by Jill Schuman |
July 02, 2016
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Last week I had the pleasure to participate in the first annual Colorado Trail Days at Backcountry Experience in Durango, CO. While eNZees Foot Soother can be used to comfort feet during any activity, it has its roots in hiking and backpacking. I discovered it while trekking in New Zealand and I’m always happy to introduce this amazing product to fellow hikers.
I spoke with numerous beginning and advanced backpackers during the event who were excited to try a new method of preventing hot-spots and blisters. It’s incredible how simple foot wool is to use. eNZees reduces the friction between your shoe, sock, and skin. The fibrous nature of wool allows it to weave into your sock, holding it in place. It’s always fun to see the light bulb turn on and see people just “get it.”
During the Colorado Trail Days event, there were numerous educational clinics like Basic Map & Compass Skills and Intro to Wilderness First Aid. And there was plenty of “hiking inspiration” to go around!
Here’s to Happy Trails and Happy Feet this summer!
Tagged:
colorado trail days,
durango colorado,
hiking the colorado trail,
how to prevent blisters while hiking,
prevent blisters on your feet
by Jill Schuman |
June 24, 2016
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As many of you may know, eNZees Foot Soother is based out of Durango, a town of 16,000 on the remote Western Slope of Colorado. Among other points of notoriety – like our huge craft brew scene, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, and Mesa Verde National Park – Durango is known for being the southern terminus of The Colorado Trail, which connects us to Denver 486-miles away.
The Colorado Trail attracts hikers, backpackers, and even mountain bikers from all over the country and world. It truly showcases some of the best scenery in Colorado, but you have to work for it. The majority of the trail is at or above 10,000 feet! Though I have never done the entire trek, I am happy to support the first annual Colorado Trail Days this weekend in Durango.
The event is organized by one of the first stores to carry eNZees Foot Soother, Backcountry Experience. I will be at the event on Saturday morning, spreading the word about the benefits of using lambswool to protect your feet from hot-spots and blisters. (I’m sure you thru-hikers know a thing or two about those!)
If you’ve always wanted to get into hiking and backpacking, Colorado Trail Days will have plenty of free clinics on backcountry skills and gear. There will also be prize drawings throughout the event with prizes from Osprey Packs and Outdoor Research. All proceeds are benefitting the amazing volunteer trail maintenance efforts put on by the Colorado Trail Foundation.
If you’re in the Durango area, come on out and support this great community event. Hope to see you there!
Tagged:
colorado trail,
colorado trail days event,
durango and silverton narrow gauge railroad,
durango colorado,
hiking the colorado trail,
how to prevent blisters while hiking,
mesa verde,
prevent blisters on your feet
by Margaret Hedderman |
September 04, 2015
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eNZees Foot Soother® is a passion project. When Jill discovered this simple, everyday method of foot care, she knew she had found her calling. Jill is building her own business from the ground up. Read about her inspiring journey in the one-on-one interview below.
Margaret: Who would have thought you can use wool to prevent hot spots and blisters! How did you discover this unusual product?
Jill: My husband and I are avid hikers back home in Durango, Colorado, however, we discovered using wool to prevent hot spots and blisters halfway across the globe while trekking in a beautiful part of southern New Zealand's Southern Alps on a trail called the Routeburn Track.
During the pre-hike orientation meeting prior to our 27-mile trek, our hiking leader recommended that we bring some of the local wool fleece with us, in case we encountered foot problems along the way. Sure enough the next day early on the trail, I began to notice hot spots building under my toes. As our trek leader had suggested, I took a moment to apply the wool fleece around and under the problem area.
I was amazed that within no more than 30 minutes the hot spot disappeared. That evening when I removed my boot and sock, the blister that I expected
was gone and my toe was soft and totally pain-free.
Wrap eNZees Foot Soother® around your toes or to any spots where you experience uncomfortable rubbing.
Margaret: What made you decide to start eNZees Foot Soother®?
Jill: I have hiked throughout the US and abroad for decades and have never seen wool used for this purpose before. I wondered how a solution as miraculous as this all-natural fleece was nowhere to be found in North America. I knew at that moment I could help anyone who has experienced blisters and other foot problems by bringing this simple product to the United States.
That evening at dinner on the Routeburn Track, we shared our foot and wool experience with a couple of friendly fellow hikers. As fate would have it, we learned that this couple were 5th-generation New Zealand sheep ranchers who were aware of the benefits of the fleece and its curative lanolin.
From that chance meeting high in the mountains of New Zealand, the vision of eNZees Foot Soother® was born. After many months of research and testing of numerous types of wool from many different ranches, I was lucky enough to connect with a sheep breeder on the South Island of New Zealand. This relationship has resulted in a consistent source of high-quality soft wool from pure-bred organic sheep that forms the basis of eNZees Foot Soother®.
Margaret: What's next for eNZees Foot Soother®?
Jill: eNZees Foot Soother® has been tested and proven by a wide variety of hikers, athletes of all types, walkers of all ages, and active professionals. Our distribution is rapidly growing and you may soon find eNZees in an outdoor gear store or running shop near you! We have also recently introduced eNZees Minis, pre-packaged "servings" of wool for easy use. They're now available in a 5-pack. You can also buy eNZees online.
Jill's energy and passion for eNZees Foot Soother® is captivating and inspiring. It's hard not to get excited about this unique and unusual method of preventing hot spots and blisters. Try it out on your next walk, run, our hiking adventure!
Tagged:
blister prevention,
durango colorado,
hiking,
hiking wool,
jill schuman,
new zealand,
routeburn track
Jill: eNZees Foot Soother® has been tested and proven by a wide variety of hikers, athletes of all types, walkers of all ages, and active professionals. Our distribution is rapidly growing and you may soon find eNZees in an outdoor gear store or running shop near you! We have also recently introduced eNZees Minis, pre-packaged "servings" of wool for easy use. They're now available in a