Jun 6, 2011 8:12 AM
What type of socks do you wear?
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I have recently started getting blisters on the sides and balls of my big toes and I'm 99% sure it's from my socks. I've been wearing the Thorlo Running Socks because that's what I had, but I've never done this much running in them. Apparently they are not the best socks for me to run in, and when I ran my first race this weekend, I heard some of the people talking about how they can't run in cotton socks. So, I was wondering what kind of socks do you wear for running? Do you have a specific brand that are your favorite? Just looking for some input from some experienced runners before I head out to buy new socks that hopefully won't give me blisters!
Follow me on Twitter: @KatieRUNning
Race Results
6/4/11 - Salvation Army Dash From Disaster 2 Mile Run - 18:55.5
6/25/11 - Tomato Festival 5K - 28:15
7/4/11 - The Great Commission 4 Miler - 37:30 (2nd place in my age group)
7/9/11 - Swinging Bridge 5K - 31:12
7/16/11 - Hit The Bricks 5K - 28:36
8/6/11 - Run For The Son 5K
Find me and follow my training on www.mapmyfitness.com by searching for katie21784@gmail.com
I had a problem with socks rubbing at the heel/back of the ankle. I got socks that have a "lip" at the back to keep that from happening (and keep socks from sinking into the shoe). I think overall most people go with some synthetic blend of socks from what I've seen and used. I like my socks thin, because feet swell while running and I don't want too much compression to happen in my shoes during a race or run (my feet/toes would start to go numb). Good topic, I'd like to hear what other ideas you get ![]()
-Ras
Raserei - 5K Runner, Agility Dog Handler
05/15/11 - Bob Potts 5K (first race ever) - 39.46
06/04/11 - Hope for Cope 5K - 36.11
07/09/11 - Habitat for Humanity 5K -
07/30/11 - Sunset Stretch 5K -
08/20/11 - Run for the Park CC Challenge 5K -
Try Smartwool socks. They seem to manage moisture better than anything else out there and something about wool naturally helps prevent blisters. You could also try the Band-Aid Friction Block Stick. It looks like a little stick of deodorant and you can find it in the same section as Band-Aids.
Are those socks hot since they are wool? I'm in Mississippi, so it's plenty hot and humid here, so I don't want my feet to be sweating anymore than they already do! Thanks for the advice!
Follow me on Twitter: @KatieRUNning
Race Results
6/4/11 - Salvation Army Dash From Disaster 2 Mile Run - 18:55.5
6/25/11 - Tomato Festival 5K - 28:15
7/4/11 - The Great Commission 4 Miler - 37:30 (2nd place in my age group)
7/9/11 - Swinging Bridge 5K - 31:12
7/16/11 - Hit The Bricks 5K - 28:36
8/6/11 - Run For The Son 5K
Find me and follow my training on www.mapmyfitness.com by searching for katie21784@gmail.com
It's a breathable wool blend and since they wick moisture they keep you pretty cool. They're also not itchy at all. I am a sock fanatic and they are by far my favorite brand. Get one pair, try them and let me know what you think!
Thanks, I will definitely have to check them out!
Follow me on Twitter: @KatieRUNning
Race Results
6/4/11 - Salvation Army Dash From Disaster 2 Mile Run - 18:55.5
6/25/11 - Tomato Festival 5K - 28:15
7/4/11 - The Great Commission 4 Miler - 37:30 (2nd place in my age group)
7/9/11 - Swinging Bridge 5K - 31:12
7/16/11 - Hit The Bricks 5K - 28:36
8/6/11 - Run For The Son 5K
Find me and follow my training on www.mapmyfitness.com by searching for katie21784@gmail.com
I had blister problems wearing Thorlos as well, I now wear Balegas and have had zero blister issues since the switch.
Katie,
If you like Thor-Los and want to try a natural sock, Thor-Los makes Experias in a wool-silk blend. I've worn them in training runs up to 15 miles without a blister. The Experias are not like other Thor-Los socks, with cushioning restricted to the ball and heel of the foot. They are very comfortable.
Good luck,
Surfing Vol

Surfing Vol
"Victory through attrition!"
Charleston Half-Marathon 1/15/2011 -- 1:52:03
The Scream! Half-Marathon 7/16/2011 -- 1:56:00
Balega socks are great. I didn't know what good socks felt like until I tried them. Thank you Fleet Feet!
I'm going to try to get out and buy some new socks today. This week, I've just resorted to taping up the balls of my feet and I have to say that has actually worked REALLY well. My current blisters haven't bothered me at all while running and I haven't gotten any new ones! So at least I have a solution if I can't find a pair of socks that I don't get blisters in
Thanks for all the suggestions. I will eventually try them all out and see which ones I like best!
