Anyone have suggestions for shoes that are comfortable without socks? I have good running form and need shoes to run between 6 and 8 minute miles (sprints and longer). I usually run in Pegasus, but wear socks. My feet look like Frodo’s after years of running and will get roughed up when I get new shoes. I need to buy the shoes soon to break them in for the USAT National Long Course (1/2 IM distance). I spend way too much time in transition. I am going to attempt to have tubes, water, and stuff on bike, wear a tri top, eliminate socks, and stop taking time to brush my teeth, shave, etc. in transition.
i run in the acics speedstars. have tried a few shoes and ended up with these. fairly soft, little-no motion control and i have run up to 12 miles with no socks without issue
brooks racer st2s are pretty soft.
Nike Free are the greatest shoe ever to run in barefoot, I did a 16 mile trail run in them and they still held up great, super breathable too.
My gel Magic racers were great up to 2 hours, but I got blisters from the supportive side stitches that penetrate the liner, after that.
Who wears socks?..I am currently using NB 902s they took a little more break in than my previous 901s but I have run up to 10 miles in them so far with no issues
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My SAucony type A shoes have a very smooth liner. I haven’t yet run in them sockless, partly because they are almost too wide for me when in socks. rroof and Francois have used them a lot. PM them.
have you considered breaking in your feet as much as the shoes. in preparation for SoS, i try to run barefoot as much as possible. early on, its a bloody, limping mess, but the payoff is worth it.
I;ve done up to 15 miles in my asics DS trainers. Love 'em.
i’m having great success with Asics Gel-Ohanas and before that the Gel-DS-Racer IV’s. i’ve been sockless for many years.
i’d suggest the biggest issue with going sockless to start…is having the patience to work into it slowly.
next is tightness of the lacing. i think too many peeps bind themselves in there instead of leaving a bit of play.
i’ve been using Easy Laces and i’ll keep buying them as long as they keep turning them out.
play with the tension a bit to the point of erring, albeit slightly, on the loose side rather than tight.
over time you will find the right level of tension.
you will need to readjust tension as the laces begin to wear and you’ll just know when its time to replace them.
and toothbrushes are great…but i’m sure your pearly whites can handle the time between pre-race and after crossing the finish mat 
What is your problem? is it the seams or the footbed causing the problem? Almost all shoes can be worn without socks after some practice (and painful blisters) But here are some tips about some of the ones on the market:
Saucony A’s have soft liner and drains on the bottom of the shoe, also look into any Pearl izumi shoes because they do not have any seams or stiching on the shoe.if the footbed is uncomfortable try to look into some replacement footbeds, i use sofsole and sole custom footbeds in DS trainers and work better than original inserts to prevent blisters.
If you can order from UK, they have Asics Gel Noosa? (or similar name) for tris. it is the same shoe as DS trainer with a towel liner and quicklaces and an ugly color.
I have done triathlons on and off since 1984 and by far the most comfortable and reliable shoe I have worn SOCKLESS is the Pearl Izumi Shine www.pearlizumi.com
I put speedlaces in them and just go…no break-in time. Of course, I don’t recommend doing a race without trying them out first.
The Shine is a lightweight training shoe with more than enough beef for marathons and longer races. They make the uppers without internal seems so there are fewer chances for rubbing spots and blisters. At 84.99 a pair they are reasonable compared to alot of other lightweight trainers. I think Luke Bell had a lot of input into their construction. They work really well with my orthotics also.
I’ll need some better sunglasses for those shoes pictured. An advantage is I will be able to spot them far off in transition area…
And they make you faster! Even faster then Newtons! i’d be running 5 minute miles because of sheer embarrassment!
I’ll second the Asics Gel-Ohanas. I used a tad bit to vasoline on the feet the first 2 times I ran. Since then I’ve not used anything and have had no problems. But realize that I’ve not used socks while cycling or running in over 15 years.
My Nike Mayflies are the same…no socks…no problems!
I ran 4 miles sockless in my Newtons and they tore up my ankles (I do like the shoes with socks however). Tim
The most comfortable shoes I’ve ever tried w/o socks are my Puma Tri Socks. But, you’ll have trouble finding them nowadays.
My Saucony Type-A’s aren’t bad in this regard (and are great shoes overall - especially for their weight), but they’re not as nice as the Puma’s in bare feet.
Steve
What’s the weight on the Puma’s? How do they compare to the Type-As in terms of weight, comfort, etc.?
I haven’t weighed them, but I’d rate them the equal of the Type-A in terms of both weight and cushioning (ie. they both feel about the same in these regards). The Puma’s have a slightly lower midsole profile (ie. less thick forefoot, less heel height) and are extremely nice w/o socks. I’d give the edge to the Type-A in terms of durability.
They’re both great shoes.
Steve
I have no foot problems running sockless it is only my achilles area that gets blistered and bloody. I’m trying to toughen it up a little mileage at a time, so I don’t want to use band aids or anything else to cover the area that I won’t in a race. Any tips to soften the rubbing on the back of my foot? Thx.