important boxes (antiseptic and island dressings). Plus it has some hydrocolloid blister plasters. It even attempts some friction management for blister prevention with the lubricant stick.
Where To Buy
- Update: No longer available
9) Feet First Aid Blister Kit From Trail Toes, LLC
Contents
- 2 x Alcohol pads (1.8"x3.5")
- 4 x Gauze Sponges (2"x2")
- 2 x Single use benzoin skin adhesive
- 1 x roll of Hypafix tape (2"x18")
- 4 x precut sheets of Hypafix tape (2x4")
- 2 x precut sheets of Hypafix tape for protecting nipples (2"x2.5")
- 1 roll of KT tape (2"x18")
- 1 x sheet of moleskin (2"x4")
- 3 x 7gram single use packets of Trail Toes Foot AND Body Cream
- 1 x 2' safety pin
- 1 x (1"x18) gauge bevelled needle
- 1 x resealable bag to carry supplies (3"x5")
Functions
✔️ Blister lance
✔️ Antiseptic (if you use the benzoin)
✔️ Island dressings (gauze + tape)
✔️ Spread shear load
✔️ Pressure-management
✔️ Friction-management
❌ Shear absorption
❌ Hydrocolloid dressings
✔️ Instructions
Rebecca's Comments
This kit has blister lancing tools but no dressings, encouraging users to tape directly over blisters (which is a no-no). Mind you, you could make your own island dressings with the gauze and tape, but who wants to do that? It redeems itself with friction and pressure management capabilities. Note: There are 2 blister kits listed on this product page. The first "Foot First Aid Kit" is very basic. The second "Feet First Aid Kit" is the one I've highlighted here. Toggle the price selector to choose the appropriate kit.
Where To Buy
- Buy Direct (Update: no longer called a blister kit)
10) Advanced Blister Kit From BlisterPod
Contents
- ½ metre (20in) Fixomull
- Stretch tape (5cm / 2in width)
- 1 x Gel toe sleeve (narrow)
- 1 x Gel toe sleeve (wide)
- 1 x Adhesive felt sheet (9cm x 11cm / 3.5in x 4.3in)
- 2 x Scalpel blades (size 15)
- 2 x ENGO large ovals
- 2 x Povidone iodine swabs
- 2 x Gloves (medium)
- 2 x Hydrocolloid blister plasters
- 2 x Cutiplast island dressings (7cm x 5cm / 2.7in x 2in)
- 2 x Skin Prep adhesive enhancer wipes
Functions
✔️ Blister lance
✔️ Antiseptic
✔️ Island dressings
✔️ Spread shear load
✔️ Pressure-management
✔️ Friction-management
✔️ Shear absorption
✔️ Hydrocolloid dressings
✔️ Instructions
Rebecca's Comments
This is our mid-range blister kit. It assembles some really important and often overlooked prevention and treatment items. Plus our helpful Blister Treatment flowchart to guide you through the full blister treatment episode. There’s not a lot of each component so it's best for short trips, races, and adventures, and your sports bag. This kit packs a punch. As you can see, it's the first kit to tick all the boxes!
Where To Buy
- Buy Direct
- Buy on Amazon.com
11) Emergency Blister Treatment Kit From Blisterhelp
Contents
- 12 x Sterile Low- Allergy Island dressings
- 1 x Sterile Hydrocolloid thin dressing 5cm x7.5cm
- 8 x Butterfly dressings
- 2 Metres of Hyperfix Tape®
- 12 x Nitrile (non-Latex) size large, non- sterile gloves
- 6 x 70% Isopropyl Alcohol Skin Cleansing wipes
- 6 x Sterile Wound cleansing Saline wipes
- 6 x Povidone Iodine sterile antiseptic swabsticks
- 4x Sterile single use hypodermic needles
- 1 x Sachet of 2Toms® Blister Shield powder
- 1 x Hapla™ Foam-o-Felt sheet
- 1x Sterile Pouched Scissors
Functions
✔️ Blister lance
✔️ Antiseptic
✔️ Island dressings
✔️ Spread shear load
✔️ Pressure-management
✔️ Friction-management
❌ Shear absorption
✔️ Hydrocolloid dressings
✔️ Instructions
Rebecca's Comments
This is an exceptional “basic” kit to take care of blister treatment. It's the first of 3 blister kits from Blisterhelp.
Where To Buy
12) Ultimate Blister Treatment Kit From Blisterhelp
Contents
- 1 Box of Hypafix® Tape 5cm x10m
- 2 pairs of pouched sterile scissors.
- 6 Sterile single use hypodermic needles
- 4 Sterile Swann Morton® single use sterile retractable scalpels
- 30 large nitrile (latex free) powder free gloves
- 16 Sterile Wound cleansing Saline wipes
- 12 Povidone Iodine sterile antiseptic swabsticks
- 12 70% Isopropyl Alcohol Skin Cleansing wipes
- 8 Skin Tac™ sachets.
