i was wondering because i really would not like to wear socks when i run. but every time i try it i get blisters on my achilles. i hear about runners running with no socks on all the time. is there some kind of secret to this? size in shoe? something you put in your shoe??
I have not worn socks for years. I like to wear very tightly fitting shoes, and it is now quite rare that I get blisters.
It may be necessary for your feet to build up callouses in the typical blister areas. Go without socks during your next easy run, and then wait until any blisters heal up before doing it again. It should not take too long until your feet become tough enough.
Nylon socks are light and great at preventing blisters, because they don't cause friction and don't hold water, like cotton socks that cause bad blisters.
pickle juice...seriously
I used to not run in socks in HS. Baby powder did the trick.
Go for a run with no socks. If you get a blister, don't try to pop it or mess with it in any way. Continue to run without socks. If you get too much pain from running on the blister, wear socks. Run without socks again when you can do it without too much pain.
It's extremely simple and effective but I've found the vast majority of people aren't persistent enough to do it enough consistently or they give up because it hurts. Just like running in general.
Eventually you'll stop getting blisters.
da baby wrote:
I used to not run in socks in HS. Baby powder did the trick.
When I didn't run in HS I always wore socks.
MilkDrinker wrote:
I have not worn socks for years. I like to wear very tightly fitting shoes, and it is now quite rare that I get blisters.
It may be necessary for your feet to build up callouses in the typical blister areas. Go without socks during your next easy run, and then wait until any blisters heal up before doing it again. It should not take too long until your feet become tough enough.
This is about right. My suggestion is to put a little vaseline along your achilles where the opening of your shoe hits it. That is usually the worst area for blisters. Inside you need to just toughen them up. If you do get blisters, rub a little vaseline prior to run on those areas too until they toughen up.
All that said, running sockless is gross, makes your shoes smell badly and is totally unecessary with the many types of thin socks made today. Find some really thin ones that you like, don't wreck your shoes.
I just went to the podiatrist and he told me he wears wool socks year round. He said they prevent blisters and keeps his feet dry. I haven't tried it yet, though.
some shoes are built to go sockless. kinvara's, minimus trail, brooks pures, etc.
Trial and error until you find a shoe that fits your foot well enough
nylon socks wrote:
Nylon socks are light and great at preventing blisters, because they don't cause friction and don't hold water, like cotton socks that cause bad blisters.
Bingo. What's the problem with wearing lightweight socks? If you get messed up when you don't wear socks, then wear socks!
I sense that I'm missing something here...
mr.clutch wrote:
i was wondering because i really would not like to wear socks when i run. but every time i try it i get blisters on my achilles. i hear about runners running with no socks on all the time. is there some kind of secret to this? size in shoe? something you put in your shoe??
No need to wear socks.
I think the secret is to rethink your assumptions.
Petroleum jelly. Some complain that it will begin to weigh down the shoe, but I say try it, it's inconsequential weight as compared to comfort.
Don't wear shoes.
Wool or nylon or a blend, any of these are good. Derek Clayton was big on wool socks, thought it's much more expensive than nylon. Also I'm not sure about wearing wool in hot weather, which he always had problems with.
I would definitely NOT use vaseline. Being a petroleum product and a solvent, it can deteriorate your tendons.
Pure lanolin is good, and readily available on Ebay.
J.R. wrote:
I would definitely NOT use vaseline. Being a petroleum product and a solvent, it can deteriorate your tendons.
Water is also a solvent. Does this mean I have to refrain from swimming?
just wear socks. Is it really that big a deal?