This post is sponsored by Bombas
I just finished my fourth soccer season on the adult co-ed league here in Cville. I’m excited to play indoor this coming winter!! (A nice change from the steamy 100* days of summer season…!)
When I first joined my team back in fall of 2013, I picked up a pair of used boys cleats for $10 at Play It Again Sports. I didn’t know how much I’d like playing or how long I’d stick with it so I didn’t want to spend much. Turns out, I LOVED it!! There really is no workout I’ve done that compares to a 90 minute full-field soccer game. I wore those used cleats for two seasons – until they started peeling apart. I decided to start this summer with a brand new pair.
That new pair of cleats caused me HORRIBLE blisters. I tried breaking in the shoes multiple ways – leaving them in my hot car, jumping on them, etc. I’d get a bad blister during the second half of each game, spend the next 7 days limping around and wearing band-aids, and then wait for them to get ripped open again each Sunday. Band-aids would start on my heel and end up on my toes, leaving my blisters totally exposed! I tried athletic tape, which shifted all around, and mole skin with a hole cut out for my blister that did nothing. I even tried duct tape without much luck. It was a really frustrating and painful time.
I finally decided to eat my money and go in for another pair of cleats (luckily the salesman felt bad for me and gave me a discount on my second pair!) I came out of Total Soccer with a pair of Adidas Predators marketed as “women’s comfort.” They immediately felt more padded than my first pair so I was hopeful that my cleats were the problem.
We had a break between the summer and fall seasons, so I had quite a few weeks to let my heels completely recover. That first game in the new cleats I didn’t get a blister – only a little bit of rubbing. But I was pumped! The new cleats felt significantly better than my first pair of Diadoras.
The second game, however, broke everything open again. By the end of the game I could barely walk!!
I knew it was time to bring out all the stops, so I literally combined every tactic that I could think of and scoured the internet for blister solutions.
Two things saved my life: Second Skin blister kits and a second pair of good athletic socks. (Prior to my Blister Revolution I was wearing only my soccer socks.)
Here is the routine that enabled me to make it the rest of the fall season totally blister free!! Whether you’re a soccer player or just love to run, hike or walk, hopefully these tips will help you as they helped me.
1. I start by coating my foot with Run Goo. This is more for the part of my foot that is blister free already and keeping it that way!
2. Next comes 2nd Skin gel pads, which is ideal if you already have a blister that you’d like to protect. I used this a lot in the early days when my heels were still healing, but I didn’t need it towards the end of my season. Yay! I bought this 2nd Skin Blister kit that includes both the gel pads and the two layers below.
3. Also included in the 2nd Skin Blister kit are hot spot pads and adhesive knit pads. The hot spot pads provide a cushion between the blister and the shoe and the adhesive knit goes overtop to prevent movement and allow your sock to slide over the padding easily. Mole skin is another great product, but I liked these adhesive knit sheets better (and as I discovered, mole skin doesn’t work if you already have a blister). FYI if you don’t want to buy the whole kit, you can just buy the adhesive knit, which is all I needed by the end of the season. I tried to go without anything and my blister started to come back, so I definitely need to wear the adhesive knit forever.
4. Next I put on a layer of prewrap to make tape application comfortable and non slip. I love this rainbow pack. I also wear these as hair bands as a nod to my high school soccer days!
5. Then comes the athletic tape. This ensured that everything underneath stayed in place. I had tried just athletic tape alone before and it moved all over the place. I think the pre wrap is essential. I used to pull off my whole shoe at halftime just to re-do all of my tape. It was a huge pain! But I learned how to criss-cross the tape around the back and the pre-wrap helped it stay put.
6. I didn’t think about adding a second layer of socks for a while. I thought it would make my shoes too tight and thus, the blisters would rub even more. I tried once with a really thin pair I had and they didn’t do anything. But a friend recommended I try two layers of socks and get some really nice athletic socks, and I think that was my lifesaver. The socks can slide back and forth instead of your foot and the shoe creating friction together. The extra padding and moisture wicking went a long way. The Bombas below are great for this!
7. My last layer was my soccer socks – they are thin and knee high.
And then the shoes went on!
I can’t say enough good things about how much this routine saved me. It was an investment in both time and money, but I went from not being able to walk at the end of each game (one time my sock was STUCK to my blister and I had to pull it off skin and all!) to having beautiful heels again.
I think the two things that made the most difference were the proper layers of protection from the Second Skin and the extra layer of proper athletic socks.
That’s where the Bombas come in! These socks….are the bomb!
Bombas are athletic-leisure socks, re-engineered to look better, feel better, and perform better, with a mission to help those in need. Bombas spent two years on research and development prior to launch, to come up with seven substantial improvements to the athletic sock, including a blister tab (huge for me sine I know that cushioning is so important!), a Y-stitched heel that creates a cup around your heel so your sock stays in place (movement = bad so this is good!), and long staple pima cotton that is warm in the winter, cool in the summer and naturally moisture wicking (moisture wick is key!)
They come in all kinds of colors and two styles – ankle and calf length – for men, women, and kids. I just love the bee logo! The bee symbolizes a honeycomb support system along the arch that they stole from bees : )
The best part about Bombas is that for every pair you buy, the company donates a pair to someone in need (think Toms for socks!). Bombas has donated over 150,000 socks to those in need since launching in Oct 2013. Another fun fact: you may have seen these socks on Shark Tank this fall!
They would make a great stocking stuffer or gift for all your athletic and runner friends, especially since I have a 20% off code to share to the first 100 readers on your first order of any size: KATHEATS. Head on over and check ‘em out!
This post was sponsored by Bombas.
Tricia @ A Couple of Dashes says
I saw these guys when they were on Shark Tank and loved the socks then! So glad they were able to make it a success!
