Is there a “special,” or thinner tape (thinner than standard wound-covering-type tape) that’s used for covering blisters on toes, blister-prone areas, etc? Like the ultrarunners use?
Any advice appreciated. 
thanks
If you want to “tape” get cover-roll super thin an wont come off https://www.medco-athletics.com/Supply/Product.asp?Leaf_Id=35140
.
Band-Aid makes small pieces for such things. There are several types: Finger and Toe Blister pads; Flexi-Heal, etc. I have used them for years.
Super glue.
There are also small circular pads available, I believe they’re originally intended for bunions but work great around blisters.
Little life savers, they can almost entirely remove the friction on the blister, reducing the pain to near zero.
The Cover-Roll Stretch tape is what I was looking for - thanks. Just ordered some.
Leukotape.
Paper tape works great and isn’t bulky … superglue as mentioned works well in many areas but takes a while to dry solid. Body glide roll on is great for prevention.
Dave
There are also small circular pads available, I believe they’re originally intended for bunions but work great around blisters.
Little life savers, they can almost entirely remove the friction on the blister, reducing the pain to near zero.
x2 on bunion cushions. Donut-shaped padded adhesive things you put on around a blister.
duct
.
I ended 32 years of toe-blisterhood with **injinji **Toesocks. I wear them 7 days a week, even when I’m not training.
http://www.injinji.com/tetratsok/p_mini.htm
After years of trying every tape imagainable, I can say that these are cheaper in the long run and work better for those prone to between-the-toes blisters.
Will cover-roll or leukotape stay on through an entire Ironman?
I use Hy-tape, and wrap it around my problem toe. It has to go full circumference and stick to itself, but it will make it through an IM. The challenge is that you have to be very careful how tightly you apply it, it has no elasticity. Luckily, my feet don’t tend to swell. If one of the other options would work equally well when applied before the swim, and also have elasticity, I’d like to try it.
What about the kinesiology tape? I actually just bought some to put on my thigh where the stitching of my tri shorts are because during the longer races I get chafed. I tried it out during a run yesterday and it seemed to work. I am thinking about putting in under my arm during an IM to prevent chafing from running. I am going to try it out on my toes too since I get some rub from one weirdly shaped toe. Not sure if that’s exactly what you’re looking for but I wanted to try it since it seems to stick on skin for days.
Rocktape works pretty well for me.
I don’t always tape, but when I do, I use the beige version of MicroPore in 1" width for my toes - it’s a paper tape and quite thin. It’s also great for taping down the edges of larger areas of more substantial tapes - e.g. if you do the balls of your feet or the heels with Elastikon, then you can cover the edges with MicroPore to keep them from peeling up.
Two key things
Use Tincture of Benzoin(e) to help the tape to stick, it’s an adherent enhancer that you can wipe on with a cotton ball - let it get tacky then apply the tape, the tape will stick much better. It is available in a small, rather expensive bottle at REI - cheaper to get a larger bottle of it at a pharmacy. It’s also great for getting tape or bandaids to stick to your chest if you’re using something like that to prevent nipple chafing. (2" MicroPore is perfect for that).
And - don’t wrap your toes too tight or with too many layers. And get the tape off ASAP when you are done.
Once you have the MicroPore on your toes you can also add some body glide or Two Toms blister shield to lower the friction, if you’re going right into your socks and shoes - not so applicable if you’re going to try to swim first with the covering on.
You mention both blisters and blister prone areas - what I’m describing above is mainly to prevent blisters in the first place, but if you have a bad one that you want to cover for a race, benzoine will help a lot with getting it to stay in place regardless of what material you use.
Kinesiology tape, bandaids of all kinds, duct tape, and several medical tapes have failed for me on the swim.
I use band-aids blister blocks, they work great! Waterproof too…
Super glue.
X2 - I super glue my toes before any races that I’m running sock less.
Super glue has also been a fail for me. It works for a lot of people. I’m not sure what I’m missing there.
Borrowed from my ballet days: listerine to dry out the blisters, oragel for any pain.
These days: body glide on blister prone areas, or the band aid blister pads with athletic tape for extra security.