I currently wear Zoots and can still find what I need but am looking for alternatives. Plus just yesterday did a 12 mile run in them and the cushion didn’t seem to be adequate. I think they will work for sprints and Olympic distance but not sure about anything longer. Looking for other options. I will probably wear socks for 1/2 IM’s (unless I can find a shoe I’m completely comfortable in.)
What does everyone wear when they run sockless?
Hoka Tracer
.
Saucony kinvara.
Any distance. Ironman Maryland most recently. No socks and no blisters or hot spots.
New Balance 1500T2, up to marathon distance but also sockless in most all running shoes i have like saucony, brooks, newton, 361’s, up to marathon distances. But not only in races, always train sockless as well, i don’t like socks with either running or biking.
Sockless in the Newton Distance or Newton Kismet, at Sprint or Olympic distances.
For 70.3 or Ironman distance, I wear Hokas (Cliftons or Machs) and I slip on socks. On average, that takes all of 9 seconds longer. I think it’s worth the trade off to learn how to don socks quickly, as that opens up a lot more shoe choices for you.
Nike frees.
Brooks Launch 5. Before that I ran Newton.
Bad experience: ON. The heel was hard, not padded like the two mentioned above. Didn’t even blister, just rubbed the skin off till it was bleeding, in less than 3 miles.
Have found my limit without socks (in any runner) to be around 8km. So I put on socks for Olympic and longer.
The downside to wearing socks (other than the 10 secs it takes to put them on), is when you keep pouring water over your head at aid stations. Your shoes and socks get soaked and wet socks can cause blisters and general discomfort. I get around this by wearing good quality trail running socks that are designed to handle river crossings.
I have used:
Zoot Ultra Kane
Zoot Ultra Kalani
Zoot ultra Kiawe
Zoot Trail TT (Xterra)
All sock less up to & including IM distance.
Hoka Clifton. Sockless all the way up to 1/2 IM. Full IM always toe socks. Or I end up with terrible blisters between toes.
The 361 Kgm2.2 is seamless inside so should be good to run sockless in.
I reviewed it about a year ago.
Zoom Makai. Max distance is 10K - Olympic. I start to:get chafing on my ankles at around the 6th mile.
Shouldn’t you choose your running shoes for relevant reasons, and not something that isn’t actually very important?
new balance fresh foam zante. I only go sockless for sprint and olympic. after that the few seconds to put on socks is not a dealbreaker for me.
I’ve run very long (up to 41mi) in a Topo shoe. There’s something about their perfect toe-box width that allows me to go sans socks in total comfort. I prefer the 3-5mm drop shoes but you can see the line here: https://www.topoathletic.com/
Ian
+1 for New Balance 1500 T2, I run up to 1/2 marathons sockless never an issue. I do all my spring and summer training sockless as well, this may help condition my feet.
The downside to wearing socks (other than the 10 secs it takes to put them on), is when you keep pouring water over your head at aid stations. Your shoes and socks get soaked and wet socks can cause blisters and general discomfort. I get around this by wearing good quality trail running socks that are designed to handle river crossings.
So true, and a good suggestion. I only go sockless on sprints, and I’ll wear Asics Gel Nimbus, which is far from an ideal sockless shoe. Otherwise Hoka Bondi’s with slip on ankle socks for Olys and 70.3.
Hoka Claytons for anything Oly or less.
Skechers gorun line up to half. Very comfy
Re Topo. I’m just looking at these. They’ve got a 6ish mm drop. But, you like them? Do they compare to any ‘normal’ shoe?