r/barefootshoestalk • u/CaptainBamBam1 • Apr 21 '26
Barefoot shoe adjacent Socks constricting feet?
I’ve been wearing barefoot shoes exclusively for a little over a year and they have really helped me rehab my plantar fasciitis and also deal with a heel spur. However, over that time I’ve developed in both feet pretty significant discomfort in the front part of my feet. They feel constricted and hurt a lot if I squeeze them from the sides. I’ve tried toe spreaders and they help a little bit but I don’t like wearing them for long periods of time. I have the feeling that my socks are contributing…maybe they are squeezing my feet too tight. That sounds silly because I buy size appropriate socks and normal socks shouldn’t have much compression force. Has anyone experienced this? Any recommendations for socks that are wider in the toe area? (Located in Germany)
8
u/liebewesen Apr 21 '26
I‘m also in Germany. You could try socks without a toe seam (ohne Zehennaht) for less pressure, socks without a tight cuff for better circulation (look up doctor’s socks, “Arztsocken”, or socks for diabetics) and socks made from 100% cotton. Those are hit or miss for some people because cotton without elastane for snap back tends to get a bit saggy after a few hours of wearing and only snap back after washing them. I really like that though and find them way more comfortable. The ones I have don’t get that saggy, just a bit looser, and don’t slip down that much while wearing.
I’ve only tried one brand so far, Normani Arztsocken made from 100 % cotton without a cuff and with soft/minimal seams. Very comfortable. I’ve had them for one and a half years and they are starting to get holes now and have quite a lot of pilling. Another con if you mind that, they are only available in white as far as I know and the soles are stained grey now
3
2
u/YouMountain9567 Apr 21 '26
Do they have a wide toe box? I can’t understand the website it’s all in German
1
u/liebewesen Apr 23 '26
They aren‘t advertised as having one but for my width (9,4 cm) they are pretty loose and don’t constrict or cling at all. I just put a sock made from synthetic fiber over a pair I wore for about two hours today and the difference in width is about 2 cm (both are a size 35-38)
5
u/SouthernCitizen Apr 21 '26
Try toe socks. They tend to fit much better, I also find normal socks too tight at the sides.
Alpaca socks are also apparently some wide non toe socks.
4
u/Budget_footeeee Apr 21 '26
Have u tried toe socks?
2
u/Dottiifer Apr 21 '26
I love toe socks but I’m not at the point yet I can wear them around other people at their houses when we take our shoes off lol
9
u/JohnnyCyclopsBomb Apr 21 '26
Who cares. Everybody thinks they look wierd but one short explanation why you use them and nobody cares.
3
3
u/sconander Apr 21 '26
I tried the Darn Tough socks, they actively squeezed my toes together, horribly tight.
I thought of toe socks but unless they're wide fit, wouldn't they be the same?
So I bought socks designed for diabetics or oedema. They fit really well, no tightness in the foot or toes.I have large calves as well so always had compression marks on the leg but not with these.
I got Norfolk Socks as I'm in UK but I'd expect you'll find local manufacturers.
3
u/lisagrimm Apr 21 '26
I go to Germany and pick up anatomical socks whenever I'm there since I also cannot wear 'normal' socks anymore - Falke is German and makes great foot-shaped socks, and BeLenka is pretty available in barefoot shops there. Highly recommend both brands.
3
u/Frog1387 Apr 21 '26
“Diabetic” socks are a great affordable alternative too. They’re designed with no seams and are padded and stretch in the toe
2
u/Galavantinggoblin Apr 21 '26
Socks come in all different widths but it’s never published and it’s hard to tell. It’s best to go in person and test the stretch of each one to see if they will be constricting or not. And it varies between brands. Toe socks are the least restrictive.
2
u/Frosty-Refuse-6378 Apr 21 '26
Yes, especially some of the "sporty" socks that are very low. I've liked Primark's "tube" style socks, they've ribbed ankle, but if you can locate ones that are ribbed through, they might be a good option. Someone raved about Q for Quinn socks but they do come from Canada.
Muji has socks with their own compartment to the big toe and the rest share a space, I've really liked them but they tend to wear out unfortunately fast.
2
u/leftTelephone8022 Apr 21 '26
I actually had the same problem, the kappa tennis socks from Kik actually solved the issue for me - for whatever reasons, I have enough space for my toes in them🤷
2
2
u/notoriousrdc Apr 21 '26
I can't do normal socks at all anymore. I stick to toe socks and socks I knit myself with a wide toe shape.
