Go that extra mile when you pick your running socks

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Choosing your socks can be as important as choosing your running shoes

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

By Ruth Gorman

OK, so we've already discovered how important it is to find the right shoes to run in, but did you know the socks you choose also play a major part?

Perhaps you picked up a three-pack of trainer socks in Primark for £1.50 and thought they would do the trick — well think again!

According to the professionals we should give as much thought when choosing our socks as we do our running shoes.

The main reason for this is that they can help prevent injuries.

Although we don't hear much about it, sock technology has improved dramatically over the last couple of years.

Blister-resistant technology was the first development within the sock market by using two layers of fabric instead of one.

The reason for this was so the double layers would absorb friction and help reduce moisture at the same time, which would then in turn reduce the cause of blisters.

Continued improvement in fabrics has enhanced these qualities and now many runners would only wear the specialist socks if running long distances.

Another development within the sock industry over the years has been cushioning.

Padding varies between brands but they all serve the same purpose which is to protect the areas of the foot which come under the most pounding. The average sock make-over doesn't stop there though. Some have an additional thread woven from the top of the sock to the bottom, acting like a bandage to protect the joints. There are also those available containing pressure sensors and they prevent deviation from natural motions which cause many injuries near the end of a run.

Development in this department is ongoing so don't be surprised when you see specific socks designed for both men and women on the shelf or those for the right foot and those for the left.

The Belfast Telegraph Runher 5k, in association with Up & Running NI, is on Sunday, June 29, at CIYMS, Belfast. You can enter by post using the form on this page or online at www.runrunrun.co.uk . Entry fee is £8, and £1 of this will be donated to children's cancer charity CLIC Sargent.