Essential Alaska gear: Leukotape

Editor's Note: In an ongoing series, we ask Alaska outdoorsmen and women about their favorite, or most essential, piece of gear. This week we got a favorite from Luc Mehl, 38, a multisport adventurer who grew up in McGrath and now lives in Anchorage and Valdez. Mehl has complete several Alaska Wilderness Classic races, which some consider one of the toughest wilderness races in the world, and typically covers about 1,000 miles a year on various backcountry trips. In 2016, he skied from Haines to Juneau, hiked and floated in the Brooks Range from Galbraith Lake to Wiseman as part of the Wilderness Classic, and went from Anaktuvuk Pass to Ambler in August. He's also completed long ski traverses over Denali, Logan, Fairweather, Iliamna, Spurr and other challenging mountains. He works as an environmental data manager and scientist for Axiom Data Science in Anchorage. 

What: Leukotape is a flexible, breathable, highly adhesive tape that's very effective at managing hot-spots before they turn into blisters. It can last for weeks — even in wet shoes. $10.

Why I like it: Leukotape is the best solution I've found for managing blisters.

Issues or concerns? The adhesive can be a chore to remove. But I want the tape too sticky rather than not sticky enough.

Suggestions: What do you use for blister prevention? Do you like Leukotape, or is there something better you prefer? Have any blister horror stories? Share your experience in the comments section below. And if you've got a piece of outdoors gear that you think we should feature, let us know at mcampbell@alaskadispatch.com.