Follow me on Twitter: @KatieRUNning
Race Results
6/4/11 - Salvation Army Dash From Disaster 2 Mile Run - 18:55.5
6/25/11 - Tomato Festival 5K - 28:15
7/4/11 - The Great Commission 4 Miler - 37:30 (2nd place in my age group)
7/9/11 - Swinging Bridge 5K - 31:12
7/16/11 - Hit The Bricks 5K - 28:36
8/6/11 - Run For The Son 5K
Find me and follow my training on www.mapmyfitness.com by searching for katie21784@gmail.com
altrepublic wrote:
It's a breathable wool blend and since they wick moisture they keep you pretty cool. They're also not itchy at all. I am a sock fanatic and they are by far my favorite brand. Get one pair, try them and let me know what you think!
Are these socks thick or thin? If they are thin, can you suggest a thick pair? [bows down to sock guru] :-)
~Tory
~Running. Cheaper than therapy. Safer than drugs. -Me, 2011
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Believe. Achieve. Inspire.
05/14/2011 St. John’s Sunset Run 5k (31:42)(PR)
05/21/2011 Bear Lake Challenge 4mi (41:22)(84/153)(3/10)
05/28/201 Run for the World 5k (30:07)(PR)(62/164)(3/18)
06/18/2011 Gary McAdams 5k (28:00)(144/356)(3/18)(PR)
06/25/2011 Blueberry Bash 5k (29:06)(26/78)(2/21)
08/13/2011 Argonaut 5k (77/117)(30:17)(77/117)(1/4)
09/03/2011 Dolphin Dash 5K (27:50)(56/105)(2/3)(PR)
09/06/2011 Met my 2011 Goal of running 10K (11:39/mi)(PR)
09/24/201 Pensacola Seafood Festival 5K (missed due to injury)
10/01/2011 Superhero 5K (27:32)(PR)(48/148)(3/18)
10/08/2011 Tiger Trot 10k - canceled due to injury
Asics Nimbus. Very light and thin and they fit snugly to keep from slipping around on your foot. They do a great job of keeping moisture off your foot. They are also lightly padded in the balls of your feet and on the heel, and I think they have strips of padding in other strategic areas as well. I've been wearing them for 7-8 years and really like them. No blistering whatsoever. YMMV.
5K PR (25:37)
4 Mile PR (34:36)
5 Mile PR (44:33)
10K PR (53:34)
So far I have tried the Smart Wool socks and the Thorlo Experia, but I realized I got the Cool Max in those which are not a wool blend. I really like the Smart Wool socks! So far I have had no issues with blisters while wearing them, they have a little bit of cushioning, but not an excessive amount. My only complaints about them are that running in Mississippi they are a little warmer than I'd like. That being said, they are not ridiculously warm and they seem to do a good job of wicking the sweat away. My other complaint is the fact the colors they come in. I prefer just a plain white sock...yes I know that's more nit picky.
The Cool Max are definitely a lot cooler which is nice. However, I don't like they way they feel on my feet when running. They have padding in the toes and in the heels but the area for the arch is very thin and breathable. It seems like I can really feel where the padding begins and ends and it's just not comfortable. While my blisters haven't been as bad when wearing these socks, I do still get a blister on the side of my big toe while wearing these.
So...out of the two that I've tried so far, I definitely prefer the Smart Wool. Just wish they were cheaper! I will continue to update as I try different brands out!
Follow me on Twitter: @KatieRUNning
Race Results
6/4/11 - Salvation Army Dash From Disaster 2 Mile Run - 18:55.5
6/25/11 - Tomato Festival 5K - 28:15
7/4/11 - The Great Commission 4 Miler - 37:30 (2nd place in my age group)
7/9/11 - Swinging Bridge 5K - 31:12
7/16/11 - Hit The Bricks 5K - 28:36
8/6/11 - Run For The Son 5K
Find me and follow my training on www.mapmyfitness.com by searching for katie21784@gmail.com
Katie A
http://ww2.sierratradingpost.com/smartwool~b~19440/
Try here, you can sometimes find a deal on running apparel. You can also sing up for weekly emails and get additonal %off on already discounted items. Great company, and no, I'm not affiliated.
Phillip
NE Mississippi
ps. I will say that usually the heavily discounted items are sometimes 2nds or blems but I've never ordered anything of this nature that has any discernable flaws. Also there will be sometimes a very limited selection ie. colors and sizes but sometimes you luck up and find just what you are looking for.
http://community.active.com/people/triggerracing/blog/2011/06/21/w1d1
I'm glad you liked the SmartWool socks and thanks for giving some feedback. They can be a bit pricey, but they are fairly durable and to me they are well worth it if my feet stay blister-free and comfy! Keep in touch and let me know if you come across any other socks you like.
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