I am looking to buy a pair of sockless running shoes. I am a runner that started tri’s last summer. I did 2 sprints, one olympic, and one 70.3. I put socks on after the bike and want to cut a bit of time out of T2. Also when I did the HIM it was 94 degrees and with all the water my shoes and socks were soaked. I didn’t get any blisters but I did not care for the heavy wet shoes.
I plan to go sockless for all my tris next summer, including 70.3’s.
I run my road races (and the tris too) in Asics Nimbus. I have got it narrowed down to the Saucony Virrata or the ISO Transition. I have read alot of posts about both. I just can’t decide. If there is another shoe to consider please let me know.
Try either… being able to go sockless (regardless of what shoes you use) is a gift that few have. I’ve never blistered, EVER, with socks. Any socks. Any weather. Period. If I run 1 mile without socks, no matter the shoe, blisters.
So try both. Try everything. And hope your feet are tough.
I am looking to buy a pair of sockless running shoes. I am a runner that started tri’s last summer. I did 2 sprints, one olympic, and one 70.3. I put socks on after the bike and want to cut a bit of time out of T2. Also when I did the HIM it was 94 degrees and with all the water my shoes and socks were soaked. I didn’t get any blisters but I did not care for the heavy wet shoes.
I plan to go sockless for all my tris next summer, including 70.3’s.
I run my road races (and the tris too) in Asics Nimbus. I have got it narrowed down to the Saucony Virrata or the ISO Transition. I have read alot of posts about both. I just can’t decide. If there is another shoe to consider please let me know.
I used to run sockless in the old Iso transitions and they were great even when wet due to the drainage holes. The new model I haven’t liked at all and have since switched to the KSwiss Quicky Blade light N. Nice light shoe with drainage holes as well. Have run quite a few HMs in them and plan to run my next 70.3 and Ironman in them this year.
Ran Melbourne ironman this year in the old style Isos sockless.
I used to be a religious Nimbus user too but that was years ago
If I’m not mistaken those are pretty different shoes in terms of ride, and drop.
Regardless if you’re not set on those the Saucony A5 has great drainage holes that never felt sloshy to me in even the most wet races. I also enjoyed the Pearl Izumi N1 (they have a tri version too)
If your a runner, you probably want a race flat like a T7 or a A5. In 70.3, the 10sec it teaches to put on socks … Unless you have no balance and need to sit down… Is well worth it. You find that even most pros put on socks.
I found that zero length Swiftwicks go on shockingly fast. Might only be 5 seconds.
Keep in mind that the Viratta is a 0 offset shoe and firh cushioned. I have pair that I rotate in for variety. Both attributes that may be good or bad for the run leg.
I don’t know about that model but it seemed me nose PI and Zoot shoes were pretty heavy.
Pi are a bit stiff, a bit heavy, and narrow at the toe box. Sockless is fine in them.
Virrata are very soft, very flexible, breakdown within 100 miles, and have no drainage. Not a great sockless shoe.
Zoot (yes, sponsored by them, but have used them for 5 years before sponsorship) race 4 are flexible, drainage, relatively stiff, last awhile, and have boa laces. Highly recommend. Also zoot kiawe. Both great sockless. Kiawe is very light too.
Also look at saucony fastwitch. Good shoe with good flex, a bit if cushion, last awhile, drainage. Not so great sockless due to seams at toe box/lace eyelets.
Still recommend zoot ultra race 4 for long distance, kiawe for short.