no-show socks; finding just the right shape

I wanted to comment on an experience I had recently with no-show socks...it was quite eye opening and maybe will help others.

I recently bought new all-day walking sneakers. The are Nikes, supposedly a new version of one of their very first models. I compared a bunch of black Nikes (wow they make a LOT of models) and decided to go for these. My feet LOVE them. I wore them on my recent trip to New Mexico and they were great in every setting, worn with socks like the grey ones below. I felt like I was walking/running on air while making my too-short airport connection

One day I tried wearing them with smartwool no-show socks similar to the last find below, the kind that come halfway up your foot but are still invisible. In the past I've had a problem where socks like these rub on my foot under the laced part of a sneaker but I just ignored it. The problem was really bad that day in NM. I had thought it was because the laces were too tight, but loosening them didn't help. It turned out the elastic of the sock was cutting into the top of my foot where there are a lot of nerves, blood vessels, and tendons but very thin skin, in a way that caused some serious pain and a feeling that my nerves were on fire. I took off the socks, and fortunately the sneakers have a soft fabric lining so I was ok not wearing any socks for the rest of the day. I don't generally like the feel of sneakers against bare foot skin but I was desperate! So, no more of those socks that hit in the middle of the instep for me. Not sure how I'll make that work for my two pairs of fashion sneakers but at least I know the solution now.

Nordstrom

Nike Air Max 1 Ultra 2.0 Running Shoe

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Amazon

Feetures! High Performance Light Cushion No Show Tab Sock

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Zappos

Smartwool Hide and Seek II 3-Pair Pack

$38.85

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6 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I know what you are saying, Chris. I have those Smartwool socks and although they don't "cut into" my foot in the same way, they get a bit bunchy because they're on the loose side, and this annoys me.

There are some other Smartwool no show socks that do not come up as high. They end at the top of the toe area. I like those much better. The problem is that ordering online (and I have to, since nobody around here sells them) you can't always tell which ones you are getting! They always look the same in the ads and sometimes you get one and sometimes the other! The ones I got from NAS are like the ones you show. The ones I got somewhere else (not sure where!) are the kind I mention.

LaPed

I have a very old pair of the Smartwool no-shows that fits me perfectly, but when I went and bought some newer ones I found that they are cut a little bit larger and the fabric is a little bit thicker -- bunchy and uncomfortable, just as Suz says! The older, thinner ones never bothered the top of my foot (maybe the elastic was looser too), but the new ones are not nearly as comfortable. It's really a disappointment that Smartwool changed these, because it's so hard to find wool no-show socks. For comfort, I too prefer the athletic-style micro crews you show in grey, but I'd really like to find a true no-show that's as nice as my old Smartwools.

Janet

I find Stance no-show socks to be thinner and lighter than the Smartwool socks, and they are not as prone to pinch or slip.

Janet, are the Stance made of wool, too. I really like the wicking quality of the wool.

LaPed, I guess the newer Smartwools work better for people with larger or higher volume feet, perhaps. I'm sad if this is the only way they make them now!

Aquamarine

Funny, I just got some fashion sneakers and decided i’d skip the no-show liners and go barefoot and it was fine. I have the exact same problem...tight ones are uncomfortable on the top of my foot, but others bunch up or fall off my narrow heel. Maybe I’ll try Stance, since both Angie and Janet mention them today!

Chris987

Suz, I know exactly what you meana bout not knowing what you are getting! Maybe I'll try some of the lower smartwool ones. I do love the fact that smartwool socks come in sizes, so I can get smalls which fit much better than any of the one-size-fits-all brands! And I'm with you on wool socks being super comfy even in warm weather, as long as the wool is thin.

Hmm La P you are right about thickness levels of socks being all over the map.

Thanks Janet, maybe I'll give the stance ones a try.

The Stance socks are a cotton blend (a bit of poly and elastane IIRC). I find them quite comfortable. They are thin but that's what I want in a no-show sock.

Stance 'Ninja' No-Show Socks

$10.00

Anonymous

Very interesting! I am glad it all worked out for you.

thanks Janet. Cotton blend socks are usually a no-go for me. My feet perspire a lot and socks with any cotton in them get clammy after a very short time. I'll look carefully at the fabrication of stances before buying.

thanks sterling.

Joy

This is very interesting as I wear no-show socks a lot, especially Smart Wool and have problems with the top of my feet but always thought it was the laces or shoe design as in slip on Sketchers. Now I will pay more attention to socks. I do know that I need Smart Wool no-shows without any seams. Last fall I found that REI's new stock of Smart Wool had a seam just above the toes. My older ones do not have it.
Janet, do Stance have any seams?

Joy, in my case it was not the seams, it was the elastic edge that caused the problem. The elastic edge did not feel particularly tight, but it was somehow too tight for the top of my foot.

Stance do not have seams. The elastic edge is very fine, so I never feel the edge of that either. I've never gotten uncomfortably sweaty feet with the Stance socks (but I have in closed summer shoes without socks!), so they seem quite breathable. I know they're pricey though.

Sara L.

I've bought multiple brands of no-show socks and they've never worked for me. They always fall off my heel or are uncomfortable. I recently bought a pair at Payless and they work perfectly. They're very thin, only cover my toes, and there's a small dot of silicon on the heel that keeps them from sliding down.

How was your trip to NM?

Angie

Fashion Stylist

I've given up on footies, but DO wear them at home in my slippers.

ClaraT

Bunchy socks are such a pain! The SmartWool no-shows are my HG socks (wear them for work, for hiking, for running---for everything!) But I have a boot that tends to "eat" my socks and boy is it annoying.

I've had good luck with these two no-shows for my fashion sneakers. Like Janet, I love the Stance no-shows. I have a narrow foot and they stay up with no discomfort. The Smartwool's are also comfy, even in summer temps. I try to put them in a mesh zippered bag in washing machine and hang dry--a bit of a pain but these are not cheap socks and I want to encourage longevity.

SmartWool Secret Sleuth 3-Pack

$37.00

Stance Tropic Storm No-Show Socks

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