Linda @ TheFitty says
I wish I was a pro soccer player as you are; you see, I can’t do sports. I don’t have the handeye coordination, but if you tell me to run, I can do it!
Kaila @healthyhelperblog! says
These socks look awesome! Although I’m not running right now, I ALWAYS get blisters when I do. So this is really helpful! Thanks, Kath!
Livi @ Eat, Pray, Work It Out says
Those bombs sound awesome! I always get blisters on the sides/bottom of my feet and it’s the worst. I’ll have to try your regime!
Cece says
I knew it was time to bring out all the stops, so I literally combined every tactic that I could think of and scoured the internet with blister solutions.
KathEats says
Dear editing team,
I appreciate you!
Xo
Cece says
I got your back, Kath :).
Emily says
I bought some for stocking stuffers the other day!
Again, another really effective sponsored post! I appreciate when you take the time to weave helpful information in with the reviews. It definitely makes the posts more enjoyable to read. And of course, giving a shout out to a company like BOMBAS is great.
KathEats says
Thanks!
Maryea {happy healthy mama} says
These socks look great! I’m glad you found a solution–those blisters sound horrible.
susan y says
I loved your review and the charitable philosophy of the company. I just ordered four pairs for the serious runners in my family.
Katie says
I used to suffer from blisters while playing sports in high school. I always used second skin and then I would have my ankle taped, put on my ankle braces and two layers of socks. It wasn’t until college when I had my feet examined and x-rayed that I found out I have Morton’s foot/toe where the bones are longer in my toes and foot causing them to drop down. I now deal with a neuroma in my left foot and I have a love/hate relationship with socks and shoes (mainly a hate). I had some Under Armour lightweight compression type socks that I loved that they don’t make any more and my feet don’t like the ones that I have worn for a few years. I don’t care for cushioned socks and a lot of the socks seem to fall down and not stay in place. I will definitely be giving the BOMBAS a try, they look like they just might work for me. Thanks!
KathEats says
As someone who had lots of foot issues + surgery, I feel your pain. Hope you find some great footwear!
Amanda says
This is great info. I have recently started playing soccer again and have been reintroduced to blisters. However, mine are always on the bottom of my big toes.. so painful! I will have to give your advice I try. Especially since I think the pair of cleats I have are about to die (I’ve had them since highschool, about 7 years).
KathEats says
Yikkkes! I actually have gotten them there too and put some tape on my toes that helped a lot. The soft pads above would probably help too. As would two pairs of socks. When I got everything going at once mine went away. My big ones were always in the back though!
Kaitlyn says
That’s so crazy that your post included Bombas this morning! I was listening to my satellite radio morning show today and heard my first commercial for them, then I read your post. Might have to give them a try!
KathEats says
Hahah good timing!
Erica says
I used to marathon train and SWEAR by Body Glide. You can get it at most fitness stores. It looks and functions similar to a stick of deo. You just rub it on the area that rubs or blisters. It looks like they have come out with a ‘line’ by sport but when I bought mine, they didn’t. I had the waterproof one and it’s great. You can use it for chafing too – thighs rubbing together, bra chafing, ect. Get the smallest tube. It will last for years!
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
These would be a perfect gift for my husband! He’s a runner prone to blisters 🙂
Hillary | Nutrition Nut on the Run says
they look so plush!!
A says
Not to ruin your Bombas ad or anything (I actually think I might try them out for non-soccer activities) but I have to suggest another brand of socks. Trusox are what you need for soccer. https://www.trusox.com/
Like you, I’ve been playing soccer since I was a kid. Always had problems with blisters and with bruised toenails from bashing my toes into the front of my cleats. These socks stop me from sliding around. 100%. They’re stupid expensive ($40) and worth every cent.
KathEats says
I actually spent $40 on a pair and they gave me blisters in new places! The guy at my soccer shop recommended them but I thought the little squares made my rubbing worse. A huge disappoinamet. I think they only solve some kind of blisters but not others. I’ll send you my pair, worn once, for $20 🙂
A says
Oh, what a bummer! I love love love love mine. I don’t tend to get the heel blisters that you do, though. Must be the source of our blisters. Also I think that my heels are pretty tough. (Figure skating = breaking in skates = 1,000x worse than breaking in cleats! = years of heel blisters!)
Also I don’t know if you’ve ever tried breaking in your soccer cleats by wearing them in the shower? Get them wet, wear them wet for a while (so gross) and the leather molds to your feet as they dry.
KathEats says
I read that online actually but wasn’t brave enough to try it out!
Alex @ get big, go to work says
I love that Bombas donates a pair of socks for each pair purchased. I am constantly trying to buy better products from companies like this who give back and help those in need. It makes me feel so much better when I spend a dollar, knowing that I am helping someone in need also. Thanks for introducing me to this company.
Daniele says
Soccer is one of my fav sports, there is nothing like hitting the grass with a new pair of cleats! When I wear a new pair I always seem to get blisters after my first time wearing them, I have been using The Honest Company Heeling Balm, it works like magic! The wound is gone after a day and the pain in an instant!
Thanks for the tips!
http://nourishnature.blogspot.ca/
Emily @ Sweet Summer Smiles says
I really like it when companies give back. These socks are really cute and practical too! Can you buy them in the store or just online?
KathEats says
I think they are just online for now
Meredith says
Try rubbing dry soap or deodorant on your socks before you put the cleats on, always helped me!
I always felt like my cleats for better after playing in the rain or morning dew, so maybe the shower would work!
jen says
Thanks for the tip—I just ordered some bombas (thanks for the 20%!)–but they are backordered, so waiting. In the meantime, I found Wrightsox and I am loving them….you might give them a try too, even just for the gym. So comfy in my shoes so far.