While not the sexiest bit of kit, a specialist pair of socks are a must for regular runners
Happy runners need happy feet, and arguably the next most important piece of kit in your locker after your shoes are your socks. A good pair can make the difference between running in blissful comfort or suffering run-ruining blisters.
Specialised running socks tend to be pricier than regular ones, but it definitely pays to invest a little extra. Ergonomic design, padded high-impact areas, breathable fabrics and seam-free designs all help to elevate running socks above your five-pairs-for-a-tenner kind.
What makes the perfect pair?
With dozens of brands and hundreds of styles, how do you know what makes a good running sock? It’s simple: you’re looking for comfort and durability. What works for you might vary and it helps to think about the shoes you’ll run in, too. Thinner socks are great for race shoes; thicker socks bring warmth for winter but tend to need roomier footwear.
You might take as many as 40,000 steps running a marathon. That’s a lot of pounding those feet into the tarmac. Good running socks offer strategic cushioning and padding in the key impact zones to help soften your landings. They’ll also stand up to hundreds of miles of pounding themselves.
Next you want your feet to stay as dry as possible. Wet feet are a quick ticket to blisters. You’ll never find socks that stay 100% dry but good wicking tech is paramount.
Also look out for seamless design, particularly around the toes. The fewer seams, the less potential edges to rub your toes up the wrong way.
Stance Icon Run Crew Sock
£16.99, stance.eu.com
The Stance Icon Run sock’s appeal is two-fold. Firstly it provides great mid-cushion comfort for those longer runs. Secondly, that same plushness, combined with the mid-rise cut, doubles up as decent protection from the cold, which I always like. There’s also good ankle protection and arch support, and Stance is so confident in the Icon Run’s durability it offers a no-rip guarantee.
Pros:
Fantastic cushioned comfort Blister-busting fabric Good durability
Cons:
Too thick for some race shoes Need to avoid tumble dryer
Brav Performance Socks
£12, bravendurance.co.uk
If you want to add some sass to your socks, Brav Performance socks are the way to go. There are 50 designs to choose from online, from sunflowers and reindeers to pirates and robots. But these aren’t just gimmicks; their mid-cut, medium blend viscose-polyester mix is supremely comfortable and durable. They wick well and I know from experience that they stand up to long endurance run efforts too.
Pros: Durable Blister-busting comfort Lively designs
Cons:
Too thick for some race-fit shoes No seamless toes
Fal
