Socks…We’ve all worn them, and we’ve all got our favorite pair.  But few of us think twice before pulling on our socks in the morning- heck, its an accomplishment if we can get them to match.  So why are companies heavily investing in the research of a product we don’t really think about? Does it matter what kind of socks we wear on our feet? Absolutely.

Your feet suffer from an overwhelmingly amount of wear and tear throughout the day- and by age 40, many people with healthy feet lose up to 50% of their fat pads.  Improperly fitted shoes, hard surfaces and poor support only quicken that process…unfortunately, once those fat pads are gone, they’re gone.

What causes the fat pads in our feet to become thin?

-Situations where the soft tissue and/or skeletal structure may be compromised due to systemic disorders (diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.)

-Situations where tissue degradation may already have taken place (fat pad displacement)

-Performance situations where the feet are subjected to stresses by a sport or activity.

-The inherent issue of a dynamic foot inside a static shoe.  When you walk or run, your foot moves and changes in significant ways.  It flattens, changes plane, lengthens, and changes from weight bearing receptor to a lever that pushes us forward, and repeats that process thousands of times each day.  Because shoes have firm boundaries that limit the movement of the feet, the natural range of motion of the foot is limited.  Even the best shoes in the world have this limitation.

Couple that with the fact that most people wear shoes that are too small, and you have an ideal recipe for foot pain and problems.

The right engineered padded sock helps cushion your foot to give you that extra padding needed to protect your feet…..  Properly fitted with a well-made pair of shoes and inserts or orthotics as necessary, the sock allows the feet to be fitted with shoes that are large enough to allow a fuller, healthier range of motion of the feet, at the same time preventing skin damage from the movement of the feet inside the shoe.  This leads to fewer foot problems, stronger foot muscles, and an overall better state of foot health!

If you avoid buying thick running socks because they make your feet too hot, this post is for you! Thorlos dispels the myth of the ‘thick sock’ once and for all.

Did You Know? The thickness of the product is typically not what causes the sensation of hot feet. Most frequently, feet that are too hot are the result of improper fitting!

A shoe that is too tight can inhibit circulation. This can manifest in the sensation of hot feet in warmer climates, and cold feet in colder climates.  In fact, with proper fitting, a Thorlos cushioned sock fitted with a shoe that is large enough to accommodate the cushioning is MUCH better for the feet than a thinner sock product.  Here’s Why:

• A thicker sock in a larger shoe allows a more complete range of motion of the feet while protecting against friction and chafing from the inside of the shoe. With this full range of motion, your gait is more efficient and the feet do not have to work quite as hard while walking and running.

• The Thorlos anatomically-designed terry cushioning establishes a yielding surface within the shoe that help stimulate circulation in the feet (better circulation=more comfort).

• The Thorlos cushioned sock design helps provide insulation and air flow and wicks moisture, which helps moderate temperature and keeps the feet from getting TOO hot or TOO cold (warm, but not hot, and slightly moist, but not wet).

There you have it! Now you know the real reason behind your sweaty feet!