- Avoid 100% cotton
- Choose technical man-made fabrics such as polyester, Lycra, nylon, Coolmax, Dry-Fit and/or a blend of the fabrics. There are also several good natural-fiber fabrics that make good socks such as Smartwool and bamboo.
- Wear socks that are close fitting to avoid chafing.
Just recently I discovered that Feetures! (the company) is literally right in my back yard! Feetures! is a family owned and operated company located in Conover, North Carolina, a community of 7,500 in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains about 1.5hrs west of me. Hugh Gaither founded Feetures! in 2002 after spending 25+ years with a leading manufacturer of athletic socks. He believed that there was an opportunity to create a better performance sock that took advantage of the latest in sock technology. That same spirit of innovation drives Feetures! today. Feetures! continues to harness new technology with the goal of producing the best performance socks in the world.
So why do I like them so much? First, it's the fit. Power bands of Lycra are strategically placed throughout each sock so that they contour to the shape of each person’s foot. This individualized fit delivers the perfect amount of compression so that each sock hugs the foot in a comfortable, supportive way. The result is that the socks stay firmly in place and eliminate movement between the foot and sock that often results in blisters.
Second, Feetures! socks have something called “Perfect Toe” technology that's a trade-marked seam-free toe closure. The “Perfect Toe” is hand-linked so both the inside and outside surface of the sock are completely smooth, eliminating the irritation and discomfort caused by traditional toe seams. As a result, the socks provide protective comfort on those long runs.
Finally, Feetures! are great at wicking moisture from your feet. Feetures! use a variety of technical fibers such as iWick and Durasoft, to create a comfortable moisture-free environment for your feet. These technical fibers constantly work to move moisture away from the skin process, in order to keep feet cool, dry, and odor-free.
I've tried several of the models and really like them all, but my favorites are the original no-show with a tab and the new Elite low cut. The Elite has something called a Sock-Lock support system that works so well, it almost feels like you have no sock on at all!
So, if you're looking for sock or you're ready for a change, be sure to check out my favorite socks--Feetures!
Note: While Feetures! did provide socks for me to sample I was in no way encouraged or paid to write a positive review. This review reflects my personal experience using the product over the past couple of years.