Are socks really that important?
By Brittany Katz
Short answer: YES.
Many of the foot issues we run into at a running shoe store can be helped or fixed by having the right socks. Remember: cotton is rotten. Wearing a cotton sock inside your shoe to be active in is like sweating inside of a heavy, cotton hoodie sweatshirt. It doesn’t breathe, it holds the moisture in, and it feels gross. Polyester socks will keep your skin dry even when you’re sweating. We carry three brands of socks. Be sure to ask me Asher, Austin, or Brennan our favorite brand next time you’re in because everyone has their own go-to sock!
Feetures
Engineered with anatomical design and Targeted Compression, providing a Custom-Like Fit and reduced risk of blisters. We carry three thicknesses: Ultra Light, Light Cushion, and Max Cushion. Ultra Light is a super breathable sock that takes up minimal room inside the shoe. Light Cushion is our best seller, and has a great combo of cushion and breathability. Max Cushion is oh-so-soft! It will literally make your shoe feel softer!
Here are some other highlights of Feetures socks:
• Targeted Compression and anatomical design provide an unmatched Custom-Like Fit.
• Anatomical design enhances fit, delivering maximum comfort and protection by eliminating blisters.
• The Perfect Toe®. (No irritating toe seam.)
• No Show Tab height sits below the ankle for maximum versatility
• 95% Nylon 5% Spandex
Swiftwick
The Aspire series from Swiftwick is our favorite, and the best-seller from Swiftwick. We carry the Zero and One heights, which are both ankle socks. The ASPIRE™ is engineered with firm compression and a thin profile for a responsive feel. Firm compression supports every contour of the foot to reduce fatigue during endurance activities. Built to provide maximum breathability with signature fibers that wick-moisture, keeping your feet cool, dry, and blister-free. The Aspire sock is 55% Nylon / 40% Olefin / 5% Spandex.
Swiftwick is a Tennessee brand, based in Brentwood, TN. The coolest thing about Swiftwick socks is that this international brand makes all of their running socks at the Renfroe sock factory in Bradley County! I had the privilege to tour the facility a few years ago and met the handful of workers who inspect and package every single Swiftwick sock in the USA!
Balega
We love the Balega Hidden Comfort socks, which have a soft, relaxed fit. The Balega Hidden Comfort No Show Socks offer supremely comfortable cushion and performance mile after mile. Delivering the ultimate protection and impact resistance, Hidden Comfort No Show Socks are composed of extra-fine yarn to provide plush protective cushion without adding bulk.
Key Features of the Balega Hidden Comfort Sock:
Delivers ultimate protection and impact resistance with a plush, dense cushioned running sock design and a 200 needle-count fabric.
Keeps feet cool and dry with Balega’s proprietary Drynamix® moisture wicking fibers, plus specially constructed, reinforced microfiber mesh ventilation panels.
Maximizes comfort with hand-linked, seamless, reinforced toe and high heel tab that helps prevent the sock from slipping into your shoe.
Extra-deep heel pocket ensures the perfect fit. Each sock is hand-inspected for quality insurance at their factory in South Africa.
The most important thing to remember about socks is that thickness, compression, and height are all preferences, but a polyester blend sock is absolutely necessary when sweating! Ditch your cotton socks and invest in some high quality, trusted brands that we can vouch for. We have try-on pairs of all of these socks in the store so you can actually try the socks on with your running shoes before you buy.
Sue’s Favorite Things
By Sue Joyner
Here at Terra Running Company, it’s pretty difficult to find something you don’t like. With such a wide variety of shoes, apparel, and accessories I’m always able to find what I need. While all of our items are sure to please in quality, there are a few items that I simply cannot live without. One item in particular is the Women’s Brooks Chaser 5’’ short. I love these shorts because the waistband fits similarly to a legging, not too tight, but feels secure and comfortable. The material is light, extremely breathable and moisture wicking so you’re sure to have an easy breezy run. In the summertime, I live in these shorts, rotating between several pairs, you'll often find me running, working, kayaking or walking my dog in these amazing shorts.
Another item I have fallen in love with this year at Terra Running Company is the Brooks running shoe called the Transcend 7. The Transcend 7 is a stability shoe that has guide rails in the midsole to help my foot from pronating, guiding my foot to have a straighter heel-to-toe motion. The cushion is the perfect balance of plushness with a spring back in every step. Working long hours on my feet most days, as well as being a runner, this shoe has saved me from throbbing or aching feet. When these shoes are paired with the snug, breathable Feetures Light Cushion socks, my runs have never been so comfortable!
Finally, one item that has been a consistent life saver and an absolute necessity is my green Trigger Point Grid foam roller! Foam rolling serves as a deep tissue massage for any muscle groups that may be feeling sore or fatigued. By foam rolling, you are loosening up tight muscles and fascia in areas that you require a high demand of activity. This allows the body to respond by reducing trigger points, or knots, in the overworked muscles, as well as speeding up the recovery process. Those who foam roll often, should see an improvement in their body’s range of motion, muscle soreness and flexibility.
These items have been game changers in regards to my training cycles, and activities of daily living. When I go for a run in my breezy Brooks Chaser 5’’ shorts, plush and springy Transcend 7’s, moisterwicking Light Cushion Feetures, and foam roll afterwards, I feel like my life couldn’t get much better. These have become essential to my running experience and serve me in my daily life. Come see us at Terra Running Company and we would love to introduce you to items you simply can’t live or run without!!!