Socks/Pedals - need wisdom/opinions!

[tprevost]

Hey Ladies,

I need to find the thinnest, lightest weight, low sock I can .... suggestions?

Also, I copied this off of another thread...

One other comment would be about your pedals -- SPD's are a very small platform. I used to ride them & would get hot-spots on the balls of my feet on long rides. I switched to Time Attack pedals, which are a larger & more stable platform, kept my Sidi Dominators & have been happy ever since.

I would really love some examples of what you all consider small platforms vs. large platforms... I have shimano ultegra pedals (PD-6610) and am having a really hard time w/hot spots.... I am looking into thinner socks/different shoes/ and as a last resort, switching pedals (although, some shoes are more than the pedals so maybe I should reverse those?? ;) )

Thanks so much for any info!

Tracy

[Cari]

What kind of socks and shoes are you using right now? Do you think you're getting hot spots because the shoes are too tight, because the sole of your foot rubs against the inside of the shoe, or... ?

The thinnest socks I've found are DeFeet Speedes and Pearl Izumi Originals. The Speedes are ok for me with running shoes, which have lots of padding on the inside, but not with bike shoes -- not even ones that fit snugly. The PI's are cute but they're thin, slippery, the seams bunch up -- not good for cycling.

As I mentioned in the thread you cited (http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=6938), I've had the best luck with going up a half a size in shoes and wearing thick socks: DeFeet Cush 3D Lows (http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=15204). DeFeet Levitators are an alternative to Cush 3D's if your feet are wide at the heel and/or narrow in the front. Oh, and when I bike or run I always use foot powder -- keeps your feet dry, which helps to avoid painful rubbing between foot and shoe.

Have you tried Sock Guy socks? They're thin, but not as thin as Speedes, and much more comfy, imo. They're my second choice after Cush 3D's.

[DeniseGoldberg]

Tracy -
I can't help with the pedals since I use mountain pedals - Frogs - on my road bikes, and I sense that you're looking for road pedals...

But on the socks front, I've been wearing SmartWool socks exclusively and find them very comfortable. My favorites for cycling are their "cycling ultra lite mini crew" socks. You can see them at http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=14193.

Here's hoping that you find a quick (and easy!) solution to your foot hot spots problem.

--- Denise

[Kimmyt]

I have Look pedals and I think these have a fairly large surface area compared to some others I've seen.

They're the only pedals I've ever used and I haven't had a problem with hotspots yet.

[tprevost]

thanks ladies!

I have shimano road shoes right now and when I ride, they are very loose so there's lots of room for air... but still I have hot feet :mad: The socks I wear right now are really generic, very thin socks, but I will try some suggested here to see if that makes any difference... Yesterday, I took my socks off altogether and it helped, but still did not eliminate the problem... I'm starting to think its the shoes but I keep hoping its the socks!

Before I stopped cycling (8 years ago) I rode quite often in the bay area and have never had this problem before. Same shoe brand (new model), similar socks, same pedal brand but much different model.

I am really struggling to find a solution as we live in a hot area and this comes up on every ride longer than 20 miles. I don't really want to do sandals as I don't feel like my feet are protected on the road.

Again, thank you for the sock suggestions, I'm going to order some today!!!

Tracy

[caligurl]

hi tracy! for my every day rides... i just wear the little low cut athletic socks from target... they are thin.... but they are cotton... however i don't have any issues with them!

almost any of the cycling socks from an LBS will be thin.... (and you have to remember.... unless i have on leg warmers... i won't wear the higher socks cuz of tanlines!)

perhaps you need to try a different shoe? i love specialized... my first pair were WSD.... and VERY comfortable! i had (yes had) to go with the men's version when i got new ones for the new bike (cuz the men's were black.. the women's carbon were fugly! but i digress!) hubby used to wear the expensive sidi's... when they were wearing out... he tried specialized and is HOOKED! says they are WAY more comfy than the sidis... which are supposed to be such dookie hot shoes!

as for pedals... i use speedplay! i don't have any problems with hot spots *knock on wood*.... plus they are really easy to clip in and out of!

