Long distance trail running! Why choose wool socks?

Distances over 50 kilometers can be considered long-distance cross-country running. The reason why Cracy chooses wool socks is because they don’t cause blisters when worn.

Long-distance trail running is an overload of running activities. In addition to properly sized cross-country running shoes, foot comfort during running requires a pair of socks suitable for long-distance cross-country running.

When testing the 450-kilometer cross-country race route last year, I tried ordinary socks, marathon socks, and toe socks. Neither can achieve the desired effect. Let Cracy briefly introduce why some types of socks are not suitable for long-distance cross-country running.

1. Ordinary socks. Ordinary socks are really ordinary. Ordinary socks can only be used for cross-country running for about 20 kilometers. If the distance is longer, they will break. Not to mention protecting your feet, your feet may get injured due to it. Ordinary socks are only suitable for daily running of 5-10 kilometers.

2. Ordinary sports socks. Ordinary sports socks refer to daily training. Ordinary socks can be used for moderately intense running activities or competitions. They are suitable for running more than 10 kilometers and within 30 kilometers. Common common sports socks on the market include Anta, Jordan, Xtep, Li-Ning and other socks, which are sold in offline stores in every city.

3. Marathon socks. Marathon sports socks are socks designed for marathon races. There are two types of socks, long socks and short socks. Short socks are more free and flexible, so relatively more athletes choose short socks, which are suitable for daily high-intensity training and marathon races. Common marathon socks include Feetures from the United States, X-BIONIC from Switzerland, and CMAX from Ningbo. The former is more expensive. Domestic marathon socks include Titan and Muscle, which are relatively affordable and are the marathon socks favored by mass runners.

Marathon sports socks are more professional. They can protect the arches of the feet during a 42-kilometer run, avoid blisters, and prevent sprains.

4. Toe socks. Toe socks are generally used in cross-country races of 30-50 kilometers. Its characteristic is to separate the toes individually, thus reducing toe friction. The disadvantage is that toe socks are relatively thick, so you need to buy shoes with wider feet, otherwise your toes will be easily squeezed and worn.

Cracy wore the above types of socks when testing the 450-kilometer group of the Wumeng Mountain Super Cross-Country Race. Most of the ordinary socks are made of pure cotton and are the most prone to blisters. It is not recommended to wear them for running; ordinary sports socks and marathon sports socks. Basically, these two types of socks are synthetic fibers and are more suitable for daily training and marathon running, but not durable for cross-country running; toe socks are more suitable for cross-country running competitions within 50 kilometers. Of course, if the toe socks are made of wool mixed products, it is another matter.

A pair of socks suitable for long-distance trail running should have the following characteristics:

1. No blisters. Blisters have always been the biggest headache for every cross-country runner. Blisters on your feet will make your entire running process miserable;

2. Durable. There are no holes in the socks after running 400-500 kilometers, and the heels and soles are intact;

3. Absorb sweat. As long as it doesn’t rain, the inside of your feet can be kept dry;

4. Wool content. At least 60% wool content, nylon; polyester has a certain proportion.

When Cracy was testing the 450-kilometer route on Wumeng Mountain, she tried various sports socks, but the results were not very satisfactory. You must know that testing the Wumeng Mountain route requires running non-stop for 8 days and 8 nights. Ordinary socks are not useful at all. When I first tested the 450-kilometer route on Wumeng Mountain, I used ordinary sports socks. I wore out two new pairs of socks in one day in a high-intensity place. Fortunately, I brought more socks that time. Used as marathon Running Socks the next day. It was tested that a new pair of marathon socks could only be worn for two days before they broke during cross-country running. Toe socks are more durable, but they are not suitable for me because my feet are too fat. I used to wear a pair of burning toe socks from a certain brand, which easily caused my nails to become black.