Ultramarathon Socks: How to Prevent Blisters & Stay Race-Ready

Nothing can set back a runner’s training like a blister, and you definitely don’t want to get one while you’re in the middle of an ultramarathon. Even the fastest runners will be running for somewhere between four and five hours to complete an ultramarathon, and a blister will make those hours miserable. Fortunately, a great pair of anti-blister socks designed for ultramarathons can prevent blisters and keep your feet comfortable all day long.

Why Are Marathon Runners at a Higher Risk of Getting Blisters?

While it’s a bit reductive to say running for a longer time puts you at a higher risk of a blister, it’s largely true. When you run for a long time, you’ll be exposing your feet to several different factors that lead to blisters. For example, the three main causes of blisters are heat, friction, and moisture. As you run for hours, your feet will get hotter, sweat more, and rub against your shoes for a long period. 
Since a marathoner’s feet will be exposed to the main causes of blisters for hours at a time, they’re at a higher risk of developing blisters. 

What Features Should Marathon Runners Look for to Find the Best Ultramarathon Running Socks?

While ultramarathon runners are at a higher risk of blisters, you can prevent them with the right socks. As you search for a pair of socks designed to prevent blisters, take a moment to learn more about the top four features the best ultramarathon running socks will have:

1. Moisture-Wicking and Breathable Design

During an ultramarathon, you’ll want your feet to stay cool and dry. Before purchasing any socks, check if they’re advertised as moisture-wicking. If they are, they should be made out of a non-absorbent material (more on that later!) that is designed to move sweat from your skin to the fabric’s surface. By wicking the sweat up to the fabric’s surface, the moisture will evaporate faster and keep your feet dry.
Another key factor to consider is breathability, as more breathability will help air reach your feet and prevent heat from getting trapped in your socks. Socks with vents located on top tend to offer greater breathability, and some fabrics, like polyester and Merino wool, are more breathable than others. 

2. Breathable, Non-Absorbent Materials

Whether you’re going out for a quick jog or running a full marathon, you shouldn’t wear socks made out of cotton. While cotton is a very common material used in socks, it’s not great for runners since it absorbs moisture quickly and takes a long time to dry. Once your feet start to sweat, a lot of that moisture will be absorbed by your cotton socks, leading to soggy feet that are at a much higher risk of developing blisters.
Instead of opting for cotton, consider socks made from synthetic blends, such as polyester and nylon, for maximum breathability and moisture-wicking. Socks made primarily out of polyester dry faster, offer greater breathability, and excel at wicking away moisture. Similarly, Merino wool socks offer exceptional temperature regulation (you can comfortably wear them in hot or cold weather, unlike normal wool) and moisture-wicking. 

3. Seamless Toes and Extra Padding

While you run, you don’t want a seam near your toes to rub against them the entire time, as it can irritate the skin and cause a blister. Always check that your ultra-running socks have a seamless toe design to prevent skin irritation and distracting pain that could throw you off your pace.
You might also want to consider looking for socks with extra padding. When you run 26 miles, your feet will be absorbing a great deal of shock. Socks with extra padding in the heel and ball of the foot can help support your feet, providing extra comfort and absorbing some of the shock before it reaches your feet. 

4. Double-Layer Construction

Double-layer socks provide the best in blister protection, as they excel at wicking away moisture, reducing friction, and dissipating heat. These anti-blister socks feature an inner layer made from hydrophobic materials that wick away moisture. As you run in the socks, the quick movement of moisture being wicked away will reduce excess heat on the skin and keep your feet cool.
With excess moisture and heat taken care of, the outer layer interacts with the inner layer to eliminate friction. This outer layer absorbs friction before it can reach your feet, irritate your skin, and cause a blister. With both layers working together, you won’t have to worry about getting blisters, even when you’re running a full ultramarathon! 

Find Your Next Favorite Pair of Anti-Blister Ultra-Running Socks at Wrightsock 

Whether you’re just getting started training or have an ultramarathon next week, Wrightsock has a running sock for you. Due to their ability to eliminate the three main causes of blisters, our double-layer socks are some of the best socks for ultra-running. We also protect them with our blister-free guarantee, meaning we’ll give you a full refund if you get a blister while wearing them. We also recommend our double tab and quarter Endurance socks for ultramarathon runners, as they’re very breathable, stop blisters, and are designed to last a long time.
Browse our full selection of double-layer running socks today.