I need a recommendation for running socks. I get blisters easily so I've been wearing anti blister Wright Socks but I feel like they make my feet slide around in my shoes too much when racing. Is there an anti blister solution that also provide some in shoe traction?
I like defeet socks.
I find cotton socks work best for me.
Where do the blisters happen?
I used to get toe blisters constantly, now I wear Injinjis (yup they look dumb as hell but since they are in the shoe most of the time nobody else knows) and the toe blisters stopped.
But if you are getting blisters elsewhere I'm not sure they'd help you.
The bad ones happen mostly on the ball of my foot. I usually race 5Ks and 10Ks and they have been short enough that I just get bad hot spots for those distances but not blisters. I'm going to race a half in the fall and will need my feet too be able to hang on longer but I also don't want to be sliding around in my shoe all race.
There are lots of good socks out there, but like shoes you're going to have to buy & try to find out what works for you. Some brands I've had luck with: Swiftwick, Balega, Feetures.
But it sounds like the problem is more likely the fit of your shoes, especially if your feet are slipping around. If you really love the shoes, try some thicker socks to get a better fit.
Let's talk foot care before you talk about socks.
Vaseline your feet is my first advice. But there are better and more expensive products out there.
Blisters are a sign of friction. Smooth skin = no friction = no or at least less blisters
And get this book, the holy bible of foot care:
Let's talk foot care before you talk about socks.
Vaseline your feet is my first advice. But there are better and more expensive products out there.
Blisters are a sign of friction. Smooth skin = no friction = no or at least less blisters
And get this book, the holy bible of foot care:
https://www.fixingyourfeet.com/
And yet your "bible" says to avoid the use of Vaseline.
Vaseline's hobby jogger talk. As is cotton socks.
Just buy any brand of synthetic material sports socks. Job done.
Darn Tough Sock. Made in Vermont. Lifetime guarantee. You're (your) welcome.
Injinji socks are the best. I dislike Wright socks for the same reason that the OP does. I also use Aquaphor on the areas prone to chafing and blistering and that's all I do. I have run several marathons - including some in hot + humid weather and no blisters or soreness from chafing.
I run in only DryMax socks now. Used to have major issues with my feet and after going to DryMax I can't remember the last time I had a blister. Even races in the rain, with water crossings, high humidity, hot, cold, whatever.
I've had similar problems as the OP. Large hot spots and blisters on the balls of my feet wearing racing flats (Flyknit racer, Streak Lt, and Streak 6). Going through an assortment of socks, lacing techniques,and taping did nothing to help. I've since retired the Flyknit racer. The Streak 6 is now just a tempo shoe. I still race in the Lt, but only on the roads 5k and less. I wear vaporfly flyknits for longer races. They still feel kind of warm, but I don't think I'm getting the same forefoot strike I did with the others.
P.S. I've heard that better arch support can help alleviate hot spots too, but never tested it.
Feetures work great.
Bullet the Blue Sky wrote:
But it sounds like the problem is more likely the fit of your shoes, especially if your feet are slipping around.
This. Your feet are probably sliding forward inside the shoe upon forefoot impact. Using those top two unused eyelets and butterfly lacing (YouTube videos will show you how) will snug your heel into the back of the shoe so it can't slide forward.
Some shoes are worse about this than others.
Another approach that will help is to quit wearing normal socks and wear two pair of very thin socks, but you still need to butterfly lace the shoes.
I like Thorlos Experia socks. The extra padding on the bottom helps to keep my feet from sliding around in my shoes, and I don't usually get blisters with them. I wore a pair of Feetures Ultra Lights the other day on a long run and got major blisters from the extra space and friction inside my shoes. I done F'ed up.
Emaciated Hobby Jogger wrote:
Darn Tough Sock. Made in Vermont. Lifetime guarantee. You're (your) welcome.
Second Darn Tough, though they definitely wear out. And you have to pay to ship your “defective” socks back to them.
I also wear Bombas. I don’t like them quite as much, but when they need replacing they just send you another pair. They will also send you a replacement when you lose a sock in the dryer.
you're welcome.
Lieutenant Dan wrote:
And yet your "bible" says to avoid the use of Vaseline.
I know and how lives according to the bible anyway?
I had been using Darn Tough socks which are very good, however I've now switched to DryMax socks. DryMax socks don't slip in my shoes and as the name suggests keep my feet dry.