We’ve learned some tricks and shortcuts over the years, which we’re passing along to you to help make your Susan G. Komen 3-Day walking experience even better.
1. Put your phone in airplane mode when walking. 
You can still use the camera or music player, but your battery will last much longer if it’s not constantly searching for a cell/internet signal. (Also, when you go to charge your phone back at camp, keep it off or in airplane mode and it will charge much faster.)
2. If you expect rain, put your phone in a Ziploc bag. 
The touchscreen will still work through the plastic, but it will stay dry.
3. Put a spare pair of socks in a snack size Ziploc and carry it in your fanny pack.
Change your socks at lunch, then put the dirty ones into the Ziploc to keep them separate from everything else in your pack.
4. Cold morning? Use your spare socks as mittens until you warm up.
Then just stick them back in your pack so you can change into them at lunch.
5. Newspaper stuffed into wet shoes will dry them out by morning.
6. Small instant ice packs will provide a few minutes of refreshing coolness without the drippiness of a bag of ice.
(Though sometimes the drippiness is nice too…)
7. In rain, a binder clip will secure your poncho hood to the bill of your hat to keep it from flying off your head.
8. A 1-inch binder clip also makes a terrific make-shift lip balm holder.
You can secure a tube of your favorite SPF lip cover right to your lanyard, so it’s never far when you need it.
9. Did you know that there are sunscreen towelettes? If you have limited space in your walking pack, these may be a good alternative to a bulky bottle of SPF. Or, see if you can score some samples of sunblock (usually packaged in flat pouches) from a local dermatologist or spa.
10. If you plan to use duct tape for anything (believe or not, this is the go-to blister care method for many walkers), wrap a few feet of it around your water bottle and tear it off as you need it, rather trying to carry a whole roll around with you.
Got any good 3-Day walking hacks? Let us know in the comments!
Looking for 3-Day Camping Hacks, too? Click here!
(Thank you to first time San Diego walker Kenzie D. for modeling these hacks!)
One of my favorite hacks: Take a picture of your credentials with both your cell phone and your camera. Make the photo of your credentials the background for your lock screen so that if your phone is found, at least your name and information is available when the phone is locked. With your camera, try to make the photo of your credentials the first photo on the card. That way, if someone finds your camera, they might scroll to the first photo and see your credentials. Putting a return address on the camera and phone may work as well, but when handling the equipment, the sticker might come off/rub off and sometime, the equipment is just too small for a sticker.
SUCH great ideas, Kristian! Now I’m having a “why didn’t I think of that!” moment. 🙂 If you haven’t already, would you mind sharing your idea in the Facebook comments for this blog post too? I think more eyes will see it there. ~Erin
The duct tape on your water bottle can also help identify your bottle if you should leave it somewhere. I’ve “lost” mine at least once every walk and will be doing this this year just so I have an easier time describing it to friends/crew to keep an eye out for.
These are fantastic tips! I’ve walked once and crewed and these tips are good for anyone involved. Thanks for the ideas!
Forget water bottles and fanny packs! Look into a Camelbak! There are many different sizes with plenty of room to carry whatever you need and all conveniently strapped to your back.
put a copy of your credentials in your fanny pack or backpack in case you leave it behind.
I wore double pair of socks and only had one small blister after 60 miles.
If there any others of you of a “certain age” who need reading glasses. Buy a pair of cheap reader sunglasses. That way you can actually read the route information on the little card that is handed out daily.. (which by the way, folds neatly into the back of your credentials…)
The seamless wrap (from the 3-Day shop-shown in Kenzie’s photos) is another great way to keep rain ponchos in place. In 2010, the San Diego Walk had what felt like a monsoon with wind and rain. I pulled the front of my wrap on the outside of the poncho across the hood of the poncho and my hat to keep it in place while the wind roared and the rain pelted us. Ah, memories. ?
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This is my 4th year to participate, 2 walking, 1 crew, and walking again this year. The first year dealt with blisters all through training and the walk. One of my team mates told me I had the wrong socks and boy, was he right. (Thanks, Aaron) After searching, found Feetures, No Blisters socks and have not had a single blister since. They cost a little more, but so well worth it going blister free. Your local racket/job shop should have them. If not, ask them to get them. You can also search Nextag and find the closest place to you.
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Hi Brenda, I tried googling those socks you talked about but fell short. All they actually called “no blisters” socks?
No, They are called Feetures. There are several similar types. The key is NO COTTON! Balega, Road Runner store brand, and Feetures are my favorites. Any running store will have them. Feetures do run small so size up. Also, you can get them on Amazon, Zappos, etc. …if you need them fast!
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Hello! Which Feetures are you using? The High Performance ones? Thank you for the recommendation.
Great stuff
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Attach a few big safety pins to your pack. You can hang your dirty/wet socks outside of your pack and they will dry quickly. And you will be amazed and how often a safety pin is the solution to one of your problems.
HikeGoo by Footkinetics – 12 year walking and never a blister! As avid backpackers, we swear by this stuff. Put it on thick and by the end of the day, it absorbs leaving your feet soft and feeling great. Order from footkinetics.com and use code komen2018 for a 20% discount (and no, I don’t have a personal stake in this company, just an amazing product!)