socks?

In article <[email hidden]>,

Quoted message said:

Looking for recommendations for socks.

I've been wearing Gold-Toe sweat socks that I got at Penney's. I have
a nasty blister on the bottom inside of my left foot (near the big
toe). I'm pretty sure it's not my shoes (they're new and seem to fit
fine - not tight but no slippage).

Blisters are caused by something rubbing or foot sliding while shoe
remains stationary. I'd look at putting your foot down sooner or
lifting the opposite side knee sooner to counter balance so that
there's less friction on impact on the blister side.

I don't wear socks have and run marathons without socks from the late
70's to '99 when I ran my last marathon.

In health and on the run,
Ozzie Gontang
Director, San Diego Marathon Clinic, est. 1975
Maintainer - rec.running FAQ
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/running-faq/
Mindful Running:
http://www.mindfulness.com/mr.asp

Any sock big enough to fit over your head is fine.

find a barrow on A.T. trails and geta free pair. must return use ones in
exchange. and exter stuff is welcome. put lid back on please.

I heard this some were.

U hav 2 hour's left to give me my money or I well "laser the earth with
b.s......
MuAaa.......lol..........
finger in nose.........
No I can't back this up ether............
1...2...1...2...1....2....
I am your father.......
again "Not really".....

12 sences and "this is" about my per day miles.
well really in 90 days it is 11.644444 a day......¼ of year 2005..1048
miles.....
A Laser.......scott please daddy tying to work here..........

MuAaaaaaa
truth is U were denide blacktop service so you made a deer run
instead...........
Good thing because it wasen't your land to top over..........
2 hours........
So you bought socks instead. and "Sadane's wen't with out..........
sorry about the cheap thing.........

Again I can't back this up ether......:>😉

Quoted message said:

Looking for recommendations for socks.

I've been wearing Gold-Toe sweat socks that I got at Penney's. I have
a nasty blister on the bottom inside of my left foot (near the big
toe). I'm pretty sure it's not my shoes (they're new and seem to fit
fine - not tight but no slippage).

Leafing through rec.running, I read a message from [email hidden] of 02
Apr 2005:

Quoted message said:

Looking for recommendations for socks.

I've been wearing Gold-Toe sweat socks that I got at Penney's. I have
a nasty blister on the bottom inside of my left foot (near the big
toe). I'm pretty sure it's not my shoes (they're new and seem to fit
fine - not tight but no slippage).

Bob, have you had a sudden increase in your training mileage? Running down
hills a lot? Are these cotton socks? Any of these could cause blisters from
your feet rubbing inside the shoe.

I've been wearing Wigwam Ultimax running mini crew for years.
http://www.wigwam.com/flashIndex.html. I have not had a blister yet. That
includes running 5 marathons and training up to 65 miles per week.

You can buy them online at any of these places:
http://www.wigwam.com/online.html. I buy mine here:
here http://tinyurl.com/54cqw.

Phil M.

Quoted message said:

Looking for recommendations for socks.

I've been wearing Gold-Toe sweat socks that I got at Penney's. I have
a nasty blister on the bottom inside of my left foot (near the big
toe). I'm pretty sure it's not my shoes (they're new and seem to fit
fine - not tight but no slippage).

You might be surprised with some minor un-noticed slippage that could be
causing the blisters. If your sweat socks are cotton, you might try a
synthetic or different weight sock. Popular brands for running that have
worked for me so far include SmartWool (most of my runs) as well as
Ultimax and Bridgedale. Thorlos and Wright double socks have worked for
others but don't work for me.

Dot

--
"running is a mysterious journey that we take not just to beat other
people or to stay in reasonable physical shape - but to find out more
about ourselves" - Owen Anderson

Dot said:

Quoted message said:

Looking for recommendations for socks.

I've been wearing Gold-Toe sweat socks that I got at Penney's. I have
a nasty blister on the bottom inside of my left foot (near the big
toe). I'm pretty sure it's not my shoes (they're new and seem to fit
fine - not tight but no slippage).

