Brennan's Favorite Things

By Brennan Humphreys

While Terra is best known for its selection of specialty running shoes, we carry all sorts of extra accessories that will make your running life a bit better. These are some of the things that keep me moving.

Swiftwick Pursuit Four

Golly, these socks are something else. The Pursuits deliver more bang for your buck than any other running sock. They’re designed especially for the trail: they swap Swiftwick’s trademark olefin for merino wool (which keeps your toes warm in the winter and your feet dry in the summer), add a bit more cushion, and the “four” height (equivalent to “quarter” socks) provides extra protection from trail debris. While they’re meant for the trail, I use the Pursuit Fours for anything and everything--my current pairs got me through two summers of landscape work and half marathon training, and they’re still kicking.

Nano Foot Roller

Strong, healthy feet are something I overlooked for a long time. Foot pain/injuries are often the result of more serious injuries farther up the body, but developing strong, flexible feet can also help battle against a host of injuries and make you a faster, more efficient runner. The Nano can help work out any kinks or minor aches in your feet after a long run or shift. And if you’re a trail runner, when paired with ankle/foot mobility exercises, the Nano will help make you stabler on more technical terrain.

FlipBelt Running Belt

I try to run pretty light. If I can avoid carrying anything, I will. But if I do need to carry something--nutrition on a long run, car keys, my phone--the FlipBelt is my go-to. Many running shorts are built to carry a couple small items: one GU, or a couple keys. The FlipBelt is the Bat Belt of running, though. It stows a seemingly endless amount of items, and it keeps heavier items from bouncing around the way they might in a pair of shorts. Another perk for summer running is that it’ll keep your stuff drier than if it was bouncing around in your sweat-soaked shorts.

Headsweats Race Hat

Quick-drying and lightweight, this hat is the perfect summer running cap. Lined with an interior sweatband, this hat will heep the sun & sweat out of your eyes. The underside of the brim is black to prevent any glare, while the white upper deflects the sun. To make hot runs a bit more bearable, slip a couple ice cubes into the hat at the beginning of your run. The snug fit of that hat will keep them from sliding around too much, and the quick-wicking fabric will keep your hat from getting soaked. Click HERE to purchase one!

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.