- 8 Tac Away™ sachets
- 2 2Toms® Blistershield Powder
- 1 x Sterile Large 10cmx10cm foam backed hydrocolloid dressing
- 2x Sterile Medium 7.5cm x 7.5cm Hydrocolloid Dressings
- 2 x Sterile Small 5cm x 7.5cm Foam Backed Hydrocolloid dressings
- 2 x Sterile Small 5cm x 7.5cm Hydrocolloid dressings
- 2 Sterile Single use Lyofoam® Max dressings
- 10 Butterfly dressings
- 10 H Plasters
- 12 (5pack) sterile Non-Woven Swabs 5cm x 5cm 4 ply
- Sport wrap bandage tape 10cmx 4.5cm
- 30 Sterile Low- Allergy adhesive Island
- 1 Hapla™ Foam ‘o’ Felt sheet
- 1 Hapla™ 5mm Semi- compressed felt sheet
- 1 Hapla™ 7mm Fleecy Foam Sheet
- 6 large sterile non- woven swabs 10cm x 10cm (5 Pack)
- 1 X 2 Litre Blisterhelp dry bag
Functions
✔️ Blister lance
✔️ Antiseptic
✔️ Island dressings
✔️ Spread shear load
✔️ Pressure-management
✔️ Friction-management
❌ Shear absorption
✔️ Hydrocolloid dressings
✔️ Instructions
Rebecca's Comments
Another great blister kit from Blisterhelp. This is the largest of all the blister kits to be featured and is called the ULTIMATE. So it's a little disappointing it lacks the gel products (for shear absorption) and ENGO Patches (for friction-management) that Blisterhelp’s next kit has.
Where To Buy
13) Blister Prevention and Treatment Kit From Blisterhelp
Contents
- 30 Sterile Low-Allergy adhesive Island dressings
- 3 Sterile Hydrocolloid thin dressing 5cm x7.5cm
- 8 Butterfly dressings
- 8 H Plasters
- 2 Metres of Hypafix® Tape (width 5cm)
- 5 KT Pro tape strips (25cm x5cm)
- 24 large nitrile (latex free) powder free gloves
- 8 70% Isopropyl Alcohol Skin Cleansing wipes
- 8 Sterile Wound cleansing Saline wipes
- 8 Povidone Iodine sterile antiseptic swabsticks
- 8 (5pack) sterile Non-Woven Swabs 5cm x 5cm 4 ply
- 6 Sterile single use hypodermic needles
- 2 Sterile Swann Morton® single use sterile retractable scalpels
- 2 2Toms® Blistershield Powder sachets
- 2 Large Oval Engo® Blister Prevention Patches.
- 2 Silopos ® Blue anti-bacterial Digi-cap gel sleeves
- 1 x Epitact® Gel ovals x 2 (4.4 x 5.6mm)
- 1 x Alpaca Wool 20 gm bag
- 1 Hapla™ 5mm Semi-compressed felt sheet
- 1 Hapla™ 7mm Fleecy Foam Sheet
- 1 Sterile Pouched Scissors
Functions
✔️ Blister lance
✔️ Antiseptic (if you use the benzoin)
✔️ Island dressings
✔️ Spread shear load
✔️ Pressure-management
✔️ Friction-management
✔️ Shear absorption
✔️ Hydrocolloid dressings
✔️ Instructions
Rebecca's Comments
I really like this kit. It’s extremely comprehensive with a lot of each item, so it will keep you going for a long time without having to restock. The addition of gel toe sleeves and Epitact for shear absorption take it to the next level.
Where To Buy
14) Ultra Blister Kit From BlisterPod
Contents
- 6 x Cutiplast island dressings 7cm x 5cm (2.7in x 2in) (sterile)
- 6 x “Joint” island dressings (sterile)
- 12 x “Finger” island dressings (sterile)
- 2 x Hydrocolloid dressing 6.9cm x 4.4cm (2.7in x 1.7in) (sterile)
- 2 x Hydrocolloid dressings 6.5cm x 2.5cm (2.6in x 1in) (sterile) new
- 2 x Hydrocolloid dressings 6.5cm x 2cm (2.6in x 0.8in) (sterile) new
- 4 x Engo large oval patches 4.4cm x 7cm (1.7in x 2.7in)
- 2 x Engo small oval patches 3.8cm x 5.1cm (1.5in x 2in)
- 1m (1 yard) Fixomull Stretch 5cm (2in) width
- 6 x Povodine iodine antiseptic swabs
- 2 x Skin Prep wipes
- 2 x 5 Cotton tip applicators (sterile)
- 2 x 5 Cotton wool balls or gauze (sterile)
- 2 x Scalpel blades size 15 (sterile)
- 2 x Hypodermic needles (sterile)
- 2 x Gloves (medium)
- 1 x Emery board
- 1 x Orthopaedic felt sheet 15cm x 11cm x 5mm thick (6in x 4.3in x 0.2in) thick
- 1 x Poron/PPT sheet 15cm x 13cm x 2mm (6in x 5.1in x 0.08in)
- 1 x Gel toe sleeve – wide
- 1 x Gel toe sleeve – narrow
- 1 x Gel toe cap – narrow
- 1 x 2Toms BlisterShield powder sachet
- Blister care instructions
Functions
✔️ Blister lance
✔️ Antiseptic
✔️ Island dressings
✔️ Spread shear load
✔️ Pressure-management
✔️ Friction-management
✔️ Shear absorption
✔️ Hydrocolloid dressings
✔️ Instructions
Rebecca's Comments
This is an outstanding compilation of blister management items. It satisfies the requirements of being both comprehensive and concise. There’s enough of each item to see you through many blister prevention and treatment episodes and scenarios. Yet it's small enough to carry - with the case itself being soft and collapsable so it takes up a minimum of space. We put this kit together with multiday ultramarathon and hiking in mind.
Where To Buy
- Buy Direct
- Buy on Amazon.com
Wrapping up
There's a huge range when it comes to blister kits, unsurprisingly. If you could have any of these blister kits, which one would you pick?