[FreshNewbie]

Hey Tracy, I think you might be limiting yourself by just sticking to carbon sole and Sidi's. I would try different options, until you find something you like. My use Specialized Torch for women since last year ( my first road shoe) and I really like them. They are very comfy, hug your feet in all right places and don't give me any problems. I also use speedplay pedals which i like, but then again i never tried anything else. Good lucky with your search.

FN

[SadieKate]

My LBS is bringing in the custom footbed thingee used for ski boots. They think that having a rigid footbed (not sole) is the crucial piece. With a fully rigid footbed molded to your foot, your foot won't collapse and squidge around. This makes sense to me. I've worn prescription rigid orthotics since 1976 and have never had hot foot issues (not that a statistic of one is any good). They think that Superfeet with the black plastic piece underneath is only a bandaid that works for some.

I posted in bj asking about eSoles and TsPoet got a pair. Wonder if she has or had hot foot.

Anyone use rigid insoles (not Superfeet) and also get hot foot? Just curious.

I'm also going to try to find you a link to the Lin Silkeez sock which is amazingly cool and thin but this really doesn't sound like your problem.

[caligurl]

i never suggested she limit herself to carbon soles (my first VERY comfortable pair of shoes weren't carbon soles... but WERE specialized brand)... and i didn't recommend sidi at all.... i said that specialized were way more comfy than sidi's! :)

[SadieKate]

These are the thinnest socks I've ever found and I can only find them on REI. I love them for road cycling on really hot days but I wish they came in white.

http://www.rei.com/product/47801326.htm

They are more like really thin liner hiking socks.

[tprevost]

Oooh Oooh!!!! Thanks SK and Denise, I'm gonna try those two first!!! I am also going to start re-thinking my pedals... I might make a list of everyone's fav's and just go and compare. I used to have some other shimanos that were much smaller and I didn't have any problems so maybe its a pressure point thing???

Thank you SO much everyone; I so appreciate all of your help!

Tracy

[CorsairMac]

I have Look pedals and I think these have a fairly large surface area compared to some others I've seen.

They're the only pedals I've ever used and I haven't had a problem with hotspots yet.


I'm thinking about switching over to Looks but............I have to walk my bike into the office or the store etc etc and wasn't sure if the Look cleats are walkable?......would love to hear your opinion

also, I got a great deal on the Look pedals and cleats but they are the red cleats which I understand have more float........something I Don't want. Which cleats do you use?

[FreshNewbie]

Caligurl, i didn't mean this to be posted for tracy, actually Cari had a similar post about Sidi shoes and i meant to reply to her post ( Ooops) :D Sorry, btw i have nothing against carbon soles, i never even tried them.

[caligurl]

ahhh! ok! that makes sense then! (i assumed you meant me cuz i was the only one who has mentioned carbon soles and sidi's in this thread!! lol!)

(i still stand by my rave of specialized shoes though! no matter what their soles! even my mtb shoes are specialized!)

[FreshNewbie]

i have specialized torch for women since last year, and i love them. I feel like i am wearing my running shoes. Btw, they are on sale right now!

[Cari]

I'm thinking about switching over to Looks but............I have to walk my bike into the office or the store etc etc and wasn't sure if the Look cleats are walkable?......would love to hear your opinion

also, I got a great deal on the Look pedals and cleats but they are the red cleats which I understand have more float........something I Don't want. Which cleats do you use?

Look cleats on road shoes are not recessed (like SPD cleats are on MTB shoes) so it's a bit harder to walk in them. You can, however, get rubber cleat covers which will keep you from slipping around.

Which Look pedals did you get a deal on? Look cleats aren't that expensive -- around $20, I think. If they're regular Look pedals, you can buy the black delta cleats, which have zero degrees float. If they're Look KeO pedals you have three choices. They usually come with a gray cleat which has 4.5 degrees float, and you can also buy the black (0 degress) or red (9 degrees) KeO cleats.

