Best Chapstick for sierras

I've started bringing 2 – one with sunscreen and one without. Badger with Zinc Oxide for sun protection and Burt's Bees or All Good for when the sun isn't an issue. There is another good one that they sell at Wilsons in Bishop that is Orange (both in color and flavor), I can't remember what it is called but it is also pretty good. Not as good as the Badger for sunblock but also doesn't leave a white mess.

I second the Burt's bees and Badger. Both are great for there intended use.

I haven't backpacked in the Sierra since the late 90s and don't remember what (if any) I used back then. That said, I get very dry skin and lips during Michigan winters, and Lip Trip does the job better than anything else I've tried. The only problem I have with it is that it lasts so long between applications, sometimes I forget to use it, having lost the habit of re-applying constantly.

For me, its either earwax or beeswax. Either can be found on the way–so its uber UL–and neither pollute waterways. Add belly button lint/callus dust as needed to prevent wind-burn…keeps the immune system strong, while being dual use!

I use Banana Boat Aloe Vera Sunscreen Lip Balm with a SPF of 45. Works good, I've had no problems since I switched over from using Chapstick products.

My experience has has been that anything works as long as I regularly re-apply it as Charles alluded to in his response. Maybe there something else going on in your case but since you indicate all is well for 4-5 days before drying occurs but offhand I would be inclined to say it's an application issue.

Don: "My experience has has been that anything works as long as I regularly re-apply it" Same here. I've tried several of the fancier lip balms, but can't say any of them were anything special, and have gone back to plain old Chapstick. I carry one in my pocket, one in my chest pack, and have another in my FAK. Such an innocuous piece of "gear", but aside from a spare mini-Bic, probably the only redundancy found in my kit.

I have used various over the years and haven't noticed any difference at all. Maybe I just lick my lips too often for any of them to stay on long. The key is to keep applying frequently… and wear it to bed at night too. billy

I find that using Vaseline at night does a much better job to lock in moisture.

Nivea's "kiss of milk and honey" has been my goto for the last few years. The name does sound a bit froofy. I appropriated a tube from my wife when I was going up to Oceano Dunes SVRA with some friends a few years ago since it was supposed to be windy, dry and cold while we were there. Worked great then and will be my goto until I find something that supplants it..

Aquaphor at night (the wind musician's friend, way better than Vaseline!) and either Cotz Lip Block 45 or Tropical Sands 30 lip block during the day.

Carmex with spf 15 for lips. Comes in a stick. As to drying out (slightly offtopic), for long hikes in the sierra bring hand lotion. My hands after 2 weeks this past summer got lots of little splits in the fingertips. Bleeding and very painful, it felt at night like my fingers were bursting. Also, apply sunscreen to the tops of the hands. I have done lots of hiking in the sierras and never needed it before this summer. All of a sudden after 13 days, at the bottom of Forester, sun blisters popped up on my hands. Also very painful. Skin must be getting more sensitive. Steve

#ERROR!

My theory is that sun and general drying are both big factors. I don't know specifically which is the best brand, but I like lip balm with a high sunblock factor and to apply it often to prevent drying AND burning.

I'll take most anything as long as it is without perfume/taste on there. Like above, I'll have at least one with SPF. But if I go high I just bring the SPF one and not the general.

I personally feel Dermatone is the mutts nuts. Only thing I've used that can really set your lips straight if they're buggered: http://www.amazon.com/Dermatone-Medicated-Lip-Balm-Count/dp/B00N2RS6SG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1443796469&sr=8-1&keywords=dermatone I did swap out for a new stick at MTR on the JMT…but feel that one stick would last you the whole JMT. YMMV HTH KJ

Wet your lips before applying. Water is for dehydration. Chapstick et.al is to seal the moisture in. I use butter, oil, whatever I have. Hydrate then seal. Same with lotion. Hydrate then seal. Almond oil works good.

Bringing this back from the dead.  I’ll feel dumb here, this shouldn’t be difficult.  I tried dermatone and a few others and I’m getting the same result.  Burned lips.

After paying more attention I’m 99% sure my issue is sunburned lips vs dry Sierra lips as previously stated.  The issue is less of a problem in the winter.   Strange thing my first 20-30 trips I never brought Chapstick.  It’s only became an issue the last 2 years or so.

Will try more brands, but I thought I’d ask a stupid(er) question first:   How often do you reapply?   Lately it’s been 3-4 times per day.   Should I do it more than that?

Is zinc oxide the only effective sunblock?  White lips sounds messy.   Does Shea butter actually do anything?

A big hat makes more difference than lip balm.

And I use Burt’s Bees, which has the added value if giving you more things to do in camp.  Because when you get ready for bed, you realize that you left it in your shirt pocket.  And since it smells completely edible, you have to get up and put it in your bear can…

I love the Trader Joe’s lip balm.  3-pack for $2.49 and it’s SPF 15.

I reapply whenever my lips feel dry. That’s more than 3-4 times per day. I use various things as long as it’s got at least SPF 15, and I have a Sunday Afternoon (the really big, really dorky one) hat.

I multipurpose and use Nordic glide wax on my lips and ski bases. Also makes pot clean up easy after using the wood-burning stove.

No, I just bring Chapstick and try to avoid mouth breathing at night.  Mouth breathing is killer on my lips, especially at altitude

But I really did use Chapstick on my wax less skis one time when the kick section kept icing up.

You got me, Dave.  Almost lost my morning orange juice.