If you've ever had to stop mid-hike to deal with painful blisters, you understand exactly why Foot Kinetics exists. Here's the story of how it all started and how I came to carry that mission forward.
How It All Started in a Garage
My dad was a mountaineer who was working as an electrical engineer but he was tired of blister prevention products only lasting 1-2 hours before he needed to stop, take everything off his feet (sometimes including crampons) and reapply products. So he and his best friend Carl (also a mountaineer and an engineer) decided to create something that worked. They started with a blender in the garage of my childhood home and tested their formulas on the trail for 12+ hours to ensure longevity. They finally created something that worked and they wanted to share it with other mountaineers. So they quit their jobs and started HikeGoo, LLC. They quickly found that runners wanted to use their blister prevention cream but runners wanted something for them, so they created RunGoo, then WalkGoo for everyday foot care, and the company, Foot Kinetics, came to be.
Growing Up in the Business
I was in 5th grade when they started the company so I grew up in the business, working with my parents and Carl at the Del Mar Fair for 2 summers at our booth.
As an only child who was very business-driven, it was always the plan for me to take over Foot Kinetics someday, so I got to help create the foundation. I got my bachelors degree in business management and graduated in 2019... but I was 21 years old and did not feel responsible enough to run a business. I needed an authority figure to tell me what to do and hold me accountable (and provide a stable paycheck) so I went into outside sales, and later, project management. During that time, I met my husband and we moved around the West Coast.
Why I Finally Took the Leap
We settled back in the San Diego area and I spent more time with my parents. My Dad was very ready to retire and was just keeping the business going waiting for me to take over. He listened to how unhappy I was in corporate America. He, and my husband, gave me the push to take the leap and go all in on Foot Kinetics. I quit my corporate job and fully dove in. My mental and physical health skyrocketed and I felt so fulfilled working on something I love, which has been part of my life for so many years.
I grew up on the trails, hiking with my parents and now I finally have the time and motivation to do more hiking, because now, it's kinda part of my job! I've tried getting into running but I struggle so much with it, I stick with hiking and walking mostly but I have had so much fun getting to know the ultrarunning community!
What's New at Foot Kinetics... and What's Next
My first year or so as the full-time owner of Foot Kinetics was very focused on a packaging shift from tubes to jars. Over the years, our biggest complaint has been that the Goos are too thick to squeeze out of the tubes. We heard you, we feel you, and we wanted to create a better application scenario for our community.
Jars allow you to easily scoop the Goos with the included spatula or your fingers, no more exasperating tube squeezing. I am so proud to say, we finally did it! HikeGoo and RunGoo are now available in jars and the application process is so much better! Seeing this packaging project come to life has been such an incredible experience, and I imagine it's how my dad and Carl felt when they saw the first HikeGoo tubes come to life.
Now, I am shifting my focus to all of you. I want to connect with and speak with as many of you as I can to learn about your experiences with blisters, your favorite activities, and what your favorite parts are about hiking, running, walking, playing soccer, going to Disneyland with your family, and all the incredible activities you use our Goos for! My dad and Carl's main goal with this company was to help other people enjoy the activities they love, without having to worry about painful blisters. Whether you use HikeGoo alone, HikeGoo and tape, HikeGoo and double socks, or even without HikeGoo and using our competitor's products, whatever it is that gets you out on your feet, being active, and enjoying yourself, THAT is what makes me happy.
- Sammie Bradley, Owner of Foot Kinetics
Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HIKEGOO, RUNGOO, AND WALKGOO?
TUBES: ***We are still selling through our last remaining tube inventory***
HikeGoo is our longest-lasting formula, designed for extended, rugged activity. It contains a high concentration of hard waxes to stay put all day.
RunGoo offers similar durability but includes slightly more soft waxes and oils. The difference between RunGoo and HikeGoo is almost imperceptible.
WalkGoo is our most moisturizing formula, with the highest level of soft waxes and oils. It’s ideal for daily foot care and everyday activity.
JARS:
HikeGoo and RunGoo now use the same long-lasting formula. We discovered that runners needed the same durability as hikers, so we unified both into one high-performance formula designed for all-day protection.
CAN I USE THE GOOS ON AREAS OTHER THAN MY FEET?
Yes! Our Goos can be used on any area of closed, healthy skin where you experience friction, chafing, hot spots, or blisters.
Common use areas include undercarriage (for bikers), thighs, under sports bras, around heart rate monitors, under backpack straps, and even sensitive areas like nipples.
Just keep in mind, our formulas are slippery without clothing or socks, so we don’t recommend using them on your hands unless you specifically want that slick feel. (That said, some customers do use HikeGoo on their hands for paddling.)
HOW DO I APPLY THE GOOS?
Apply a thick layer directly to blister-prone areas of your feet (heels, between toes, toe sides, or all over). Do not rub it in. You want a visible layer to act as a friction barrier.
Gently roll or pull your socks on to keep the Goo in place.
If you get any on your hands, use the inside of your clean sock to wipe it off.
Apply once before your activity. One application will last all day, no need to reapply!
Note: HikeGoo and RunGoo are slippery without socks.