View Full Version : What to do with your nails?
Hello,
I am planning a thru-hike next Spring and am really wondering how people keep their nails clipped. Is the solution just to take a nail clipper? I have been going through many UL gear lists trying to make my own (going for a lightweight one) and don't see anywhere a nail clipper and they're heavy!
Couldn't find the answer in other threads either. Sorry if this is redundant.
hikerboy57
12-27-2013, 19:15
Hello,
I am planning a thru-hike next Spring and am really wondering how people keep their nails clipped. Is the solution just to take a nail clipper? I have been going through many UL gear lists trying to make my own (going for a lightweight one) and don't see anywhere a nail clipper and they're heavy!
Couldn't find the answer in other threads either. Sorry if this is redundant.nail clipper is fine.even gram weenies need a nail clipper.
I'd say just bite the bullet and pack some clippers
Welcome and good luck with your thru. I would just bring the smallest nail clipper you can find. You can even find a child size clipper. Or just bite your nails and get some extra calories. But you may not want to do that with your toes.
In any event congrats on making the dive to join WB and let us know of your up and coming hike, wish you all the best.
jimmyjam
12-27-2013, 19:50
I just use the scissors on my mini swiss.
max patch
12-27-2013, 19:56
Howard Hughes didn't use nail clippers.
The swiss army classic has small scissors and a nail file.
ALLEGHENY
12-27-2013, 20:13
It is possible to go to a nail salon every week or two.
oldwetherman
12-27-2013, 20:16
I pack 1/2 of a coarse emery board. I don't let my nail get too long before I file them back. It's especially useful on toenails....the last thing you'd want to do is trim one too far down and it separates
from the nail bed. They're cheap and easy to find in any trail town.....even Dollar Stores and Dollar Generals have em.
theinfamousj
12-27-2013, 22:36
I have long and lovely at-home nails. Because of that, I give with a pair of baby nail clippers. I also use rocks as files.
I have thick nails, so the scissors on Swiss Army knives break when used for my nail grooming.
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Dr. Professor
12-27-2013, 22:54
Nail clippers. The weight is nominal. Keeping your nails in good condition when away from daily showers is invaluable.
Heck, I'm of the belief that nail maintenance is like personal fitness -- it's something you either do all the time, or it's something you don't do.
rusty bumper
12-28-2013, 09:39
I carried nail clippers. Every time I took a shower during my 5 months on the trail, I trimmed my toe nails to avoid any problems from cropping up. Taking good care of my feet in all ways was a top priority. I trimmed my finger nails whenever I remembered to!
I carried fingernail clippers, used them for fingers and toes. Long toenails causes bruised toenails.
And you haven't had fun hiking until you start loosing toenails!
yellowsirocco
12-28-2013, 10:57
Once you have a toenail get long and start being irritating you won't think clippers are heavy at all. Feet are your number one priority on the trail and you do what you got to do to take care of them.
I just used my leatherman Micra, 1.8oz, to cut my finger nails. It works great, after you soak & soften them with water
Goji
I just use my pocket knife.
Once you have a toenail get long and start being irritating you won't think clippers are heavy at all. Feet are your number one priority on the trail and you do what you got to do to take care of them.
Ditto. I ran into several people who mentioned getting ingrown toenails, with pus and the whole works, while hiking the AT. Preventative foot care can save you a lot of pain, and medical bills.
Spirit Walker
12-28-2013, 11:50
If you're using a drift/bounce box, put the clippers in there.
It is possible to go to a nail salon every week or two.
Probably could. HYOH. :rolleyes:
Sarcasm the elf
12-28-2013, 15:35
I just used my leatherman Micra, 1.8oz, to cut my finger nails. It works great, after you soak & soften them with water
Goji
+1 on the leatherman micra. 90% of the time it's the only knife i carry when backpacking. The scissiors are great, far better than the ones on Swiss army knives.
I would just stay at home. If you worried about this, imagine all the other things you will get all upset about.
OK, I guess nail clipper it will be! Thanks a lot!
Make sure you go with the Ultra Light ones!
Odd Man Out
12-28-2013, 23:35
I've always been very prone to infections around the toenails if they are not clipped just right, so a good clipper is not a luxury but a necessity for me. YMMV
toenail care is really important - fingernail care is secondary but with a tiny clipper - I carry the tiniest nail clipper along with
my toothbrush (cut in half) - it weighs less than about 1/4 of a snickers bar so putting it in that perspective, you see why.
