HIKERSWOOL | 100% NZ MADE BLISTER PREVENTION

As a kiwi, Hikerswool has been in my vocab for a long time. It might not come up in everyday conversation, but if you speak with kiwis about hiking and blisters, there’s a good chance Hikerswool will come up in conversation.

And having worked at Macpac for a couple of years, the brand must be going strong as many people come in asking if we stock it (Macpac doesn’t).

I was interested to know more about Hikerswool, and reached out to Lynda Tonks, son of Brian who perfected Hikerswool, who runs the company alongside Brian’s wife (Lynda’s mum), Sandra.

Here’s what she had to say…

Hey Lynda, tell us a little about yourself. And what’s your favourite hike in NZ?

I am Lynda and run the family business, Hikerswool.

I love walking in the NZ bush and swimming at our beautiful beach or the local outdoor pool and for the last few years cold water swims all year round.

A little get away before Christmas was a hike on the Kaikoura Coast Track with a group of friends. This track is on private land and has the most stunning views and a great variety of terrain, you also get comfy accommodation and a hot shower!

Where are the Hikerswool operations based?

Hikerswool was based in greater Wellington up until 2023, we now operate from the home workshop in Wakatu, Nelson.

Hikerswool is made from NZ lambs wool, but is Hikerswool a 100% NZ-Made product?

The NZ lambs wool is carded at a mill in the South Island and then comes to Nelson where it is packaged and shipped out to the customers, totally 100% NZ-made.

If I were to find some sheep wool in a paddock (or on a fence) and use it like Hikerswool, is there any difference?

The difference is our wool is lightly washed and scoured to remove all the vegetable matter and then carded which makes a cushion of wool. The wool on the fence post may be full of prickles and sharp bits that are going to be a problem.

I work in an outdoor shop and people regularly come in and ask for Hikerswool. Was the simple name chosen for any particular reason and has word of mouth marketing been the best way for Hikerswool to succeed?

Hikerswool is shared by people on the great walks NZ, tramping tracks and especially the Camino. Customers often say that another hiker gave them some and now they want a pack for themselves. We also advertise in two excellent NZ monthly magazines, Walking New Zealand and Wilderness and have a Google Ad.

What’s the best way to apply Hikerswool? Are there any good videos you’d recommend to see how it’s done?

You need to apply the Hikerswool before you get a blister, so as soon as you feel something rubbing or getting hot, stop and apply by simply tearing off and wrapping generously around the toes or placing over the point of pressure or area of friction before putting on your sock back on. The sock holds the Hikerswool in place, do not use tapes. On the website www.hikerswool.co.nz there is a short video demonstrating how to use the wool, which is really useful.

Jub here…this is the video, with the demonstration starting 45 seconds into it:

Beyond NZ, you can find Hikerswool in some places in Aussie and one store in both the USA, and Denmark. Are you actively looking to grow Hikerswool overseas?

We do have some wonderful retail outlets in Australia and the USA. These are listed on our website otherwise online orders can be made through the Hikerswool shop and these are shipped worldwide daily.

Are there any Hikerswool use cases you’ve heard of that made you laugh?

A nice story of a young woman in her 20’s that had known about Hikerswool for a few years but didn’t try it as she thought it was a bit odd now uses it regularly in her running shoes and her word for it is “Magic” 😊

The online Hikerswool shop is so simple, you know what you’re good at and sell only one product (in different sizes). Has there been any interest in expanding into other products?

Like you say we are a one product business and that has been going since the 1990s. There are two sized packs the Midi and the Maxi and the Maxi refill was introduced last year and is selling well online.

Anything else you’d like to share about Hikerswool readers should know?

Hikerswool is also great for dancers, runners, hunters, shoppers, pressure points for elderly and it is great in work boots.

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Thanks for your time Lynda!

If you have any questions or messages for Lynda, leave them below and I’ll make sure she reads them before she goes and explore another awesome Kaikoura hike 🙂

Chur.