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Running Gear: How important are socks?

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  1.  
    • CommentAuthorFree Memberanthonycf
    • CommentTimeMar 24th 2009
     
    anthonycf

    I bought some new socks (Falk) a few weeks ago. Started running in them and they felt really comfortable. Last week I had to switch back to some older ones (asics) which happen to be more padded under the front of the foot and I now have some soreness in my shins. I don't get it because I used to use the asics socks all the time (they're a bit old now and I haven't used them in months).

    I doubt the socks are the only reason my shins are a bit tight, (can those little bits of material really do that?), but I'm wondering if socks could be a contributing factor or not.

    What are your experiences with socks? (sounds silly doesn't it?)

    Has anyone had sock-related pains?

    Which ones do you like/hate?

    • CommentAuthorFree Memberanne266
    • CommentTimeMar 24th 2009
     
    anne266
    I don't know about shin problems from socks, but I definitely feel a difference in the ball of my foot and my toes when I have on different socks. I have socks I only run in. They are cushier than my normal ones and are supposed to wick moisture. I think they make a big difference in my comfort over distance. Mine are ZULU from our local running store.
    • CommentAuthorFree Memberdavid13
    • CommentTimeMar 24th 2009
     
    david13

    Try Thorlos. Padded sole, light weight upper. Not cheap (ie, A$35), but last a long time.

    Cheers, David

    • CommentAuthorFree Membercrushermj
    • CommentTimeMar 25th 2009
     
    crushermj

    I've used Adidas "ClimaCool" socks from Dunham's and have not had any problems.

      My wife also got me a pair of Brooks "Glycerin" socks, (which are designated "left" and "right") and I love 'em- they're my special socks. Check out Brooks' selection.

    My sock related pains would be trying to find the L or R sock!  

    Good luck

    MJ

  5.  
    Trainbellsway

    I think the operative words here are " I haven't used them in months".  After months, your body got used to the thinner socks.  When you went back to the older socks with the padding, your foot was slightly more flexed, less angle between your toes and shin.  It was probably just enough to stress the muscle that dorsiflexes (shortens that angle) your foot, your shin muscles (tibialis).  It's a guess but I think that was probably what aggravated the situation.  When you run hills you have to lift the forefoot higher on the up and you strike further back on the heel on the down.  The socks were probably the straw that broke the camel's back.  Hills also aggravate plantar fasciatis (sp?)so be on the lookout for that as well.

    • CommentAuthorFree Membervelomatt
    • CommentTimeMar 25th 2009
     
    velomatt
    I like Wright socks. I've been wearing them for years and have not had a blister since I started. And they last forever.
    • CommentAuthorFree Membertswim44
    • CommentTimeMar 28th 2009
     
    tswim44
    I use Balega socks. They have some cushioning on the bottoms, and help the rest of my foot feel better supported. They were $10 at my running store, so seems like a better deal than a $35 pair. I like them more than the Thorlo socks I have been using for years.
  8.  
    LinkLubken
    Twenty five years ago I was using Thor-Lo Health Padds socks. They were a thick sock, lasted forever, and cost about $10.00 a pair way back then. In the past couple years I have started using Wright Sock double layer, $7.00 a pair at REI, and Injini tetratsok, $12.00 a pair at REI. Injini are a seamless, anatomical, independent five-toe design. Like gloves for your feet, and have eliminated the blisters I would occasionally get between my toes.They were recomended to me by other ultra runners.
    • CommentAuthorFree Membervalabat
    • CommentTimeMay 20th 2009
     
    valabat

    Alright, so I found this thread, but it doesn't answer my question-what kind of fabric, thickness, etc do I need?  I have a feeling my moderately cushy cotton socks may be responsible for my new blister on the bottom of my middle toe, and I would like to decrease the chance of that continuing to happen... 

    I know, I wasn't supposed to be wearing cotton, but it wasn't a problem until today (day three of running in a row per the new training plan).

