Looking for running socks - need suggestions

[ciaobella]

Title says it all ... I seem to be developing a blister on the ball of my foot. Any ideas on how to help this? TIA!

[ellies mom]

I'm a big fan of Thorlo's. Spendy but so comfortable. I wear my hiking ones around the house as slippers. I've heard good things about Smartwool also. Right now I'm running in some other brand that I like but unfortunately I can't figure out the brand. They aren't as nice as the Thorlo's but they do for now.

Be sure to check the fit of your running shoes also.

[alleyoop]

If you are a "on the thicker side" sock-girl like me, then here are my favorites:

My bestest pair (for all long runs) are the Thorlo's Medium cusioning, ankle. However, these are really for colder weather. I might switch to a lighter pair when Austin heats up. http://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/products/THU120/

My second favorite pair are Smartwool runners. My feet feel a bit "slippy" in the shoes when I first put them on, but they seem to perform fine. http://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/products/SMT102/

My third favorite pairs are UnderArmor Heatwave no-shows. I have the most of these kind, and they really are my go-to socks. Not too thick, not too thin, and good for hotter weather. http://www.underarmour.com/ProductDetail.cfm?site_id=2&dept_id=7&coll_id=2111&pf_id=8000279

Good luck!

[pb&j]

I love my Smartwools. I prefer my socks a little on the thicker side.

-Ry,
mom to Max the one year old
and my girl in heaven

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/37124.gif

[maestramommy]

I got a pack of thick white cotton socks at Costco. Might've been Champion, except that there's no logo on the socks. I LOVE them. Very cushy, and look to last a lot longer than the cheapie Cherokee socks I got at the Target only months ago.

[bubbaray]

Cotton is your enemy. Coolmax is your friend.

Brands I like, as does DH (I do marathons, he does Ironmans) are DeFeet and Wright, as well as the Ironman brand ones.

If your blister is on the ball of your foot, it sounds like your shoes are a touch big. Not necessarily a bad thing, but you might want to go with a thicker sock like the Ironman, to help fill the shoe. You can also experiment with different lacing styles to help prevent your foot from sliding in the shoe. That blister can also be caused by a change in terrain -- ie., are you running downhill more now?

HTH

Melissa

DD#1: 04/2004

DD#2: 01/2007

[jenmcadams]

I do triathlons (have done IMs in the past) and I love my DeFeet (the aerator or something like that) socks. They can be $10/pair full price, but you can ususually find close-outs at $3-6/pair. These are thinner socks, so may not be perfect if your shoes are actually on the big side.

[ciaobella]

Thanks for the suggestions! I live in a very warm climate and have never been a fan of thick socks, but a bit of cushion is ok. My shoes are new and perhaps a touch big, but they are super comfy otherwise. This blister on the ball of my foot has just started in the last couple of days and I have had the shoes for several weeks, altough I have increased the amount that I am running. As a side note, I normally walk / run for an hour and it is only in the last 10 minutes of my workout that I notice the ball of my foot bothering me.

It sounds like I need to hit my local sporting goods store to get some socks. I just hate that you can't try before you buy -- although, I could probably return something that I didn't find comfortable.

I will print out this thread and go shopping!

Thanks again!

[ciaobella]

I got a pair of the UnderArmor Heatwave no-shows and they seem to have done the trick - thanks for the suggestion! I am thinking about putting Thorlo's on my Christmas stocking list to try out a pair as well.

[writermama]

I love my new injinji tetratsocks (weird looking toe socks), but I'm a blister-between-the-toes person rather than blister on the ball of the foot person (except one time when my old shoes were starting to literally break down). They're thin, they're cool and no blisters even after 3+ hours walking around the zoo.

Company website here -- I googled to buy online (REI may have them in person)
http://www.injinji.com/

In the less expensive area, I bought some tight asics socks (some called hera and some made for the kayano shoe, I think ) at D*ck's Sporting Goods -- though thin, they have some slight extra padding on the ball and heel -- might work in your situation.

[nupe]

I second Thorlos. Have been using them for years. Now I use the running, thinner ones. Most socks I wear get holes in the ball of the foot quickly. Not so with the Thorlos.

Nupe

[alleyoop]

Glad they worked for you! They are a bit cheaper... which is also nice!

[fattytuna]

I did the Avon walk three years ago in their Coolmax double layered wicking fabric Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Socks:
[img src="http://shop.avon.com/shop/assets/images/prod/PROD_0274275_LG.gif"]

I also used BodyGlide on my feet:

[img src="http://www.bodyglide.com/images/new_af_product.jpg"]

No blisters for the 39 miles that I walked in 2 days.

[alleyoop]

Katherine,
Since you posted about bodyglide... What is up with that stuff? Does it go on slimy and stay slimy, or does it dry?

I am getting up there in the running mileage and after trying SO MANY shorts, I think I might just need the bodyglide, but I am a little afraid. Is it gross?

Thanks in advance!!

[bubbaray]

Those socks look identical to the Wright socks I have. They are pretty good, my second favorite.

Personally, I don't like Body Glide for my feet. I use it for chafing on my bra line and my inner thigh area and only on long runs. It isn't goopy like vaseline and d/n stain. It doesn't dry per se, but does provide long enough protection against chafing for a 4 hour run in the hot sun.

HTH

Melissa

DD#1: 04/2004

DD#2: 01/2007

[fattytuna]

Heather,

As Melissa described, Bodyglide isn't really slimy or greasy. It actually goes on silky and smooth.

And yes, those double layer socks were Wright socks - I just couldn't think of it at the time...

- Katherine