The human foot has 26 bones, 33 joints, 107 ligaments, 19 muscles and tendons. The 52 bones in your feet make up about 25 percent of all the bones in your body Despite this intricate design, we’ve treated our feet like clowns in a circus car. Too often, we blame our shoes (or boots) for “not working right” when in many cases, it could be the sock you’re wearing.
Thankfully, there are brands and manufacturers out there who spend more time thinking about your feet than you ever will. At this summer’s Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City, our editor’s discovered an array of brands dedicated to rethinking the humble sock in an effort to bring the consumer greater comfort and higher levels of performance. Here are some of our favorite new offerings from the Outdoor Retailer Summer Show.
Farm to Feet is committed to the single, simple goal of creating the world’s best wool socks by exclusively using an all-American recipe: US Materials, US Manufacturing, and US Workers. Judging by the comfort and performance of their line, it’s a recipe that works beautifully. New for Spring 2015, Farm to Feet is introducing the Blue Ridge Run Series. The line will include light-weight running socks in multiple heights, with and without cushioning, and a graduated compression sock.
The right pair of socks can make you love your run even more. Enter Feetures! the socks designed for runners – by runners.The maximum comfort and minimal coverage of the Feetures! Running socks ensure a dry, cool foot in a liberating, low cut. New for the year ahead, Feetures! is introducing the Plantar + Calf Sleeve which not only offers relief for those suffering through the dreaded Plantar Fasciitis, but offers gentle compression on the calves so you can still get out and take on your run. Feetures! has also updated their incredibly light and comfortable Elite collection with a range of new color combinations.
At first glance one might think this brand is a landing place for the crazy ones, the rebels and the misfits. In reality it’s a landing place for those looking to harness the foot’s natural mechanics which aids in overall balance and a greater tactile feeling which benefits the body no matter what activity you’re engaged in. From lifestyle socks to run socks and, in our opinion, one of the top compression socks on the market, the difference in injinji’s design is their advantage, and in turn that can pay huge dividends for your athletic endeavors. Within the next month injinji will release a new Multi-Sport collection designed for the athlete who is constantly changing their workout. This all around sock collection provides cushioning, comfort and moisture-wicking in all environments.
Over a century ago, Fox River got their start making socks for lumberjacks in the Fox River Valley of Wisconsin. Today, they are one of the technical leaders in outdoor, athletic, and lifestyle socks. Expanding their performance driven line, Fox River is adding a new medium weight hiking sock that features the brand’s exclusive Helix Fit™ System with volumetric compression for a perfect fit. Wick Dry® technology keeps feet dry and blister free. Plus, a premium blend of sustainable TENCEL® and Merino wool offers an impressive level of softness and comfort.
You know KEEN as a premium manufacturer of innovative and functional footwear, but get prepared to start appreciating them for their versatile line of multi-sport socks. For Spring 2015, KEEN will launch its most versatile, multi-sport sock to date. Whether you’re going for a run, a ride around town or heading out on the trail, the new KEEN Springbok is ready for anything. With extra cushioning in high-impact zones, right and left specific foot design and heel hold contouring all come together to ensure optimal fit. Top it all off with KEEN’s patented Wunderseam under the toe’s flexzone prevents bunching and blisters and you’ve got an offering that’s a perfect match for outdoor revelry.
Designed to provide a stylish and therapeutic solution to energize and invigorate your legs, think of VIM & VIGR as an energy drink for your work weary feet and legs. These knee high compression socks for men and women are comfortable and stylish enough to wear all day, but techy enough to help fend off tired, achy feet and legs. At Outdoor Retailer the brand debuted their new men’s collection and eight new women’s designs all of which utilize advanced Gradient Pressure™ knitting technology to energize legs by increasing the circulation of freshly oxygenated blood. Full disclosure, after wearing these socks for several weeks, our team has become admitted converts to the VIM & VIGR brand.
For years we’ve admired Point6 for their100-percent compact spun yarn which produces more merino fibers per inch resulting in a luxuriously soft end result that is never scratchy, itchy or bulky. Now with their new Active Life collection there’s another reason to love Point6. By combining the brand’s Active and Lifestyle categories, Point6 looks to bridge the gap between style and performance. The new styles offer a fun array of prints and colors – all are which are perfectly at home whether on the trail, at a local BBQ, or your local summer concert series.
From their humble roots as a small sock manufacturer in the Basque region of Spain to manufacturing facilities on two continents and distribution in more than 60 countries, Lorpen continues steadfast in crafting innovative, functional socks for outdoor enthusiasts. New for Spring 2015, the brand will offer a new trail running sock featuring a blend of natural and synthetic yarns (Coolmax, Tencel and Nylon), as well as enhanced ventilation on the top and side of the sock to maintain a dry, blister-free foot during rigorous activity in hot climates. Building on their recent line of midweight and lightweight Compression Calf Sleeves, Lorpen will offer brighter colors and bolder graphic that match the trail and multisport collections.
Just like your favorite blue jeans and a soft cotton T-shirt, Bridgedale Socks have a classic fit and style whether your adventure of choice is hiking, trekking, running or lounging around the house. The oldest sock company represented at the Outdoor Retailer Show (dating back to WWI), Bridgedale‘s lengthy history belies the modern technology they’re putting into play. Bridgedale’s unique Fusion Technology combines natural fibers with technical fibers to provide balanced insulation with impressive levels of comfort.