Biking and Running without socks

Much faster? About 3 seconds per foot.

Personal preference, but for me, my comfort (in this aspect) is worth the additional 6 seconds. If I ever get to the point where six seconds matters, then I might consider going sockless.

Edited by the bear 2005-04-20 2:02 PM

Sorry, not much faster. Just a little.

1/2 IM or longer, socks. Less, no socks, just Vaseline inside the heels. That gives me an extra 6 seconds to chug a beer, er, eat some fruit at the finish line.

Exactly. Socks tend to pick up crap when you step on the ground, which will happen, so you end up brushing them off, adding time. i run in Pearl izumi shoes which have a very nicely finished interior. No need for socks. No blisters. Racing flats are also made like this. For your bike shoes, spray them with a disinfectant or Febreze, and then stuff newspaper inside to absorb moisture. Replace the insoles every 6 months and the shoe will last. I have a pair of Shimano Mtn. Bike shoes that have lasted 15 years. Mud, rain, sweat, mud, did I mention mud? Cleats wear out, but these shoes are so well made they'll last a very long time. Don't store them in a closet with clothes you like though. After 15 years, they live in the garage.

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Sockless...... I'm fast... doesn't ake me long to put on socks. Go with what your preference is. If you get blisters, try the products to prevent (vaseline,etc). I will definitely wear socks for the GulfCoast 1/2 IronMan in May. People make fun of me for putting on socks in transition, but my T times are the same or faster...... do whats comfortable.

FYI - The Vaseline is applied before the race, not during.

Edited by triman50 2005-04-20 2:56 PM

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I'm a sock person and I have only done sprints. I turn them about half way inside out and put some powder in each and they are not too hard to get on. Running socks are so short anyway it hasn't slowed me down that much, plus the extra few seconds aren't going to get me anywhere near the podium so I might as well be comfy.

Sand and dirt in the Vaseline would not be good. I'm lucky that's never happened to me.  

Socks. I use Domyos 800 socks from Decathlon. They are easy to slip in, they do not grab dirt easily (even sand) and they are extremely comfortable to wear, like a real second skin. Even with wet feet they dry fast. Expensive as hell at 14 euro per pair, but well worth every cent. Better than equivalent products from Asics or Nike.