Socks Hurt

[SlowButSteady]

I used to buy more expensive socks. I used to get hot foot.

Yesterday I went to (oh-no!) Wally World and snuck a pack of 6 for $5 socks in my cart. Medium thickness, almost-disposable socks.

Yes, my dirty little secret is out.

I can stand them...can't do the others. You know, the high dollar ones, shrunk vs. non-shrunk. Snazzy vs plain. Big ones are too big. Mediums (at least after they go through the drier) are too small. Ones with the compression band around the instep are too wrong. Wool vs cotton vs blend = wrong

I am approaching 50...my feet are, let's face it, deformed, they are so wide--way worse than yours. I have to take extra shoes to work with me and change about halfway through the workday because: I can't take it, no matter what I 'm wearing. And the older I get, the worse feet widen.

I wear a Nike shoe, men's, size 41. It's a carbon road shoe and the bottom is so slick, it scares me (I've been thinking of putting skateboard grip tape on it). The shoe is comfy and I'm okay if I get cheap socks. I hate trying to walk more than a couple of feet in the shoe. But they (and cheap socks) work on the bike, no matter how much anything else hurts. I ain't changin' shoes. My everyday shoes should be so comfortable.

Yesterday, I could literally barely walk when I finished my work day. Tonight I rode in (expensive) shoes and very, very cheap socks. It worked.

You do have a wide-looking foot (not as bad as mine!). I have on occasions ssat down in the shoe department of stores and CRIED. Bawled. Because I can't find women's (often men's) that fit me.

I FEEL YOUR PAIN. BTW, nice color on the polish! Your footsies don't look bad.

Have you tried Wal Mart?

[RolliePollie]

Have you tried Smartwool socks? I have extremely narrow feet (size 8.5 AA) but I also have trouble with extra sock around the toes and heel that ends up bunching or pinching. Smartwool women's mediums fit me great...the fit is snug and sort of form fitting to the foot. They wick away sweat and stay very cool. It seems counter-intuitive to wear wool socks in summer, but I finally gave it a try and I won't go back. They aren't scratchy or anything either. Now I only wear my cute synthetic socks on short rides.

Check out Sierra Trading Post...try searching "Smartwool Women". I have their cycling socks but I also have their running socks and these:

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,...For-Women.html

Looks like they're currently out of mediums in the cute striped ones though The online REI outlet often has a decent selection too.

I have Sidis Zetas too, but I have Crankbrothers Quattro pedals. I still sometimes get "hot spots" on longer rides, but in general I'm very happy with the shoe and pedal combo. I absolutely LOVE my Sidis and the Quattros have a nice large pedal platform and a good amount of float. However, take my opinion on this with a grain of salt as I've never tried any other pedals!

[Miranda]

Have you tried Smartwool socks? I have extremely narrow feet (size 8.5 AA) but I also have trouble with extra sock around the toes and heel that ends up bunching or pinching. Smartwool women's mediums fit me great...the fit is snug and sort of form fitting to the foot. They wick away sweat and stay very cool. It seems counter-intuitive to wear wool socks in summer, but I finally gave it a try and I won't go back. They aren't scratchy or anything either. Now I only wear my cute synthetic socks on short rides.

Check out Sierra Trading Post...try searching "Smartwool Women". I have their cycling socks but I also have their running socks and these:

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,...For-Women.html

Looks like they're currently out of mediums in the cute striped ones though The online REI outlet often has a decent selection too.

I have Sidis Zetas too, but I have Crankbrothers Quattro pedals. I still sometimes get "hot spots" on longer rides, but in general I'm very happy with the shoe and pedal combo. I absolutely LOVE my Sidis and the Quattros have a nice large pedal platform and a good amount of float. However, take my opinion on this with a grain of salt as I've never tried any other pedals!

Thx for that info. I'm normally allergic to wool and can't wear those pretty cashmere sweaters, but hear merino is different. Wool is a natural fiber and it would make sense for it to form fit better. It sure would be wonderful to have to work.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I hearitly second the vote for Smartwool thin merino socks. They will stretch to fit your foot and will not be too hot in the summer if they are thin. They also help prevent blisters, unlike cotton socks.
Try this link too:
more smartwool socks

[SouthernBelle]

Your feet look a lot like mine (except for the nice pedi). You and I have short toes.

