Frazz by Jef Mallett for May 07, 2015

I’ve personally been amazed that when I go without socks in the summer, wearing sandals, my feet actually smell much worse than otherwise.

I’ve learned to never put shoes on over socks that have been in contact with the floor, or anything else for that matter. This practice put a complete end to foot odor.

Crocks don’t stink. They look godawful, but don’t stink.

OK, here’s the question – Why do they make socks so we wear them with the rough seam at the toe on the inside? If you turn them so the seam is on the outside, the socks are inside out. They should make them so the seam is on the outside not inside against the toes.

I only wear socks to keep my feet warm. Never, ever, wear them when the weather permits.

Socks are padding. It’s just like bicycle seats being uncomfortable so people wear padded shorts. Only on your feet. Plus, in the winter, warmth.

Important note: In German, the things that you wear to keep your hands warm and protected are “handschuhe” – hand-shoes. Not hand-socks.

I wear wool socks year round, I like my feet clean and padded.

I actually keep my running shoes for 1500-2500 miles. Generally on the minimalist side (I wore the original Nike Frees for years until they fell apart), but still. The simpler and more natural the shoe is, the longer it will probably last.

Let’s just hope that Jef Mallet doesn’t continue the arc with a reference to Albert Einstein not wearing socks, as that is sure to get a rant out of bigpuma.

Friction causes blisters. With a layer of material between your foot and your shoe, differences in motion between your foot and your shoe take the form of friction on the sock rather than friction on your skin, giving you at least some protection against blisters, callouses, etc.

For me, there are two reasons to wear socks…. a) comfort – to me, it is more comfortable to have a soft cloth around my foot as I walk around, either "bare"footed or with shoes. I guess I am saying it is a sort of cushion, and b) my feet are QUITE sweaty (they are not SMELLY, but they are very sweaty. After work, if I take off my shoes, I leave wet footprints everywhere if I do not also take off my socks. So, for me socks also help absorb water, otherwise my shoes would be utterly soaked all the time. With socks, most of the moisture is absorbed by the sock and less by the shoe. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++As an aside, I think this is the major reason why I almost always have my shoes wear out from the inside, WELL BEFORE they would wear out the sole. I can have a pair of shoes that looks relatively close to new on the outside, but the inside is shredded and worn out.++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++In regards to today’s comic, I find ita little hard to believe that even (especially?) the most ardent non-professional runner would get a new pair of running shoes every 500 miles. If a true running advocate would run 7-10 miles a day (not unheard of), that would mean they would have to buy a new pair close to every FIVE weeks! I cannot imagine most folks could (or would want to) afford that rate of exchange. rjstanford’s idea of 1500-2500 miles seems more likely for most ardent runners. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Myself, I am slowly trying to become a runner. I have walked five miles daily now for over 5 years, and in the last several months have converted to running (heck, who am I kidding…. SLOW jogging) two of those miles. For my more modest effort, I end up getting two pair of shoes a year for walking/slow jogging.

When I was a teenager (early 70s) the style then was to wear shoes — even loafers — without socks. My wife’s first memory of me was wearing leather loafers with no socks, and she was appalled. Now, at my age, I find that I have to wear socks all the time so my feet won’t get cold. Even in the summer.

Socks capture the sweat, oils, dead skin, bacteria and anything else your feet shed so they can be washed away instead of building up inside your shoes.

I wonder if this strip ran out of order? Tomorrow is No Socks Day.

I’m probably the only one here who likes to wear over-the-calf socks. I finally found some that actually stay up all day. Also the only “heeled” sock that fits my size 10 feet. Available in grey and white.

https://www.wilsonsportsocks.com/products/men-s-4-pair-all-sport-grey-over-the-calf?taxon_id=2

I don’t wear socks, or shoes, whenever possible. No sweat. No stink.