General Discussion Triathlon Talk » socks or no socks, that is the question.... Rss Feed  
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2009-09-10 8:29 AM

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Veteran
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Delaware, OH
Subject: socks or no socks, that is the question....
So, I heard that anything under 10k you shouldn't worry about socks, so tried my first run with no socks today.  Can we say...BLISTERS?!? Okay, need some help. How to avoid this? I would really rather not deal with socks on race day but don't want my feet all bloody and painful!


2009-09-10 8:39 AM
in reply to: #2398383

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Cycling Guru
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Subject: RE: socks or no socks, that is the question....
Proper fitting and designed shoes make the biggest difference.

It is not that you don't need socks for shorter races, it is simply that a lot of people opt not to take the time to put them on as it can be construed as wasted time.
2009-09-10 8:39 AM
in reply to: #2398383

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Subject: RE: socks or no socks, that is the question....
Run more without socks and your feet will toughen up.

Bring socks with you for a bit and put them on after 1 mile... after 1.5 miles... after 2 miles... continue until you're at about a 10K without socks and no blisters.

Body glide also does wonders for keeping blisters at bay.
2009-09-10 8:42 AM
in reply to: #2398383

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Veteran
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Delaware, OH
Subject: RE: socks or no socks, that is the question....
Sweet! Thanks!
2009-09-10 8:44 AM
in reply to: #2398383

Subject: RE: socks or no socks, that is the question....

x2 - do a few shorter runs without socks in case you do end up with blisters. Baby powder in your shoes can help, as does body glide. I will sometimes end up with a blister or two after a 5K, but I never feel them until I stop running, so at least they're not impeding my racing

2009-09-10 8:45 AM
in reply to: #2398383

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Expert
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Colorado Springs, Colorado
Subject: RE: socks or no socks, that is the question....
Your feet have to be conditioned. The best way I've found for doing this is to never wear socks at all. If you must wear socks at work, then take them off when you get home and put on some retired running shoes. The more time your feet can spend in shoes without socks, the better.

In the short term you can use Bodyglide or vaseline on the areas prone to blisters. Also make sure there aren't any little seams inside your shoes that can rub. Sometimes a little seam can be trimmed off with a razor.


2009-09-10 8:46 AM
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2009-09-10 9:05 AM
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New user
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Charlotte, NC USA
Subject: RE: socks or no socks, that is the question....
So I'm guessing folks don't wear socks during the bike either then? Anyone have issues with blisters from the bike portion? I do have clipless pedals/shoes.

I have my 2nd sprint tri a week from Saturday and I'm looking for ways to reduce my transition times.
2009-09-10 9:07 AM
in reply to: #2398496

Subject: RE: socks or no socks, that is the question....
ScoopJackson - 2009-09-10 10:05 AM

So I'm guessing folks don't wear socks during the bike either then? Anyone have issues with blisters from the bike portion? I do have clipless pedals/shoes.

I have my 2nd sprint tri a week from Saturday and I'm looking for ways to reduce my transition times.


I've only ever worn socks on the bike when the temp is below 50. If you're going to put socks on T2 is the place to do it, not T1 where your feet are still dripping.
2009-09-10 9:10 AM
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Expert
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Ontario
Subject: RE: socks or no socks, that is the question....
I don't wear socks on the bike but do on the run.   It takes about 2 seconds to put them on (after the bike my feet are dry).  I wear the kind that stop at the top of your shoe.   I once forgot my socks for a sprint race and did not like running without them, ended up with a couple red spots which would have been blisters if the race was longer than a sprint.
2009-09-10 9:19 AM
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Champion
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SRQ, FL
Subject: RE: socks or no socks, that is the question....
I think shoe selection is important as well.  Some are designed with sockless running in mind .  Zoot for example makes  shoes that has no internal seams.  Very comfy.

http://www.zootsports.com/race/


2009-09-10 9:23 AM
in reply to: #2398502

Subject: RE: socks or no socks, that is the question....

DanielG - 2009-09-10 10:07 AM
ScoopJackson - 2009-09-10 10:05 AM So I'm guessing folks don't wear socks during the bike either then? Anyone have issues with blisters from the bike portion? I do have clipless pedals/shoes.

