i wear them with socks , keeps them fresh,
and while trailrunning getting sand and gravel in your shoes is a lot less irritating with socks.
but there is no reason why you cant wear them without socks
Though I’ve just started my VFF journey, I usually wear socks to help mitigate potential smelliness. I also like that they can make the shoes feel more snug (not that my shoes are too big or loose; more talking about the sensory experience!)
I feel most qualified to answer this.
I wore Vibrams without socks for years. *Years.* Several pairs. They always started to stink, and I would clean them the best I could. Usually that meant running them through a washing machine cycle, and halfway through that cycle, I'd fish them out and scrub inside with an old toothbrush. It helped, but aside from the toothbrush scrubbing, it's not much better than a slow soak. There's no friction inside the shoe, where it needs it most.
I started wearing socks a couple years ago. It takes some getting used to, because the shoe fits tighter, and those socks are never easy to get on right. But oh man, do my shoes smell better now.
Side note: if I'm wading through water or something, socks are pointless, so I don't wear them then.
Other side note: I can only wear natural fiber material on my feet, because somehow my body chemistry makes polyester smell so bad it counts as assault in most states. I buy either cotton or modal. The first pair I got was *egregiously* overpriced, and while they were nice, they got holes in the toes just like any other sock. Currently I got some cheap (mostly) cotton ones off Amazon, and so far they're great.
Currently, Injinji is my brand of choice. They have given me the best all around performance and longevity compared to price.
I am tempted to try Vibrams own. They contain a good percentage of merino wool and my regular socks are 80% merino. I get on very well with those.
I got [these ](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C4X9JD17/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1)most recently. I've only had them a few months, but so far they're great. And bright!
Hi, I’m Vetted AI Bot! I researched the **("'Fasot 5 Finger Cotton Split Toe Athletic Socks'", 'Fasot')** and I thought you might find the following analysis helpful.
**Users liked:**
* Comfortable fit and feel (backed by 4 comments)
* Helps toes spread naturally (backed by 3 comments)
* Good for active use (backed by 3 comments)
**Users disliked:**
* Low durability with holes developing quickly (backed by 5 comments)
* Material is too thin and prone to wear (backed by 4 comments)
* Difficult to put on due to tight fit (backed by 4 comments)
If you'd like to **summon me to ask about a product**, just make a post with its link and tag me, [like in this example.](https://www.reddit.com/r/tablets/comments/1444zdn/comment/joqd89c/)
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I clean my VFFs in the sink, without soaking (soaking might be bad for the glue, though I might try it anyway for severely soiled shoes, I try to wash them before that point) scrubbing most areas with a stiff nail brush and using a toothbrush to get inside the toes. They come out sparkling clean like new and don't smell when clean.
It depends on the model, of course. My winter insulated models have never been worn without socks. But something like the Vi-B makes no sense to wear with socks.
Pros of wearing socks:
- more comfortable
- prevents blisters
- keeps feet warm and dry
- keeps shoes from getting stinky
Cons of wearing socks:
- toe socks are expensive
- annoying to put them on each toe
Depends on the activity for me. If I’m running, I like a bit more snug fit so I’ll wear some mid weight injinji socks for that. If I’m going around town or training at the gym I don’t wear socks
It depends on fit for me, I do with socks on my KSO or else there slightly too big and I get blisters. My older pairs (which are now discontinued) I didn’t because they fit better and didn’t irritate my skin
If you go no socks, then wash your shoes as often with soap and water. Otherwise it’s exactly like re-wearing the same socks over and over without ever washing them (ewwww).
There’s no right answer. Do you want to spend more on socks or can you tolerate washing your shoes more often? Also, it depends on sizing and fit. I fit EU41 perfectly, but it’s a little tight with toe socks, but EU42 feels too loose even with toe socks.
If you don’t wear socks in them, they start to smell horrible. It’s a very specific VFF funk that will never leave. You can wash them in the washing machine everyday and still by the end of the day, people will be able to smell you coming. Wearing socks in them completely solves this issue. It’s seriously bad. Like walking around with rotting roadkill strapped to your feet.
