Socks during run portion of tri?

I wear socks, but only because I get blisters if I don't. Lots of people race without socks, and I can't think of any reason why that's a bad idea as long as your feet don't hurt. Besides, you'll even save yourself a few seconds in the transition area by not stopping to put socks on.

True some folks do run w/o socks for either one or both events however I did a 5k run on tri and got several painful blisters that hurt for weeks. I would recommend taking the time at least to put them on during the run portion.

I plan to use socks for both. I trained that way, so I know it works. Whatever is works best for you. Besides, the more of my race that I wear my skull socks for, the faster I will go. Well, maybe everyone else will get scared and DNF. Um, never mind...

-Frank

I use socks for both right now.

My feet just don't have the toughness to run without 'em. I *could* probably bike with them ( I've actually tried it ) but that's not really saving you time unless you are also putting shoes on while they are attached to the pedals.

At my last tri, I did T1 ( out of water, out of wetsuit, socks on, shoes on, helmet on, sunglasses on, and bike out ) in 2:08. T2 was in 1:03.

So that's 3 minutes of transition, not putting shoes on while on the bike, and wearing socks. I'm not at the point where 3 minutes will put me on the podium, and I'd rather be comfortable on the bike and run which will get me more than the few seconds I might be able to save w/o them.

If it works for you, and you're already doing it, great. If not, there are far more important things that you should be focusing on doing better/faster, IMHO, than worrying about socks or no socks.

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Sprint and aquathon (run swim run) no socks. I have had several blisters usually when new shoes but have my specific tri running shoes with springy laces. As the races are short I ignore the blisters if I get them, but it is not always that I do. Finished my last sprint having stupidly changed my lacing system on the day (yeah yeah the most dumbest thing to do - it was a bad day all around) and had bleeding heels. They were really painful but I just kept going - these things heal you know ;-)Do at least one brick session no socks to check for hotspots close to the event. Make sure you have a towel in transition to dry feet between changes to ensure no wet, gritty bits get in. Never done Oly but if time is not critical you could put socks on. I am planning to do HalfIM in a couple of months and will definitely have socks on. I found I also did it when I first started in tris but I would start cramping I would take so long to get them on! Dx

I use socks on the bike and run. Learned a little trick of rolling each sock from opening down to toe prior to the race. Come T1, all you do is roll your socks up each foot! Worked great for me and was fast. Perhaps I'll experiment with the no sock idea over the winter (it doesn't get too cold here in Nor. Calif.

I use socks for both.

Mike

Socks for both.  I hate the smell of stinky shoes, and I hate blisters.

No socks for tri's and runs. With my orthodics, no socks is more comfortable.

Well i guess i will have to try both and see how it is. Looks like soime like it and some dont. Thanks for all the input.

i use socks for both. i don't want to risk the blisters or the stinky shoes! PU!!!