Gear Review: It’s the Balm!

October 31, 2025

Eli Shostak is back for another gear review of one of the simple, inexpensive, unsung heroes of our kits… Lip Balm!

If you’re looking for a gear review highlighting the newest, lightest, most technological stuff for going further, faster, and looking sportier… this is not it. We thought we’d do something different and generate some buzz about the simple, unsung, tiny-but-mighty pieces of our “kit” (gear, equipment). 

Our goal is to make sure Holiday Travelers bring the equipment necessary to have the best time possible on any adventure. This is usually less about spending big dollars and more about carefully considering and attending to personal needs. In pursuit of our vision, we’re focusing on an absolute essential for arid climates: lip balm.

Have you ever thought about the fundamental role lips play in our lives? A key part in communication, lips help make the sounds of spoken language and express emotions nonverbally too (smile, frown, smirk). They are the initial gateway to our digestive system, playing an integral part in food intake. For proof of concept, try drinking without using your lips (best done over the sink). And let’s not even get started on the role of lips in attraction, seduction, and sensuality; looking at you Angelina Jolie and Zac Effron. Given their unquestionable importance, shouldn’t we be intentional in how we care for them? 

Before running to your local lip balm monger, consult our list for selecting the best one for you:

SPF or not SPF: Sun Protection Factor (SPF) numbers tell us how much protection from the sun’s harmful rays we can expect from a product. For some, SPF will be a crucial factor in making the right choice. Others might prioritize the gorgeous, hand crafted, local versions which often lack these additives. Additionally, we might prefer to avoid the ingredients used in providing SPF qualities. Since we’re talking about something so small and inexpensive, why not bring a few options? You could have one industrial strength product with SPF and another, après sun version without. Treat yourself!

Should it be Waterproof? When it comes to sunscreen, being waterproof is often essential (especially on river trips). But with lip balm? Obviously, the question here is how much time we plan to be in the water. On the other hand, seeing as we should be constantly hydrating during our adventures, dunking our lips in drinks, perhaps making a waterproof choice is useful. 

Reverse the Curse: When we haven’t nailed our lip-care routine, got dehydrated, or for whatever reason wrecked our lips, there are balms well suited to repair the damage. For this application, we’re looking for products with hydrating and soothing qualities like vitamin E, shea butter, and beeswax. Apply liberally before bedtime!

Flavors! There are so very many flavors to choose from, might as well try a few. Minty, fruity, floral, herbal, and plain, personal research is the only way to discover what’s best. If you find an absolute winner, please let us know (I’ll go coconut every time!).

What’s in There: Herbal additives and other ingredients add value, though could be contraindicated depending on allergies, ethics, and preferences. As I’ve heard it said in many drug commercials, don’t use a lip balm if you’re allergic to the ingredients in that lip balm. Ethical considerations around commonly used animal products like lanolin and tallow might also inform our choices. Products with mineral contents like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide can add a white hue to areas where they’re applied, making coverage easy to assess, though perhaps not accentuating the look we’re going for.

Go Local: Amazing lip products made by talented local herbalists can often be found at health food markets, community co-ops, and independent gear shops. Lots of craft and artisanal herbalists combine just the right ingredients to make lip balms perfect for our adventures. Not only will we get something tasty and unique, but we’ll also be supporting the locals. Yay!

Get Lots: Since lip balm is small, lightweight, inexpensive, and prone to melting, I carry at least four. I’ve got a tube in my PFD, another in my boardshorts, a third in my day bag and one more in my toiletries. Additionally, if I had the time and forethought prior to leaving, I might have another couple of extra tubes to give away if anyone forgot theirs.

Have Fun: What about adding some color? Maybe go for a more fashionable approach, like lip balms with lip gloss and bring pizazz to la playa. Besides the mineral whites mentioned previously, there are products that go on thick and come in outlandish colors. Remote wilderness trips are perfect places to try something new! 

Ultimately, just make sure you bring something to care for those kissers. Having painful, cracked lips is not only a bummer, it’s a quick and undeniable reminder of just how important our lips are to our everyday activities. Don’t let sun, sand, wind, and aridity damage that most sensitive part of your body!

Eli Shostak is a Senior Lecturer of Adventure Education at Fort Lewis College. A former river guide, NOLS Course Leader, and sea kayaking instructor, he is a firm believer in the power of shared experiences in wild places. Eli is dedicated to using his expertise in mindfulness, leadership, and expedition planning to facilitate journeys for finding the personal and interpersonal benefits of exploring diverse landscapes. His favorite game to play on trips is called “Knuck Tats,” something you’ll have to ask him about.