Couch to 5K

115,099 members • 146,798 posts

SOCK IT TO ME

I currently use some Hilly socks and I would like more pairs to the sake of practicality - and the fact that my dog does like playing hide-and-seek with them as they dry! My problem is that the ones I have don't seem to exists any longer and as I have no idea what model that are, I don't know what would be similar without looking, and as we can't go into shops at present, I can't do this. Damn you, COVID!

My question is simple. What socks do people on here use, and which would you recommend? I have size 9 paws and I don't have any pronation etc issues. No flat feet; no bunions or corns and no uneven wear patterns on my shoes. My feet are, I am delighted to say, rather boring.

PS. I am not too fussy about colours etc, and I do prefer a sock as opposed to the 'trainer' socks that seem to imitate a submarine in trouble at every opportunity and dive down into my running shoes.

One last little thing. Is the idea of a left and right sock just a gimick?

45 Replies

•

I use all sorts of socks 👍, aldi socks, and karrimor and I've posh injinji toe socks, and most recently some longer compression socks by stance! All have Left Right fittings 👀

Thanks. Do you find any REAL difference twixt any of them? Some seem sillily expensive, whilst others are almost breakfast cereal box giveaways. IF they are worth it I don't mind paying, but being of canny Scott extraction, I want decent value for money.🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Okies so the supermarket one's I've found are excellent value!

But the toe socks injinji and the stance socks are errr probably luxurious, but the quality is very good 👍

runnersneed.com/p/stance-me...

Thanks. I shall take a look. If only I could get the hound to stop nicking them whilst they were drying it would help. At least her vaccinations are up to date!

I use Hilly socks as they suit my long runs. New pairs arrived today and they are different from the old ones, although on Amazon they didn't change the picture or product description. Oh well. Their product is good but they should employ someone who understands the point and value of marketing.

You can buy other socks by reading reviews and your foot shape and size make no difference. And there are no gimmicks with left or right socks. Those things are seamless and the cushions are designed to fit each foot with intricate little details. Hence no blisters with good socks (if your shoes are good as well).

Thanks. I shall check the Hilly website and may well go for some other/different ones as I know my current ones are very good. I hadn't thought about sock 'tech' as such. I'm still up for darning old socks when they get a hole!May I ask how long your long runs are? I'm a newbie, so my runs are very, very short but I hope to get above the 5K mark in the late Spring or Summer, either on Dartmoor or along the coastal paths.

I use Hilly for marathon and ultra training, that's how they are mainly advertised. When I started C25K in 2016 I ran in just any socks, and they all did the job. Tech socks will prevent blisters and add to the overall comfort, wicking off the sweat. Also, my toes don't drop off any longer as they did when I marathon trained in regular cotton socks. That wasn't fun. 😜

I have got sock imposter syndrome 😬

Jeez, what's that?

Wearing Hilly marathon fresh socks when the furthest I've run is 10.5km🤣🤣

Ah. Well I can't see a problem. That's how they market them but nothing's written in stone. Comfort is comfort, no matter what distance. 😀

All my socks are "handed". (See avatar.)

Coo. I've seen things like it around, but I thought they were a gimmick - it seems I was wrong. I think I will stay with mitten-style ones for now, and then maybe try this type when I have graduated.

I've been wearing toe shoes for nearly a decade now!

But toed socks for a bit longer. Once you get over the weirdness of fabric between the toes, they're great for running in.

Mine are Yudge from Amazon, I was plagued with blisters before i got them, not expensive and over a year old now they hug my feet and are comfortable

I’ve got Balega, CEP compression, Injini toe socks and Hilly socks. Hilly are my favourite 👍🏻

I have 2 pairs of Hilly socks, I have never had any blisters

You’ve just reminded me that I need to order some more! 🧦🙂 I changed to Hilly socks after seeing so many recommend them on here. Much better than the cheaper brand I had been wearing.

I run in cheapie socks from Sport Direct, I get 4 pairs for £9, the shorter length are a bit cheaper bu I like my ankles covered! They last about 6 months, then they go a bit stiff.

