My thoughts on Socks…
Posted by triwithme on May 29, 2009
We’ve all heard “cotton is rotten”, but there are a ton of non-cotton socks out there. Which ones are the best? Well, everyone’s different, but I can give you my opinions…
Balega: super soft and comfy, thinner on top, no toe seam either. I find the no-show height are quite a bit more comfy than the ankle height ones. I also like that the no-show ones have a thick piece on the back of the heel that keeps them from sneaking down in your shoes while you’re running. These run $12-$15/pair.
Zulu: these are actually a sister brand to balega…same comfort, but MUCH cheaper. Of course, they’re not as full featured, but they are good socks. The main difference is that there are S/M/L/XL sizes that they don’t have a shoe size lined up with, and there is one style, the ankle-height sock. There is also a toe-seam. But they are every bit as comfy if the toe seam doesn’t bother you. These run $15/3 pair-pack.
Smart Wool: I like the Ph.D. running socks. These seem to have a different feel than the others, probably because they are wool-based. They have some extra support built in for the different zones of the foot, and that is nice when your feet are a bit tired. I have worn the ankle-height ones, and they are nice. I also have the no-show socks that I like to wear biking. I wear them running, too, but these feel especially great in my biking shoes. They do have the thick piece on the back to keep that from happening. And their color choices are better than other brands…I don’t know that I’ve seen a plain white pair of smart wool socks. Price, somewhere between $13 and $16/pair.
New Balance: I have gotten several pairs of their ankle-height socks as freebies, and I like that they have some built in arch support. I also bought a 2-pack from a New Balance store, and the ones I paid for are better than the freebies. But in comparison to Balega and Zulu, they are probably the least comfy. But they’re fine socks. Price $10/2-pack, give or take.
Thorlo: I love thorlo socks in the winter. They are thick and cushiony and warm! I like the ankle-height ones and also have a pair of crew socks for the really cold days. They’re a staple of every runner, I think. Although they can be a bit thick. I have also tried their new Experia style, and I like them in all ways except sizing. They have women’s colors and men’s colors, and I have large feet, so I tried the largest women’s size and it is just a bit too small because they sneak down in my shoes while I wear them. I could have bought the men’s version, but the women’s colors are just so much cuter. They are a nice weight and definitely cool for the summer, but still cushiony with a thinner version of the thorlo pad. Price: about $12-14/pair.
