socks or barefoot?

[powerball 0]

probably has been discussed before, but here goes. . .

who here prefers to go barefoot in their skates, specifically roller hockey skates? or is it socks in roller hockey, but barefootin' in on the ice?

and while we're on this, does anybody else notice that the junction between the boot and the toe cap is really rough, especially without socks? i had those old bauer h-5's and they hurt in that area.

[JSchultz 27]

I go barefoot, but that's for just about anything I ever do. I wear sandals for shoes, and even when I do go to work in my skechers, I wear no socks.

I think the older Bauer's had a pretty rough toecap, therefore it hurt like hell. I'm using my own custom skate right now with an old Nike Air Accel Elite boot and mission chassis, and I have no pain or discomfort barefoot.

[powerball 0]

I go barefoot, but that's for just about anything I ever do. I wear sandals for shoes, and even when I do go to work in my skechers, I wear no socks.

I think the older Bauer's had a pretty rough toecap, therefore it hurt like hell. I'm using my own custom skate right now with an old Nike Air Accel Elite boot and mission chassis, and I have no pain or discomfort barefoot.

sounds like you're lucky enough to live in a warm climate if you can go barefoot year round.

i'll have to check out the nikes you mentioned. do you do anything to keep the smell under control?

[Justin 1933 134]

If you want your skates to last longer, wear socks....

[JSchultz 27]

I go barefoot, but that's for just about anything I ever do. I wear sandals for shoes, and even when I do go to work in my skechers, I wear no socks.

I think the older Bauer's had a pretty rough toecap, therefore it hurt like hell.  I'm using my own custom skate right now with an old Nike Air Accel Elite boot and mission chassis, and I have no pain or discomfort barefoot.

sounds like you're lucky enough to live in a warm climate if you can go barefoot year round.

i'll have to check out the nikes you mentioned. do you do anything to keep the smell under control?

Funny you say that, as I actually live in Chicago. I'm just one of those odd types who doesn't mind wearing a pair of flip-flops into the month of October.

As far as smell, well..I just don't. I know it sounds strange, but my feet never smell after a game, and neither do I. I've found from other players who've played barefoot that there isn't much you can do for the odor really. Live with it perhaps? Also, my Nike Ice skates are from 2002, so I think you may have a bit of a hard time finding a pair. Remember the white pair that Sergei Fedorov wore way back? Those are them. Although I hear the current offering of Nike boots is very comfy.

And you may want to heed Justin's advice. Wearing no socks CAN degenerate a boot life. All that sweat and moisture that the sock usually picks up works it's way into the boot, and that can cause a breakdown of the materials. So if you're really meticulous of your equipment, those may be some good words. I'm just using my hybrid skates now as a fill-in for when I save 450 bones to buy a top end pair of true inlines.

[RLH 0]

For ice I personally don't like to wear socks. To me I feel that the boot fits better and I can feel the ice better without socks. As far as roller I wear socks for now. When I convert my 8090's to roller I wont wear socks. Justin is right that not wearing socks will break down a boot faster.

[stevoc 0]

socks...thick socks as I buy my skates a little on the large size (1/2 size up)

[SB39 2]

I'm going barefoot. I'm experimenting with not baking my boots, and playing barefoot has helped break them in/down quicker, and it just feels better to not wear socks. I can dig in with my toes better and I feel the rink overall better.

[the_game 452]

used to go barefoot.

made the switch to the nike dri-fit socks and love it. Feel just the same and absorb and get the sweat away.

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

socks.

[Sven 1]

Yeah, heres a great place to ask a question.

Well im just able to go barefoot into my skates, when i wear normal/thicker socks they get too small and uncomfy, so what shall i do ?

I got ultrathin ankle socks(from a shoestore), they look and feel like a pantyhose, will they do the job ? I mean will they absorb sweat and let my skate last longer and smell less ?

Are there any other options?

[stainy 0]

I have gone barefoot a couple of times, never had a problem with discomfort in any of my mission skates.

Prefer not to do it though.

We had a canadian come out to play with our team this year and he never wore socks, omg his skates stunk :P

That and his feet came out all brown :)

Those skates incidentily did fall apart and I think he's started wearing socks with his HE950's

[iceburg19 1]

no socks,love the smell. :lol:

[All Torhs Team 0]

for roller ill switch off...dont really care....if its a reallly hot rink ill go barefoot...and for boots that dont hurt barefoot...use missions. for ice ill only go with socks.

[skaog 1]

I go with socks, just because i always have. I have a friend who swears by playing without socks.

[LickerLongTail 0]

Justin is right, wear socks to extend the life of your skates.

[vitaminchi 0]

no socks here. my grafs have lived a long life, but yea, you can feel the breakdown.

[All Torhs Team 0]

I go barefoot, but that's for just about anything I ever do. I wear sandals for shoes, and even when I do go to work in my skechers, I wear no socks.

I think the older Bauer's had a pretty rough toecap, therefore it hurt like hell.  I'm using my own custom skate right now with an old Nike Air Accel Elite boot and mission chassis, and I have no pain or discomfort barefoot.

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/cutefeet.html]

I can only imagine

[malcb33 99]

You guys you don't wear socks should try out the Easton synergy socks! They're thin and feel like lycra, they're really nice!

[notorious#29 0]

Socks for me. I tired skating sockless for about a month, but then went back to socks becuase I couldn't stand how bad my skates were starting to smell.

[vitaminchi 0]

are they like dri-fit socks? or thinner??

[DaveTheWave 0]

Knee high Under Armor turf socks, like the ones you see on the football field are perfect for Mission skates and Bauer skates, haven't tried any others.

[gokings55 0]

I think it also depends on how snug your skates fit. My Vapor 10's fit really snug and I just started using 100% cotton goldtoe dress socks from Costco, they work really well for me. I can't use synthetic because becuase they don't breathe well enough.

[stainy 0]

You guys you don't wear socks should try out the Easton synergy socks! They're thin and feel like lycra, they're really nice!

OMG... i bet they're super expensive?

I was thinking about trying some nike dri-fit socks when I get my new skates.

[SHOWTIME 0]

ive heard that not wearing socks ruins the interior of your skates?

anyone?