I have quite a few fairly indestructible walking socks that grip my feet really well. I usually walk about 4/5 miles a day , up to 30 miles a week. My boots wear out every 3 years or so.

Vibram soles don't seem to last as well as they used to but my socks soldier on regardless. and have a lifetime guarantee. (only 5 years in Germany).

They have elasticated tops and insteps, stay put when you put them on, are designed for hillwalkers and made in the UK by Bridgedale in a variety of materials and thicknesses. I tried a few other makes but they tend not to last.

I too use Bridgedale socks for hill walking - I've never found a brand that suits me better. They're pricey (and easily ruined by Compeed blister plasters) but otherwise they last a really long time. I don't use them for running though.

I simply LOVE Bridgedale socks. I wear them as my go-to sock every day. I work outdoors much of the time, and Bridgedale socks and various walking boots are on my feet almost continuously. My only ever blister [in recent years] was in a pair of Scarpa Deltas that are just too wide for my dainty feet. My Scarpa SLs are absolutely fine though.

I use Hilly marathon fresh socklets ( no marathons in my future!) They are a snug fit, no slip sock and are very hard wearing. Not cheap, but if the definition of a good sock is being unaware of them when you're wearing them, then they are a good sock👍

Re left and right, no they are designed to give specific anatomical support, try them on the opposite feet, they don't feel comfortable.

Thanks. It's interesting that they seem different on different feet. I will try that. Up until now I have been good and popped them not the correct ones out of habit.I like the sound of hard wearing. Comfort and no blisters AND hard wearing. Almost perfect.

You think getting to the shops for socks is a challenge - try getting Amazon to deliver to the Spanish Main! Plus we're getting complaints about too many of their delivery drivers hanging from the yardarm for putting packages in our wheelie bins (when DID that become OK?).

On a more serious note, I used to pay more attention to "good" or "proper" running socks than I do now, even though now I run greater distances. Like Curlygurly2 I buy a multipack from Sports Direct etc. and I wear them until holes appear (with the occasional wash inbetween😉). I do own posher socks - the sort you get 'upsold' when buying running shoes - but honestly, unless it is a big run (HM) I don't usually bother and even when I do I suspect it's mostly psychological.

I do hope that the Amazon drivers are not hanging from the yard arm in the old-fashioned way! Hands tied behind their backs and rope around the neck, wasn't it? A little severe for popping parcels in the bin!! I hope that they are just hanging from their thumbs nowadays...I shall invest in some cheaper ones to try, but I bought some Go Outdoors own brand walking socks, and they failed quite spectacularly in no time at all.

I love my Hillys too, but I'd worn holes in most of them and I was sad when I couldn't order them off the internet - I am thinking of writing to Ron to remedy this. I ended up buying 1000 mile fusion socks, which have been doing the job. They are not quite a comfy as my Hillys, but they are stopping blisters. They were about £12.99 per pair off Amazon. Mine are a bit multi-coloured, but I think you can buy more muted tones.

upandrunning.co.uk/accessor...

runnersneed.com/c/clothing/...

Does this help?

It certainly helps me! Thanks.

Ooh thank you. That's a much better range than I've seen anywhere else. I think like Nick, I have my old dual layer anklet ones that I had become very fond of and they've stopped doing those *exact* ones, but I see a few there that I would try. I think this is quite close to it: upandrunning.co.uk/hilly-un...

Pleased to be of assistance lismcl I've used both stores, most recently runners need via online, great service!

Thanks. I have ordered a pair of 1,000 mile one to see what they are like. My Hilly's are in the airing cupboard, and away from the dog, so I should be fine for my wet run tomorrow. More drying after my run, and more, 'look what I am holding in my mouth' moments tomorrow.

I get my Hilly socks off Amazon...

I think mine came from there, but the model they are seem to be out if stock everywhere in my size. That could be because they are very popular, or it may be because they are stopping them. Shall see. I have now found which model it is, which is a step in the right direction.

They do go out of stock quickly sportsshoes.com are a good outlet for lots of things. I got my last pair of trainers from them, £85, they were still in the shops at £114!