I have my 2nd sprint tri a week from Saturday and I'm looking for ways to reduce my transition times.
I've only ever worn socks on the bike when the temp is below 50. If you're going to put socks on T2 is the place to do it, not T1 where your feet are still dripping.

Never gotten blisters from riding sockless. I think the lower-impact helps and as long as your shoes aren't too big, your feet aren't going to move around in them. Plus, I think the seams inside my bike shoes are smoother than inside the running shoes. Maybe over long distances? But for a sprint, it's totally fine.

2009-09-10 9:54 AM
in reply to: #2398383

New user
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Charlotte, NC USA
Subject: RE: socks or no socks, that is the question....
This is great information... I'm glad I found this site.

So no problems with stinky shoes?? Sorry for the dumb question, but it is a minor deterrent.Embarassed
2009-09-10 10:12 AM
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2009-09-10 10:23 AM
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Subject: RE: socks or no socks, that is the question....
ScoopJackson - 2009-09-10 10:54 AM

This is great information... I'm glad I found this site.

So no problems with stinky shoes?? Sorry for the dumb question, but it is a minor deterrent.Embarassed


I don't know about anyone else but I've found that when my shoes get stinky it's time to start using desenex after every run for about a week. That generally means I'm working on athlete's foot or something else fungus related and the smell goes away when the athlete's foot does.
2009-09-10 10:29 AM
in reply to: #2398383

Member
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Panama City Beach
Subject: RE: socks or no socks, that is the question....

no socks on bike
no sock on run < 10K

socks on 1/2mary and above. 

 I put baby powder in the socks, and roll them up.  Even with sweaty feet, I just stick my toes in and roll them up my feet.  What a time saver.  I picked this up reading race reports.

shoes don't smell any worse than the rest of my gear.  

 



2009-09-10 10:36 AM
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Extreme Veteran
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Stoughton, WI
Subject: RE: socks or no socks, that is the question....
When I got my running shoes this past spring, I ran with socks for a couple of weeks. Then I tried sockless. I did get a hotspot or 2 on the first run, but since then, I've had no problems, and go sockless on all my running now.
since I didn't have clipless pedals, I also biked in same shoes.
I got clipless  now, but need to put them on and practice, but thats off topic.
2009-09-10 10:40 AM
in reply to: #2398383

New user
420
100100100100
Charlotte, NC USA
Subject: RE: socks or no socks, that is the question....

Thanks everyone. I think I'll try this... the bike at a minimum.
2009-09-10 11:45 AM
in reply to: #2398641

Extreme Veteran
398
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Denver
Subject: RE: socks or no socks, that is the question....
I never wear socks on the bike and my shoes are pretty foul smelling...gotta keep them outside. it's worth it though, saves lots of time in transition
2009-09-10 11:56 AM
in reply to: #2398383

Elite
3471
200010001001001001002525
Evergreen, CO
Subject: RE: socks or no socks, that is the question....
You can spray your shoes w/ Lysol for the smell.  I usually put foot powder in my shoes too.  I've gone sockless this year on the bike and run, training and racing.  Plan to do my marathon next month sockless.
2009-09-10 12:41 PM
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Elite
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Fishers, Indiana
Subject: RE: socks or no socks, that is the question....
Love the sockless for racing, bike and run, and don't want to ever go back.  I do HIM and below without socks.  Will do my IM with them.  Yes, they stink, but I just wash them. I do have a pair I keep primarily for racing so as not to get the other pairs as beat up--something about races (I think it's the water dumping on the head and the chance that you'll run through dirt at some point when in traing I don't) that make the shoes extra nasty when I'm done.  Anyhow, I put body glide IN THE SHOE on the parts that I know might get blistery.  Plus, my feet are hardened up enough to it that it doesn't really effect. I've gone in both Mizunos and Newton's sockless. I never have had any problems with blisters on the bike, and anything on the run has been minor and something I could suck up. I love it. I feel like my feet breath more, and it really does save time. 


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General Discussion Triathlon Talk » socks or no socks, that is the question.... Rss Feed