I focus exclusively on short course triathlon and am looking for some help finding my next pair of running shoes to race in. The few seconds that can be saved by skipping socks are important to me, but unfortunately the only retail locations near me that carried Zoot & Pearl Izumi have closed down (and the employees at other retails spots looked at me sideways when I asked what shoes they would recommend for sockless running). Last year I got blisters every race in my Adidas Adios Boost, so I’m really looking for a shoe made to be run in without socks.
I’m guessing I’ll have to order online, so I’d like to maximize the chance of getting something that fits my oddly shaped feet which are tall over the arch and on the wider side. Any recommendations in the 4-8mm drop range? Thanks!
Saucony Type A6 have worked for me. I have the Hyperspeed 6s as well and love them but haven’t used them sockless yet but many ITU athletes use them. I have also found that KT Tape on the arch helps too since that seems to be the only place I get blisters when sockless so that added tape keeps the rubbing away.
Inov-8, especially the Tri-X-treme 225 as it’s made to be used without socks and is very light. It does help if you like minimal drop shoes. Their Road X-treme 220 is pretty great too if you add quick-laces.
I ordered my Ultra Kane and Ultra Kalani’s off the web for $49/pr. For that price, I figured I could take a chance on the fit. Mine worked out, perfectly.
I’ve raced a number of short course triathlon’s in Nike Lunaracer’s, always sockless.
I tried the New Balance 1600’s last year and liked them, but they aren’t too durable, so was thinking about what to try this year and will give the New Balance 1400’s a try (some ITU athletes wear them, including Non Stanford, so they must be okay). New Balance shoes just happen to fit my feet well, and I’ve worn the 1400’s for many workouts in the past, just never sockless to race triathlons, so we’ll see how it goes.
EDIT to add that my feet are on the narrow side, which is why I think I like the 1400’s and 1600’s. Kienle wore the 1500’s for Kona and had a lot of input in the design process so that they would be ideal for triathlon racing.
I’ve also tried on the Newton Tri shoes and they felt really comfortable and perfect for sockless racing, I just don’t fancy the lime green color.
I will second the recommendation for the Nike Lunaracers. Most of the bigger shoe companies make at least one excellent minimal racing flat. One thing to practice is running in your race shoe regularly for speed work, or even a short transition run ( even 10-15 min) once in a while to let it conform to your foot and so you can identify any ‘hot spot’ areas or inner seams that might cause a blister. Pre-race, just put some dabs of vaseline or body glide on those areas, inside the shoe, to help avoid a blister.
Inov-8, especially the Tri-X-treme 225 as it’s made to be used without socks and is very light. It does help if you like minimal drop shoes. Their Road X-treme 220 is pretty great too if you add quick-laces.
^^ Another vote for Inov-8. They stopped making the Tri-x-treme but you might still be able to find them on-line. I assume their current road models fit similarly.
Same here with Adidas Adios Boost for blisters (the orange ones)–BUT…I just picked up the PRIME KNIT all silver Adios Boost (same platform but knitted seamless upper). Got them from Running Warehouse as I hadn’t seen them before. 2 runs, no blisters, not sure how they’ll do in an Ironman or longer run. Depends on your run gait & needs of that critical shoe to foot shape & landing. Wide feet in narrow curved last shoes isn’t going going to help no matter what the upper is made of. Even then, these PRIME KNIT uppers are very minimal on support.
Wide feet, I found ZOOT Tri racer both seamless and wider of a fit. But a tad heavier than some. Interested in the Asics DS Racer or Trainer. Looks to have similar features of Adidas & that plastic arch bridge for a lively spring like feel, with traditional drop on a semi-curved last. Not sure is that is how it runs but reading up & looking at photos that is what it would seem like.
I’ve tried several, but I like Nike XC (now LT) racing flats; however, they are narrow so they may not work for wider feet. I really like the fit of the Saucony A6 (or previous models like the 4/5), but the insert is removable and would move around on me during races once my feet were wet from sweat, rain, etc. I have heard of guys gluing down the insert, but I’ve never tried that. I would recommend checking out runningwarehouse.com as they have free returns on shoes so you can try out different flats to see what you like. Also, if blisters and/or hot spots are a problem for you like they are for me, you might try some vasoline, aquafor, etc in those spots on your feet. I’ve also lubed up the shoe itself to soften that spot on the shoe and I rarely have blister issues anymore. Hope this helps.
I believe an orthotic should be great in all of our shoes but the PHASE and CORE, as those two models are ultra light and flexible. However if your orthotic is a full insole, you can remove the optional one in the shoe and put your own in, in which case I think an orthotic can work well.
As for the bunion, the FIT has a single piece stretch-mesh upper, so it can accommodate virtually any foot shape.
Nike Free Flyknit uppers are nice too. Pretty happy with the pair I have. Also to Mr. Kranz since you’re in here, I should be receiving my Phases tomorrow super excited to try them out as well!
Our FIT has a seamless upper that feels like a moccasin or slipper. Great sockless and slips on super easily even without quick laces.
+1
I’ve run on these for all but a few races where I tried out the Newton Tri-Racers. The Tri-Racers were very narrow in the toe box and chewed up my 3rd toe (I’ve got scrunched toes) and left me bleeding. After that I tried them a few other times in training but without much confidence. I went back to the SKORA FITs and all is well. Last year I bought a half size big thinking it would aid in the transition times however for this year I’ve gone to the natural sizing and they slip on as easily. I do however put a bit of triglide on the heal to help with the wet/sweaty feet
These are the ultimate shoe for racing IMO
I’ve tried:
Newton Tri Racers
Nike Free 3.0
Newton Gravity
Newton Distance
Nike Hyperfeel
Let me know what you think.