VFFs - Socks or no socks?

[kalrith]

I was going to hold off a while, but I'm really thinking about getting a pair of VFF KSO soon. I had planned to wear them barefoot, but I read of some other people wearing these toe socks with them.

Has anyone worn socks with their VFFs? What's your take on doing so?

 

[brikis98]

Nope, I've just gone barefoot in them. The more I can feel the ground, the better. However, if you were using them in cold weather, I could see socks coming in handy.

 

[HN]

if you do go with the toe socks, go to a japanese novelty store. they will be much less expensive.

 

[kalrith]

That does make sense about being able to feel the ground more without socks. I won't be using them in cold weather.

 

[Deeko]

I don't wear VFFs, however, isn't the point of them to have a more natural "feel" to running? Therefore, were I to wear them, I would not wear socks.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Deeko - part of it is smell control...those things stink. I have two pair of Injinji socks for mine - lets me go longer without having to wash it.

Sometimes I'll wear them, sometimes not.

 

[kalrith]

Deeko - part of it is smell control...those things stink. I have two pair of Injinji socks for mine - lets me go longer without having to wash it.

Sometimes I'll wear them, sometimes not.

Smell was part of my reasoning too. I've read that you're supposed to get 1/2 size larger to compensate for the socks. Do they fit the same for you with or without the socks?

 

[RagingBITCH]

Smell was part of my reasoning too. I've read that you're supposed to get 1/2 size larger to compensate for the socks. Do they fit the same for you with or without the socks?

Fit's the same for me. My first pair was shockingly, a 43 b/c that's all they had at Christmas. Returned them, tried both 42 and 41's and fit perfectly in the 41. My feet feel a little weird if I tighten the strap tight, but otherwise it's good.

 

[brikis98]

Deeko - part of it is smell control...those things stink. I have two pair of Injinji socks for mine - lets me go longer without having to wash it.

Sometimes I'll wear them, sometimes not.

VFF's can get smelly, but you can toss them in the wash. Do it regularly and smell shouldn't be an issue. If they do get funky and normal laundry detergent doesn't take care of the smell, soaking them in oxy clean or vinegar will usually do the trick.

 

[Deeko]

Deeko - part of it is smell control...those things stink. I have two pair of Injinji socks for mine - lets me go longer without having to wash it.

Sometimes I'll wear them, sometimes not.

I do rock climbing - climbing shoes are extremely tight, worn with no socks, and you sweat in them. They certainly do smell terrible - but you can always wash them, or spray them out with something.

 

[kalrith]

After reading all the comments, I'll be going with no socks. Hopefully I can pick up a pair soon.

Thanks!

 

[brikis98]

After reading all the ***ments, I'll be going with no socks. Hopefully I can pick up a pair soon.

Thanks!

Just so you are aware: running in VFFs will probably require you to learn new running technique. If you are a heel striker (most people who run in sneakers are), you'll need to learn to land on the ball of the foot which takes a while to get used to. Start VERY slow (ie, a brief walk around the neighborhood) and then gradually work your way up by adding a half mile or so per run. Also, take some time to learn about POSE and barefoot running technique.

 

[kalrith]

Just so you are aware: running in VFFs will probably require you to learn new running technique. If you are a heel striker (most people who run in sneakers are), you'll need to learn to land on the ball of the foot which takes a while to get used to. Start VERY slow (ie, a brief walk around the neighborhood) and then gradually work your way up by adding a half mile or so per run. Also, take some time to learn about POSE and barefoot running technique.

I have been reading up on POSE and reading the old threads on barefoot running. I'm going to try to apply that research to my running technique. Before buying VFFs, I'm going to take someone's (can't remember who at the moment) advice to go running a few times in a couple pairs of socks to see if I can adjust my form accordingly. I don't want to buy VFFs and wind up running in shoes because I hate it. However, I know my form sucks and needs a lot of adjustment that would be difficult without being able to feel the ground and have lots of mushy padding instead.

The hardest part will probably be taking it slowly. I usually go gung-ho into things, but I don't want to overdo it and injure myself or get too sore to run again in a couple days.

 

[MrMatt]

I was going to hold off a while, but I'm really thinking about getting a pair of VFF KSO soon. I had planned to wear them barefoot, but I read of some other people wearing these toe socks with them.

Has anyone worn socks with their VFFs? What's your take on doing so?

No, but I was considering it for a while. Took me FOREVER to break them in. Now I'm good.

 

[MrMatt]

VFF's can get smelly, but you can toss them in the wash. Do it regularly and smell shouldn't be an issue. If they do get funky and normal laundry detergent doesn't take care of the smell, soaking them in oxy clean or vinegar will usually do the trick.

I can't even imagine how long you'd have to wear them between washings to get to the point where regular detergent doesnt destink them lol.

 

[darkxshade]

no socks but I wear my VFFs under my sneakers. 😛

 

[Red Dawn]

no socks but I wear my VFFs under my sneakers. 😛

LOL, doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose of VFF's?

 

[darkxshade]

LOL, doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose of VFF's?

I kid, I kid...

