Story told by a Customer of Toe Socks:
After consulting my hiking partners and the internet, I was convinced: the only solution to my blister problem was to begin hiking in toe socks.
My friend recommended Five Toe Socks and I bought a pair on the spot. I doctored my blisters to the best of my abilities, taped up my feet, slipped on my new toe sock liners underneath my standard hiking socks, and was off.
I didn’t get another blister the rest of the trip, and I’ve been a toe sock enthusiast ever since. I truly believe that my body feels more balanced when my toes can freely splay rather than being cramped together. I may not consciously notice this shift, but my body feels more balanced and is able to move quickly and confidently when my whole foot is being utilized. Since winning my battle with blisters, I have become a toe sock convert.
Why Toe Socks Are Perfect for Hiking
The toes are one of the most blister-prone areas on the foot. Standard socks have all five toes bunched together and fighting for space, a situation that can lead to skin-on-skin friction when the toes rub against one another. Add in some dirt and sand, and you have prime blister-making conditions.
Hiking in Toe Socks = Total Foot Utilization
It’s no secret in the hiking community that many long-distance hikers prefer shoes with a wider toe box. Allowing the toes to splay helps to increase your balance and stability, similar to walking barefoot. If our footwear is moving in that direction, shouldn’t our socks do the same? Most standard socks still mimic a narrow toe box. Five Toe socks create space for each individual toe, allowing the toes to splay naturally.
Having your toes spread instead of being pressed together helps you to move more ergonomically. Full body alignment goes from the ground up and truly begins at the feet. Giving your toes the space to expand and splay allows a hiker to use their whole foot to step forward. You can really notice a difference here, especially when moving at faster speeds (e.g. trail running).
