Sockless - avoiding blisters on the run

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2011-03-28 11:37 AM

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Master
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Subject: Sockless - avoiding blisters on the run

I did my first tri of the season this weekend, and went the sockless route. I ended up with a couple of small blisters on my foot. What does everyone do to avoid them? I meant to put some foot powder in my shoes in the morning but forgot. I could use body glide, but I don't think it will last through the swim. Any other ideas?

What about tri-specific racing flats like Zoots?

2011-03-28 11:44 AM
in reply to: #3417916

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Subject: RE: Sockless - avoiding blisters on the run
i do use powder, but I also do all my training sockless. I think my feet have adjusted along the way as well. 
2011-03-28 11:46 AM
in reply to: #3417916

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Subject: RE: Sockless - avoiding blisters on the run
Run barefoot more. Toughen your feet up in the places that rub

2011-03-28 11:55 AM
in reply to: #3417916

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Subject: RE: Sockless - avoiding blisters on the run
These two guys above me about covered it.

I trained to go sock less for my last 70.3 SilvermAn and had no issues with my feet,,,,,,, well other than them not moving fast enough.

I am back in the process now of toughening up my feet and I do short runs and will get some chafing and go back to socks for a day or two to let the chafing heal then do it again and just build up to where socks are an option. I also go barefoot as much as I can,,,,,, not necessarily for the run sockless but just because that's my preference.
2011-03-28 12:05 PM
in reply to: #3417916

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Subject: RE: Sockless - avoiding blisters on the run
try to use the shoes sockless when you are not running. as in every day use. helps a bit too.
2011-03-28 12:11 PM
in reply to: #3417916

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Subject: RE: Sockless - avoiding blisters on the run

Practice, mostly. Along with trial and error...you will find some shoes work that way, others do not...and what works for one person, may not work for you.

FWIW, body glide DOES stay on during the swim.

Typically, when I am trying new shoes, or if I have not gone sockless in a long time on the run, on my hot spot prone areas, I will put a layer of New Skin down, then a couple of layers of superglue. Then some bodyglide.

2011-03-28 12:16 PM
in reply to: #3417916

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Subject: RE: Sockless - avoiding blisters on the run

I use body glide when I go sockless in running shoes only.  I haven't needed it in my bike shoes.  After a while, your feet will toughen up and you probably won't need the body glide any longer.

However, I always use body glide on my feet for races as a preventative measure.

2011-03-28 12:20 PM
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Subject: RE: Sockless - avoiding blisters on the run
Careful shoe selection and letting your feet slowly adapt to sockless running are the keys.
2015-03-23 9:38 PM
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Subject: RE: Sockless - avoiding blisters on the run
Regarding this... I have an Oly in about 4 weeks. Looking for opinions... would it still be possible to toughen up my feet in that time? I have not been training sockless at all yet. Most of my runs between now and race day are shorter with a race-like intensity. So no long runs... what if I go sockless and wear my Zoots (my race shoes) which are designed for sockless running? Thoughts?

Edited by ecpasos 2015-03-23 9:39 PM
2015-03-24 8:03 AM
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Subject: RE: Sockless - avoiding blisters on the run
I'll give an alternate opinion. I gave up on sockless years ago. I was never able to do it without issues. I wear socks for every distance and still usually have the fastest or one of the fastest T1 times in my AG.

Edited by smoom 2015-03-24 8:14 AM
2015-03-24 8:52 AM
in reply to: smoom

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Subject: RE: Sockless - avoiding blisters on the run
Originally posted by smoom

I'll give an alternate opinion. I gave up on sockless years ago. I was never able to do it without issues. I wear socks for every distance and still usually have the fastest or one of the fastest T1 times in my AG.


I go sockless for the swim only Tried sockless on the bike and run years ago and just had too many issues with blisters, than I couldn't train as much because of blisters. So I just accept that I will spend 10 seconds more in T1 to put socks on.

2015-03-24 10:44 AM
in reply to: mike761

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Subject: RE: Sockless - avoiding blisters on the run

Originally posted by mike761
Originally posted by smoom I'll give an alternate opinion. I gave up on sockless years ago. I was never able to do it without issues. I wear socks for every distance and still usually have the fastest or one of the fastest T1 times in my AG.
I go sockless for the swim only Tried sockless on the bike and run years ago and just had too many issues with blisters, than I couldn't train as much because of blisters. So I just accept that I will spend 10 seconds more in T1 to put socks on.

Done properly, there is no reason it should even cost 10sec.

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