I am OK in Sprints and Olympic distance races without socks but once I get to 70.3 distance and beyond my feet get ripped up unless I waste time putting on socks. Specifically, I am training for the Survival of the Shawangunks, a 30 mile bike followed by swims and runs of varying distances. The unique thing about this race is that you have to carry your shoes and anything else you need throughout all the swims and runs. Therefore racers will be running in wet shoes without socks for a total of about 18 miles. Any suggestions on a good shoe for this type of race?
I’d try one that drains well, maybe Zoot or the Kwiss Kona’s, or if you can handle a super light shoe the Saucony A2 or A3. Realistically it’s whatever shoe your foot handles best, that’s going to vary by person. Zoot’s are designed to wear sockless, but many people have trouble with them, guess it’s the same for all shoes.
I have been running in Asics Kayanos for the past 5 years and generally like them. However, they seem to have a fairly big toe box area so when I go w/o socks for more than 10 miles I get blisters. What problems are people having with the Zoots?
Shoes that fit your feet.
I tried in ASICS but the way these are stitched tends to rip my feet up. I run in Mizuno shoes and the stitching is a lot better in these. I have run up to 14 miles in these on trails using lots of bodyglide.
I have the Zoot Tempo 2.0, they have moderate stability in a low weight trainer/race shoe. I have been very happy with them, don’t rip my feet up at all. The one thing I was told and is totally true, you will probably go down a half size from your normal running shoes, I use 11.5 and went to an 11.
I’ve only done SOS once, but I have a buddy who does it nearly every year (and is often on the overall podium).
Coincidentally we both agree - the Nike Free 5.0 is THE ideal shoe for SOS. Here’s why:
They are light and flexible, but still with enough cushioning so you don’t feel every pebble on the carraige trails (just the big ones : )
The heel folds down flat, so they don’t chafe up your junk as much when you have 'em stuffed down your tri shorts for the swims.
They are reasonably comfy sans socks, assuming you’ve run in them a bit and they are broken in.
** don’t waste your time trying to use a dry bag to keep your shoes dry. Every person who I saw doing that (and who passed me in the swims, such is my life), I passed them as they dicked around on shore trying to get their shoes back on, etc. Just not worth the extra effort.
PS - I wore socks for SOS. Had a pair of lighweight socks I kept on the entire time. Didn’t really have any issues w/ blisters.
YMMV.
Useful post. I’m the same way - anything over 10k is a problem.
If I can add another question along the same line, I keep hearing the advice to use talcum powder in the shoe to keep feet dry while running barefoot. Anyone tried this? I’m thinking that putting moist feet - or dry feet that start to sweat - would just make for a clumpy mess of wet powder in the shoe. And if you have to stop and dry off your feet first, then you might as well put on socks - same time required, no?
Murph:
Did you have any problem with your shoes coming out of yur pants? Also, did you put them in the rear or front? Finally, did the wet socks cause any foot issues or swimming issues?
Nope, they stayed in there pretty well. I did one front, one back. Soles facing away from my stuff, heels down. (this is the beauty of the Nike Free heel area, it collapses completely flat, unlike pretty much every other running shoe made) I body-glided the hell out of that area, but did get some chafing anyway. I lived.
I know some dudes used 1-piece tri suits, and stuffed the shoes in the tops. Good idear to try out a few variations, see what works best for you.
When you swim as poorly as I do, wet socks are the least of your worries. I don’t recall any notable foot issues.
Oh - just remembered one thing - very good idea to put shoes back on BEFORE you get all the way out of the water. This keeps the little shale chips and pebbles from getting all in your shoes, which certainly could lead to some major issues.
Enjoy the post race FEAST. Most epic apres-race food spread anywhere.
Thanks my G
.
I have a strong recommendation for you to at least try out or consider.
I have done a few events similar to what you describe, and for years I had a favourite workout that I did with friends that involved swim/run circuits (run around beach, over headland, down to water, swim across bay back to start. Repeat 9-12 times).
It might not be intuitive, but you will have less hydrodynamic cost (you will swim faster) if you just leave your shoes on your feet than if you stuff them in your shorts or elsewhere. It’s surprising just how little it slows you down. Just as importantly, you save the time cost of putting shoes on/off, multiplied by the number of swim/run transitions.
Moreover, by not taking shoes on and off you lessen the chances of getting sand/dirt/grit into your shoes, which can be a greater blister risk than wetness.
Finally, it makes it easy to wear socks, which I do recommend. Go with tight fitting, minimalist socks (perhaps cycling, rather than running socks), and fairly tight fitting (they’ll loosen somewhat) minimalist shoes (racing flats or, yep, Nike Frees). Also, tape any known blister hot spots with waterproof tape before you start. I can swim/run/swim/run for hours like that.
Give it a go, I think you’ll be happy with it.