Running Socks

There has been a huge increase in the number of running socks becoming available on the market in recent years which has stemmed from people realising that regular cotton socks fit poorly to the feet and consequently cause blisters while also worsening damp feet. There are now many sports specific socks available and people have found that running socks are well worth the investment.

Although more expensive than regular socks, running socks are specifically designed to perform where needed. They help to eliminate blisters, give a better fit and help keep the feel cool and fresh.

There are three types of running socks available, there is the regular type which is similar to a normal sock but contains more padding and is made using high performance materials. There are compression socks which are calf length and these hold the calf muscles and improve circulation while also limiting injuries. The most recent innovation in running socks are the five toe styles which look like gloves for the feet.

Five Toe running socks separate and stretch the toes to strengthen key muscles in the foot and each toe has an individual sleeve to give it the freedom to move individually rather than all the toes moving as one. This helps the wearer to connect with the ground more thanks to the heightened sensation and also gives better gripping and balance when running. Injinji have recently introduced the Compression Ex-Celerator socks which combine the benefits of compression and five toe socks in one style.

One of the main reasons for buying running socks is the improved fit that they provide. Normal socks don't offer a custom fit and this creates gaps between the shoes and the feet. These gaps can lead to irritation and discomfort when running whereas because a running sock is well fitting it eliminates rubbing which can help to improve training.

Running socks such as Injini are designed using performance materials like Coolmax to keep the feet cool and dry. These materials control the temperature of the feet by wicking away any moisture from the bottom of the sock and then redistributing it throughout the sock, this helps the sweat dry faster and keeps your feet dry.

If you have invested in a pair of running socks it is important to care for them properly. They should be washed inside out on a warm or cool wash and no bleach should be added, as no bleach is used your socks won't stay pearly white but the comfort they provide will out weight this. Running socks should be washed inside out because this helps to fluff up the padding to give consistent levels of comfort everytime you wear them and using fabric softener will lubricate the fibres and can extend the life of your socks.

Running socks can make a dramatic difference to your training as they prevent friction and blisters meaning that there are no distractions when running. As the market for sports specific socks grows there are sure to be more innovations underway to provide socks which can help enhance the training experience.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com