24/09/2020
Unusual, almost see-through sports socks
These aren’t just regular cotton socks with a lower profile. The product photos don’t really show the full extent to which the top side of the sock is a thick mesh, with such wide gaps that it is effectively see-through. I can see my toes through this, and if I had a tattoo on the top of my foot, if I wore these socks you’d still be able to read it. So they feel almost like a sock that’s only half there.The effect is an extremely breathable sock that you can really feel the breeze through, which will keep foot sweat and odour right down. It sits nicely in a trainer, and for more long-distance stuff it means you can also effectively double-sock it, getting these socks under another thin pair to give you extra comfort and manoeuvrability whilst still fitting into your regular shoes without a squeeze. So they’re nicely versatile in that regard.Conversely, the under-side of the sock does have extra padding at the heel and on the ball of the feet. It’s not super-padded, by any means, but it’s a step towards wearing a thicker woollen sock where the pressure will be. And in my jogging tests so far, it’s effective, and feels comfortable- but it’s not any kind of miracle padding or revolutionary idea, just a bit of extra padding where it helps.Going back to the subject of squeezing though, my feet are a 10.5 and I got a pack of ‘L’ size to review, which is supposedly UK sizes 9 to 12. However, despite having feet that are slap bang in the middle of the size range, I’m surprised to report that they actually feel a bit tight. While the product description says “9-12”, the packet itself actually says “6-12”, which maybe explains it a bit more- but even so, with 10.5 feet they definitely feel tighter than they ought to.Though the material itself is described as ‘eco-friendly’ (though I’m unclear why they’re supposed to be special in that regard) I have to be a bit critical of the packaging, which is a seemingly non-recyclable resealable plastic bag, containing sock packs that have been lumped together by both card wraps and tiny metal clips (you need to be careful that those clips get taken out before you put the socks on, by the way!). That’s rather wasteful as a packaging set-up.The socks also absolutely stink when you first open the packet, presumably a chemical involved in the manufacturing process, but the smell of them brand new is worse than smelly feet, it’s awful. But you can stick them through one washing machine wash and that smell goes, thankfully. So just make sure there’s time for a quick spin cycle before you first use them, otherwise you’ll smell like you’ve already run a marathon before you even begin.So they’re a really interesting idea for a sock design, they’re nicely made, well thought out and to a high standard. But the sizing issue, and the packaging issue, take the sheen off them for me just a little bit.
From S Bruce
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/customer-reviews/RUECOD5Z0QDS5/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B08C7GYDZK
