Hi all,
I did a sprint the other day and didn’t wear socks during the run portion…got nasty blisters. How do I successfully run something like a sprint or olympic distance race and not wear socks and not get horrible blisters? I did put baby powder in shoes (which didn’t help)…What about using wetsuit lube on my feet? Pam cooking spray on my feet?
Thanks!
KK
Hi all,
I did a sprint the other day and didn’t wear socks during the run portion…got nasty blisters. How do I successfully run something like a sprint or olympic distance race and not wear socks and not get horrible blisters? I did put baby powder in shoes (which didn’t help)…What about using wetsuit lube on my feet? Pam cooking spray on my feet?
Thanks!
KK
Find shoes that are made for running sockless. The fewer edges/seams on the inside, the less likely you’ll get blisters.
Right kind of shoes that fit snug. I used Zoot shoes.
You’ll probably still get some. But I used them sockless for sprints and olys. Anything over that I just put on socks.
Step 2: run in said shoes sockless in training to toughen up your feet. Seriously.
Pretty much.
I do atleast half or my runs without socks. The only time I for sure wear socks is for my long runs, Ironman Runs, and when it is freaking cold out - though I have done a couple runs in 25 * F sockless because I was forgetful when packing my running bag.
Otherwise it’s hit or miss in training depending on how I feel, what the workout is, the state of laundry in my house, and if my feet are beat up.
After a while you just get used to it.
What everyone else said but I also put body glide on the shoes to protect my heels and ankles - it also helps wet feet slide in and out of your shoes quickly in transition. I only wear socks if the run is >6 miles and I never wear them on the bike. Once you toughen your feet up and have the right pair of shoes you’ll be OK.
Step 2: run in said shoes sockless in training to toughen up your feet. Seriously.
This.
Only problem is your sneakers (and feet) will eventually stink to high heaven. The price you pay for faster transition.
As others have said, try and find a shoe that works well sockless. And then when you find it don’t assume the newer version of the shoe will be the same. My old NB 890’s were awesome sockless. The new ones have a tiny little seem. Bah.
x2
I start about 4-6 weeks out from my first race going sockless on training runs. I start with a few shorter runs in case things start to go wrong I can stop before hot spots get too out of control. If I do develop any blisters in the first few runs, I drain them and put some chapstick/lube on them the next few times. I typically know my sensitive spots and after a couple weeks my feet are tough enough that no problems pop up. Race day I’ll put some lube on the inside of my shoe where my pinky toe sits just for extra peace of mind.
good luck
Find shoes that are made for running sockless. The fewer edges/seams on the inside, the less likely you’ll get blisters.
+1
Use the 2 Toms no blister powder that ST did a review on a while back - it’s worked great when getting used to a new pair of shoes.
Twomarks
TriSlide. Spray a lot of it on the inside of your shoes.
I raced BSLT a few years ago without and had 13 or 14 blisters between both feet. Raced Boulder 70.3 a few weeks later with TriSlide and didn’t get a single one.
I put body glide on the soles and around the inside of my A5/6s and I am generally blister free. If it is going to be a hot race and dumping a lot of water, I may still get a little irritation. Only did the soles before my last race and it was hot so I dumped LOTS of water on me…I didn’t get blisters, but a good bit of chafing. I wear socks on all my training runs, I find going without before a race has never really done anything for me.
For those that run sockless due to wear a smaller shoe size? I tried with my Pure Flows first on a training run then for a sprint and I don’t get blisters but the heal rubs. I am guessing that without socks they are slightly too big.
You have ot find the right shoes and size them correctly. I used to wear T7’s and they tore up my feet pretty good. My A6’s are AWESOME… for me at least. I’m almost tempted to try a 70.3 sockless… ok, ok, lets not get crazy.
My strategy has always been this:
Not very high-tech but effective.
Some shoes work, others don’t. You can get an idea by feeling inside for rough seams but there is no substitute for running in them. Sometimes I trim off excess material and sand down the rough spots.
Step 2: run in said shoes sockless in training to toughen up your feet. Seriously.
This.
Only problem is your sneakers (and feet) will eventually stink to high heaven. The price you pay for faster transition.
I beat the stink with a generous helping of baby powder in ye ol’ shoes before every run and if the run is long or extraordinarily sweaty I’ll remove the insoles and dry in direct sunlight (whenever possible) and apply another coat of baby powder. Never had a problem with running shoes stinking.
good for you. I was never able to beat the stink foot (or a as the scientists call it, bromidrosis) caused by going sockless.
Step 2: run in said shoes sockless in training to toughen up your feet. Seriously.
This.
Only problem is your sneakers (and feet) will eventually stink to high heaven. The price you pay for faster transition.
I beat the stink with a generous helping of baby powder in ye ol’ shoes before every run and if the run is long or extraordinarily sweaty I’ll remove the insoles and dry in direct sunlight (whenever possible) and apply another coat of baby powder. Never had a problem with running shoes stinking.
good for you. I was never able to beat the stink foot (or a as the scientists call it, bromidrosis) caused by going sockless.
Nope. I nearly gagged when I opened the boot of the car to retrieve my tempo shoes. I have yet to find anything that takes the full stink away, best I can do is to take the edge off whereby they are no longer walking around without my feet being in them.