ON THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCKS

by Jess Harms
We have seen some ugly feet.  And we are referring, of course, to our own. Calluses, blisters, black toenails…as runners we have had our fair share of all of those. As people who spend their living working with feet, we are not immune to the issues we see walk into our store. But allow us to share with you one of our favorite remedies to sore feet: socks. 

That’s right, socks. You may have heard us utter the phrase “cotton is rotten” and when it comes to socks, we really mean it.  Whether you’re a runner, hiker, walker or someone who just really likes wearing shoes, socks are just as important when it comes to your foot health.  A good, moisture-wicking, well fitting pair of socks will do wonders.  

Take stock of your sock drawer and think about parting ways with your old, baggy, holey socks; they aren’t doing you any favors. A good pair of socks should hug your feet. The heel shouldn’t be wrapped somewhere around your ankle. Ideally, your socks also shouldn’t have any seams. Think about it, seams are just another place for a blister to occur. Also make sure that your sock comes higher than the collar of your shoe, otherwise you risk it slipping down into the shoe and causing more of the issues we are trying to prevent. 

A good pair of socks should be made up of a moisture wicking material. That could be a poly-nylon blend or it could be a nice merino wool or mohair. We are particular fans of the latter two because they will keep your feet moisture free year round. Yes, wool is even good in the summer (let’s break down some stereotypes!). Not to mention that wool is anti-microbial so it will keep the stink away too! The synthetic blends work really well too so if that makes you more comfortable, go for it! Good socks can change the game, we promise. We can’t promise they will make you run, walk, hike or work faster but we have faith that your feet will thank you all the same.