Working in a running store I see a lot of people coming in who have problems with blisters. The first thing I ask them is, “What kind of socks are you running in?” 90% of the responses are “cotton.” The problem with wearing cotton socks while running is that the sock absorbs sweat and keeps it agains your skin. Any rubbing between a wet cotton sock and your skin can quickly lead to a hot-spot or blister. Fortunately, switching to a moisture-wicking material will prevent blisters for most people.

Socks:
There are many different brands of moisture-wicking socks and all of them use different materials and “technologies”. CoolMax®, Lycra®, Fresh FX, polyester, olefin, nylon, spandex, Drynamix®, rubber, X2O®, and acrylic are some of the more common ones seen. In my opinion, they all do the same thing and no one is any better than the other, it is just a matter of preference. Like shoes, each brand of socks uses different materials and they all feel a little different. So here are some of my observations, which may not be the opinion of the company that makes the socks. All of these socks do the job, the right one for you… is a matter of preference.

Injinji®:
This sock is great for someone who is prone to blisters on/in between his or her toes as well as trail running. These socks retail for around $12/pair.

Feetures!®:
This is a great, light-weight sock that is relatively thin. It comes in low cut or quarter length and retails for about $9 per pair.

Balega®:
Balega® makes a large range of socks for women and men. The thing I like about Balega® socks is they make the bottoms of their socks thicker, which adds a little bit more comfort to the sock, while keeping the top thin to prevent overheating. The Balega® socks retail for about $8 per pair.

Wigwam®
Wigwam®, like Balega®, makes a large line of socks. If you like thin socks you will want to try the Ironman® Triathlete Pro sock. If you like a thicker sock, give the Ultimax® Tail Wind sock a try.

Anti-chaffing products:
If switching to a moisture wicking sock does not help, the next step is to use some type of silicone or wax based anti-chafing product on the problem area. Read this article for more information on these products.

Written by Jay Pedersen