I've got my nipples pierced and am weighing whether or not it would be best to remove them before going out. Seems like a good place to get an infection. What you think? Take them out? Or safe to leave them?

I would leave your nipples on but remove the rings (sorry, couldn't resist the way you wrote it).

Nipples can get really sore. Some of us used to tape them when I was a runner. I would not want to complicate that equation by wearing the rings while backpacking.

I don't have loops of cord anywhere on my pack or clothing because I don't want them to hook on something while scrambling. Seems like the same would apply to the nipple rings, particularly if you hike without a shirt.

This is a lightweight backpacking site.

Keep them in if they're titanium or aluminum.

Leave the heavy stainless steel stuff at home.......unless they are dual purpose.

Load up your pack, put it on and move around a lot. If the straps hit your piercings, even occasionally, I think it's better to take them out. Little irritations tend to become big irritations after a few miles. If not then I wouldn't worry.

Well I got my laugh for the day. Carry on!

I'm not touching that...
I do take out my earring. Probably not a good idea to wear a belly button ring with a pack either. And certainly any piercings below your belly button could cause a rash.
Jim

Hmmm....nipple rings could make a great attach point for a chest pack. Maybe using those really light beeners we were talking about last month.

Dryer
their weight wouldn't be nearly as important as their diameter
Jim

Jim,
From now on i'm calling you "Prince Albert"

BF

If it's a serious question, a couple of serious questions in return:

Do you want to keep the piercings? And are they already healed?

If they're not already healed and you take the jewelry out, you'll likely lose the piercings. Nipples are highly vascularized and close really quickly.

If they're healed and you take the jewelry out, you might still have issues putting it back in when you get home - again, highly vascularized, close quickly.

I'd say, if you're currently having trouble with the piercings, don't go out at all. You've got open wounds that are already giving you pain, and you don't need to deal with that on the trail, whether or not there's still metal in them.

If they're already healed or are healing well, tape them down securely to reduce chafing and keep gunk out, carry some alcohol and/or antibiotic ointment in case they give you trouble, and leave the jewelry in.

They're no more likely to cause an infection than any other skin break (which *never* happens in the woods ::rolleyes:: ), and they're covered by clothes.

I'd also suggest reading the rec.arts.bodyart FAQ on piercing, as that will give you information about your piercings it sounds like you should have: http://www.faqs.org/faqs/bodyart/