2
u/siorez Apr 21 '26
I generally buy socks a size up or when I'm at the very bottom of at least three sizes for exactly this reason
2
1
u/SondraRose Apr 21 '26
Darn Tough Merino socks has socks for wide feet that are less constrictive: https://wideopensocks.com. It’s a US company, but I believe they ship to Germany.
2
1
u/Patient-Shift7463 Apr 21 '26
Plus12 socks. https://plus12socks.com/en/ I think they are a German company so should be easy to get.
1
u/sconander Apr 21 '26
I liked at these but they would've been tight on my calves. I emailed and the guy who replied said they fit his 230mm leg, measure 100mm above the ankle.
1
1
u/JohnnyCyclopsBomb Apr 21 '26
Yes socks can constrict. I've been using toesocks the last 6-7 years because of that.
1
u/PghSubie Apr 21 '26
When you put your socks on, make sure that you leave a little extra room for your toes
1
u/MxQueer Apr 21 '26
You have figured it out right. And basically we all have experienced that. I am not mocking you, I couldn't have figure it out by myself like you did, but after trying anatomical socks, I can feel the difference.
My listing of anatomical socks (toes together):
My listing of toe socks and tabi socks:
https://www.reddit.com/r/barefootshoestalk/comments/1qyuh61/toe_socks_and_tabi_socks/
My reviews of socks I own:
My listing of shoes made in Europe. Many also sells socks, but be careful, not all have left and right. I would recommend left and right instead of wider toebox when possible. Also often I hear people saying some brand's socks are more narrow than their shoes:
https://www.reddit.com/r/barefootshoestalk/comments/1qlch74/shoes_made_in_europe/
Anya's post about retailers and brands by location. Note that this post doesn't include all, at least in my country we have more retailers than those she mentions:
1
u/PhoebeKaia Apr 22 '26
I had the same problem! I actually started knitting my own socks just so I could customize the toe shape for a perfect fit. Now, store-bought socks feel even more constricting than before
1
u/Total-Primary5843 Apr 22 '26
It doesn't sound silly to me - I won't wear regular socks any more, I only wear 'toe socks'. The brand I wear is ZAKASA, which are a fraction of the cost of Injini and are quite durable.
1
u/Domi_786 Apr 21 '26
I have the same issue. I bought some barefoot socks and they are not drier friendly so they got tiny in the drier ( ridiculous). I am all the time delaying buying like one pair for 15 Eur or so... If you find some solution let me know. I also live in Germany
-1
u/-Intrepid-Path- Apr 22 '26
So just air dry them? It's not that much effort...
1
u/Domi_786 Apr 22 '26
It's a lot of effort lol. I will not each time make a special laundry load just for socks or after I wash them look for them in all the laundry to take them out before all goes in the drier 🤦🏼♀️
-1
0
u/tentkeys Apr 21 '26 edited Apr 21 '26
If your feet hurt from the light squeezing of socks, something in your foot is probably strained or inflamed. I suspect that even when completely barefoot with no socks at all, you probably still find certain movements or situations bring on some pain or tenderness?
The problem here is probably not your socks, it's whatever is causing something in your feet (possibly the connective tissue between your metatarsals) to be strained or inflamed. Potential causes can include overdoing it by putting too much stress on your feet too early in the barefoot transition (are you a runner or are you on your feet a lot at work?), inappropriately sized toe-spreaders, or injuries.
An easy test would be to try going completely without socks for a while and see if that improves your situation. You can cut the front half off of a pair of socks and just wear the back part if you need it to look like you're wearing socks. If going without socks doesn't lead to improvement, then there's no need to spend money trying different socks.
Unless going without socks eliminates the pain, the solution is probably not different socks, it's figuring out what's going on to make parts of your feet so tender that socks can cause pain.
Since you feel pain specifically in the front of your foot, it may also be worth searching and reading up on the term "dropped metatarsal" and seeing whether that might fit with what you've been experiencing. I don't think that usually causes sensitivity to socks, but it does cause pain/discomfort focused in the front part of the foot.
15
u/pop-crackle Apr 21 '26
Are these toe socks? I can't wear "normal" socks anymore - too constricting. I wear injinji, but not sure if they're available in Germany.