I bought some from there too! My local running shop were out of stock and never got in touch to say they had them in, so I went on-line as I needed them for when I was going to do the Keswick Mountain Festival 5k last year. Lockdown put paid to both the event and our training - hence why I am where I am now at W2/3.

I love my injinji toe socks. Other half said "how much!!!" but they are the same-ish price as the 1000 mile ones which I also occasionally wear. I just love the gently splayed toe feeling and they really do stop sweaty feet from rubbing and blisters in the heat of Summer.I wear the injinji's for trail walking too and with my squat shoes when weight training . It's all in the splay. I never thought a pair of socks could be so comfortable!

I know what you mean with trainer socks, some are awful and end up in the arch of your foot.

😆

Thanks for the reply. I may try some off the toe socks later in my running, but not whilst I am getting this old bod into the swing off running.On the subject of cost of things, isn't running cheap! Only shoes cost much, unless you really get the bug and go for GoreTex coats etc, but generally it is so cheap to do! Compare it with smoking - I have just looked up how much gaspers are now - and it is such a cheap pastime.

How much were your socks? A pack of 20 is anything from £9:00 to £13:00 - and that will kill you! I'll wager your socks were not 2 packs!

I've got the no-shows (despite what I said these are the only ones that haven't ended up in my arch!) Think I paid about a tenner for them. I also have the knee length ones for about £15 and pushed the boat out for the compression ones which were over 30 quid...they will also do as flight socks (if we are ever allowed abroad again!).Expensive...yes. I'm guilty. Pays to shop around too.

The shoes are biggest outlay as I have a soft spot for Hoka One One. Technical clothing is another outlay for keeping warm but not too hot and not too sweaty in the summer, especially tops and I use any old leggings that I use at the gym.

I have a tiny private pension that is worth squit every month and other half said I should use it as a slush fund for sports stuff as I'm not a fancy clothing addict!

Gave up smoking in 2012 and I am flabbergasted how much it costs now, that shocked me....rather have the socks ANYDAY!!!!!!!

Good to hear that you gave up. I am lucky in that I have never even been tempted to try it, but I know far too many that have.I hope that you enjoy your expensive socks and that you get many, many miles out of them. Never feel guilty about things like it. Life is for living, and I don't feel guilty about my cameras and lenses etc - and they ARE expensive. And I mean REALLY EXPENSIVE.

Now you're talking! 😀 Also you mention left and right socks. I ordered a multi-pack of 1000 mile ankle socks off Amazon and when I went to put a pair on noticed they were marked L & R. I almost had a childhood flashback to when my mum sewed my mittens on a long piece of elastic that was threaded through the arms of my winter coat!

So I put them on as "instructed". I couldn't feel or notice anything different really until my podiatrist went to put my socks back on after a nail hacking session (or visiting the human farrier as I prefer to call it) and she put the socks on the wrong feet. They made my feet look totally weird, like a duck and we both burst out laughing!

I hope you find your Hilly socks or the socks of your dreams!

L-series Canon glassware is second mortgage level expensive! Needless to say, I don't have any. 😉📷

Let's just say my main lens is the Nikon 24mm PC-e along with my Zeiss 21mm and my Nikon 24-70 and 70-200 2.8s. Other lenses abound in my study, but these are my usual take-everywhere ones. The PC lens is amazing, but less versatile than its Canon stablemate with its inability to tilt and shift in the same plane. The 19mm does, but its front element is so vulnerable and files are tricky and limiting. To running... I did my first DRY RUN this morning! No soggy feet and rubbing in unpleasant places from my shorts. What a delight. I shall take out 'er indoors later for her first run of C25K! She is a later-in-the-day runner, where I love my mornings. I shall be doing this scheme twice! My poor legs!!!

I have Hilly Socks and though they are expensive I think they’re worth it! I have various other trainer socks from supermarket standards to a few thicker pairs I got from a sports shop but I find they are prone to rubbing or slipping down. Holly don’t move and I don’t get blisters so they are worth it for me!

Shop around but Runners Need and Amazon are usually good choices!

Thanks. I have just found out hat if you get wet socks, don't wash them and let them dry in the airing cupboard over the weekend, they go very crusty and crispy!! Note to self - WASH SOCKS!