~Cari, who's been doing her homework :D

[Kimmyt]

Corsair, I have the red cleats, the ones with the most float. I got these because 1) they were the cheapest and 2) they offered the most float which at the time I understood as being most amenable to a newer rider's knees.

Walking in Looks is.... interesting. They can be quite slippy, as Cari said. I have seen the ads for the cleat covers, but I don't know if they would help with the ease of walking. It might help with the slip factor (let me warn you about the TREACHEROUSNESS of using a port-a-potty during a ride while wearing these shoes...heh). Looks have some degree of thickness which causes you, when walking, to tend to walk back on your heels (your toes, for example, are up higher off the ground than your heels). This makes it difficult to walk, especially if walking up a hill.

I don't personally mind walking shorter distances (into buildings, across roads, etc.) in my shoes, but if you are used to a MTB style shoe it may be annoying for you.

However, don't get me wrong, I am a new road biker, and I have found these cleat/pedal systems to be extremely easy to use and my learning curve has been very sharp with them!

K.

[bcipam]

Your first post was almost written by me... except I switched from Speedplay X-2's to Dura Ace which I think is similar to the Ultegra pedal. I still get hot spots but not as bad. The Dura Ace pedal like the Look pedal has a broad platform.

I've tried it all - carbon soles shoes, different shoes (but I always come back to Sidi's), socks, fittings etc, I still get hot spots. Doctor has explained my foot has been injuried over and over again and I have a neuroma and I just have to deal with it (or have surgery). The wider platform helped a lot. Having good fitting shoes (not to wide or too narrow) shoes do as well. But I just know my feet will start hurting (around 40 - 50 miles) and I have to 1) wiggle my toes around, 2) stop and rest my foot, 3) unclipped from the other pedal (alternating my feet), 4) spin not push etc.

As to socks, most cycling socks are pretty thin which is why I like them. I like Defeet, SockGuy, Pearl, etc. Most are thin, supportive and comfortable and will wick away moisture (also important).

[tprevost]

Okay, so today I went around looking at pedals etc. and bought 3 new pairs of socks and a pair of specialized shoes to check out. I also made an appt with a guy for a cleat fitting to see if perhaps it has more to do with where my cleats are on my shoes etc.

I'm doing this tomorrow and will look forward to seeing how it all feels on Monday... so Pam, you're probably the one who'll get to hear the whining! :p Just kidding!

This is just really bothering me because I have never had this issue before so I know its possible to get rid of it, I just have to keep testing different things to see what works!

Thanks!

Tracy

[Jones]

I have one bike with Dura-ace pedals and one with Ultegra pedals and they are virtually the same. I have a neuroma in my left foot and have to be real careful with all shoes, not just bike shoes. These may be the goofy looking socks ever but they really help. http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47813712&parent_category_rn=4501318&vcat=REI_SEARCH

[KnottedYet]

Ooh,I've been wanting to try a pair of those! (neuroma in my left foot too) I'm doing an REI shopping expedition with a friend this weekend, maybe I'll get a pair!

[Nanci]

Hey, I wear those Injinji socks for long runs. I have the black and sand, and have just bought a pair of the new pink ones. They are great for preventing blisters. They have somewhat of a reputation of wearing more quickly than normal, so I "horde" them and only wear them on my serious runs- like marathon or longer. They feel weird when you first put them on, but you forget about them after a little while. Tons of ultrarunners wear them.

Nanci

[caligurl]

good luck with the shoes! i hope they work for you! (especially as i sang specialized's praises so much!)

[tprevost]

Caligurl,

I ended up getting the Women's Specialized comp carbon (its black/silver with a tiny touch of very light metalic blue - it looks a bit green to me though) and it looks good w/my bike! :rolleyes: I think you are rubbing off on me hee hee hee!!!! Of course it fits well and I love the shoe - but its always cool when it looks good too!

I'm excited to go get my pedals checked, I'm really thinking that is the bulk of my issue so I'll get to test it out on Monday's ride. I've got my fingers crossed!

Trac'

ps. I am really mad at myself for not buying that red tank top at CTC! UGH!!

