Anyone who does trail running, marathons, or road running will have problems at least once.
- Skin peeling due to sweaty feet
- Skin peeling due to blisters
This is actually a problem faced by many top runners , and I get the impression that many of them try various things, wondering if it's their shoes or their running style that are to blame, but end up suffering without any improvement.
Of course, if you find the perfect shoes and run in the best possible way, there will be some areas that can be improved, but aren't there also some aspects that can't be changed by shoes or running style in the first place?
This is caused by the socks that sit between your feet and your shoes, and if you don't change your socks, the problem may never improve, or conversely, it may be solved quickly and easily.
So, this time we will explain the functions of socks that are necessary to prevent your feet from getting sweaty and getting blisters.
[Causes and countermeasures for blisters]
1. The shoe size or fit is not right
If the shoes are too big, your feet will move around too much inside the shoes, causing friction. Conversely, if the shoes are too small, certain parts of the feet will be pressed, causing strong friction and leading to blisters.
→The solution is simple: wear shoes that fit your feet snugly .
If you are unsure of your size, it is probably best to choose shoes together with the staff at a sports shop.
2. Wearing shoes incorrectly
It goes without saying that loosely tying your laces will allow your feet to move more freely and increase friction. On the other hand, tying your laces too tightly will create areas of pressure that will cause chafing.
→The solution here is also simple: don't tie your shoelaces too tightly, but tie them so that your feet cannot move back and forth or up and down .
As long as you choose the right size shoes, there won't be a problem.
3. Inappropriate choice of socks
① Wearing socks that are only highly absorbent
For example, 100% cotton socks absorb sweat very well, but they have little quick-drying ability, so the socks stay wet without drying. The fibers have more friction when wet than when dry, which can result in frequent blisters.
② Wearing socks that are not highly absorbent
On the other hand, if you wear socks that are not highly absorbent, the sweat that comes out of your feet while running will not be absorbed and will remain on your feet, causing your feet to remain wet. Just like with fabric, wet feet increase friction, which is why you get blisters.
→ Make sure to choose socks that are highly absorbent and quick-drying .
It is recommended to check the material of the socks, as nylon, polypropylene, wool, etc. are quick-drying materials. At OLENO, we offer a wide range of socks specialized for running that have been worn at the Olympics and world championships, so if you are having trouble finding running socks, please give them a try.
It is characterized by extremely high water absorption and quick drying. The grip on the soles of the feet is also very strong, preventing them from slipping inside the shoes.
These road running socks are designed for athletes and were developed in collaboration with 10 amateur runners, and are six times more absorbent and quick-drying than regular socks.
[Unraveling the issue of sweaty feet]
I mentioned above that sweaty feet can lead to blisters, but there are actually quite a few complexities to what causes sweaty feet, so I'd like to go into a bit more detail here.
The main cause is poor absorbency of socks.
The reason your feet get sweaty is simple: sweat from the soles, toes, and other parts of your feet is not absorbed by the socks and remains there , causing the humidity to rise abnormally . One of the standards for measuring the performance of socks is water absorbency , and socks with low water absorbency will end up in the above state.
In fact, absorbency depends on the material used in the socks. Materials such as wool and silk are highly absorbent, but polyester has low absorbency .
Socks used in active sports such as trail running, marathons, and road marathons are often made of polyester .
This is because polyester is a fiber that is very resistant to friction and can withstand vigorous movement, and is also a material that dries quickly . This makes it an ideal material for sports socks, which are washed frequently.
As mentioned above, they have low water absorption, which means that your feet tend to get sweaty.
Poor ventilation is also a cause
Not only water absorption, but also poor breathability can lead to sweaty feet. The more loosely knit the socks are, the more breathable they can be. Conversely, if they are knitted tightly like thick socks, the breathability will be poor .
A very rough pair of socks would be ones with a mesh structure . They look breathable, but they also get caught more easily and are more likely to tear or become damaged.
If you want socks that you can wear for a long time, why not try looking for socks that are just the right amount of rough and not too prone to snagging? (It's hard to tell with the naked eye, so it's best to ask someone at the sock department.)
Above, we have introduced the functions of socks to prevent feet from getting sweaty and blisters.
When running a marathon or trail running, people pay attention to their shoes, clothes, and equipment, but I think there are still not many people who pay attention to their socks. However, because it is a sport that puts a lot of strain on the feet, I strongly think that you should pay attention to your socks and run comfortably.
If you are interested in paying more attention to your socks, please try OLENO socks. They are packed with all the know-how of sock making that we have accumulated over 90 years of history.
