STAFF
Trail running (races and long training)
I use these for trail races and long training runs, and for ultra-distance races I don't hesitate: these are the ones.
I use these for trail races and long training runs, and for ultra-distance races I don't hesitate: these are the ones (for shorter everyday runs I sometimes pick by pattern, but when it counts it's these).
I use the shorter length for training and the longer for races.
They tick every box I want in a performance sock. My number one condition is "not having to think about my socks". As with underwear, the absence of any odd feeling while wearing them matters most.
The dotted terry keeps them from being too thick, and the wool blend avoids that clammy feeling. I dislike strong compression and prefer it gentle, but I also hate socks so loose that my foot slides inside. Thanks to moderate arch support and a heel lock, these don't feel tight yet never shift, so there's simply no odd sensation. Also, a bad smell when changing socks at a drop bag is a real morale killer; these are highly odour-resistant, which I'm grateful for. They're durable enough to survive hard use without tearing, and they take the stress out of my feet on long trail runs.
In 2025 I ran both the Shinetsu Five Mountains 100 mile and the Lake Biwa 100 with no foot trouble, and these socks may be part of the reason. Socks alone don't decide it and long distances need other foot care too, but these are socks I can use with confidence.
I use the shorter length for training and the longer for races.
They tick every box I want in a performance sock. My number one condition is "not having to think about my socks". As with underwear, the absence of any odd feeling while wearing them matters most.
The dotted terry keeps them from being too thick, and the wool blend avoids that clammy feeling. I dislike strong compression and prefer it gentle, but I also hate socks so loose that my foot slides inside. Thanks to moderate arch support and a heel lock, these don't feel tight yet never shift, so there's simply no odd sensation. Also, a bad smell when changing socks at a drop bag is a real morale killer; these are highly odour-resistant, which I'm grateful for. They're durable enough to survive hard use without tearing, and they take the stress out of my feet on long trail runs.
In 2025 I ran both the Shinetsu Five Mountains 100 mile and the Lake Biwa 100 with no foot trouble, and these socks may be part of the reason. Socks alone don't decide it and long distances need other foot care too, but these are socks I can use with confidence.
