Socks.... is there a perfect pair??

Hi everyone, I'm a second year walker in Chicago and I need to know if anyone has found the perfect pair of socks?? I wore No Nonsense bamboo fiber socks.... and what a disaster!!! I had blisters the size of silver dollars, on top of each other, in between my toes, on my heels, sides bottoms- Ladies they were everywhere...LOL yes I can laugh now, but I cried the last 13.3 miles to the finish line. I couldn't walk for 2 days after that, and lost a toe nail. So if there's anyone who can help me out I would be eternally grateful, and so would my feet... :) I really don't want a repeat of last year.  Thank you

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Permalink Reply by Beverly A Wilson on March 19, 2010 at 7:39am
Hi Linda, I walked 12 miles on Monday & had on a pair of Smart Wool socks & they were great. This will be my 1st year & I too will be walking in Chicago.
Permalink Reply by Linda Swigert on March 19, 2010 at 9:26am
Hey Beverly... Where did you get the socks?? And where you at? I'm in Oswego, your first year, boy are you in for a great time!! This is an experience you will never forget- that I promise!!! Are you walking by yourself?
Permalink Reply by Beverly A Wilson on March 19, 2010 at 1:27pm
I am in the Quad Cities and got my socks in Davenport at Active Endeavors. They are $15.95 a pair but well worth it. I'm going to get another pair. They are not your typical white socks. The ankle socks are dark colors then trimmed with different colors but hey they work. Yes, I am walking by myself there are several people from the Quad Cities walking but I haven't hooked up with them yet. How about you? I don't think I will be spending the night at the campsite. I don't think I could walk the next day after sleeping on the ground. Did you camp last year? How was it?
Permalink Reply by Linda Swigert on March 19, 2010 at 4:17pm
Yes I did, my friend and I wanted to "experience" everything. Didn't sleep well, forgot a cheap matress and had a rock in crack of my butt all night...LOL The lady behind me snored...LOUDLY but I'm going to camp out again :) I already have my ear plugs and will be hitting a store for a cheap matress!!! What can I say, going to see if its better this time around....:) thanks for the info- I'm going to go on-line and see if I can find them around here. Happy feet to you!!!
Permalink Reply by diane crouse on March 20, 2010 at 10:22pm
get an air mattress - you will feel great in the morning!
Permalink Reply by Rachel B on March 23, 2010 at 1:22pm
i have found my perfect pair of socks.
in the past i would get blisters between my toes and found these toe socks to be the solution!

http://www.injinji.com/tetratsok/performance.htm
Permalink Reply by Jennifer Madore on March 23, 2010 at 2:08pm
Rachel, thank you for this solution too! I've bought some regular socks, but after seeing these, I may try these out.
Permalink Reply by Jennifer Madore on March 23, 2010 at 2:07pm
Ouch Linda! I hope you have a better sock experience this year! I'm not sure where your from, but I bought my socks at the New Balance Outlet in Lawrence, Ma. (They're New Balance brand - (http://www.nbwebexpress.com/detail.asp?type=&style=SK180L) I was told that you don't have to spend a fortune on socks, but always make sure that they are cotton free, and are a poly blend. Anything that says, "Moisture wicking" is a PLUS!

Good luck this year :)
Permalink Reply by Linda Swigert on March 24, 2010 at 9:25am
Thanks Rachel & Jennifer, I'll check out both- I'm not taking any chances this year!!! Happy Feet to you Ladies!!! :)
Permalink Reply by Suzanne Zelazny on March 27, 2010 at 2:18am
Hi Linda, make sure to buy any good "wicking" types, no cotton. Synthetic blends best. Nike has a good brand and the store we bought our tennis shoes at - Roadrunner Sports has several great types. We also have a big box wherehouse store called Costco out here in California, and they had several good kinds, key is the "wicking" moisture repellent type, you won't go wrong, then of course, your ultra dynamic shoes. Suzanne
Permalink Reply by Gerry Paris on March 27, 2010 at 3:02am
I have found my perfect socks for me - two brands, and I wear both at the same time! ! I know, they say not to wear two pairs, but it works for me!

The first pair I wear are Balega! I love this sock! I buy mine at Fleet Feet. (They are available online but my computer hates their new website) They come in different thickness and different styles, and they have Women's socks! They run about $9 - $10 a pair, well worth the money!

The second pair I wear is Thorlo's Distance Walking - Thick Cushion sock, developed for the Komen 3-day!

Before you put on your socks, slather your feet with Vaseline or Bodyglide! Really! (If you use Vaseline, you get a mini-spa treatment). Seriously, this helps because it prevents the rubbing, that causes blisters.

I walked Chicago last year, and on the second day, Ellen and I carried blister kits and stopped numerous times to help "patch up" walkers with blisters! They were not having fun!!!

The best advice I can give.....train in the socks you are going to wear on the walk.

Gerry Paris
www.avonwalk.org/goto/GerryParis2010
Walk to End Breast Cancer
1 Cause, 2 Day, 39.3 Miles
San Francisco: 2005, 2006, 2007
New York: 2006
Chicago: 2009
SF: Moo Crew
Santa Barbara: 2010
Permalink Reply by Linda Swigert on March 27, 2010 at 9:35am
Thanks Gerry... did you fix me up too???- LOL I was one of those walking wounded.... and yes I did have vaseline, just don't know what went wrong. Oh well I will find the "perfect" pair for me. Thanks for all the info I really appreciate it.. :) Good Luck to you.

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