Prof. Hike: A Backpacker's Guide to Smart Personal Hygiene

I ask a dermatologist about field hygiene and she told me that over the counter Acne medicine makes an extremely effective deodorant for going extended periods without bathing.

trimming underarm hair and other parts really cuts down on odor. yes guys.. we can do it too...

I too have used the crystal deodorant, and found that is works really well, I just have a really hard time finding in the part of NC I live in. As for potty paper, I use baby wipes for that too. I make sure to use Gold Bond foot powder alot, But it gets quite cool on the private parts, but it does make you feel cool!!!!

Get Gold Bond Medicated Powder! It works great as deodorant, cools your feet, and prevents/cools hot-spots around your privates. No scent and comes in small travel size which is the right size for 10-12 days on the trail.

I find that snow works much better than leafs for TP.

Great article, thanks Backpacker!!! When I was younger, I got myself and my father extremely sick from not properly washing my hands before preparing the evening's dinner. We both had diarrhea right after dinner! Lesson learned and it hasn't happened since!!!

When using leaves, remember that some of them may have tiny tick larvae attached. I know from experience. During a visit to the bushes along the AT, I tried some leaves. A few days later I was removing a dozen or more tiny ticks from my bare skin inside my underwear. I would have thought they were flecks of dirt if it weren't for a rash, itch and irritation.

Bring 2 squeeze bottles and a scrubbie puff: one bottle to dilute the camp soap and squeeze it on your body (I use Dr. Bronner's), then scrub, and one bottle for clean water to rinse. Small nozzles mean you're using less water -- refill it from a larger container. Takes a while, but eco-better than a big splash. Tip: use only DRINKABLE water to wash your privates, face, teeth, and any broken skin, like blisters. None of these spots needs a nice new colony of micro-crud growing in/on them. And best tip of all: practice this kind of washing at home, a lot, and you won't think twice about it.

I am a huge advocate of sticks for TP. Twist the bark in opposite directions with your fingers to reveal a smooth piece of wood inside. About the thickness of your thumb and with a slight curve. Enjoy!

If you're using leaves, be sure it's not poison ivy.

As some others have said, I use baking soda instead of toothpaste and bring a small unscented deoderant stick. Use Campsuds to wash my hair - it's short so I use less than 16 oz. of filtered water. That five-mile-long extension cord is pretty heavy, though.

Lavilin long life deodorant (available at health food stores and online) lasts up to two weeks and has no odor. Use it before you leave and you will not smell bad.

I do not pack TP, preferring leaves. If I anticipate hiking thru an area without vegetation I collect some leaves and carry them in a zip lock bag to use later. They will keep 3 days in the bag.

Tip for the ladies: Panty liners get me three day's use out of a pair of panties. New liner = a fresh pair of panties. Wash at the end of day 3 and wear pair #2 then next day. 2 pair will get you through an indefinte number of days without having to wash every day.

Deodorant is always an essential for me. Just use the unscented travel size.

Dennis L, you're cracking me up dude, step away from the 6 pack of energy drinks.

Anyone have advise on how to store dank clothes when paddling th bayou and it's too humid for anything to dry overnight. ? Can I sprinkle them with something? Is baking soda safe for the swamplands?

Oops, I meant I'd rather give up minty toothpaste than deodorant. The minty taste only lasts a short time while the deodorant lasts all day.

I use camp soap for shampoo and I do take a small travel size deodorant. It's one thing I prefer not to eliminate. I love hiking in the southwest because I wash underwear and washcloths daily and they dry fast on a rock. Leave toothpaste at home. I've been a dental hygienist for 30+ years - it's the mechanical action of the brush that does the work. The paste just gives you that minty fresh feeling. And frankly, I'd much prefer giving that up (only lasts a few minutes anyway) than body odor!

A tooth brush and water can clean the mouth just as well as the tooth paste. I don't both bringing it.

I've had Raccoons break into my bag to lick my toothbrush because I was using Tom's of Maine's Citrus toothpaste. I recommend something less tasty.

Just store your sleeping shirt in with your sleeping bag.

A clean sleeping shirt can be a fresher as you get ready to bed down, but also a safety precaution; no food wiped on it from daily snacks, meal and food prep. Think about how your dog smells your pants/shirt after you wipe food on them, imagine a bear.

Should have added that a combo of baking soda and borax powders is effective in that borax is anti-fungal. Try a mix of 3:1 or 4:1 (bs to b).
For toothpaste just use straight BS.
Try it at home prior to hiking to insure no skin reactions.

Simple baking soda can be used as a toothpaste and odor blocker.

I don't use a standard deodorant, but I do pack a travel size deodorant crystal. It has no fragrance, takes up little space, produces no residue, works like a charm, and all it needs is a spritz of water to work. I've been using crystal deodorant, even at home, for over fifteen years, and have found it better than any spray, cream, or lotion. Unlike standard underarm products, "rock" deodorant can also be used on feet.

A mixture of cornstarch and baking soda is a great body powder and deodorant. Purchase a sample-size baby powder and replace the scent-laden contents with the cornstarch mixture. It's good for at least a week.

lol amazing love "helped alot ." My girlfreinds hates my sweaty feet :P lol" thanks :P

I liked the bit about deodorant. It's what I have been telling people for years! But along the same line I have heard that toothpaste can also attract mice and bears. So typically I bring germ killing mints and a brush.

When hiking or paddling around a salt water environment I have found talcum powder great to get rid of that sticky salty feeling and allow me to sleep much better. It even works in hair.