You might be surprised with some minor un-noticed slippage that could be
causing the blisters. If your sweat socks are cotton, you might try a
synthetic or different weight sock. Popular brands for running that have
worked for me so far include SmartWool (most of my runs) as well as
Ultimax and Bridgedale. Thorlos and Wright double socks have worked for
others but don't work for me.

I wear really cheapo cotton socks 🙂 No blisters.

Seriously, if I can butt in I think the OPs problem
is letting a hot spot get to the point of a "nasty
blister." You are going to have hot spots (especially
if you change shoes...) and have to take it a little
easy until the area gets toughened up and shoes get
broken in (new shoes may fit fine but most still need
a break in period.) That's the most likely cause. As
Ozzie noted he doesn't even wear socks, which is a
sure way to get blisters unless you have appropriately
toughened skin.

Best thing to do is get some Spenco Adhesive Knit
(http://www.spenco.com/prod_sportsmed_adhesiveknit.html)
or other blister dressing and tape it tight over the
blister. Point being to prevent friction directly against
the skin until it forms a callous. Course with a full
blown blsiters should probably stay off it for a few days.
Friction prevention dressings are best applied over hot
spots before blisters form.

REI (www.rei.com) sells a Spenco blister kit.

"Tom Phillips" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Dot said:

Quoted message said:

Looking for recommendations for socks.

I've been wearing Gold-Toe sweat socks that I got at Penney's. I
have
a nasty blister on the bottom inside of my left foot (near the big
toe). I'm pretty sure it's not my shoes (they're new and seem to
fit
fine - not tight but no slippage).

You might be surprised with some minor un-noticed slippage that could
be
causing the blisters. If your sweat socks are cotton, you might try a
synthetic or different weight sock. Popular brands for running that
have
worked for me so far include SmartWool (most of my runs) as well as
Ultimax and Bridgedale. Thorlos and Wright double socks have worked
for
others but don't work for me.

I wear really cheapo cotton socks 🙂 No blisters.

Tom, that makes you lucky and thrifty but not really good.

Quoted message said:

Seriously, if I can butt in I think the OPs problem
is letting a hot spot get to the point of a "nasty
blister."

I agree is it always good to to know how to handle a blister. I also
suggest you treat a blister as an injury in that you first learn how to
avoid them. For many people, maybe ever the majority, the right socks is
where the smart money is. I'll add for knowledge, but may not apply in
this case, staying hydrated keeps blisters in line.

Quoted message said:

You are going to have hot spots (especially
if you change shoes...)

You will have to provide some additional details. I do not understand
your correlation. Shoe changes is very popular in my races and I have
never heard anysay a show change will CAUSE a blister. If anything the
old ones are likely causing problems and new shoes and new socks are
their saving grace.

Quoted message said:

and have to take it a little
easy until the area gets toughened up and shoes get
broken in (new shoes may fit fine but most still need
a break in period.)

Some do and some don't. very few cuishioned shopes need time while some
stability and most motion control do. I will agree, when in doubt, so a
series of shorter runs.

Quoted message said:

Best thing to do is get some Spenco Adhesive Knit

Learning to treat blisters is always necessary but learning to avoid
them is better and one of the easiest is, as dot suggested, to find the
right socks and that is not cotton. If one is going to try the barefoot
routine which I find questionable at best, they damn well better allow
time to toughen up however you do that. If socks weighed a lot I might
see the rationale but at the moment barefoot, bareass, or bareheaded in
the sun is overkill. 😉 No disrespect to Oz and going sockless.

-DougF

Phil M. said:

Bob, have you had a sudden increase in your training mileage?

Yes - but I'm still at such a weenie mileage that I wouldn't really
call it an increase. I've gone from 2 to 4 miles over a period of a
month.

Quoted message said:

Running down hills a lot?

Treadmill. Spring has finally arrived in Ohio and I'll be doing more
outdoor running now.