I like smartwool too. Try buying them in children's sizes. REI usually has them. Often on sale. They are quite stretchy and will fit snugly. And they generally muchly cheaper.

[KnottedYet]

I have the short toes, too. Got me some nice size 10 feet, but size 8 toes.

I really really REALLY like Injinji toe socks. Even the pinky toe on the Injinjis fit my squinky little pinky toes. No funny sock creases. (I tend to get them on the outside edge of my foot, under my last two toes.)

I tend to have pretty good luck with Smartwool socks, and have a ton of them. Injinjis are more expensive, and I only have a couple pair. I wouldn't bother buying Injinji wool socks, as they fall apart quickly. But their other socks are great! http://www.injinji.com/

[OakLeaf]

Try before you buy - rub them on your skin or something - if you're allergic to goat wool (cashmere) as well as ordinary sheep wool, I'd be surprised if you weren't allergic to merino.

Otherwise I'd +3 on SmartWool, I love the stuff. (but not in the dryer!!! of course they shrink and forget what the label says, no cycling clothes go in the dryer! even if they could take the heat, they can't take fabric softener, and if you put that kind of fabrics in the dryer without fabric softener, you could probably power Chicago for a week with the static)

[mountainchick]

I have the short toes, too. Got me some nice size 10 feet, but size 8 toes.

I really really REALLY like Injinji toe socks. Even the pinky toe on the Injinjis fit my squinky little pinky toes. No funny sock creases. (I tend to get them on the outside edge of my foot, under my last two toes.)

I tend to have pretty good luck with Smartwool socks, and have a ton of them. Injinjis are more expensive, and I only have a couple pair. I wouldn't bother buying Injinji wool socks, as they fall apart quickly. But their other socks are great! http://www.injinji.com/

+1 for toe socks in general. After living in Japan where that's all they wear I'm a convert. No bunching, no skin on skin rubbing in the toes...amazing. I've never tried that brand but I now wear toe socks for running, cycling, and snow sports.

[Miranda]

I used to buy more expensive socks. I used to get hot foot.

Yesterday I went to (oh-no!) Wally World and snuck a pack of 6 for $5 socks in my cart. Medium thickness, almost-disposable socks.

Yes, my dirty little secret is out.

I can stand them...can't do the others. You know, the high dollar ones, shrunk vs. non-shrunk. Snazzy vs plain. Big ones are too big. Mediums (at least after they go through the drier) are too small. Ones with the compression band around the instep are too wrong. Wool vs cotton vs blend = wrong

I am approaching 50...my feet are, let's face it, deformed, they are so wide--way worse than yours. I have to take extra shoes to work with me and change about halfway through the workday because: I can't take it, no matter what I 'm wearing. And the older I get, the worse feet widen.

I wear a Nike shoe, men's, size 41. It's a carbon road shoe and the bottom is so slick, it scares me (I've been thinking of putting skateboard grip tape on it). The shoe is comfy and I'm okay if I get cheap socks. I hate trying to walk more than a couple of feet in the shoe. But they (and cheap socks) work on the bike, no matter how much anything else hurts. I ain't changin' shoes. My everyday shoes should be so comfortable.

Yesterday, I could literally barely walk when I finished my work day. Tonight I rode in (expensive) shoes and very, very cheap socks. It worked.

You do have a wide-looking foot (not as bad as mine!). I have on occasions ssat down in the shoe department of stores and CRIED. Bawled. Because I can't find women's (often men's) that fit me.

I FEEL YOUR PAIN. BTW, nice color on the polish! Your footsies don't look bad.

Have you tried Wal Mart?

I like WallyWorld . No shame in that. I NEVER paid more than the disposable sock price (since I hate socks generally in life anyway) until I started cycling. I looked at the price $10+ for socks I thought... WHAT??? Are they jet propelled and gonna make me pedal faster? For me, it's normally the right foot, right side anything, that's the biggest problem. I have sat in shoe department and said MANY times to the sales girl "why can't you make both these shoes hurt? I don't just want one to hurt, that makes the buying decision more difficult". My feet have definately spread post kids and with age. I had to upgrade sizes. I'm narrow heeled though. I've thought about going to the foot doctor, but thought I'd try some other things first. btw, thanks about the polish... I decided I could take a pic since I touched it up that morning.