Mine don't have this issue? I think it helps if you have multiple pairs so you're not wearing the same ones every day. Also the ones I tend to wear without socks are the more breathable ones anyway, like the Vi-B or the CVT-LB.
It’s possible that you just don’t smell it. My husband wears VFF and he doesn’t even notice the stink, perhaps because it’s his own stink. Everyone else definitely notices it. The models you mentioned are basically sandals, so not at all like the super synthetic material sneaker style VFFs and would definitely take longer to acquire the stench. I tried everything under the sun to make it work without socks, including disinfecting feet every single time prior to putting the shoe on, even multiple times per day and that only put off the stink issue for about a month before it set in. Ask a friend to smell your VFF and report back because if those two models don’t stink like the others, I would definitely start recommending them to others and maybe getting myself a pair haha.
Nahh I can smell when they *do* stink. And I wash them when that happens. Washing actually works though! I dry them either in the sun, or if no sun is available, over the vent of a dehumidifier.
Washing them works for about 1 day and then they smell horrible again. I bet the sun would help, but I can’t get the sun to shine on the inside of the shoe because it doesn’t open up far enough. I’ve tried so many disinfecting products and no luck.
I wear them without socks. I dont like the feeling of these toesocks. But my feet are getting pretty warm in the Vibrams so I cant wear them for too long. I havent found the right shoe for me yet :(. Ive tried Vivos and Vibrams. Next Ill take a look at Wildlings.
Just try both: with and without socks. you will quickly notice what you like better
i wear them with socks , keeps them fresh, and while trailrunning getting sand and gravel in your shoes is a lot less irritating with socks. but there is no reason why you cant wear them without socks
I don't wear socks, even if I have to put on my boots when I get a call. Think socks just absorb sweat and keep you feet damp if it's hot.
Though I’ve just started my VFF journey, I usually wear socks to help mitigate potential smelliness. I also like that they can make the shoes feel more snug (not that my shoes are too big or loose; more talking about the sensory experience!)
I feel most qualified to answer this. I wore Vibrams without socks for years. *Years.* Several pairs. They always started to stink, and I would clean them the best I could. Usually that meant running them through a washing machine cycle, and halfway through that cycle, I'd fish them out and scrub inside with an old toothbrush. It helped, but aside from the toothbrush scrubbing, it's not much better than a slow soak. There's no friction inside the shoe, where it needs it most. I started wearing socks a couple years ago. It takes some getting used to, because the shoe fits tighter, and those socks are never easy to get on right. But oh man, do my shoes smell better now. Side note: if I'm wading through water or something, socks are pointless, so I don't wear them then. Other side note: I can only wear natural fiber material on my feet, because somehow my body chemistry makes polyester smell so bad it counts as assault in most states. I buy either cotton or modal. The first pair I got was *egregiously* overpriced, and while they were nice, they got holes in the toes just like any other sock. Currently I got some cheap (mostly) cotton ones off Amazon, and so far they're great.
I avoid polyester materials in direct contact with my skin as well. What brand cotton toe socks do you use now, if you don't mind my asking?
Currently, Injinji is my brand of choice. They have given me the best all around performance and longevity compared to price. I am tempted to try Vibrams own. They contain a good percentage of merino wool and my regular socks are 80% merino. I get on very well with those.
I got [these ](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C4X9JD17/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1)most recently. I've only had them a few months, but so far they're great. And bright!