Quoted message said:

I've been wearing Wigwam Ultimax running mini crew for years.
http://www.wigwam.com/flashIndex.html. I have not had a blister yet. That
includes running 5 marathons and training up to 65 miles per week.

You can buy them online at any of these places:
http://www.wigwam.com/online.html. I buy mine here:
here http://tinyurl.com/54cqw.

Thanks. I'll give them a try.

That's two votes for Ulitmax. I'll definitely give them a try.

I bought some doubles at a running store - guaranteed not to slip and
cause blisters. Trouble was that the two layers seemed to bunch up
forming a crease.

Dot dot.h@#duh?att.net said:

Quoted message said:

Looking for recommendations for socks.

I've been wearing Gold-Toe sweat socks that I got at Penney's. I have
a nasty blister on the bottom inside of my left foot (near the big
toe). I'm pretty sure it's not my shoes (they're new and seem to fit
fine - not tight but no slippage).

You might be surprised with some minor un-noticed slippage that could be
causing the blisters. If your sweat socks are cotton, you might try a
synthetic or different weight sock. Popular brands for running that have
worked for me so far include SmartWool (most of my runs) as well as
Ultimax and Bridgedale. Thorlos and Wright double socks have worked for
others but don't work for me.

Dot

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Running down hills a lot?

Treadmill.

Probably makes you even more blister-prone -- you sweat a lot on treadmills.

Get yourself a decent pair of running socks. My favourites are wrightsock
double layer, everyone has their favourites. My advice -- try a few different
ones and see which you like. Also, I recommend using fabric softener when
you wash them.

Cheers,
--
Donovan Rebbechi
http://pegasus.rutgers.edu/~elflord/

Doug Freese said:

Quoted message said:

and have to take it a little
easy until the area gets toughened up and shoes get
broken in (new shoes may fit fine but most still need
a break in period.)

Some do and some don't. very few cuishioned shopes need time while some
stability and most motion control do. I will agree, when in doubt, so a
series of shorter runs.

Consistent with my experience. At least for the cushion shoes (I don't use
anything else), I never need breakin time.

When I was doing 70 consistently, I found that the milage was pretty
unforgiving. Do something wrong and your feet will get trashed really quickly.
Things to look out for were shoes that are too small, and bad choice of socks.
As I said elsewhere, I found fabric softener helps.

I lost both toenails after a warm weather marathon, and it took months for them
to fully grow back (and Lance basically trashed his feet in the same race.
Both of us from wearing shoes too small -- and mine weren't that small -- OK
for the half but too small for the marathon) I suppose an ultra runners
racing schedule is even less forgiving than my old training schedule. Haven't
done an ultra, but I suppose that you could really mess up your feet doing
one if you don't get the footwear right.

Cheers,
--
Donovan Rebbechi
http://pegasus.rutgers.edu/~elflord/

I know nothing of your model of Wright socks, however, the Wright
UtlraThin that I use specifically state "do not use bleach or fabric
softeners" Fabric softeners are pretty much a no-no for any micro-fiber,
polypro, coolmax, etc. Fabric softeners apparently work by filling up
the spaces with a nice chemical junk which has the effect of negating
the wicking and breathing properties of the plastic fibers.

If you want built to last softness, there is a brand called Worlds
Softest that I can only find at outlet malls that is a big thick orlon
that has great wicking and very low blister rate and since they aren't
marketed as a specality runner sock are half the price of regular
"running" socks.

Donovan Rebbechi said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Running down hills a lot?

Treadmill.

Probably makes you even more blister-prone -- you sweat a lot on treadmills.

Get yourself a decent pair of running socks. My favourites are wrightsock
double layer, everyone has their favourites. My advice -- try a few different
ones and see which you like. Also, I recommend using fabric softener when
you wash them.

