Changes

== Material ==Don't use cotton socks - cotton is one of the worst materials that you can choose for socks (or any athletic wear). I generally use Cool Max, which is a synthetic fiber [[Fiber]] that uses capillary action to spread out sweat so it evaporates better. There are many other synthetic materials on the market that also work well. Some people get on well with wool; I use wool socks for hiking in cool weather, but not for running. If you choose wool, get high quality merino Wool, such as 'smart wool'. I've tried Bamboo socks; they feel nicer than Cool Max when dry, but hold more water and dry more slowly. Some socks include silver as an antibacterial material, which helps reduce odor. This is great in socks where you can't wash them for days at a time (long backpacking trips), but for running it is not a big deal. If you have a problem with shoe odor, then silver based socks may help. == Construction ==

=A comparison of socks= Weight Here is my rating of various socks and sock combinations from best to worst, with a rating out of five.== Injinji Lightweight + Cool Max Wrightsock (5/5)==If My favorite combination is to wear the Injinji lightweight sock with the thinnest Cool Max Wrightsock. This gives me toe protection and three layers of material. I find that this pairing is much better with blisters than any other option I've tried. I found that this combination works under the most extreme conditions of heat and humidity. The combination is also remarkably cool, much colder than you are wearing light weight racing shoes would expect for two socks with three layers of material. In [[Running in the Cold| cold weather]] I will sometimes use a short distance raceslightly thicker Wrightsock in slightly bigger [[Shoes]], then but are more likely to simply use Vaseline for insulation. ([http://go.fellrnr.com?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=wscm&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FWrightSock-Double-Layer-Coolmesh-Sock%2Fdp%2FB001FHX342 Wrightsock at Amazon.com] and [http://go for light weight socks. Otherwise, I would not worry too much about sock weightfellrnr.com?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=ilw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FInjinji-Performance-Lightweight-Mini-Crew-Black%2Fdp%2FB003WWHUNI Injinji Leightweight at Amazon.com]. )== Compression Socks Drymax (4/5)==''Main article: [[Dry Max Socks]]'' I have really wanted the socks to be even better than my favorite combination, and while they were better than most other socks I've tried, they were not experimented extensively with compression as good. The Drymax socks. Compression over did not keep my feet any drier than the calf does seem to help recoveryInjinji/Wrightsock combo, but compression on and the friction from all of the foot itself causes Drymax socks I tried was higher. The Injinji/Wrightsock combo also gave me problems. Compressing the bones in the front toe protection of the foot (metatarsals) can put pressure on Injinji socks which is a distinct advantage over the nervesDrymax socks. I did try a Injinji/Drymax combo, and but this was less effective than the nerves do not appreciate this Injinji/Wrightsock combo. (Morton's neuroma[http://go.fellrnr.com?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=dn&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FDrymax-Maximum-Protection-Mini-Single%2Fdp%2FB001NNX4OC Drymax Maximum Protection socks at Amazon.com].). == Injinji Original Weight(3/5)==If you ever have a problem with blisters on your toes, try Injini [[Injinji]] socks. They have individual sections for each toe; they are , rather like a glove for your feet instead of a mitten. They take a little getting used to as your toes are not used to being separated. Having adapted to Injinji, I really like them. They make both a normal thickness sock and a much thinner '[[Injinji Liner Socks|liner' sock]]. The liner can be hard to find; Zombie Runner is As noted above, the only place I could find them. The liner sock is thin enough to allow them to be worn with other socks as well. The Injinji socks are well-made using a seamless construction and technical material. The added toe protection gives them an advantage over the standard 'vanilla' technical Socks. ([http://go.fellrnr.com?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=inji&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Finjinji-Performance-Original-Weight-Toesocks%2Fdp%2FB000LRHN1Q Injinji Original Weight at Amazon.com].)== Double layer socks (3/5)==The idea of double layer socks is that the extra layer of material reduces friction. The inner layer rubs on the outer layer, rather than rub on the skin of the foot. I like the Wrightsock dual layer socks. and I generally wear their thinnest Cool Max sock, though I also have some of their thicker Silver based socks. Overall, these double layer socks have a distinct advantage over the standard 'vanilla' technical Socks. ([http://go.fellrnr.com?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=wscm&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FWrightSock-Double-Layer-Coolmesh-Sock%2Fdp%2FB001FHX342 Wrightsock at Amazon.com].)== Injinji + Wrightsock ’Vanilla’ Technical Socks (2/5)==My favorite combination is to wear I have tried many different types of technical Socks, including Thorlo CoolMax, Asics Kayano, Feetures Light, Feetures Original, Smartwool, Icebreaker, and many others in the search for the Injinji liner perfect sock with the thinnest Cool Max Wrightsock. This gives me toe protection and three layers The socks are very in some of materialthe features they provide but function fairly similarly. I find Any sock that this pairing is much better made with blisters than any other option a good technical material (and I've triedinclude Merlino wool), but fits well and is seamless should work under most conditions for most people. == Tangent - Fit is critical Waterproof Socks (1/5) ==Waterproof socks, such as [http://www.sealskinz.com/ Sealskinz] seem like a great choice for running in wet conditions. They are waterproof and claim to be breathable, so they should keep your feet dry. In my experience, the reality does not match up. The most important issue socks are waterproof, but rain will still leak in from the top a little. Worse, while the socks are breathable, they cannot cope with blisters the amount of sweat that is normally produced. (The soles of your feet have a high concentration of sweat glands.) This problem is compounded by the way breathable materials are far less breathable when the outside is wet, which is having shoes that fit correctlythe conditions they are normally used under. The combination fit of the socks I use allows me tends to swap be poor, as they are not flexible like a regular fabric sock. ==Cotton Socks (0/5)==Cotton socks are great for slightly thicker socks to tweak keeping your feet warm while you sit by the fitfire, but a terrible for running.=See Also=* [[Blister Prevention]]* [[Popping Blisters]]* [[Toughening Feet]]* [[Taping]]* [[Injinji| Injinji Liner Socks]]