Technical Running Socks for Blister Free Running
Socks! Who needs to give them a second thought? For town and work all that matters is that the colour is right but, when you step into your running shoes, comfort, padding, thickness and blister prevention are paramount, and ‘any old pair’ just will not do! Even if the colour is right, your feet deserve better. Get the right technical running socks and your feet will remain comfortable and blister free mile after mile. This is why Technical Running Socks prove better value than cheap sports socks.
Types of Technical Running Socks
Technical Running Socks all feature flat, ‘seamless’ toe seams which greatly add to your comfort. That still leaves many choices when it comes to running socks, but key differences relate to:-
- Construction Single or Twin-Layer
- Padding and Cushioning
- Sock Length
- Moisture Transport and Ventilation
- Compression
- Last: Mens & Womens fit
Sock Construction: Single or Twin-Layer
Twin layer socks, such as Hilly Twinskins or 1000 Mile Ultimate Tactel Anklet, are designed as a sock within a sock. This means that the outer layer moves with your shoe, while the inner layer moves with your foot. Friction is absorbed within the sock, thus preventing friction on your skin – the cause of blisters. SportSaver.Co.Uk stock twin layer socks by both Hilly and 1000 Mile. But twin layer doesn’t have to mean thick: the Hilly Lite Anklet and Hilly Lite Socklet give amazing twin layer performance at a weight and thickness that is ideal for racing, let alone training.
Cushioning and Padding
Padded, or Cushioned Technical Running Socks absorb friction within the cushioning layer but the padding also helps dissipate some of the impact experienced with each foot strike, which helps protect your joints and lessen fatigue. Thorlo running socks only use padded construction for blister prevention as well as shock attenuation and they make the lightest padded socks in our range with the Thorlo Experia Socks.
One sock, the 1000 Mile Fusion Sock combines both Twin-layers AND Padding! That way, you get 1000 Mile's double layer sock's Blister Free Guarantee together with padded comfort and protection
Sock Length
Technical Running Socks come in many lengths, but only the Hilly Compression Sock reaches the knee. The shortest are just reach the top of your trainers, such as 1000 Mile Trainer Liner (1548) and Hilly Twinskin Socklets and Padded Socklets. Slightly longer, are socks which reach just above the ankle bone, and are known as Anklets by Hilly and 1000 Mile, or as Mini-Crew by Thorlo. Finally we have socks which reach approximately mid-calf, which are known as Crew socks by 1000 Mile and Thorlo, and as Classic by Hilly. Just which length is best is a matter of personal preference and, here at SportSaver, can depend on the weather: we prefer short socks in warm weather and longer socks in winter to cover that cold gap between your shoes and your tights!
Moisture Transport and Ventilation
No-one wants sweaty feet! But, you say, that’s what happens when you’re pushing the pace on a long run. Well yes it does, but good technical running socks are designed to wick sweat away from your skin, keeping your feet as dry as possible. Equally, most socks these days offer a thinner, more openly woven section on top of the foot to aid ventilation. Keeping your feet dry also helps prevent blisters.
All the socks we stock use specially selected yarns to aid moisture transport and control. If cotton is used at all, it is not in any layer next to the skin. Wet cotton is always hard and abrasive, which is why cheap cotton socks are useless for blister prevention.
On the subject of sweaty feet, Hilly have introduced the Trail x-Static Anklet Sock which features X-STATIC® silver fibre™ to inhibit the growth of odour causing bacteria.
Compression
Many socks offer some arch-bracing, but this is not the same as compression, which seeks to control excessive calf muscle oscillation, reduce lactic acid build-up, improve blood circulation and, by a combination of all these, increase endurance and performance. SportSaver has a range of Compression & Support Socks by 1000 Mile, Hilly, and Thuasne.
Last, Size and Fit
It’s important that your technical running socks fit correctly, so choosing the right size is important. We only quote UK shoe sizes at SportSaver. You may find that you are between sizes – for example you may take size 5-and-a-half in some footwear and size 6 in others. The consistent advice from all the brands is that you should, in this situation always choose the smaller size. In the example above, you would choose a Small (3 to 5h) size. We’ve some experience of this problem ourselves, and have found this to be the correct advice. Some socks are made in specifically womens versions, or have womens specific sizes. This is not meant to cause confusion: the fact is that womens and mens feet have different shapes, even at the same size. In general, womens feet are proportionally narrower at the heel, which is why manufacturers have produced socks specifically for women.
Nothing is more guaranteed to produce blistering than badly fitting socks! So a good fit is essential, and all our socks are carefully designee to fit well. However, the Hilly Supreme Anklet, and Supreme Socklet take this concept one step further, by knitting asymmetrically to produce a pair of socks where one is shaped specifically for the left foot, and the other for the right. Fortunately, the L and the R symbols are knitted in, so you’ll always know which is which!
Everything You Could Possibly Want in Technical Running Socks at SportSaver.Co.Uk
For a huge selection of technical running socks - everything from lightweight racing socks to padded and twin layer training socks, check out our 1000 Mile, Hilly, Thorlo pages.