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 Karen Rosenzweig on March 27, 2010 at 11:42am
I had the same problem on my first Avon Walk (I'm doing my fifth this year).

The socks may be only one part of the equation. Make sure your shoes are not contributing to the problem. I have worn the same pair of socks but different sneakers and had blisters with one pair of sneaks, but not the other. Make sure you have sufficient room in your shoes - your feet will most likely swell at least 1/2 to 1 shoe size bigger during the walk.

You may want to invest in a better shoe insole. I replace mine a couple of times during the life of the sneaker.

If you haven't already done so, you may want to find a running store and have your gait evaluated. Sneakers come in different configurations, some are better for over pronation other for under pronation. (pronation explained: http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-240-319-327-7727-0,00...)

Some walkers swear by body glide (I never used it, so can't provide an opinion) http://www.bodyglide.com/

As far as socks... I buy mine online from Altec.com: http://www.altrec.com/womens/socks/?&facets=true and I like the thick trail socks. Best thing is buy a couple of different types and wear them on long training walks. If my feet are good after a 13 mile training walk, I figure I have the right shoe/sock combo and I wear those on the walk.

Hope this helped... You can also check my blog where I write about the walk and my experiences.
Permalink Reply by Linda Swigert on March 27, 2010 at 4:12pm
Thanks Karen, what kind of insole did you get?? Thats something I haven't thought of...
Permalink Reply by Karen Rosenzweig on March 27, 2010 at 6:06pm
Can't recall the brand. They were recommended by the guy at the running store. Very cushiony.
Permalink Reply by Stephanie on March 30, 2010 at 3:11pm
oddly enough I've had the best luck so far with Champion Duo Dry socks that come in a pack of 4 at Target. I'd been trianing in these for weeks with no troubles but thought i'd try a "good" pair from the running store thinking maybe I just didn't know any better. i bought a pair of Features socks for $10 - they were very comfortable but I neded up with a heat rash. I had done 12 miles in the Target socks the week before and was fine but then 13 miles in Features with a heat rash. Not sure if it was a reaction to the socks or maybe I used too much Body Glide? Has anyone else experienced a heat rash?

Also, what is the consensus on sock thickness? Is it better to have more cushion? I'm worried about later in the day when our feet are swollen. I plan on bringing 2 change of socks Saturday and 1 Sunday. Would it make sense to wear a thinner pair at the end so shoes are not tight? Or does this cause more friction? I have some Asics moisture wicking socks that are thinner than the Target socks and thought about alternating.
Permalink Reply by Vicki Duncan on April 2, 2010 at 1:45pm
I just did a 7.5 mile walk in the Champion Duo Dry socks - I love them because of the extra arch support.
Permalink Reply by Pam Mazeika on March 30, 2010 at 5:12pm
Remember cotton is rotten! Any moisture wicking sock will do. I use Body Glide on the bottoms,sides + tops of toes every time I train + I haven't gotten one blister yet. Also, keep some mole skin handy if do get a blister. You can get Body Glide at any of the sports stores for less than 10 dollars.

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