Cotton athletic socks won’t control moisture. Just the opposite, cotton socks absorb moisture
and retain it against your feet. If you run in cotton socks, you’ll likely end up with a soggy foot
which will lead to the inevitable blisters and calluses that are a direct result of moisture and friction.
Instead of cotton, look for socks made out of synthetic fibers that wick the moisture off your feet
and keep the feet somewhat dry while running. If the feet are dry, that will go a long way to
avoiding the friction between your feet and the shoes that leads to blisters. Check the labels for
socks made out of acrylic/polyester and nylon which work well to wick the moisture away from
your feet.
Wicking is a term which means the sock actually moves moisture from your feet to the outside
of the shoe. A technical running sock made of breathable yarns can do this because it doesn’t
hold on to the considerable moisture generated in the feet by running.
Let’s face it, runners sweat a lot. The hotter it is and the harder you run, the more you sweat as
this is the way your body cools itself. But a lot of the sweat ends up right there in your socks.
Why the socks? We have millions of sweat glands over our bodies, but the highest concentration
of them are in the palms of our hands and the soles of our feet. The hands aren’t a problem, but
clearly the feet are. That’s why our running socks have to get rid of that moisture before it builds
up.
Another key factor when choosing running socks is just like when choosing running shoes-fit. Certain socks will fit certain feet well, while others will not. So try them on at your favorite
running store. Chances are good the running store has plenty of sample running socks you can
try on with the shoes. Try to pair up the type and thickness of running sock you would normally
wear.