Cheers,

Doug Freese said:

"Tom Phillips" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Dot said:

[email hidden] wrote:
> Looking for recommendations for socks.
>
> I've been wearing Gold-Toe sweat socks that I got at Penney's. I
> have
> a nasty blister on the bottom inside of my left foot (near the big
> toe). I'm pretty sure it's not my shoes (they're new and seem to
> fit
> fine - not tight but no slippage).
>
>
You might be surprised with some minor un-noticed slippage that could
be
causing the blisters. If your sweat socks are cotton, you might try a
synthetic or different weight sock. Popular brands for running that
have
worked for me so far include SmartWool (most of my runs) as well as
Ultimax and Bridgedale. Thorlos and Wright double socks have worked
for
others but don't work for me.

I wear really cheapo cotton socks 🙂 No blisters.

Tom, that makes you lucky and thrifty but not really good.

I often spend my summers preventing/fixing blistered
feet (among other things) for neophyte students. Don't
think I'm that lucky or the ladies would call me during
the winter 🙂

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Seriously, if I can butt in I think the OPs problem
is letting a hot spot get to the point of a "nasty
blister."

I agree is it always good to to know how to handle a blister. I also
suggest you treat a blister as an injury in that you first learn how to
avoid them. For many people, maybe ever the majority, the right socks is
where the smart money is. I'll add for knowledge, but may not apply in
this case, staying hydrated keeps blisters in line.

FWIW a blister on the bottom of the big toe isn't unusual;
it's a typical hot spot and expected if new-different
shoes or feet aren't broken in. Soft fleshy tissue on the
bottom of the toe or ball of foot is prone to shoe-to-foot
slippage/friction regardless of the sock. I'll agree a
sloppy poor fitting sock certainly doen't help and I'll
agree better fitting socks help there but in the OP's
case is probably mostly due to toe box slippage during
running motion.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

You are going to have hot spots (especially
if you change shoes...)

You will have to provide some additional details. I do not understand
your correlation. Shoe changes is very popular in my races and I have
never heard anysay a show change will CAUSE a blister. If anything the
old ones are likely causing problems and new shoes and new socks are
their saving grace.

New shoes = new hot spots. Not always but usually. I'm
not as barefoot tough as Oz but I have pretty tough feet
from years of abuse (permanent callouses.) Never fails
when I change to new or _different_ shoes, boots, etc. I
get a new blister I never had before. I suspect you mean
changing to the _same_ shoe? Sounds like the OP has either
first time or different running shoes.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

and have to take it a little
easy until the area gets toughened up and shoes get
broken in (new shoes may fit fine but most still need
a break in period.)

Some do and some don't. very few cuishioned shopes need time while some
stability and most motion control do. I will agree, when in doubt, so a
series of shorter runs.

Quoted message said:

Best thing to do is get some Spenco Adhesive Knit

Learning to treat blisters is always necessary but learning to avoid
them is better and one of the easiest is, as dot suggested, to find the
right socks and that is not cotton.

You don't need expensive or overpriced socks to prevent
blisters. They _may_ help_, but the key is friction and
minus a sloppy fitting sock friction comes mostly from
shoes, shoes that don't fit perfectly (whose does?), or
feet that aren't used to running in those shoes. To me
this sounds like the OPs scenario.

Now one can certainly spend extra $$$ on different type
socks and some may need them (i.e., your long races, wet
conditions etc.) But in my experience it doesn't matter
too much whether it's smart wool or cotton or nylon,
better socks won't necessarily prevent blisters (as Dot
noted some work for her and some don't.) Only way to
prevent is to stop the friction and only way to stop
friction 100% is a barrier between skin and sock/shoe.

Same goes for better fitting socks; it helps and you
shouldn't wear loose socks but still won't 100% prevent
friction. Socks slip regardless.

If one is going to try the barefoot

Quoted message said:

routine which I find questionable at best, they damn well better allow
time to toughen up however you do that. If socks weighed a lot I might
see the rationale but at the moment barefoot, bareass, or bareheaded in
the sun is overkill. 😉 No disrespect to Oz and going sockless.

Careful with that bareheaded stuff. Some of us can't
help it 😉 Now if you're talking bare backside, that I
wouldn't risk putting a razor to just to show off ;^)

Quoted message said:

That's two votes for Ulitmax. I'll definitely give them a try.

