TR AIL TESTED
GEAR
BY ARIELLA GINTZLER
The Lowdown on Socks ven in a sport as simple as running, it’s easy to get carried away with gear. Yet one of the most vital pieces of running gear is, likely, the cheapest: socks. Socks may be one of the leastvisible pieces of your running kit, and as a result they are often overlooked. But anyone who has ever had blistered or chafed feet can attest that a good sock is a necessity. So, what exactly makes a good sock? Here’s our breakdown.
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MATT TRAPPE / TANDEM STOCK.COM
Why Are Socks So Important? The main purpose of running socks is to protect your feet against blisters, which form because of friction between your foot and your shoe (the top layer of skin separates from deeper layers, and the space in between fills with fluid). Socks provide a cushioned layer between your skin and the rough interior of the shoe. Just as important: socks wick moisture to help keep your feet dry, to further prevent blisters. A wet sock is useless because a) wet skin is more prone to blister formation, and b) wet socks are more abrasive and create more friction. Blisters aside, socks can also add a bit of extra support to fatigue-prone areas of the feet, through compression and cushion. ONE DIR T Y M A G A ZINE
What to look for in a technical running sock FIT / Think of socks like your skin— you don’t want any wrinkles or loose, saggy bits. A loose-fitting sock will likely breed blisters and discomfort. CUSHION / Cushion can help absorb impact forces. Most good running socks lay the cushioning out in specific, high-impact areas like the heel and the ball of the foot. How much or little cushion you prefer is entirely a personal choice. THICKNESS / You may prefer a thicker sock in cold weather,
or for long runs that involve a lot of pounding. A thinner sock might work best in warmer temps or on particularly wet runs. Our advice: try out a few different styles and figure out what works best for you in various conditions. MATERIALS / Any running sock worth its salt will be made of some kind of wicking material—either synthetic fibers like nylon or polyester, or natural fibers like merino wool—that carries moisture away from your skin as you sweat, and dries quickly.
SEAMS / Before committing to a pair of socks, try them on to make sure they don’t have any seams that will rub you the wrong way. SUPPORT / Do your arches get tired? Do your ankles swell in the heat? Foot-mapping and compression materials, placed strategically throughout some socks, can help add support and promote blood flow to fatigued muscles.
SEPTEMBER 2017
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