This week's blog is dedicated to the humble sock - an unsung hero.
I think of socks as being similar to car tyres, very important, but seldom talked about. People talk about how big an engine their car has and about abs braking systems and traction-control, but very seldom mention tyres which, after all, allow that power to work and for abs and traction-control to be effective. Many people ask my opinion about which shoes to buy, but very few ask about socks. Good shoes are important, but if you have rubbish socks you'll have uncomfortable feet, they'll smell and you may get blisters and other foot problems.
Just to be upfront about things my business, Ed & Phil Active, sells socks to running and outdoor shops. We do not sell tyres.
Socks have been on my mind this week; the highly technical kind made from synthetic materials, so it wasn't woolly thinking. It started when I was following a very interesting, interactive question and answer session by Dr Ross Tucker on the Sports Science Institute, South Africa Facebook page. It was a very balanced and far ranging discussion. This was evidenced by the fact that at one point the Cirque du Soleil was mentioned. You don't see that mentioned very often in the running press, forums or blogs. Anyhow, the point made in one of the discussions was that improved proprioception was one of the features of barefoot running that gave rise to benefits. Proprioception is the sense of the relative position of neighbouring parts of the body and strength of effort being employed in movement. If you run in bare feet you get the benefit, if you run in Vibram Five Finger shoes you probably get the benefit. But if you run in a conventionally built minimalist shoes that benefit will be lessened and if you wear normal socks it will be further lessened. It's like trying to do fiddly things with mittens on. Now there are socks with toes that improve proprioception, but the minimalist brigade don't talk about them. It's like cars, an Audi Quattro is sexy, a set of Bridgestones isn't. Shoes are sexy, socks aren't.... or is it because there are bigger profits in shoes. Just so you know there are two main brands of toe sock Toetoe® the brand I represent and the other one.
The other reason socks were on my mind was because Christmas is coming and traditionally socks are the things you give to Dads, Uncles, Granddads etc when you cannot think of anything else. I would be very happy to receive a quality pair of running socks. I know from experience that if you want to run a lot, and in all sorts of weather, then good kit is essential. That means shoes, socks, bottoms, tops, hats, gloves and if you are female sports bras. Socks are the Cinderella of running kit, but you are not going to dance the night away at the ball with blistered feet so proudly put socks at the top of your Christmas list; just below that Audi Quattro.
Read more from Running Bear's blog here!