    Any advice is appreciated!

    • CommentAuthorFree Membercoachduck
    • CommentTimeMay 21st 2009
     
    coachduck
    My Asics socks are made of  31% Tactel Nylon, 37% Nylon, 29% Sorbtek Polyester and 3% Lycra Spandex and work great. There could be better combinations but anything non-cotton is better than cotton. You will want something that wicks the moisture away and that will insulate your skin from the rub of the shoe. Thickness probably won't matter that much except that if you sized your shoes while wearing thick socks you will have a bit more room in them with the thinner ones.
    • CommentAuthorFree Membervalabat
    • CommentTimeMay 21st 2009
     
    valabat
    Thanks-now to find the socks without driving 40 miles...  hm...
  12.  
    rpetreccajr
    Roadrunnersports.com offers quite a few different brands of socks on-line including Asics, Brooks, ThorLo, Wright, Feetures, Wigwam and thier onwn house brand.
  13.  
    trekfreak67
    For me socks are very  important,I no longer attempt to run without them. I did my first triathlon 2 years ago and attempted the 4 mile run sockless;big mistake! By mile 1 I was already developing blisters and by the time i finished i had busted one and had blood coming outta my right arch.I have very low arches,maybe it was a contributing factor? I think brand,thickness,cut,etc is a personal choice and it takes some time to find the right ones. I tried Asics,UnderArmour,Nike,etc and found that Wal-Mart's Starter brand work best for me.Although it slows me down a bit at T2,it beats gimping for 4-6 miles at an even slower pace! Just my .02!Smile
    • CommentAuthorFree Memberkoala88
    • CommentTimeMay 23rd 2009
     
    koala88
    I haven't ran with socks in months, something companies really capitalize on in the sport of running. Glide is the key, or look for shoes that have a built in sock-liner. I run in Adida Mana's w/o a liner and just use Glide on the rub spots. Feel get much more air and with the 80-90* weather that's starting to roll in, its a plus. Just get some Glide, its cheap, lasts a long long time, and will save you from having to wash so many socks.
    • CommentAuthorFree Membervalabat
    • CommentTimeMay 23rd 2009
     
    valabat

    Got some better socks and they seem to keep my feet drier, although they are thinner.  And they compress my feet a bit, which feels kinda nice...

    About the sockless thing-I know I'm a girl and not supposed to sweat, but I fear my sweaty feet in my shoes without socks, with or without glide.  If the feet get hot enough, though, I'll probably try it!

  16.  
    windsordrew

    I used to run without socks. As I got older though I began to arch blisters. Yes I said arch blisters. I went to the local running store (Tortoise and the Hare, windsor ontario) And the owner directed me to dual layer socks. They worked like a charm and am back to running full tilt. I tried using single layer socks and they didn't help.

     

  17.  
    runningisawesome
    I wear thin socks, they feel more comfortable and almost like I'm not wearing any when I go on my runs.
    • CommentAuthorFree Memberanabrea
    • CommentTimeJul 23rd 2009
     
    anabrea
     I never gave socks much of a second thought. I wear thin cotton that are just a little bit stretchy and they have been really comfortable thus far, until I increased my long run over the one hour duration (now around 11 miles, one and a half hour or longer) I have started getting blisters. I plan to try special running socks as soon as I can get around to getting them!
  19.  
    Hugh-slow-at-37

    Hmmm ... hardly anyone has touched on the issue of smell ...

    Many years ago ... I wore a pair of trainers for about 2 weeks on holiday without socks ... they absolutely stunk by the end of it ... the smelliest thing you've ever been near* ... even spraying them with foot deodorant and putting them through the washing machine couldn't remove the smell ... socks have always been a must since then** ... don't other people get that kind of issue?

     * actually my volleyball knee pads that I didn't wash for 3 weeks were the worst thing ever but in principle ...

    ** ironic timing that went out for a lunchtime run at work yesterday and forgot the socks, so opted to go without.

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