I bought some doubles at a running store - guaranteed not to slip and
cause blisters.

No slippage socks is like saying you can't get
sunburned on a cloudy day, when in fact you can 🙂

"Tom Phillips" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I often spend my summers preventing/fixing blistered
feet (among other things) for neophyte students. Don't
think I'm that lucky or the ladies would call me during
the winter 🙂

They may think cheap socks, cheap condoms. 🙂

Quoted message said:

FWIW a blister on the bottom of the big toe isn't unusual;
it's a typical hot spot and expected if new-different
shoes or feet aren't broken in. Soft fleshy tissue on the
bottom of the toe or ball of foot is prone to shoe-to-foot
slippage/friction regardless of the sock.

I don't think you have an appreciation for a quality sock and how well
they can work. Where is all the friction coming from? Is your lacing
system allowing you foot to do a lot of slipping and slidinb?

I'll agree a

Quoted message said:

sloppy poor fitting sock certainly doen't help and I'll
agree better fitting socks help there but in the OP's
case is probably mostly due to toe box slippage during
running motion.

Quoted message said:

New shoes = new hot spots. Not always but usually.
I'm
not as barefoot tough as Oz but I have pretty tough feet
from years of abuse (permanent callouses.) Never fails
when I change to new or _different_ shoes, boots, etc. I
get a new blister I never had before.

My knee jerk reaction what make and model? I don't have the same
reaction and believe me if 20-22 hours doesn't cause a blister I happy.

Quoted message said:

I suspect you mean changing to the _same_ shoe?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no.

Quoted message said:

Sounds like the OP has either
first time or different running shoes.

Again I think cushioned vs non-cushioned.

Quoted message said:

You don't need expensive or overpriced socks to prevent
blisters. They _may_ help_, but the key is friction and
minus a sloppy fitting sock friction comes mostly from
shoes, shoes that don't fit perfectly (whose does?), or
feet that aren't used to running in those shoes. To me
this sounds like the OPs scenario.

I don't agree with your scenario other than maybe sloppy fitting. IMO
sloppy socks is like sloppy shoes, someone is wearing the wrong size.
And cotton is worst of all for maintaining shape I might add.

-DougF

Doug Freese said:

"Tom Phillips" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I often spend my summers preventing/fixing blistered
feet (among other things) for neophyte students. Don't
think I'm that lucky or the ladies would call me during
the winter 🙂

They may think cheap socks, cheap condoms. 🙂

Condoms?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

FWIW a blister on the bottom of the big toe isn't unusual;
it's a typical hot spot and expected if new-different
shoes or feet aren't broken in. Soft fleshy tissue on the
bottom of the toe or ball of foot is prone to shoe-to-foot
slippage/friction regardless of the sock.

I don't think you have an appreciation for a quality sock and how well
they can work.

Socks don't prevent blisters. Might help but won't
prevent.

Quoted message said:

Where is all the friction coming from? Is your lacing
system allowing you foot to do a lot of slipping and slidinb?

Well, lacing is part of the shoe 🙂 But in the toe box
it's impossible to prevent all slippage, not unless you
don a rock climbing shoe and try to run in them. Vis-a-vis,
a running shoe necessarily allows too much slippage to make
a good rock shoe. It's the nature of the beast.

Quoted message said:

I'll agree a

Quoted message said:

sloppy poor fitting sock certainly doen't help and I'll
agree better fitting socks help there but in the OP's
case is probably mostly due to toe box slippage during
running motion.

Quoted message said:

New shoes = new hot spots. Not always but usually.
I'm
not as barefoot tough as Oz but I have pretty tough feet
from years of abuse (permanent callouses.) Never fails
when I change to new or _different_ shoes, boots, etc. I
get a new blister I never had before.

My knee jerk reaction what make and model? I don't have the same
reaction and believe me if 20-22 hours doesn't cause a blister I happy.