[caligurl]

OH! i meant to ask you about that... cuz when we got done talking and left... i looked over.. and it was gone! thought maybe you had changed your mind!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tprevost]

dang it! Now I am really mad!!!!! Someone got my top!!! :mad:

Next time I'm just going to buy the darned thing! Hmph!

T~

[bcipam]

. These may be the goofy looking socks ever but they really help. http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47813712&parent_category_rn=4501318&vcat=REI_SEARCH


OK those are about the weirdest socks Ive ever seen but I might just run over to REI after work today and buy a pair to wear on Monday - so Tracy - you might hear me whining!!!!! Actually they look like they might also help with my hiking so I'll give them a try.

[SadieKate]

I'm finding more and more articles recommending custom rigid orthotics for hot foot. It isn't a heat issue, it is pressure on nerves. I've even seen articles recommending them for Morton's Neuroma.

http://www.cyclingforums.com/articles/a-104.html

Google Andy Pruit, orthotics, hot foot, etc., and you'll find loads of info.

TsPoet - how rigid are those eSoles?

[maillotpois]

I almost always wear ultralight smartwool running socks:

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47883946&parent_category_rn=4501318&vcat=REI_SEARCH

They are super thin and light. Never get too hot.

Those tetra socks are wild. They sponsor the FC 508, and a lot of ultra endurance folks love them. I don't know if I owuld like the material between the toes, though. Hmm.

[tprevost]

Looks like I'm going to be making a trip to REI soon for some of these socks! I've got three different kinds now to pick up!

I did my cleat fitting today and he made some significant adjustments in placement so we'll see how that goes.... he did say that if that didn't work we could try some of those orthotics - he said that they heat them up and then you step on them to customize them to your feet. I really hope that between the cleat adjustments and the new socks, I'll be okay!

Keepin' my fingers crossed!!!!

Tracy :D

ps. thank you for that link SK, it confirms I'm trying all the right remedies!!!

[KnottedYet]

"they heat them up and then you step on them...."


Oh, please please please be so careful with those heat 'em up insoles! They mold to your unhappy foot, and then force your foot back into that unhappy position with every step (or spin). You want someone who will do the insoles to CORRECT the unhappy foot, not just mimic it.

For example: if you have a dropped met head that is causing hot spots, then step on the moldable insole, you've just made a mold of a very dropped met head (full pressure on a soft surface = big drop). Now every time your foot meets that insole the met head has no choice but to drop! There's nothing to hold it up cuz the insole is dipped there!

Make sure the person doing the job knows what position to place your hindfoot relative to your forefoot, and that they align your tibia to your 2nd ray. Your calcaneous should be in a neutral position. (most end up getting molded into a valgus position) The salesperson should physically correct your foot and cue you how to hold that correction, not just have you step on the thing.

Superfeet runs an educational program for the heat-molders, make sure the person who does yours has been through the entire program, not just taught by someone else who did.

Oh, those heat moldable over-the-counter insoles make me so nervous..... :eek: I'm gonna have to go have a lie down and a piece of chocolate....

[tprevost]

Oh KnottedYet!

Thank you for the info! If I have to go that route, I will check on where the guy was trained. Supposedly he is the only guy in south riverside county trained to do the cleat adjustment and insole (foot issues) thing.

Fortunately I am pretty sure it was a cleat adjustment thing as I have done some pretty heavy duty riding in the past and never had this issue before. But things change, so I suppose you never know!

So I hope you enjoyed your chocolate :p enough for both of us! I'll let you know if you need to grab some more!!! ;)

Thank you again for the info - I would've never thought of the issues you brought up!

Tracy

[KnottedYet]

Whew! Sorry I got a little overexcited there. Went for a ride and a walk, feeling muuuuuuch better now.

Foot/knee/hip issues are dear to my heart. I used to customize temporary orthotics. I just get a little worked up....:rolleyes:

[Tiffanie]

i have specialized torch for women since last year, and i love them. I feel like i am wearing my running shoes. Btw, they are on sale right now!


Where are they on sale right now? ;)