I just use the scissors on my mini swiss.
+1. .
4eyedbuzzard
12-29-2013, 13:00
Y'all got me thinking, so I searched for Titanium nail clippers to satisfy my UL OCD and found that while there are some Ti clippers available, they do not work well according to reviews for several reasons: Ti does not hold an edge well and lacks the spring properties that tempered steel has. Many very lightweight steel clippers are out there, but many users of the small folding ones [which are made more for fingernails] complain they don't open wide enough to do thicker toe nails. Make sure they'll do the job before packing them.
Starchild
12-29-2013, 13:51
Never had a problem, but there are nail clippers (in many various forms) along the way. You need to decide how nail growth effects your hike.
HikerMom58
12-29-2013, 14:30
Nail clippers is a great idea for "trail magic" and for hostel/motels owners to offer to hikers. I wouldn't share nail clippers without the ability to clean them well after each use.
Odd Man Out
12-29-2013, 15:58
There is a SAK with a nail clipper, but I've never gotten my hands on one to find out how well they work.
http://www.wengerna.com/swiss-clipper-16930
theinfamousj
12-29-2013, 16:48
There is a SAK with a nail clipper, but I've never gotten my hands on one to find out how well they work.
http://www.wengerna.com/swiss-clipper-16930
I have it and was unimpressed. Perhaps it was just the model that I had, but the clippers were on the duller side of clippers I have used. Plus it weighs more than baby nail clippers.
I buy my baby nail clippers from Sally Beauty Supply and they are made for nail salons. Very sharp. Can cut through my very tough/strong nails, which I have been told are some of the strongest most have seen.
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I would just stay at home. If you worried about this, imagine all the other things you will get all upset about.
Odd Man Out
12-29-2013, 20:12
I have it and was unimpressed. Perhaps it was just the model that I had, but the clippers were on the duller side of clippers I have used. Plus it weighs more than baby nail clippers.
I buy my baby nail clippers from Sally Beauty Supply and they are made for nail salons. Very sharp. Can cut through my very tough/strong nails, which I have been told are some of the strongest most have seen.
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Thanks for the review.
Hill Ape
12-30-2013, 01:44
odds are you'll lose em anyway, the toenails i mean
DaBrownie
01-03-2014, 23:32
Hello,
I am planning a thru-hike next Spring and am really wondering how people keep their nails clipped. Is the solution just to take a nail clipper? I have been going through many UL gear lists trying to make my own (going for a lightweight one) and don't see anywhere a nail clipper and they're heavy!
Couldn't find the answer in other threads either. Sorry if this is redundant.
Yes, the solution is to just take nail clippers. You don't see cans of Spam on UL gear lists either, but that doesn't mean you should do without. Spam, wonderful Spam!
There is a Wenger Swiss Army penknife that includes small scissors, a pen blade, a nail file, tweezers, toothpick, AND a nail clipper. This is my favorite. The nail clipper works well for fingernails and small toenails and the scissors can deal with the big toenails. The blade, tweezers, and scissors come in handy for first aid use as well (blister care, ticks, etc.).
squeezebox
01-06-2014, 15:51
Soak your nail clippers in your alcohol stove for a minute or 2 before you light up. That should kill the germs.
I started leaving my nail clippers at home. It wasn't worth it. Now I carry it again.
Kc Fiedler
02-02-2014, 01:45
This gram weenie uses a victorinox classic. The scissors on them work great for nail clippers and the rest of the tools are infinitely useful.
MuddyWaters
02-02-2014, 08:41
Hello,
I am planning a thru-hike next Spring and am really wondering how people keep their nails clipped. Is the solution just to take a nail clipper? I have been going through many UL gear lists trying to make my own (going for a lightweight one) and don't see anywhere a nail clipper and they're heavy!
Couldn't find the answer in other threads either. Sorry if this is redundant.
you have teeth, right?
someone needs to make a listing of nail salons close to the trail - emergency service and shuttling would be a plus
squeezebox
02-02-2014, 17:59
geez!!! just get nail clippers, it's way better than losing a toe nail.I have to use the ones that look like small pliers. about $15 , I cut the end of a finger off.
Stop complaining that you don't have a sherpa to carry your stuff for you.