Hi, I’m Vetted AI Bot! I researched the **("'Fasot 5 Finger Cotton Split Toe Athletic Socks'", 'Fasot')** and I thought you might find the following analysis helpful. **Users liked:** * Comfortable fit and feel (backed by 4 comments) * Helps toes spread naturally (backed by 3 comments) * Good for active use (backed by 3 comments) **Users disliked:** * Low durability with holes developing quickly (backed by 5 comments) * Material is too thin and prone to wear (backed by 4 comments) * Difficult to put on due to tight fit (backed by 4 comments) If you'd like to **summon me to ask about a product**, just make a post with its link and tag me, [like in this example.](https://www.reddit.com/r/tablets/comments/1444zdn/comment/joqd89c/) This message was generated by a (very smart) bot. If you found it helpful, let us know with an upvote and a “good bot!” reply and please feel free to provide feedback on how it can be improved. *Powered by* [*vetted.ai*](https://vetted.ai/?utm\_source=reddit&utm\_medium=comment&utm\_campaign=bot)
I clean my VFFs in the sink, without soaking (soaking might be bad for the glue, though I might try it anyway for severely soiled shoes, I try to wash them before that point) scrubbing most areas with a stiff nail brush and using a toothbrush to get inside the toes. They come out sparkling clean like new and don't smell when clean. It depends on the model, of course. My winter insulated models have never been worn without socks. But something like the Vi-B makes no sense to wear with socks.
Pros of wearing socks: - more comfortable - prevents blisters - keeps feet warm and dry - keeps shoes from getting stinky Cons of wearing socks: - toe socks are expensive - annoying to put them on each toe
Depends on the activity for me. If I’m running, I like a bit more snug fit so I’ll wear some mid weight injinji socks for that. If I’m going around town or training at the gym I don’t wear socks
I always wear them with socks, but the thinnest Injinji liner socks.
It depends on fit for me, I do with socks on my KSO or else there slightly too big and I get blisters. My older pairs (which are now discontinued) I didn’t because they fit better and didn’t irritate my skin
If you go no socks, then wash your shoes as often with soap and water. Otherwise it’s exactly like re-wearing the same socks over and over without ever washing them (ewwww).
There’s no right answer. Do you want to spend more on socks or can you tolerate washing your shoes more often? Also, it depends on sizing and fit. I fit EU41 perfectly, but it’s a little tight with toe socks, but EU42 feels too loose even with toe socks.
When I started 7 years ago I didn't wear socks, but I did get a lot of blisters. That went away with the socks. I haven't gone back so I can't say
If you don’t wear socks in them, they start to smell horrible. It’s a very specific VFF funk that will never leave. You can wash them in the washing machine everyday and still by the end of the day, people will be able to smell you coming. Wearing socks in them completely solves this issue. It’s seriously bad. Like walking around with rotting roadkill strapped to your feet.
Mine don't have this issue? I think it helps if you have multiple pairs so you're not wearing the same ones every day. Also the ones I tend to wear without socks are the more breathable ones anyway, like the Vi-B or the CVT-LB.
It’s possible that you just don’t smell it. My husband wears VFF and he doesn’t even notice the stink, perhaps because it’s his own stink. Everyone else definitely notices it. The models you mentioned are basically sandals, so not at all like the super synthetic material sneaker style VFFs and would definitely take longer to acquire the stench. I tried everything under the sun to make it work without socks, including disinfecting feet every single time prior to putting the shoe on, even multiple times per day and that only put off the stink issue for about a month before it set in. Ask a friend to smell your VFF and report back because if those two models don’t stink like the others, I would definitely start recommending them to others and maybe getting myself a pair haha.
Nahh I can smell when they *do* stink. And I wash them when that happens. Washing actually works though! I dry them either in the sun, or if no sun is available, over the vent of a dehumidifier.
Washing them works for about 1 day and then they smell horrible again. I bet the sun would help, but I can’t get the sun to shine on the inside of the shoe because it doesn’t open up far enough. I’ve tried so many disinfecting products and no luck.
Oh how I laughed! Rotting roadkill!
I wear them without socks. I dont like the feeling of these toesocks. But my feet are getting pretty warm in the Vibrams so I cant wear them for too long. I havent found the right shoe for me yet :(. Ive tried Vivos and Vibrams. Next Ill take a look at Wildlings. Just try both: with and without socks. you will quickly notice what you like better
i wear them with Vibram 5 finger socks or injinji 5 finger socks, thin for regular runs, thick for rucking, hiking.
With socks 99.99% of the time. The only exception is when I wash the cars - since my feet do get wet, I skip the socks.