How surprising (NOT) that a study is based on males only! @sushiritto
^^^That’s my kinda attitude. :-bd
While I am not a long distance runner (3-5 miles is my distance) I have not had a blister on my feet since I first started C25k and I was running on flat “tennis shoes” that were not meant for running. I agree if you have been running for a bit and are not doing miles upon miles (or unless you’re running MANY times a week) that a shoe and sock check is in order.
Thick socks do not work for me. I go with a thin Balega and have had no blisters!
Re: Toe blisters.
One question that I would have is what is the toe drop (offset from back to front of shoe) of your running shoe? If the drop is large, then I can see how a rear elevated shoe can blister your toes. For sometime now, I’ve been running (and definitely CF/lifting) in zero or near zero drop shoes, prefering the flat surface from rear to front.
Until you can do a shoe and sock review, I’d try duct tape or Micropore paper tape before your next run.
That fleshy part of the ball of the foot just below the big toe is taking a pressure - slide hit.
Dry foot. Sit down. Lift the toe and put a big piece of duct tape on that area without getting into the toe crease so it doesn’t bunch.
Maybe YouTube foot taping for running? It’s hard to explain in just words!
Planning to go to fleet feet this week. The current pair of shoes are Brook ghost 10.
Thank you @Midwest67
I know duck tape is a wonder but would never have thought its function in blister reduction.
We’ll expect a full report, y’know. 
A Brooks Ghost 10 has a 12mm drop. That’s humongous. I don’t remember ever seeing a drop that large. Shoe choices are very personal, but go see an expert. I think a drop that large has got to feel like running in a high-heeled shoe and can’t be good for your spine/back/posture/etc… But for the record, I don’t know how it feels to wear a high-heeled shoe.
I like Smartwool socks, I prefer the thin ones. I get blisters with cotton socks.
@MaineLonghorn I’m with you on wanting to avoid the MRI. I took a blow to the inside of my knee in early August (slammed by my 65 lb lab). I ran on it for a steady week with some pain. The pain got worse until I couldn’t run on it nor bend it back. I am still not able to run but I can ride a bike and certain movements in my classes I can’t do such as childs pose in yoga. I’m hoping it will eventually feel good as my range of motion is slowly improving. I’ve avoided going to the Dr and just hoping I didn’t do any serious damage.
Darn it, I thought we were finally going to hear the secret life of @sushiritto!
Cowboy boots?
Lol. @sushiritto believe me, running in Brook Ghost 10 is not like running in high heels! But I see what you are saying. I actually got this pairs from “fleet feet” as my former ones were from New Balance store in town. Friend of mine who does marathons is recommending ASICS gel sth, I guess i’d Better stick to my training to justify an alternative to duck tape!
I have work shoes, but they’re relatively flat, small heel. Other than my work shoes, just various athletic shoes and my favorite, flip flops. ;
I became a little to zero drop shoe buyer after I read a book a few years ago by Kelly Starrett called “Becoming a Supple Leopard”, which goes into detail about injury prevention, resolving any pain issues and increasing your performance. He advocates for zero drop shoes. His opinion is that raised heel shoes cause problems. He doesn’t like flip flops either, but I love my flip flops. And I feel fine.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1628600837/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i0
Cowboy boots in the SF Bay Area? 
Thanks for the book recommendation @sushiritto will definitely check it out.
Btw, I love my flip flops too!
Remember someone said that from evolutionary point of view, our feet and our knees were good proofs that we are not designed by omnipotent being 
Zero drop shoes have caused problems for many runners. The Brooks Ghost is one of the most popular and good running shoes on the market. It does not feel at all like high heels. A 12 mm drop is at the higher end and is better for heel or mid-foot strikers, which most runners are anyway. Zero drop works better for forefoot strikers. I can actually wear a zero or low drop shoe or a higher drop shoe like Ghost. Hoka is relatively low drop but is not zero.
Zero drop can be a big adjustment for achilles and calf muscles. Hence, the high injury rate. Just be careful.
The whole barefoot running thing majorly fizzled out. Many of us bought into it for awhile and returned to a more normal type running shoe. I have a friend who has been on the US national team for 24 and 48 hour races and he likes a normal drop in his shoes.
Actually, 10-12mm heel-to-toe drop is fairly common, due to extra padding in the heel to accommodate heel-striking runners. However, it may be noticeable (and an inconvenience) for those who prefer to land on the midfoot or forefoot (which is likely to be less injury-prone), since the extra material on the heel may cause unintended heel strikes more often.
Of course, there are now more options of shoes with 0-4mm heel-to-toe drop that are not minimalist shoes, compared to years ago.
Barefoot (like Vibram) and zero-to-low drop shoes are two different things to me. I wasn’t advocating for no cushion.
Also, I haven’t heard of the high injury rate with zero or low drop shoes, but I have heard that they make “no difference.”
However, I do buy into the fact that a large heel drop can’t be good for spine/posture and other maladies. The book has sound reasoning IMO.
We still have a few pairs of minimalist shoes at home. Lol. I enjoyed reading “born to run” though.
I love my Teva Hurricane, Merrell Trail Glove 4, Birkenstock clogs, All Birds Wool Loungers, and Altra Lone Peak trail runners.
Let’s hear it for little to zero drop shoes! Woo!
I used to wear flip flops so much – 3 seasons – until I developed acute metatarsal pain. At the urging of a friend, I gave up the flips-flops and about 2-3 months later…no more pain.
Even then, there was substantial denial it could be the flip-flops. My compromise was Sanuk Yoga Sling sandals.
My hiking boots are Merrell Moab 2 Mids.
I feel like I’ve just shared some very intimate details, like the results of a personality quiz or something!