Quoted message said:

I suspect you mean changing to the _same_ shoe?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no.

Quoted message said:

Sounds like the OP has either
first time or different running shoes.

Again I think cushioned vs non-cushioned.

He didn't specify the shoe (I of course wear motion)
or if a first time shoe/runner.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

You don't need expensive or overpriced socks to prevent
blisters. They _may_ help_, but the key is friction and
minus a sloppy fitting sock friction comes mostly from
shoes, shoes that don't fit perfectly (whose does?), or
feet that aren't used to running in those shoes. To me
this sounds like the OPs scenario.

I don't agree with your scenario other than maybe sloppy fitting. IMO
sloppy socks is like sloppy shoes, someone is wearing the wrong size.
And cotton is worst of all for maintaining shape I might add.

Well I only said I use cotton. Since for me it makes no
difference why should I spend useless $$$ on a high end
sock I don't need? I could run barefoot like Oz but I just
can't stand the feel of a sockless foot in a sweaty shoe.

But again regardless of what sock you wear there will
be some slippage (others less than my cheapo cottons.)
But a guy who gets a self described nasty blister and
who only runs 2-4 miles isn't likely getting it solely
from a sock IMO; he sounds like a beginner to me. If he
takes all the advice here to prevent excess slippage
from whatever source (sock, shoe) and treats hot spots
preventively he'll eliminate blisters. But given he has
one, best invest in some Spenco first.

Tom Phillips said:

Dot said:

Quoted message said:

Looking for recommendations for socks.

I've been wearing Gold-Toe sweat socks that I got at Penney's. I have
a nasty blister on the bottom inside of my left foot (near the big
toe). I'm pretty sure it's not my shoes (they're new and seem to fit
fine - not tight but no slippage).

You might be surprised with some minor un-noticed slippage that could be
causing the blisters. If your sweat socks are cotton, you might try a
synthetic or different weight sock. Popular brands for running that have
worked for me so far include SmartWool (most of my runs) as well as
Ultimax and Bridgedale. Thorlos and Wright double socks have worked for
others but don't work for me.

I should've mentioned - I did get one small blister with Thorlos, but
it might have been coincidence. I always have trouble with getting double
socks on without them wrinkling - had another brand for hiking before
Wrights.

The real issue I have with socks and what influences my decision is
keeping feet warm when wet from running in slush - and try to keep them
from shredding my feet. Other than that small blister with Thorlos, the
last blisters I can remember were between my toes at field hockey camp
in hs. But wet, cold feet shred with abrasion (drawing blood), and they
may cramp (different issue). Smartwools seem to work the best for me in
that regard - at least up to about 2 hr of damp grading to wet feet.

But, yea, that probably has nothing to do with tm running. Spaced that
out when replying 😉

Quoted message said:

Best thing to do is get some Spenco Adhesive Knit
(http://www.spenco.com/prod_sportsmed_adhesiveknit.html)
or other blister dressing and tape it tight over the
blister. Point being to prevent friction directly against
the skin until it forms a callous. Course with a full
blown blsiters should probably stay off it for a few days.
Friction prevention dressings are best applied over hot
spots before blisters form.

aw, c'mon. You're not a subscriber to the crazy-glue and duct tape
solution and have the runner back on their feet and out the aid station
in a hurry 😉 You need to read Badwater stories 😉

Dot

--
"running is a mysterious journey that we take not just to beat other
people or to stay in reasonable physical shape - but to find out more
about ourselves" - Owen Anderson

In article <[email hidden]>,

Quoted message said:

I bought some doubles at a running store - guaranteed not to slip and
cause blisters. Trouble was that the two layers seemed to bunch up
forming a crease.

I tried a few (4-ish?) different brands but the only one's I've liked
enough to use are Thorlo's - but they ain't inexpensive. Otherwise I use
the JCP gold-toes but with a polypro or silk liner - not for the blister
factor but for the sweat wicking. Those cotton socks really seem to hold
on to the perspiration.