Welcome to the Sock it section

Sock it

Welcome to the information on Running Socks presented under the ‘women’s section’ of Time-to-Run international.
– Cassandra Davis Women’s Editor

Fitting your feet with a pair of socks for running might seem like a fairly trivial purchase, but these days the choice of style, fabric, not to mention price (typically ranging from 4 – 50 euros), is awesome.

What you should know is that the friction force on the skin surface of the foot intensifies depending on the running surface, your running shoes, type of insole, and also by the type of sock material.

This friction on the feet results in the most common foot problem: namely friction blisters. Another very common problem is sweaty feet and smelly running shoes.

If you experience any of these foot discomforts you might find this section on sock selection helpful.

Topics covered in this section related to socks and feet:

• Socks and foot problems
• A Good Fit
• Thick or Thin?
• Cold feet
• Choice of fibres
• The trend towards compression socks
• Tips

Socks and foot problems
Blisters are among the most common foot injuries affecting the runner Blisters are caused by pressure, friction and moisture. All of these can be easily eradicated by choosing an adapted running sock.

Running can cause considerable perspiration from the feet, added to this sweat which is produced elsewhere on the body can drip down the legs due to gravity. As the amount of sweat from the feet far exceeds the absorptive capacity of any sock product, in order to minimise moisture accumulation, it is vital that the sock you choose must have wicking moisture properties.

Wearing socks certainly also helps to prevent smelly feet and shoes.

However, one problem with choosing socks made from wicking fabrics is that the sweat wicks into the shoes, so that workout after workout this causes bacteria to develop and bad odours to waft from your running shoes and offend your entourage.

Unfortunately there is no magic solution, but some tips are: firstly always make sure your feet are clean; secondly, wear clean socks for every training session; make sure you air your shoes so that they dry out completely; lastly, ordinary baby talc, foot shoe sprays or odour balls can be placed inside shoes to help keep odours at bay.

Further Running Sock information – Sock it! 2

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