 

[SociallyChallenged]

I have been reading up on POSE and reading the old threads on barefoot running. I'm going to try to apply that research to my running technique. Before buying VFFs, I'm going to take someone's (can't remember who at the moment) advice to go running a few times in a couple pairs of socks to see if I can adjust my form accordingly. I don't want to buy VFFs and wind up running in shoes because I hate it. However, I know my form sucks and needs a lot of adjustment that would be difficult without being able to feel the ground and have lots of mushy padding instead.

The hardest part will probably be taking it slowly. I usually go gung-ho into things, but I don't want to overdo it and injure myself or get too sore to run again in a couple days.

Being sore is a lesser issue. If you go right into it, you can actually get hairline stress fractures and rhabdo. Start WALKING in them for a few weeks. I walked in mine for 2 weeks before I did any sort of cardio in them. Then I would run ~400m in them per day, slowly. Finally, I could run any distance I wanted in them. Personally, if I went more than 1.5 miles in the future, I would buy some toe-socks.

Damnit, if only I hadn't put my VFF's in the dryer inadvertently 🙁

 

[brikis98]

I can't even imagine how long you'd have to wear them between washings to get to the point where regular detergent doesnt destink them lol.

Actually, bacteria can build up in the toes and normal detergent won't always take care of it. If you google around, you'll see that this happens with VFFs from time to time. It happened to me for the first time after a year of owning them (despite regular washing), but oxy clean took care of it.

 

[MrMatt]

Actually, bacteria can build up in the toes and normal detergent won't always take care of it. If you google around, you'll see that this happens with VFFs from time to time. It happened to me for the first time after a year of owning them (despite regular washing), but oxy clean took care of it.

no kiddin....this actually reminded me it's time for my VFF"s monthly washing

 

[RagingBITCH]

I have been reading up on POSE and reading the old threads on barefoot running. I'm going to try to apply that research to my running technique. Before buying VFFs, I'm going to take someone's (can't remember who at the moment) advice to go running a few times in a couple pairs of socks to see if I can adjust my form accordingly. I don't want to buy VFFs and wind up running in shoes because I hate it. However, I know my form sucks and needs a lot of adjustment that would be difficult without being able to feel the ground and have lots of mushy padding instead.

The hardest part will probably be taking it slowly. I usually go gung-ho into things, but I don't want to overdo it and injure myself or get too sore to run again in a couple days.

That was me with the sock advice.

And listen to the guys that say take it slowly...I went from 40+ miles heel-toe to attempting 40+ miles with VFF/forefoot. Changing your gait/running style is to be done slowly. You WILL get injuried...it might not happen right off the bat, but eventually something will give. Think of using VFF's as starting over from scratch running...you can't expect to run a 15 miler on the weekend when you're just starting out running. Gotta start off with very light runs of less than a mile and work your way up.

I'm back to heel-toe while training for OKC, but am going to start up again with the VFF's in the summer after. I will say, I tend to strike a bit more midfoot naturally now than I did before. Do NOT go gung-ho...from personal experience and as a coach. (Yes, I set a bad example)

 

[RagingBITCH]

VFF's can get smelly, but you can toss them in the wash. Do it regularly and smell shouldn't be an issue. If they do get funky and normal laundry detergent doesn't take care of the smell, soaking them in oxy clean or vinegar will usually do the trick.

I'm perfectly aware of washing them...I wash mine all the time. I know I log far more miles a week than probably anyone else posting in this thread...40-60 miles a week stinks them up, and I don't have time to wash them every other day. Socks certainly aren't necessary for most people, but when I was going FT VFF, it helped. I personally prefer sockless. 🙂

 

[kalrith]

That was me with the sock advice.

And listen to the guys that say take it slowly...I went from 40+ miles heel-toe to attempting 40+ miles with VFF/forefoot. Changing your gait/running style is to be done slowly. You WILL get injuried...it might not happen right off the bat, but eventually something will give. Think of using VFF's as starting over from scratch running...you can't expect to run a 15 miler on the weekend when you're just starting out running. Gotta start off with very light runs of less than a mile and work your way up.

I'm back to heel-toe while training for OKC, but am going to start up again with the VFF's in the summer after. I will say, I tend to strike a bit more midfoot naturally now than I did before. Do NOT go gung-ho...from personal experience and as a coach. (Yes, I set a bad example)

That's one of the reasons why I'm thinking about getting them now. I'm just now getting back into running and am quite out of shape. If I start by focusing on barefoot running and POSE from the get-go, then I think that's a better choice than getting in really good shape with heel-toe and then having to re-learn how to run all over again.

I'm perfectly aware of washing them...I wash mine all the time. I know I log far more miles a week than probably anyone else posting in this thread...40-60 miles a week stinks them up, and I don't have time to wash them every other day. Socks certainly aren't necessary for most people, but when I was going FT VFF, it helped. I personally prefer sockless. 🙂

What's FT VFF?

 

[McWatt]

Kalrith - get some Injinji socks, just one pair. The cost isn't bad, and that way you can try using your VFFs both ways. I wear socks about half the time with mine. If I'm going to run or lift, no socks. If I'm going to wear them around town, I wear socks.

There's a new version of the KSO with kangaroo leather tops instead of stretchy cloth. They actually look pretty good when dressing in nice casual clothes to go out to a good restaurant. They're also a guaranteed topic of conversation.